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WIN! A SODASTREAM + A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF FLOWERS INSPIRING IDEAS AMAZING PRICES

DECORATING SHOPPING FOOD MAKING STYLING

ONLY

PACKED WITH INSPO!

9 4 . 2 £ BEST VALUE

7 REAL HOMES & MAKEOVERS

PLUS! WIN £1,000

TO SPEND AT UFURNISH.COM

JANUARY 2022

Bake tasty party snacks and treats

HOMES MAG

879

How to celebrate the season in style

estive STYLE IDEAS & HOT 2022 TRENDS FRESH NEW LOOKS Our home is so cosy and relaxing

PRO STYLING TIPS Host the perfect party, dinner and cosy night in Best buys for a tangle-free festive tidy up Treat yourself to a cosy bedroom restyle Shop sunrise alarm clocks

Xmas best buys + new season must haves!

MAKE IT!

DIY BAR CART, COCKTAIL MENU & MORE

Easy updates for instant wow factor

Dulux Select Decorators decorating beautiful homes for over 25 years At Dulux, we’re proud of our Dulux Select Decorators. Each of the decorators have been hand-picked, assessed and accredited by Dulux, oﬀering you a two-year quality workmanship guarantee and peace of mind that you’ll be left with the perfect, high-quality ﬁnish on any job.

Visit duluxselectdecorators.co.uk to ﬁnd your local Dulux Select Decorator close to you.

Les Copestake, LPC Decorating Ltd, 2020 Dulux Select Decorator Grand Winner.

Welcome to our JANUARY ISSUE!

ith the festive season in full swing and the new year approaching, we’ve packed this bumper issue with ideas to help you celebrate in style. From our pro tips on wow-factor party themes and elegant dinner decorations to the ultimate in laid-back luxe for a cosy night in, you’ll find all the inspiration you need, whichever way you plan to enjoy the holidays. Turn to page 92 to find our festive style edit.

star Cathy’s modern-rustic cottage on page 22) are also full of seasonal inspo, as well as gorgeous decorating ideas and DIY tips and tricks to get your creativity kickstarted for 2022! For more creative ideas, turn to page 100 where we show you how to make an upcycled bar cart, a chalkboard cocktail menu and a set of personalised wine charms – everything you need to get the party started! Then head over to our recipes on page 138 with ideas for tasty snacks to treat your guests. Talking of the new year, on page 83 we’re excited to share 17 fresh, affordable ways to give your home a little extra, with instant updates from easy on-trend paint effects to the return of the feature wall (or alcove!). So whether your plans for 2022 are on a grand scale or you just fancy a bit of a change, you’ll find plenty to inspire you. However you spend the holidays, we wish you a happy and healthy new year and we look forward to being inspired by your amazing renovations in 2022 – stay in touch on Instagram with the hashtag #myHShome and we’ll see you soon!

COULD YOU BE OUR COVER STAR? Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be a future HomeStyle cover star? A creative home and a smile is all you need! Take a quick snap of yourself in your favourite room and email it to us at homestyle@ immediate.co.uk. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Get in touch WEBSITE yourhomestyle.uk

FACEBOOK facebook.com/homestylemaguk

TWITTER @homestylemaguk

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PS. Don't miss it

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The next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 4th January

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ED’S PICKS

138

104

Co n t e n t s 92

22 DECORATING & STYLING 07

Trending now Colour with confetti

The wish list The latest high-street home buys

Colour crush Rich and warming: plum pudding

New Year’s Eve party trends Three gorgeous looks for your bash

READER HOMES 22

I updated my granny’s cottage Cathy renovated a 300-year-old farmhouse into a stylish, cosy space

120 From bedroom to bathroom Lianne converted an unused room into a gorgeous family bathroom

Now my new-build is so welcoming Kerry re-styled a blank canvas into a calm and welcoming home

SHOPPING 8

Shop the high street The best affordable home buys

Cosy cottagecore Enchanting woodland-themed pieces

Light and easy Relax with a pared-back scheme

Bright folk Bold detailing and homespun charm

Miami beach Bright and breezy buys

Things to do in... January Seasonal style ideas and easy updates

Decorator’s mood boards The hottest new shades for 2022 selected by leading colour experts

We made our tiny budget go far Bronagh transformed her interiors with warm colours and bargain finds

I embraced my love of colour Richard used paint techniques and creative flair to revamp his home

One problem bedroom: two looks Bright linear or English escape?

Wow-factor ideas for 2022 Fresh looks and easy updates!

4 yourhomestyle.uk

114 Hotel luxe at home! Emma created a stylish bedroom and en suite inspired by a holiday

MAKEOVERS 108 Our kitchen cabinets are unique Nikki used spray paint for a bold look

Contents

114

Plus WIN & SAVE

138

Win! £1,000 to spend at ufurnish.com

Win! A year’s supply of flowers + a SodaStream

20% off design homeware store, Arca Lifestyle

Stress-free festive tidy-up Clear your space with these unmissable storage solutions

Curved vase Make a pretty clay stem vase

136 Mid-week meals Recipes for the busiest time of the year

Star decoration Handmade DIY décor

138 Tasty party snacks and treats Delicious ideas for a New Year bash

Fringed side table A glam table makeover

EVERY ISSUE

112 Bold and beautiful Go for drama with strong colours 118 Boutique boudoir Quirky artwork and statement pieces 124 Perfect pots Show off your houseplants in style

100 Upcycled bar cart A trolley to impress your guests

Home tech Wake up perky with a sunrise alarm

106 #MyHShome Our pick of your fantastic pics!

102 Wine glass charms These personalised tags will prevent drinks getting mixed up

126 Ask the experts Our readers’ queries answered

131 Buyer’s guide to blenders Juice, chop, blend and mix – find the model to suit your lifestyle

104 Chalkboard cocktail menu Show your guests what you’re making

144 Shopping directory Where to buy everything in this issue

COOKING

MAKING

134 Food news New launches and tasty treats in the supermarkets this month

146 In conversation with... We chat interior design with Katie Piper

129 Savvy home solutions Genius ideas to make home life easier

Flowerpot centrepiece Add rustic charm to your table

On our cover January 2022 5

Smart, stylish and landlord friendly. Shelving, mirrors and clothes stands that fit small spaces. Can be placed and removed on a whim. All made from smooth, laquered oak.

Shelves that ﬁt where other shelves don’t.

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

Trending FIESTA OF COLOUR AROUND THE GLOBE

Mexican hand-blown glass pitcher, £44.99, UNICEF Market

Julia table lamp, £59, MADE.com

PERFECT PASTELS SEVENTIES STYLE

Ansel confetti glass table lamp, £99, Urban Outfitters

Dagget serving bowl, £29, MADE.com

Style insider

COLOUR WITH CONFETTI Fun-loving stylists will adore these speckled pieces that boast an artistic edge

Use one spotted piece to make a statement in a minimal scheme HOME SLICE Speckled cake stand, £35, Cielshop

WASTE NOT Square Beach Clean eco coasters, £12 for set of four, Liga

HOT SPOTS Tortoiseshell glass vase, £12, Primark

lowvee

ETERNAL FLAME Tortoiseshell candle holder, £30, Oka

TALL STORY HK Living tropical storage jar, £42, Coffee & Cloth ltd

January 2022 7

Feature Hannah Tribe

TEAL DEAL Turquoise speckled vase, from £55, House of Flora

This playful, spotty trend has its origins in the glamour of the 1970s. Timeless tortoiseshell lends instant warmth and sophistication to minimalist schemes, while bright tones bring the trend right up to date. It’s also a chance for modern materials to shine, so look out for pieces made from multi-coloured, recycled materials. Unique artistic patterns created by soft flecks of colour will be seen everywhere in 2022, from lamps to vases to kitchenware.

Furniture Village ROSY DAWN Try tranquil shades of pale pink and earthy red this winter to bring some cheerful warmth to your interior

Amelie boutique two seater sofa, £599; Asterope floor lamp, £159; Halston small round tables, £35 each, all Furniture Village

Gaucho ceiling light, £69

lowvee

Halston small round table, £35

Flin task table lamp, £53

Mandarin bed frame, £1,199

SHOP THE

HIGH STREET

Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer 8 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

IKEA GREEN LIVING Made from renewable and recycled materials, this sustainable collection from IKEA is light and soothing, and just perfect for a bedroom or living room

Gunnlaug curtain, £45

Mojna Hemma pendant lamp, £22 Bergpalm duvet cover and pillowcases, £29

Hemnes desk with drawers, £129 Svardborg rug, £199

Svampmal cushion, £3.50

Bergpalm duvet cover and pillowcases, £22, IKEA

HOW TO

style the look

Feature Katie Dutton

Keep rosy pinks and reds looking fresh by teaming them with creamy shades and warm wooden accents. Bold pops of blue will also create contrast and build up a more colourful display. As well as a cosy sofa (we absolutely adore this teddy bear fabric style), position lamps with low watt bulbs in dark corners to keep a soothing glow going all evening long.

January 2022 9

Primark DINING AFTER DARK Embrace the dark décor trend with Primark’s black and gold dinnerware collection

Black and gold leaf print table runner, £9

Black tall dinner candle holder, £2.50

Printed decal votive candle, £3.50

Glass goldtone base round vase, £4

Black and gold floral print photo frame, £3.50

Black and gold leaf print charger plate, £2.50 10 yourhomestyle.uk

Goldtone tall dinner candle holder, £2.50; Gold leaf print napkins, £5; Black marble slab tray, £6; Goldtone colour block cutlery, £6, all Primark

Style on a shoestring

HOW TO

Calder balance floor lamp, Satin Black, £88, BHS

style the look

Black is a timeless shade that adds depth and cosiness to a space. To keep things evocative yet jolly, add areas of light using candles, shimmering metallics and mirrors. Houseplants and seasonal foilage stand out wonderfully against a black background – place a bouquet of dried flowers or branches in a glass vase for a striking centrepiece.

BHS

Brookby palm pendant, Satin Brass, £132

ALL AGLOW

Marston small metal coolie cluster pendant, Antique Brass, £88

With the darker evenings here, now is the perfect time to invest in some stylish and practical lighting

Calder semi flush ceiling light, Satin Black, £50

Hennock large diner pendant, Brass, £176

Hol tripod floor lamp, Satin Brass, £165

Lott terrazzo opal ball spotlight, Satin Brass, £22

January 2022 11

Wren helped us achieve the family kitchen we’d always dreamed of After recommendations from family and friends, Sam and Kris enlisted Wren Kitchens to give their kitchen extension a modern family-friendly transformation With expert advice from their designer, Sam and Kris chose the classic pairing of Aspen Ice Xena Quartz worktops with Infinity Plus units in Pebble Gloss

aving built a loft extension in their home in Crewe, Sam and Kris Bache decided to extend their kitchen, too. ‘We spoke to our architect and decided to add on to our home as we’d always wanted a large kitchen,’ explains Sam. The space needed to be as family-friendly as possible for the couple and their daughters, Macie and Aayliah. Their next step was to find a company that could achieve their goal. ‘We chose Wren as

family members had said they’d had a good experience with them,’ recalls Kris. The couple designed their kitchen while building their extension so collaborating with their Wren designer helped them visualise their new space. ‘With the help of Wren we could talk through ideas and plan the room layout a lot better,’ says Kris. The couple’s home is part of the #wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations.

For more inspiration, search #wrenovation 12 yourhomestyle.uk

DESIGN STAGE Sam and Kris went to their local showroom in Warrington. After browsing the store, they spoke to designer, Dan, who arranged for someone to measure up their kitchen that same day. ‘We went back to the showroom after the measurements were taken that afternoon and designed it all with Dan in around four hours,’ explains Sam. Minimising clutter was a big priority for the couple. ‘With two girls and a lot of mess, we wanted plenty of cupboard space. Dan

Advertisement feature

The central quartz-topped island provides the perfect socialising, baking and playing space for Sam, Kris and their girls

suggested a few ideas for what could work in the space,’ says Sam. ‘We wanted a large island, and Dan used Wren’s design software to work out the best placement for it in the room so we could visualise how it would look.’

COLOUR AND APPLIANCES When it came to the colour scheme, Sam and Kris had an open brief. ‘I had a look around the showroom to see what stood out to me. I wanted a hard-wearing surface on the worktops as the girls like to paint and bake, which can get quite messy! Dan recommended the Aspen Ice Xena Quartz worktops, which we paired with Infinity Plus Autograph Stainless units in Pebble Gloss for a shiny modern look,’ says Sam.

the zero per cent finance deal was a great help. While we had the money for the new kitchen, the option to pay on finance meant we could put our money towards the extension and bring forward the installation date,’ explains Kris. Dan contacted the couple throughout the process to inform them of delivery timings, which made the installation seamless. Now the family spend most of their time in the kitchen. ‘The new space works so much better for us. The girls can play in here while

I cook, and it’s great for entertaining,’ smiles Sam. ‘We’d definitely recommend Wren, which I’m doing without thinking when I’m sharing photos on Instagram or talking to friends who visit,’ shares Sam.

‘Once the measurements

The couple selected high-end appliances to complete their dream kitchen, which include an AEG fully integrated dishwasher; a Bosch induction five-zone hob; and warming drawers, a compact combi-microwave and multifunction, self-cleaning oven. With Dan’s expert advice, the couple were able to include these state-of-the-art appliances while maintaining the storage space they longed for.

BRINGING IT HOME With their kitchen plans drawn up, the next step was arranging the installation date. ‘We spoke about the finance with Dan, and

An integrated combi-microwave and multi-function oven from CDA are safely out of reach of little ones’ hands, making them both stylish and practical

Feature Thomas Poad

were taken that afternoon, we designed our kitchen in around four hours’

January 2022 13

Rivet King Street glass top side table, £58.75, Amazon

FURNITURE ON-DEMAND Calling all fans of Scandi-style interiors and mid-century modern furnishings, there are two exciting new brands on Amazon. The Movian and Rivet ranges feature everything you need for decking out a new home or refreshing a room, from lighting to seating. Unlike the long wait times for larger items of furniture that are now common, with these stylish lines from Amazon you can get your goodies in a matter of days, including this sleek coffee table and cosy reading chair. Pieces are selling fast and take note that Amazon prices can fluctuate. Find the Movian and Rivet ranges via the search bar at smile.amazon.co.uk. Rivet hawthorne tufted upholstered accent chair, Grey, £273.40; Rivet hairpin coffee table, £135.67, Amazon

TheWISH LIST... New this month: exciting collections, collaborations, creations and more… Marsella duvet cover set, from £69.30, Sheridan

WE ARE LOVING... Not all of us are lucky enough to have a garden, but new brand Leafage proves that you don’t have to have an outdoor space to reap the rewards of nature! Its adorable range of terrarium kits are stylish, low-maintenance mini gardens, which look great as a table centrepiece or as a quirky addition to a houseplant shelf. Each terrarium kit includes an eco-glass container, succulents or cacti, pebbles, soil and moss, basic terrarium tools and a step-by-step guide for creating your little garden oasis. We love the Lil Bro Terrarium, which is a great size to start with if you’re new to the world of gardening under glass. They’d make a lovely house-warming gift too. The kits start at £45, from weareleafage.com. Big Papa terrarium kit, £80, Leafage

SNOOZE IN STYLE Despite its balmy climate, Australia has a reputation for producing cosy bedding. One of our favourite snuggly textile brands from Down Under is Sheridan, who is known for its organic and sustainable fabrics that don’t cost the earth. Its latest winter range is inspired by the relaxing tones of nature and includes luxury duvet covers, silky smooth sheets and super-soft towels, all made from high-end fabrics, like Belgian flax linen and Australian wool. We have our eyes on this fresh, botanical Marsella duvet cover set. Prices start at £6 for the luxe towels and £62.30 for the duvet covers. debenhams.com 14 yourhomestyle.uk

Wish list

WOW-FACTOR WALLS

SAVE VS SPLURGE

Take a walk on the wild side this winter with Paloma Faith’s brand-new wallpaper range from her homeware label Paloma Home. As vibrant and eclectic as the singer herself, this fresh wallpaper collection is ideal for anyone looking to add swathes of rich colour and maximalism to their home without spending a fortune. Choose from pouncing tigers, Oriental leaves on a deep red background, vintage florals and a 1970s monochrome stripe design. We’ll have the Pouncing Tiger print in Blossom please. A 10.05 metre roll costs £35. Shop the full range or try a free sample at wallpaperdirect.com.

Rattan sideboards Natural rattan sideboard, £60,

Bue sideboard, £495, Oliver Bonas

LOOK SHARP House in need of a re-sort? Or do you love reading up on new cleaning and storage hacks? Buying this debut book from the sensational NIFTY team at Buzzfeed is worth putting to the top of your to-do list. It’s packed with style-led, space-saving ideas, DIY makes to save on spending, and indispensable cleaning tips and homemade cleaning recipes. Each room is tackled chapter by chapter and there are lovely photo examples throughout. NIFTY Clean & Organized is out now, £12.99, David & Charles

Pouncing Tigers wallpaper, £35 per roll, Paloma Home at Wallpaper Direct

BOUTIQUE BUYS: BADGER & BIRCH

Terrazzo scented candles, £14 each

With recycled materials and sustainable practises at the forefront of its business, Badger & Birch creates refreshing, thoughtful and practical products for the home Add some sparkle to the darker evenings with the brand’s latest range of eclectic homewares. We can’t get enough of the recycled oyster shell candles, which look great on a wintry table setting, and its terrazzo vanity trays, which are fab for refreshing a bedside or make-up table. Shop the full collection at badgerandbirch.co.uk.

we e lov

Tall vase in White with recycled shell, £39

Sculpted dinner candle holder in Black ‘nude’ terrazzo, £24

Oyster shell and Gold candle, £14 each

January 2022 15

Feature Katie Dutton

Vanity tray in White and recycled shell, £38

Colour crush PLUM PUDDING Rich and sophisticated, immerse yourself in deliciously dark shades of plum. Pops of sparkling metallics, pale pink and neutral beige will accentuate the deep tones and lift the look for spring/summer 2 3

4 6

8 12

Feature Katie Dutton

1 White shell ornament/storage pot, £78; vintage-style Light & Dark Pink glass tea light holders, set of two, £12; natural Burgundy eucalyptus stems, £14, all Rockett St George 2 Recycled Burgundy and Camel buffalo check wool blanket, £60, Tartan Blanket Co 3 Ruffle Burgundy Irish linen napkin, £24, Rebecca Udall 4 La Cafetière Barcelona Plum ceramic coffee pot and mug, 300ml, £29.99, KitchenCraft 5 Burgundy & Gold garlands, set of two, £35, Cox & Cox 6 Lacquered Crimson twist candle, £4, Rebecca Udall 7 The Plum Pine Cone dried baked blossom, medium bunch, £42, The Happy Blossoms 8 Purple glass spoon and sugar pot, £9.50, Oliver Bonas 9 Country manor stag duvet cover, double set, £22, Habitat 10 Elara Burgundy plush velvet three-seater sofa, £799, Freemans x Julien Macdonald 11 Holme Gaard primula vase, £48, Nordic Nest 12 William Morris Larkspur No2 poster, £14.95 Desenio 16 yourhomestyle.uk

Sky above, earth below and fire within.

ELECTRIC

01952 200 444

GAS

marketing@charltonandjenrick.co.uk

WOOD BURNING

www.charltonandjenrick.co.uk

M U LT I - F U E L

January T HIN GS TO DO I N...

Easy updates and seasonal style ideas to try this month…

P R O B L E M SO LV ED

Silent night The cork-popping celebrations of Christmas and New Year are high on the fun factor but you don’t want to lose your sparkle by not getting enough shut-eye. Bedding in deep, rich colours will help with that all-important down time and this glamorous, star-spangled embroidered set from Next is made from super-cosy velvet too, so it’s perfect for a luxurious nest.

18 yourhomestyle.uk

Luxurious Twilight sequin star duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £60, Next

January at home

W EEK END PR OJ EC T

Adventures in space matching your woodwork and metalwork to in the same shade they will blend into the background, creating an uninterrupted and with Dunelm’s eggshell paint (£28 per 2.5L), range of gorgeous emulsion (£16 per 2.5L).

Speckled mug with spoon and lid, £15.95 each, Martha Brook

ST Y L E SW ITCH

Footstools, from £80, Joe Browns

PR OBLEM S O LV ED

Sitting pretty A scattering of statement footstools is a casual yet devastatingly stylish way to provide extra seating at parties. These boho designs from Joe Browns create an easy, laid-back atmosphere, while still looking chic and gorgeous. Style them in small groups of odd numbers and they’ll be a brilliant conversation starter. Don’t forget to pop a table of nibbles close by!

Put a lid on it Never again suffer the disappointment of tepid tea with these clever lidded mugs from Martha Brook. They help to trap in heat, thus keeping your cuppa hot for longer; they’ll make sure you get the best out of herbal brews, too, by stopping all those essential oils from escaping while they steep.

Shop the STAR by Julien Macdonald collection at Freemans

YOURHOMEST YLE

Rifle Paper Co 2022 Wild Garden desk calendar, £14, Papermash

Pour me another A stylish drinks cart is, of course, a must-have for seasonal soirées, but do you know how to style one? By organising that jumble of different bottles and mismatched collection of glasses into a carefully considered display you will create a fabulous, shimmering focal point for your room. Check out our top tips and tricks for creating the perfect drinks cart at bit.ly/drinkscart. While visiting our website you’ll also discover delicious recipes for dainty finger food and luscious cocktails that will put your drinks cart to good use!

QU I C K WI N

Ring of roses Bring a bit of floral flair to your home office with some bright botanicals. This pretty, free-standing calendar from the Rifle Paper Company has a seasonal illustration for each month of the year, so you’ll be able to keep on track with your blossoming goals for 2022 in style.

January 2022 19

THE R U S TI C BARE WALL LOOK Raw materials in interior design are on the rise; marble tiles, terrazzo floors, concrete surfaces and terracotta homewares are everywhere. One trend we can’t get enough of is bare plaster walls. They have a beautiful texture and inject a subtle, earthy wash of colour to your home – perfect for fans of industrial and shabby chic interiors, and for those making over a period house. Practically speaking, exposed plaster walls saves the cost of painting and they’re free of chemicals too – win win! Learn how to get the look at yourhomestyle.uk/homedécor/raw-plaster-wallsinterior

Your weekly dose of home style inspiration

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A WEEK LY DOS E O F HOMEST YLE I N S P O Take a peek inside real reader homes and keep up to date with the latest interior trends, best bargain buys and exclusive giveaways with our newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday. Sign up at yourhomestyle.uk

Head to yourhomestyle.uk, the online home of HomeStyle magazine, for the latest interior trends, DIY decorating ideas, buyer’s guides and exclusive giveaways! GET ONLI NE! Bookmark our homepage for everything you need to know about the hottest new looks, DIY hacks and best buys

#MYHS HO ME For daily décor inspiration and an in-depth look inside our real reader homes, follow us @homestylemaguk 20 yourhomestyle.uk

READER HOMES Get inspired by this month’s four stunning real homes, they’re packed with ideas for festive styling and your next decorating project! 22 RUSTIC COTTAGE Cathy modernised her home without sacrificing its charm

34 COSY NEW-BUILD Soft textures and natural materials have transformed Kerry’s home

48 CHIC BUNGALOW Vintage meets modern in Bronagh’s stylish, budget-friendly reno

60 COLOUR POP Using creativity and flair Richard revamped his home for just £2,000

48 22

34 60 PLUS SHOP THE LOOK 42

68 January 2022 21

I gave my granny's cottage a COSY NEW LOOK Tasked with modernising her 300-year-old farmhouse, Cathy McGovern was careful the building didn’t lose any of its original charm

Inspiring homes ‘Last year was the first time in over 30 years we weren’t all together for Christmas. This room is always bustling with activity. On Christmas Day the half door is open and a constant train of stuff is passed through from my parents’ house across the road as we get ready for dinner’

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Cathy McGovern, a stylist and events producer @wilde.dining. I live with my husband, Geoff, our sons, Oscar, six, and Xander, three, and our springer spaniels, Duke and Hazzard. We share our home renovations @cathymcgovern_carrowlane. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a two-bedroom cottage, built in the 1800s in Derrylin, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. We’ve lived here for 15 years. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The décor was very dark and not suitable for day-to-day family life. Once our first son was born, it became clear that we would need more space and so we started renovating the original cottage attached to the main house.

MY FAVOURITE PART The living/dining room. It has lots of rustic charm. It’s such a cosy and inviting space and we love entertaining and relaxing in it after a long day.

MY STORY Geoff and I were living in a rental property in Dublin when I inherited my grandmother’s house. It’s a smaller cottage attached to what we call the main house. It needed a major revamp to function as a modern home, and we wanted to respect the history of the place while renovating. We got to work straight away, taking down the ceiling and removing the crumbling internal wall and stairs to create an open-plan space. We knocked four small rooms into one large one, which is now our dining and living area and the heart of our home. Our biggest challenge has been a

lack of natural light but we’ve overcome this by using the darker rooms, like the lounge, in the evening when we want a cosier feel. There have been plenty of surprises behind every layer of wallpaper and picture. My granny used to write notes everywhere and I’ve loved uncovering them. Luckily, a lot of the original features were intact, including the large inglenook fireplace, windows, and floorboards, and they add real character. I’m so proud of the cottage, especially knowing we did it ourselves on a shoestring budget. We’ve managed to create a stylish home, that’s so unique and special to us.

Feature Laura Ewart Photos Lu Cro Styling Cathy McGovern

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We painted the entire house white so we could see the space clearly. Then we knocked down walls to create an open-plan living area that was more suited to family life. We filled the house with auction finds, handmade pieces and fairy lights and lots of natural elements from outside.

‘I tend to plan rooms around the individual features, such as lighting issues and the needs of our family, rather than following a particular style,’ says Cathy. ‘The cottage is north-facing with most of the small windows at the front, so lighting is something we have to pay particular attention to’

Living/dining room ‘Based in the original cottage, our dining and main living area was quite dark, so we put in a skylight, which has completely transformed the space. I went for pretty bold colour choices in here with the dark greens and black fireplace surround, but the scale of the room and the amount of light that floods in means that the space can easily take such a dark colour, while still feeling cosy. The super-comfy sofa was a steal from an auction, and I’ve dressed it with squishy cushions from H&M Home and Home of Boho that go perfectly with my rugs from Wayfair and an auction house. I designed the shelves behind the sofa myself and Geoff brought my vision to life. The dining table and chairs are a much-cherished wedding present, and they go so well with the antique wooden chairs with heart cut-outs.’

Cathy made the clock from a forged metal ring she found in one of the outbuildings and a strip of live-edged wood

Original features, such as the exposed stone walls and distressed window frames, gives the cottage bags of character

Style idea Back a window with pretty fabric, like this Laura Ashley design 24 yourhomestyle.uk

A traditional log-burner is a favourite feature of Cathy’s. ‘I love unwinding in front of the fire after the kids have gone to bed,’ she says

Inspiring homes

‘There have been surprises behind every layer of wallpaper and picture. My granny used to write notes everywhere and I’ve loved uncovering them’ Style idea Keep fairy lights up after the festive season for cosy vibes all year round

make CANDLE CENTREPIECE p32

The star of the show is the original exposed brick fireplace, which the couple uncovered after renovating the space in 2017. ‘We hope to return it to a working fireplace with a wood-burner some day,’ says Cathy January 2022 25

COSY COTTAGECORE p30

Lounge

‘I’ve gone for soft neutrals and pinks with sheer linen curtains to help brighten this room up. We’ve incorporated lots of mood lighting in here, which we use day and night. I like to include lots of earthy and natural elements in our home as we as a family love the outdoors lifestyle and the calming feeling it has. I find so much of my inspiration in nature. The lounge always feels so homely and warm, especially with the fireplace that Geoff built using reclaimed bricks and railway sleepers, and the large stove heats the whole house throughout the winter. Friends and family always comment on how cosy our home is, and on how many candles and fairy lights I have, and this room is no exception.’ ‘This Christmas, I’ve decorated with lots of natural elements, such as moss, ivy and ferns,’ says Cathy. ‘I also ramp up the number of candles and fairy lights I have out. The glitter trees are from Primark and the art is by me. I flipped the print in an old picture and drew the design with a black Sharpie’ 26 yourhomestyle.uk

The sofa, an auction find, is covered with a throw from H&M Home and dressed with cushions from Home of Boho to add a contemporary twist to the country cottage look. The walls have been painted in Personal Touch by Crown Paints

Steal my style

Get Cathy’s charming home style with these timeless buys

Wooden decorations, B&M

Elvis rocking chair, Wayfair

Woodland Magic tablecloth, Walton & Co

Inspiring homes

Kitchen ‘We plan to turn our current kitchen into the family bathroom but for now, I’m using accessories to distract the eye from the dated woodwork. The tray on the wall is from Fy! and the clock is from our local garden centre.’

‘Geoff handmade the kitchen island and attached wheels so it can be moved around. When I’m prepping food, I use it as an extra work surface and the rest of the time the boys love to use it as a breakfast bar’

‘Friends and family always comment on how cosy our home is and on how many candles and fairy lights I have!’

Outside ‘Our garden area is made up of a DIY palette and a trellis we made ourselves to hide the yard area and to make the space look more inviting. We love entertaining and we regularly have nights sitting around the fire pit into the early hours with our family and friends. The fairy lights from Amazon really add a magical touch, as do the lanterns from Fermanagh Cottage Industries, a business local to us. We made the pink benches ourselves and for the table, we just chopped the legs off a garden dining table for a more informal coffee table style. I’ve added cushions from H&M Home, Zara Home and Home of Boho.’

The outdoor dining set had a revamp this summer. ‘I was yearning for a holiday to Morocco and I think it inspired me to paint the furniture in these lovely sunset hues’, says Cathy. ‘It’s so nice to sit outside here, even in the colder months.’ Cathy has brought her signature cosy charm to the outside space with vintagestyle candle holders, throws and cushions

January 2022 27

HOW TO...

Shop for vintage homeware Get a unique look with second-hand Have a good idea of what you’re after. It will help you narrow down your choices and stop you from getting overwhelmed. If you have a particular item in mind that you are looking for, set up alerts on online sites so you know when what you’re looking for becomes available. If you like the shape and style of a furniture piece, don’t get too hung up on the colour or condition. It’s easy to upcycle with a sand down and a lick of paint. When shopping for furniture, make sure you measure up. There’s nothing worse than buying something only to find it doesn’t fit in the space.

Master bedroom

The antique antlers and original fireplace are both draped with foliage from local hedgerows for a festive feel. Fairy lights in the fireplace adds a little touch of magic too

Bathroom ‘I opted for quite a timeless monochrome colour palette but then added personality with the handpainted floor mural and black-painted tiles. I decided to paint the mural on our bathroom floor just six weeks after having a caesarean – probably not the wisest decision, but I just wanted rid of the horrible vinyl that was down. I gave it two coats of white paint before I mapped out the design with a pencil and then I just painted the design on. It did take a bit longer than I hoped, but it was worth it. To finish the space, we painted the walls in Forest Vista and Penny Black, both from Crown Paints.’

‘We’ve only recently renovated our bedroom. We stripped back all the wallpaper and took out a partition wall to give us more floor space. We also ripped up the old carpets and laminate flooring to reveal very rustic original floorboards – we couldn’t believe our luck! The floorboards were quite damaged and needed a bit of work but they’re full of the original characteristics that I love, and they give the room a very natural Scandi-rustic feel. Our bedroom has one of the few south-facing windows, so it gets a lot of natural light. I opted for neutral tones in here, teamed with my own artwork and natural elements, such as pampas grass and dried flowers.’

The pared-back walls and natural elements of the room are complemented by neutral bedding from Zara Home and cushions from H&M Home 28 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes The bathroom is used by all of the family, so it has to work hard. The industrial-inspired shelving behind the bath is from Amazon

The wooden mirror from Argos complements the green on the walls and reflects the statement chandelier from Love Frankie

The red beds pop against the panelling, painted in Go Green by Crown Paints. The Sing Me a Song art print from Fy! has a classic feel to it, which is perfect for a children’s room

Boys' room ‘Geoff did the soft green panelling behind the bed, which adds instant warmth to the boys’ bedroom. I got the beds for £6 each at an auction and spray-painted them in Tufted Kilim by Crown Paints. I made the side lamps myself and the bedside tables were made by my brother, Aidy – we’re a very creative family! I finished the room off with a rug, storage baskets and bedding from H&M Home and a basket pendant from Iconic Lights.’

WHAT I LEARNED... You can create a home you love and are proud of without buying it off the shelf. We have had to be creative with our budget, but it has meant that we have a really unique home. Restoring old properties requires a specific set of skills. If you want to embark on a renovation project with one of these buildings, prepare to spend a lot of time researching, waiting for tradespeople and listening to a lot of conflicting opinions. It’s hard work but it’s all worth it!

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

hop the look... COSY COTTAGECORE Snuggle up, like Cathy, with vintage-style pieces and enchanting woodland-inspired details

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Style idea

Feature Hannah Tribe

Bring this traditional look up to date with red and teal accents

1 Manor House stag cushion, £12, Habitat 2 Velvet fringe lampshade in Grey, £35, La Redoute 3 Skold sheepskin in Beige, £50, IKEA 4 Autumn foliage garland, £14.99, Ginger Ray 5 Wicker log basket, £39.99, Charlton Island 6 Abigail Ahern Silver ceramic candle holder, £25, Freemans 7 Wooden stag decoration, £8, B&M 8 Green glass tealight holder, £2, Primark 9 Classic Bobbin pedestal side table, £79, John Lewis & Partners 10 Habitat Talia spindle back dining chair in Black, £160 for two, Argos 11 Cherished pie dish, £28, Cath Kidston 30 yourhomestyle.uk

Make the look... FLOWERPOT CENTREPIECE Add some rustic charm to your dinner table, like Cathy, and make up these cute terracotta pots with what you can find in the garden Laleh terracotta plant pot, £1.08, B&Q. Oasis floral foam brick, £1.75, Hobbycraft. Jubla white candles, £4 for 20, IKEA

Top tip Spray some of the foliage stems gold to add a touch of bling to your table setting

You will need ł Terracotta pot ł Oasis floral foam ł Water ł Knife ł Candle ł Foliage ł Berries ł Scissors First, soak the Oasis floral foam brick in water, then cut it down to size with a knife and wedge it inside the flowerpot. Push the candle down into the oasis in the middle of the pot. Use scissors to trim the foliage and berry stems to your desired lengths so that they are long enough to frame the candle. Working around the edge of the pot first, push the foliage stems into the oasis. Add more foliage working up to the candle until you are happy with the result, then fill in any gaps with the berry stems, as shown. If you have a large table, it's a good idea to make a few to fill the space.

2 3 4 5 32 yourhomestyle.uk

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

Prize draw

WIN!

£1,000 to spend at ufurnish.com 1

LUCKY WINNER

TO ENTER At ufurnish.com we’re on a mission to help you create your perfect home, which is why we proudly partner with some of the UK’s most exciting retailers. Save time and search the entire furniture market in one place, comparing prices and products from 100+ retailers, so you can make the perfect choice. We’ve teamed up with HomeStyle to offer one lucky reader £1,000 to spend on a

retailer of their choice! Simply head to ufurnish.com to discover exciting independent brands, such as Graham & Green, Room to Grow and Rockett St George, as well as all the high-street names you know and love like John Lewis, Wayfair and Dunelm.

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. The closing date is 7th February 2022.

Get browsing on ufurnish.com

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This competition closes on 7th February 2022 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. Find full terms and conditions under the ufurnish.com prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win. The prize is £1,000 to spend with any of the retailers on ufurnish.com at the time of picking the item(s). The winner will need to pick the item(s) within six months’ notification of winning, and ufurnish.com will purchase on their behalf. The total cost including the delivery must not exceed the prize value.

January 2022 33

Style idea Decorate your windowsill with long-lasting eucalyptus to add an extra festive touch

‘It’s nice to have a space where I can entertain my family at Christmas as a thank you for all the DIY help they’ve given me’

I created a home that's WARM & INVITING Kerry Kellett added soft textures and colours with wooden accessories to turn her characterless house into a welcoming home

Inspiring homes Buying this new-build took away a lot of the difficult decision-making process, as it came with the hob, double oven, fridge-freezer, and cabinet handles, so I could concentrate on how to decorate the space,’ say Kerry. The grey porcelain floor tiles are from Al-Murad and the rug is from Wayfair

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Kerry Kellett, 37, a graphic designer. I live with my husband, Richard, 38, an applications engineer, and our two boys, Charlie, eight, and Sebastian, five. You can follow my renovation journey on Instagram @klk.interiors. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom detached Redrow new-build in Highburton, Huddersfield. We moved here in April 2017. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE As we bought off-plan, we knew exactly what we were getting with this house. Although it was well-designed and had good-sized rooms, like most new-builds, it needed character adding, so that was my challenge. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I decided to add panelling to most of the rooms, as it’s a fairly quick, cheap way to add interest. I wanted a cohesive space, so I chose soft, complementary colours to run through the house. Then I accessorised with lots of soft textures, such as chunky throws and pampas grasses.

MY STORY We were looking to upsize when I heard about a housing development planned for our village. We went to view a sister site and loved the design and size of the properties. There were only going to be a few homes built in the style we liked, and to buy off-plan meant putting a deposit down. At this point we didn’t even know how much the houses would cost, but we decided to go for it. We sold our place and moved into a rental while we waited for our new home to be built. Living locally meant I could follow the progress. First some bricks went up, then a window went in, and it was really exciting to

see it develop. To save money we decided not to have extras, such as flooring or tiling, as we knew we could save our budget doing this ourselves, though we did upgrade to a Shaker-style kitchen. Then, when we got the keys, we came to do the finishing touches. I painted the rooms and Richard laid the flooring downstairs and tiled the bathroom. We also changed the original laminate kitchen worktop to quartz to add a more luxurious feel.

Now I feel like our home is finished and we can simply just enjoy it. I do still spend a lot of time ‘faffing’, and love to refresh the look by changing things around.

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Lee

MY FAVOURITE PART I love the open-plan kitchen-diner as it’s so fit for purpose. We live in there from morning to night.

Kitchen-diner

‘We’ve had this table for nearly 10 years, but I’d gone off its original dark wood style. It’s a quality piece of furniture, so instead of dumping it, I sanded it down and then lime-waxed it, and now it feels like a brand new piece,’ says Kerry

‘The kitchen layout works really well. The building company obviously spent a lot of time planning a good, practical design, with lots of cupboard and worktop space. However, the basic cabinets on offer, which were included in the initial build, were high gloss or wood effect, which didn’t appeal to me, so I chose to upgrade to these grey Shaker-style units that look far more stylish. I also wanted to change the original laminate worktops to quartz. We could have chosen the building company’s option, but I knew I could source something cheaper myself by shopping around, and I found this locally for half the price. I decided to go for an upstand, rather than tiles, and we also replaced the stainless steel splashback and the wooden windowsill with quartz to create a more streamlined, modern look.’

Measuring and fitting the new worktop was one of first jobs the couple did, and Kerry admits it was quite tricky trying to get the old worktop out and not damage the units. ‘We were really lucky being able to get lots of the work done before we moved in,’ she adds

Style idea Untreated MDF has a warm, rustic look

‘I’m not one for bright colours, and I like to create a laid-back vibe, even at Christmas. The crackers, candlesticks and three-wick candle are from The Range, and the plates are from Wayfair 36 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

shop

‘This room is the reason we bought the house’

PALE AND INTERESTING p42

‘I used to have one big print on this wall, but it never looked quite right,’ explains Kerry. ‘Replacing it with the gallery display adds a bit of pace to the large space, and I love how the lamp, from MADE.com, swings over the front of the gallery wall to add extra shape.’ The prints are from Poster Store, the French Connection Zinc sofas are from DFS, and the rug is from La Redoute

Open-plan living area ‘This room is the reason we bought the house. I knew we’d spend most of our time in here as the design works really well, with the kitchen and dining at one end and this chill-out area near the doors to the garden. But when choosing the interior add-ons, we realised it was cheaper to do some of the work ourselves rather than pay the building company to do the installation. So, I went on the hunt for floor tiles, and Richard went on YouTube to learn how to install underfloor heating and lay tiles on top. I changed the original cream walls to this soft grey and then we added panelling to ground the TV and wall-mounted IKEA Bestå unit.’

‘The design works really well, with the kitchen and dining at one end and chill-out area near the doors to the garden’

Style idea Stick to simple Scandi-style decorations for a relaxed vibe

‘I didn’t want to clutter this room with lots of furniture, but this large expanse of empty wall needed something to break it up, so we put the shelves above purely as a styling space and the bench below, from Next, doubles as extra seating.’ The wooden advent calendar is from The Range and the mini Christmas trees are from IKEA

January 2022 37

Kerry has used gold accents on the tree to complement the neutral colour scheme running through her home. ‘The sofas, from Sofology, are two different sizes and we always swap them over at Christmas to fit the tree into this corner,’ says Kerry. The pre-lit snowy tree is from Next and the decorations are from Wilko

make

CURVED VASE p44

Living room ‘This room was literally a white box with a window when we moved in. Richard had always wanted a TV that was set into a chimney breast, so, with help from my dad, he built a frame in the middle of the wall to create the illusion of one. Then he added the apertures to house the TV and soundbar so that they were flush, and a friend plastered it for us. I painted the walls in Beige 04 by Lick, and then attached the picture rail to add a bit of character to the space. We don’t use this room that much, but it is lovely to snuggle down in here for cosy movie nights.’ ‘Building the chimney breast created the perfect alcove space for these shelves, and I’m forever faffing with them. The white vase holding the eucalyptus was originally yellow and blue, but I painted it with two colours of leftover paint to give a concrete effect.’ The knitted grey pouffe is from Beliani and the candlesticks are from Fleur and Grey 38 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

‘Not many people seem to feel like their home is finished, but for us we’re done. It feels like a home we can now enjoy being in’

Steal my style Get Kerry’s relaxed home style with these buys Ceramic linear jug, The Grey Works

Henry Holland ribbed end table, Freemans

Giano recycled cotton throw, Beaumonde Shaped vase, Argos

Hallway ‘We decided to save money by carpeting the house ourselves. Luckily, my uncle used to be a carpet fitter, so he had plenty of good advice for us when we did the stairs. This space wasn’t originally meant to have panelling, but I spied some leftover MDF in the garage one day so I gave Richard another little project to do. It’s completely changed what felt like a cold, uninviting entrance into a stylish, welcoming hallway.’

Style idea Layering different shades of cream cushions and throws adds interest to a simple colour scheme

Adding fave accessories, like these trinkets from B&M and Fleur and Grey, helps bring personality to the rooms

The bannister is decorated with a garland from M&S, attached with elastic to protect the wood. Kerry has woven in branches of fake eucalyptus to make it look a bit fuller and added wooden stars to style it up a bit. The wooden Christmas tree is from The Range, the bouquet is from Fleur and Grey, and the console is from Laura James Home

January 2022 39

Style idea

‘These bedside pendants, from Value Lights, are switched on using Alexa,’ Kerry explains. ‘I don’t like lamps on the bedside table as they take up too much space, so I asked Richard to hang them from the ceiling. He worked out how to take the wires into the loft, and now we simply tell Alexa to turn them off when we go to bed.’ The fake fur throw is from The Range and the bedding is from H&M Home

Delicate panelling adds interest to a plain wall

Master bedroom ‘I wanted this room to be my sanctuary, so I chose two soft beige shades, Clay Figurine and Graceful Grey, both by Valspar, to create a relaxed space. We added delicate panelling on the walls as I wanted something that felt a bit more elegant than the chunky styles I’d seen on social media. We went with IKEA wardrobes and plaster-boarded around them to give the illusion of built-in furniture. Then I made the headboard from some MDF, foam and linen fabric, from John Lewis & Partners. I was inspired by my mum, who was a seamstress and made her own headboard. Mine cost under £50 and was so much cheaper than similar versions I had spotted in high-street shops.’

‘These IKEA drawers were originally dark brown, but I wanted a new look so I decided to upcycle them to suit my current style,’ says Kerry. ‘I sanded and primed them, then added the cheap wooden trim, painted the whole unit and finally replaced the handles with these gold ones from Maison Lamée. I feel like I’ve got a completely new piece of furniture. I also love lighting candles at this time of year to make the room feel cosy’

HOW TO...

Upholster a headboard Add budget-savvy luxe to your bed Cut a piece of plywood the width of your bed and decide on the height you want. Some builders’ merchants will cut this for you, so it’s always worth asking. Choose your thickness of foam; higher density foam will soften the feel of the wood. Cut this to the size of the plywood. Apply an even coat of spray glue to the foam and plywood, then press together so it bonds. Cut some batting wide enough to wrap around the wood and foam and cut your fabric so it can wrap around all of these layers, making sure to line up any pattern. Place the foam side on to the batting and staple the batting to the plywood, ensuring it’s taut all the way round, then cut off any bulky excess, especially at the corners. Place the headboard (batting side down) onto the centre of your material. Staple all the way round, pulling the fabric taut as you go. Cut off excess fabric and if there is a gap at the corners, stick the edges together with fabric glue. Attach to the wall with your preferred method, either with two wooden batons, or a heavy-duty French cleat.

40 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes ‘The wall colour in Charlie’s room is called Beige 03 from Lick, but it’s actually got a hint of green, which adds some colour to the room.’ Kerry chose the bedside table and matching bed, both from IKEA, specifically as a long-term choice, as the simple style is timeless and classic

Bathroom ‘The original bath went across the width of the space and had a shower attachment, but we have a shower in the en suite and I fancied a free-standing tub. So, Richard sourced this stylish bath and I chose these herringbone wall tiles. It wasn’t the easiest design, but Richard’s a perfectionist, so I knew he would do a great job.’

‘For me, it’s about making a house a home and loving every space you’re in’ The mirror is from John Lewis & Partners, the wood-effect floor tiles are from B&Q and the black taps are from Amazon

WHAT I LEARNED...

Style idea Add a picture ledge to the top of panelling for an extra display space

Be patient. I had to wait to get the bathroom I wanted, but I learned it’s actually good to slow down sometimes and just enjoy what you’ve got. It all works out in the end. YouTube tutorials are your friend! We are both happy to get stuck in and are willing to learn how to do different DIY projects. We’ve discovered some great tutorials that have helped us save a fortune in labour costs. You can’t redecorate constantly, but shopping from your home and changing up your accessories can completely transform the look of a room. Also, upcycling old pieces of furniture will make them look like new.

‘Richard made Seb’s bedside light by drilling a hole into a cheap wooden IKEA shelf bracket and threading some cable through, then attaching the light fitting. The dinosaur bedding is from H&M Home and the bedside shelf is from IKEA’

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

hop the look...

LIGHT & EASY Relax into a pared-back scheme, like Kerry, with soft, natural tones and plenty of texture 4 1

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Style idea

Feature Hannah Tribe

Pair creamy colours with deep black or bright white for exciting contrast 1 Moi Mili Gold pennant sequins garland, £39, Fy! 2 Crozon Dark Grey pendant ceiling light, £20, B&Q 3 Beige and White ceramic storage jar, £6, Primark 4 2022 Beige poster calendar, £15.95, Desenio 5 Harry table lamp in Putty, £30, John Lewis & Partners 6 Cream Mongolian faux fur cushion, £14, Julian Charles 7 Handcast Courgette pot in Cream, £30, not just a shop 8 Carina Berber rug, from £29, Dunelm 9 Lined rattan storage baskets, from £25, Marquis & Dawe 10 Marie Antoinette Cream coffee table, £195, The Grey Works 11 Strandmon wing chair in Kelinge Beige, £229, IKEA 42 yourhomestyle.uk

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Make the look...

CURVED VASE Channel Kerry’s laid-back style with this clay vase and pair with delicate stems of dried flowers Style idea To make a vase to match your décor, pick clay in two complementary colours

You will need ł 300g beige polymer clay (we used Fimo) ł 30g white polymer clay ł Wooden skewers ł Grater ł Retractable knife ł Superglue

Roll 20-30g of white clay into a rough tube shape and bake in the oven. Roll the beige clay until it’s soft and pliable. Roll it into a large tube ready to use. Cut into three rough, different-sized pieces. Take the first piece of beige clay and roll it against a hard surface to create a 10-15cm long tube shape. Take two skewers and push one into each end of the tube. Leaving both of the skewers in place, continue to roll the clay until it is 1.5cm thick. Allow the clay to roll up along the skewers. Take the cooled piece of baked white polymer clay and cut to create small pieces. Grate them onto your work surface, spreading them over an area as long as the clay tube. Gently roll the tube of clay over the grated clay. Once the clay is covered in white speckles, brush away the remaining pieces. Continue to roll the tube until the speckles sit in the clay and the surface is smooth and even. Remove the skewers from both ends and trim straight. Repeat Steps 2-5 with the last two pieces of beige clay. Make sure the pieces of clay are different lengths to create the varying heights on the vase. Once you have three tubes, bend each one into an uneven U shape. Place them onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven. Once the clay is baked and cooled, test out the way the vase will look by holding the pieces together. Using superglue, attach the first two tubes together. Glue the remaining sides together and hold in place until set and secure.

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Top tip To make the holes slightly larger for the stems, push the skewer back into the hole and gently push the sides of the hole outwards in a circular motion.

44 yourhomestyle.uk

Make, styling and photo Francesca Stone @fallfordiy – taken from issue 134 of Mollie Makes

Prize draw

AMAZING PRIZES UP FOR GRABS Start the new year off in style with flowers and bubbly!

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A year’s supply of Smith & Munson 1

How would you like to have fresh flowers in your home all year long? Fifth-generation, family owned business, Smith & Munson, is offering one lucky HomeStyle reader the chance to win a year’s supply of beautiful seasonal blooms, delivered straight to their home every fortnight! From classic tulips to unique Roselilies and ranunculas, the subscription flowers from Smith & Munson will bring a regular dose of joy. They make wonderful gifts, too, and you can choose how often you’d like your flowers to be delivered; monthly, fortnightly or weekly. All flowers from Smith & Munson are grown, packed and delivered from its Lincolnshire base, with clean, eco-friendly techniques used throughout the process, as well as recyclable packaging. See what seasonal flowers it has to offer at smithandmunson.com

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TO ENTER It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date is 7th February 2022.

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A SodaStream Spirit machine & kombucha flavour starter pack, worth £115.97 Up your hydration game with your very own SodaStream machine, which allows you to make refreshing, sparkling water at the touch of a button! We’ve teamed up with SodaStream to offer five lucky readers a black SodaStream, worth £99.99, plus a kombucha flavour pack worth £15.98. With a SodaStream, you can make a range of sparkling drinks at home, including healthy kombucha, which is low-calorie, non-artificial and vegan. Just add a dash of the delicious Soda Press Co Kombucha flavour to your freshly fizzed water and, voila! It’s a perfect choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake without compromising on flavour as it boasts exotic passion fruit and the soft tones of mandarin. Better yet, it packs a whopping one billion live probiotics per serving. A SodaStream also saves on single-use plastic water bottles, so you can do your bit for the planet too. Find out more at sodastream.co.uk

TERMS AND CONDITIONS The prize draws close on 7th February 2022 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. These prize draws are open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. The prize winners will be chosen at random. Delivery is included in the prizes. Find full terms and conditions under the Smith & Munson and SodaStream prize draw pages at yourhomestyle.uk/win

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We made our tiny budget GO A LONG WAY Bronagh Fleming has totally refreshed her bungalow with warm colours, bargain finds and self-taught DIY

Inspiring homes A gallery wall above the sofa, from DFS, makes an eye-catching statement in the living room. Bronagh created the display using different-style frames with the odd decorative plate thrown in. ‘I love this room. It’s full of so many treasures’ she says

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Bronagh Fleming, an interior designer and blogger at Fox Hollow Style and a digital media manager. I live here with my husband, Ivan Daly, a landscape artist.

Style idea Mixing vintage with modern creates a fun display

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a small two-bed bungalow near Shannon in County Clare, Ireland. We got the keys to the house the day before Christmas Eve in 2015 and moved in right away. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Our priorities were to upgrade the electrics and central heating system. Décor-wise, every room needed work. I really wanted it to reflect our own style and make it feel cosy.

MY FAVOURITE PART The location. It’s lovely and quiet here, and the garden is a great size so we can grow our own produce.

MY STORY This is my first family home with my husband, Ivan. It was in the perfect location, on a lovely spot down a quiet road and close to our families. We’d looked at lots of properties and actually viewed this house but dismissed it. However, when we came back for a second look a few months later, we decided that we could do something lovely with it. The house was just a shell when we bought it as it had been empty for years. The excitement of owning our first home together and no longer paying rent made us so happy. We had a very limited budget,

so apart from the electrics and plumbing, we did as much of the work as we could ourselves, with help from my dad. Ivan did all the tiling, fitted the laminate flooring, and did the insulation. We worked really hard throughout January and most of the work was finished by February. We are very hands-on and will give everything a go. Nowadays, there’s so much information online so even if you don’t have the knowledge, you can learn so much and save a huge amount of money. That’s what we did, and it gave us the chance to create our home on a budget, something that’s given us great satisfaction and pride.

Feature and styling Penny Crawford-Collins Photos Philip Lauterbach

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I painted the rooms in warm colours, added art that’s personal to us and filled the house with collectibles that we’ve picked up over the years. Ivan is an artist and needed some studio space, so we also converted the garage into a workable space for him.

make STAR DECORATION p58

Style idea A pink ceiling feels cosy in winter and bright and cheery in summer

Bronagh has warmed up the wooden floors with a faux fur rug from Dunnes Stores, while paper honeycomb poms add a modern twist to the classic-style Christmas décor 50 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

Living room

‘This is the first room you see when you come into the house, so I wanted a bold colour, art on display and a welcoming vibe. The room is north-facing so we embraced this by painting it in a dark blue that totally transformed the space. All of a sudden it was a fun space to be in and it’s now our favourite room. We’re constantly adding to it with different accessories. It really gave us the confidence to use bold colours in some of the other rooms. I love decorating in here for Christmas but I try to buy as little as possible, instead incorporating greenery from the garden, old decorations and some DIY crafts thrown into the mix.’

‘I love mismatched pieces and I think it’s great to be able to team old with new as it adds so much more character’ The antique cabinet was a chance find at an auction. Bronagh uses it to display her collection of china that she has picked up in charity shops or at vintage markets

HOW TO...

Create a gallery wall Show off all the pieces you love for a unique display The type of frame you use can make a huge difference to your gallery wall. A light frame will make artwork pop, while black frames create contrast. If you want an eclectic look, mix the style of frames; for a coordinated style, go for similar designs. Experiment by placing your pieces on the floor. Focus on balancing the colours and art styles so that all the prints feel evenly mixed. If you have an art print that will be the centrepiece of the gallery wall, start with this and add prints around it.

BRIGHT FOLK p56

The living room walls are painted in Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball. Bronagh got the lampshade base on a local second-hand site and made the shade using Liberty fabric and a pom trim

Take the sheets of paper that come inside of your frames, and use these as a template for planning your layout. Arrange them on your wall using Washi tape so that you can make changes and perfect the look. A good rule is to place the centre of your gallery wall around 145cm above the floor. If you’re hanging above a bed or sofa, frames should hang at least 15cm above the furniture. If you’re renting, use Command hooks to secure your display. These will easily peel away when you’re finished with them.

January 2022 51

Steal my style

Get Bronagh’s eclectic home style with these buys

Henry Holland Minky velvet cushion, Freemans Gold Rabbit swinging hook, Mint & May

Ceramic Brunch plate, Oliver Bonas

The lovely light-filled revamped kitchen, with its large dining table, gives the couple plenty of space to entertain family and friends. ‘It’s a really relaxing and practical space to cook in and we enjoy lovely views of the garden and countryside beyond from here,’ says Bronagh

The vinyl wood-effect flooring from local business, Banner Carpets, was fitted by Ivan and provides a practical solution for country living

Inspiring homes

Kitchen

‘The excitement of owning our first home made us so happy’

‘We changed the layout of the kitchen so that we’d have room for the large dining table that was given to us as a wedding present. We fitted new worktops and new base and wall cabinets. I teamed these simple white units with metro tiles, which instantly made the space lighter and brighter. From a practical point of view, the cabinets have given us much-needed storage. We love to cook so we also fitted a new Belling range cooker, which is one of my favourite features in the kitchen. The chairs were all picked up in charity shops. I love mismatched pieces and I think it’s great to be able to team old with new as it adds so much more character. For visual interest, I did some colour blocking and created a feature wall with pretty plates that I’ve collected over the years.’

‘I love incorporating vintage finds into my festive table. Most of my tableware is Victorian pieces I‘ve picked up in auctions. It’s great to be able to bring them out at this time of year’

The utility room, which is painted in Bone by Farrow & Ball, leads directly into the garden. To add colour, Bronagh painted the fridge in Fruit Crumble by Colourtrend

The kitchen is painted in Bone by Farrow & Ball – a soft grey with a touch of green – which provides a lovely backdrop for the cream cabinets and metro tiles. The open shelving is the perfect way for Bronagh to show off her latest second-hand finds. Scouting around for preloved items is one her favourite hobbies. ‘I love auctions,’ she says, ‘you can always find a bargain’ January 2022 53

By layering cushions and throws and using a mix of textures, Bronagh has given the master bedroom a luxurious feel. ‘I found a fallen branch in the garden and painted it. I use it to hang plants as it brings a natural element into the room. It also looks good with fairy lights wrapped around it’

Master bedroom Bronagh painted three-quarters of the wall in Lipsync by Dulux. The upholstered grey bed from Pod Furniture works beautifully with the dusky pink walls and will complement any accessory colour as Bronagh swaps and changes them. ‘The IKEA wardrobes provide us with plenty of storage,’ says Bronagh, ‘while the side tables, from Pod Furniture, add a vintage vibe to the room. I wanted the room to feel really cosy so I fitted carpet and dressed the bed with lots of cushions, sheepskins and soft throws from TK Maxx.’

A floating shelf is the ideal spot for Bronagh to display artwork and accessories and the chest of drawers from Pod Furniture provides extra storage 54 yourhomestyle.uk

For a more unique look, the simple white wardrobe from IKEA has been fitted with a botanical-style fabric

Inspiring homes

‘We started putting our stamp on the house in the cheapest way we knew, by painting it’

Guest bedroom The theme of two-tone walls continues into the guest bedroom. Bronagh has painted the lower half in Rustic and above in Carnosa, both by Tikkurila paints. She has also added a gold stripe, which goes all the way around the room, even across the door. The wicker chair is from a Freecycle page. Crisp, white bedding from JYSK gives a fresh feel, while simple pendant lights add a contemporary finish.

Bathroom ‘The once-dated bathroom has been totally revamped. We fitted a sink cabinet and teamed it with a lovely round mirror that we found in a local hardware shop. To give us enough storage, we made shelves to fit neatly into the limited space beside the sink. The walls are painted in a striking dark blue, Bowman Blue by Colourtrend, and Ivan fitted the vinyl flooring from Banner Carpets. We wanted some colour and pattern in this room, but tiles were just too expensive. This flooring was the perfect solution and it really looks the part.’

‘To keep the bathroom uncluttered we went for a pared-back look. Fitting white sanitaryware brightened the room. I love houseplants, so I had to squeeze a couple in to add a fresh feel’

Style idea Instead of a bedside table, use a chair for a more relaxed feel

‘I wanted the guest room to be elegant and unfussy so it’s very simply furnished. I kept the wall lights understated in this space so the wall colour is the star’

WHAT I LEARNED... You can do so many DIY jobs yourself when it comes to decorating and updating your home. There is a lot of help online so you can put your hand to most things. Shopping in charity shops and at auctions is a great way to make your home special and different. Preloved items can be revamped easily and cheaply with a bit of paint. I really enjoy using different colours in the one room. I love to see how they can work together.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes January 2022 55

hop the look...

FOLK BRIGHTS Create a colourful scheme, like Bronagh, with bold detailing and homespun charm 4 3 1 2

weve

lo 6

8 9

Style idea

Feature Hannah Tribe

For a professionally styled look, pick out colours from a statement piece and repeat elsewhere

1 Mimosa placemat, from £35 for six, The Braided Rug Company 2 Folk Doves glass, £4.95, Rex London 3 Smycka bouquet, £3.50, IKEA 4 Emily rug, from £78, Anthropologie 5 Tin squirrel decoration, £7.50, The Shop Floor Project 6 Small Bolga basket, £25, Lola & Mawu 7 Gold & Black block lampshade, £49, Tãla Home & Living 8 Small teapot in Sweet Maria, £17.50, Artisan Homeware 9 Origami star garland kit, £14.95, Cambridge Imprint 10 Siena cushion cover, £36.99, Walton & Co 11 Tea towel in Cats Cobalt, £9.95, Cambridge Imprint 56 yourhomestyle.uk

A-Z OF DECORATING from Anaglypta to Zoffany

YOUR FIRST PURCHASE Pick up a Brewers Card in-store or register for one online

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

Make the look...

STAR DECORATION For a handmade Christmas go for DIY décor, like Bronagh, with this 3D paper decoration. Add to your tree or hang it up over a mantelpiece

Top tip If you want to go for full-on festive sparkle, make your star from foiled card.

You will need ● Template ● Basic card kit ● Patterned papers ● Paper punch ● Twine or ribbon

Go to yourhomestyle.uk to print out your star template. Trace the template onto festive paper of your choosing and then carefully cut it out. Score and fold as shown on the template. With the point folded, punch along the central score lines at each side. Repeat this step four times. Stick the thin tab to the reverse of the other side of the star point. Push the point into shape and then fold the smaller outer tabs down. Repeat this process with the remaining four pieces. Apply glue to the outside of the tabs and then attach to the inside of the next point. Join all of the points in exactly the same way with the last point closing the star. To finish your star, thread with twine or ribbon.

A punched border adds an extra layer of decorative interest

January 2022 58

Make Sue Hughes

Style idea

Order your copy now! ORDER TODAY! Visit www.buysubscriptions.com/HomeStyleXmas21 Or call 03330 162 138† and quote ‘Homestyle Xmas 21 PRINT1’ † UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am-5pm. Overseas please call +44 (0)1604 973 746. *Prices including postage are £4.99 for UK residents, £5.99 for Europe and £6.99 for Rest of World. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery from the on sale date of 28th September 2021.

Style idea Don’t forget window frames for adding another pop of colour

I transformed my home FOR JUST £2,000 First-time buyer Richard O’Gorman gave his house a whole new look with colourful wall murals, upcycled furniture and freebie finds

Inspiring homes

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Richard O’Gorman, 29, an interior designer, mural artist and Dulux Ambassador. I share my home journey on Instagram @househomo. WHERE I LIVE My home is a two-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Birmingham. I’ve lived here since February 2020.

‘I bought this dining table from MADE.com in a clearance sale reduced to £300, along with the ceiling light. The rug with parrots on was an IKEA collaboration with Craig Green, my favourite designer of all time’

MY STORY I’d been renting a house with my ex, but when we broke up, I wanted to buy my own place. After a week back living with my mum, cramped together with all my houseplants, I knew it was the right decision. As soon as I walked through the door of this house, I could immediately see myself living here. Lockdown happened just after I moved in, so I was put on furlough from my job as a model agency booker. I really made the most of the free time and decorated the entire ground floor. Funnily enough, I never planned for my house to be this colourful.

At first, I thought it would be quite neutral, but it seemed to be crying out for colour. My mum made me promise I’d wait two weeks to get a feel for the place. I’m glad I did, as I was champing at the bit to start, but waiting changed the way I felt about it. In December 2020, I was made redundant but luckily, I was starting to get some paid partnerships though Instagram. My sister persuaded me to ride the wave and make it my full-time job. Now, I work with different brands, from paint to whisky. Being asked to be a Dulux Ambassador was completely crazy. They’re such a renowned brand and I’m just a man with a paintbrush!

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN The walls and ceilings have been transformed with colourful murals and I’ve upcycled lots of furniture. I love a bit of fringing and the odd quirky torso motif! Most things are from Facebook Marketplace or free, so I only spent about £2,000. MY FAVOURITE PART The dining room feels like it’s the most ‘me’ and I love having dinner parties in there. I was really scared to reveal it, but the reaction has been amazing. Rather than feeling too in your face and garish, it’s actually really calming.

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

‘I’ve always been brave with colour in the way I dress, so that’s been carried through to my home’

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE It was very traditional with cream and beige décor throughout, except for the blue bathroom. Also, I wasn’t keen on the vertical office-style blinds.

‘I found these six boardroom chairs on Facebook Marketplace for £20. They were chrome and leather, but I sprayed the legs gold and recovered them in velvet costing £30. All the paper garlands and balls are from RE’

‘I repainted the kitchen units using Montana Gold spray paint from B&Q in Mortadella and Beetle. The oven was cream, but I found some black stove paint in the shed’

‘This sideboard was the first thing I bought for the house after my offer was accepted. It was £15 on Facebook Marketplace and painted black with a wooden top. When I upcycled it, I discovered “HH” engraved into the front before I’d even set up my Instagram account, @househomo’

Dining room ‘I started with the dining room in the centre of the house, so I could work my way out from there. The first thing I did was paint the walls orange and the picture rail blue, which my family thought was a bit wild. They had no idea what was coming! When I was asked to collaborate with Pickleson Paint, I picked some colours from the website and spent five weeks creating all the shapes. The rug is from my last place, and it works really well with the wall colours. I didn’t have a dining table for six months. I didn’t really need one due to lockdown and I wanted to take my time finding something I really loved. So, for a while it was an empty but beautifully designed room. Last New Year I was by myself, which I actually enjoyed, but this year I’m hoping to host a party in here.’ 62 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

‘Having a glass of wine while I’m doing the wall murals helps – until I get to the second glass!’

MIAMI BEACH p68

Kitchen ‘The walls used to be white with a bit of pink, alongside cream cupboards and a cream cooker. I love pink and green as a combination, so that was my starting point. After spray-painting the cupboards, and nearly gassing myself, I added some curves on the walls to soften the edges. Then I covered the wood laminate worktops with concrete-effect adhesive vinyl and bought new handles. I also hated the horrible lumpy lino, which you couldn’t sweep properly. When I peeled it back, I was pleased to see yellow tiles underneath but unfortunately, they were just around the edges with concrete in the middle. After using loads of floor leveller, I put down the ceramic tiles myself. In future, I’d love to change the layout and add a door to the back garden.’

‘A company called Yellow Pop offered to make me a neon sign in whatever design I wanted, so I drew three squiggles on a piece of paper to represent a torso. I’m so in love with it. The velvet stool is from Dunelm’ ‘The beechwood shelves are from Nordic Nest and I personalised them with some paint. I love the print from Doodlemoo and garland from RE. I’ve put a few of my fave cookbooks on display for extra colour and the painted arch adds another layer of interest’

January 2022 63

‘I’ve had the velvet sofa from Furniture Village for years. I had to take the arm off to get it through the door! The mural was created using Rust-Oleum’s Chalk Wash paint. I made the marble-effect cushions and the rug is from Next’

Style idea Make a feature of an old pipe with paint rather than trying to hide it

Living room ‘It was a strange layout in here before, with the TV in the middle and curtains cutting straight across the bay window. The walls were very plain with a wooden fireplace, so I needed to inject some colour. I bought some Rust-Oleum tester pots for £1 each and got to work. After painting the fireplace, I thought it would be cute to paint arches in each alcove too. The curtain fabric ties in really well with the painted fireplace. Not only was it really cheap, but it was the exact colour I had in my head too.’

64 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

HOW TO...

Play with

paint effects Embrace your inner artist with these fun techniques For an industrial-style backdrop, try Craig & Rose’s Artisan Rust Effect base paint in conjunction with its Activator. They also have a concrete-effect paint. Try colour washing: this involves applying a satin base paint then a glaze on top with either a large brush for texture, or a sponge for a more diffused look. To mimic linen, try the Strie technique. A white or neutral water-based paint with an eggshell sheen is best for the base coat. Then mix one part glaze with your coloured top coat and two parts water, before applying with a paint pad. Before it’s dry, brush the wall vertically and then brush it horizontally. Stencilling is an easy way to add wowfactor to your walls. Find great ideas at Dizzy Duck Designs or Stencil Library. Create circles by attaching a pencil to one end of a piece of string and taping the other end of the string to your centre point. Once you’ve drawn the circle, paint around the edges and fill it in. ‘The cabinet was a freebie. I glued wood onto the bottom and drilled copper legs into it and added layers of fringe with hot glue’

‘I won a £1,000 Sweetpea & Willow voucher for being its Best Home Influencer of 2020, so I treated myself to this furry chair. It feels like a floating cloud and really fits in with the retro futurism theme. The cushion is from Silken Favours’

Steal my style Get Richard’s modern retro

make

FRINGED TABLE p69

Baldaz pendant light, B&Q

Double Trouble art print, Fy

Pineapple stacking glass tumblers, Oliver Bonas

January 2022 65

‘I spent a long time trying to find the right green for the walls as a lot are too dark. Estate Green from Wickes has the perfect richness’

Xxxx Xxxxx

Style idea Highlight framed artwork with a painted arch around it

Master bedroom ‘I found a screenshot on my phone from 2015 of a bedroom with dark green walls and ceilings, so I think this scheme had been brewing for a while. At first, I thought I’d be edgy and try a red and green scheme, but it felt too Christmassy! I changed lanes and went for deep green with rust-effect paint across the door and chimney breast, plus a geometric wallpaper panel. The wardrobe was an upcycling project with Wayfair. I took the top panel off, got a piece of plywood and sawed parallel lines into it, so it would bend into a curve. Then I painted it in lavender and turquoise tones. To go across the top, I got a white plastic pipe and filled it with hot sand to make it bend, then sprayed it gold.’ ‘I didn’t want to use the wallpaper from Lust Home in a traditional way, so it’s just a section in the middle of the wall to highlight the chest of drawers. I’d never applied wallpaper before, but it was so easy. Me and my mum threw it up in an hour’ 66 yourhomestyle.uk

‘The curtains on the window, which overlooks the landing, give it a theatrical look. The spotty duvet cover is from Habitat’

Inspiring homes

‘I don’t think there’s a colour I dislike, except perhaps grey’

Bathroom ‘I started by ripping out a bulky cupboard and took off the bath panel so I could paint the bath green. The existing sink was a bit ugly, so I ripped it out and found a quirky hexagonal cabinet to use as a base for a new round basin. That led to an archway behind the sink and a curved mirror. There was grey laminate flooring but it didn’t go all the way under the bath, so I decided to tile the floor instead.’

Guest bedroom ‘This room was initially a white box with a red feature wall, so for a while it was just a dumping ground. Then RustOleum asked me to decorate a room for a paid partnership, and I built a retro palette from its colour range. I didn’t plan to paint all the ceilings in the house, but when I decorated in here, I tried two semicircles around the pendant light and really loved it. Then I went a bit wild, which kicked off my whole ceiling love affair! So far, my mum, sister and best friend from uni have all stayed over, but it’s crying out to be used more.’

‘I found this unusual hexagonal cabinet on Facebook Marketplace. I painted it, added hairpin legs and sourced a blue basin for the top. The floor tiles from Total Tiles are so beautiful and reasonably priced’

WHAT I LEARNED... When creating my wall murals, I never use masking tape. I just draw the designs on the wall with a pencil, string and a ruler. Having a glass of wine while I’m doing it helps – until I get to the second glass! I’ve always been into sewing and making clothes, so I tried my hand at reupholstering the dining chairs. It was a steep learning curve and the second one is much better than the first! There are no rules! Even if you put two colours together, which everyone else thinks is an horrific pairing, if you love it, it will speak for itself. ‘I love this console table from Cult Furniture as it fits perfectly in the alcove. It was really low, so I added wooden dowels on the bottom to raise it up. The velvet chair is from HomeSense’

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes January 2022 67

hop the look...

MIAMI BEACH Combine glorious colour with Art Deco style to create a playful vibe, just like Richard

wvee

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Style idea

Feature Hannah Tribe

Feel like a star with faux neon and hollywood-style lighting 1 Large bright Orange flock David bust, £45, Swealthy 2 Janis abstract rug, from £39, Cult Furniture 3 Arc planter in Cobalt Blue, from £18, Peg & Board 4 Cassini 4 way floor lamp, £137, Iconic Lights 5 Lindbyn mirror, £45, IKEA 6 Studio placement panel bedding set, from £32, Habitat 7 Chicago kitchen stool in Midnight Blue velvet & brass, £139, Cult Furniture 8 The Arch vase in Dark Green, £50, The Happy Blossoms 9 Duo neon star room light, £35.99, Very 10 Pool Side retro print, from £28, Fan Club 11 Blue wave laundry bag, £12.50, Habitat 68 yourhomestyle.uk

Make the look...

FRINGED SIDE TABLE Give second-hand furniture a designer look, like Richard, with a colourful tasselled trim. It’s perfect in the living room or as a glam nightstand

Top tip For added interest, dip-dye the ends of the fringe in a clashing colour.

Round metal tray table, £18; Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Gold-effect spray paint, £6 for 150ml, both B&Q. Tassel fringe trim, £5.35 per yard, by Trim and Final on eBay

You will need ł Metal side table ł Gold spray paint ł Fringe trim ł Glue gun ł Scissors

First, make sure that the table is clean and dry, and always protect your work area with dust sheets in case of any spray-paint spillages. Coat the surface and legs of the table with a layer of gold spray paint, and leave to touch dry before applying a second coat of paint. Allow to dry fully. Carefully stick the fringe trim neatly around the edge of the table with a glue gun. Continue working around the table and when you are nearly finished, cut the fringe trim with scissors and glue the end neatly in place. Smooth out any tangled tassels with your fingers so they hang freely and knot-free.

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January 2022 69

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

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70 yourhomestyle.uk

Style edit

DECORATOR’S

MOODBOARDS Stay on trend for 2022 with the hottest new colours for your home, selected by leading colour experts

72 OCTOBER MIST Escape into nature with a gentle green, cosy fabrics in warm russet tones and subtle botanical motifs

74 ROSE TAUPE Give pink a sophisticated look by pairing it with this deep and adaptable neutral

76 BRIGHT SKIES Open up your space with a fresh blue and a matching, harmonious colour scheme

Feature Hannah Tribe

, £16 per 2.5L, Mabel chair in Dunelm matt emulsion in Light Moss ; Brass floor lamp, £79; £159 linen effect, £229; Indi bedside table, bamboo knitting pins, £25; ion, cush rush basket, £20; Havisham , all Dunelm from £4.75; wool, from £2; Clio rug, £119

Laura Ashley Willow Neutral floral smooth wallpaper, £40 per roll, B&Q

Superfresco Easy wallpaper in Aura Taupe, £15 per roll, Wilko

Cotton blend furnishing fabric in Sage, £20 per m, John Lewis & Partners

Wood paint in Whey White, £44 per 2.5L, Thorndown Paints

Rimoldi painterly tufted rug in Soft Grey & Green, £299, MADE.com

COLOUR PALETTE

Versatile check fabric in Stirling Red, £100 for 5m, Next

Hedgehogs tea towel, £10, bowl, £9, jug, £11, plate, £10 each; Woodland mug, £12.50; Trees oven glove, £23; Hedgehogs & Trees mug, £12.50, all Sophie Allport

Style edit

OCTOBER MIST Pair this soothing, pale green shade with rusty orange for a comforting cabincore scheme that works year-round ick paint MADE x L £38 per 1 in Red 0 , E.com 2.5L, MAD

Regal Select matte paint in October Mist, Pale Moon and Morning Dew, £25.40 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

Quick-Step Alpha Cotton Oak White Blush rigid luxury vinyl, £39.95 per sq m, Carpetright

Bracken Green emulsion, £45 per 2.5L, Woodchip and Magnolia

Sinnerlig pendant lamp, £40, IKEA

'Green is a foundational colour, a grounded canvas from which endless combinations can be achieved' Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing at Benjamin Moore UK

Eden Forest Trees wallpaper in White and Silver, £10.99 per roll, World of Wallpaper Picket tile in Green, £44.80 per sq m, Tile Giant

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK O October Mist is a gentle shade of green that can change the

atmosphere of a space without overpowering it. It’s a great base colour that really brings the outdoors in. O Pick up patterns that remind you of the countryside in winter and

early spring. Look out for seed heads, delicate line drawings of trees and woodland creatures. Keep these on a fairly small scale and use them as an accent so that they don’t dominate the space. O Contrast naturalistic patterns with some sharp geometry; this will

help to keep the scheme feeling modern. Consider creating faux panelling or simply add in some straight lines with neatly woven cane. ng sform floori Moduleo Tran 2, 43 24 ak in Country O g rin oo Fl 4 st £31.99, Be

Woodland green PVC fabric, £3.50 per m, Dunelm

O Throw on a little plaid, this timeless pattern instantly suggests the

great outdoors and is super cosy for the colder months. January 2022 73

Victoria metro wall tiles in Gloss Taupe, £28.35 per sq m, Victorian Plumbing

Ground Matt emulsion in Brave £31.09 from r, we Flo s and Cosmo lux Du L, 2.5 per

Knitted velvet furnishing fabric in Mocha, £30 per m, John Lewis & Partners

Malta bathroom wall lamp in Warm Grey & Opal Glass, £49, MADE.com

isteria Garden Laura Ashley W per roll, Next wallpaper, £40 Matt emulsion in Raspberry Meld, £12 per 2.5L, Wilko

COAT Paints x Dan Lovatt Darlington paint, £42 per 2.5L, COAT

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK O Rose taupe is a versatile neutral as its undertones are a well-balanced mix of warm and cool shades. This means it works beautifully with other cool-toned colours, such as blue, as well as warmer colours like red. O Create a cosy space by bringing out rose taupe’s warmer undertones with shades of pink and lilac. These lend a sophisticated edge to more ‘sugary’ colours so that they feel elegant, but it works both ways, and these hues give back to rose taupe, making it feel more playful. O Matt and velvet textures are irresistibly tactile and a perfect match to rose taupe. You can mimic the velvety effect on walls too, take a look at our tutorial on how to colourwash a wall on yourhomestyle.co.uk. O Use hints of minty green to provide a burst of freshness that will stop the scheme feeling too heavy. 74 yourhomestyle.uk

Flat matt emulsion in Satin Lining and Go Green, both £32 per 2.5L, Crow

Borastapeter Anita wallpap er in 34, £39.60 per roll, Jane Clayton

Style edit

ROSE TAUPE Step up your style with this atmospheric neutral tone that’s the perfect partner for grown-up pinks and lilacs Washed linen tablecloth, £39.99, H&M Home Marble matt emulsion paint in Rose Taupe No.292 and Gentleman’s Pink No.221, both £53 per 2.5L, Mylands

Wood paint in Ottery Brown, £44 for 2.5L, Thorndown Paints

'Rose Taupe is the perfect shade for a cocooning but stylish home that feels of the moment but completely timeless- it's easy to use but impactful' Dominic Myland, Owner of Mylands Honesty Mauve self-adhesive wall paper, £24 per roll, Dunelm

Strandtall double bedding set, £25, IKEA

COLOUR PALETTE

Sarlon Colour vinyl in Lilac Stardust, £28.99 per sq m, Re mland Carpets

Moduleo Transform Hoover Stone 46916 glue down vinyl flooring, £31.99 per sq m, Best 4 Flooring

Panama curtain fabric in Pewter, £15.99 per m, Terry’s Fabrics

Lily tile in Pink, £29.9 5 per sq m, Walls & Flo ors

January 2022 75

Aina fabric in Grey, £7 per m, IKEA Matt emulsion in Breathe, £42 per 2.5L, Graham & Brown

Chalk paint in Antibes Green, £21.95 per 1L, Annie Sloan

Morpho tripod floor lamp with Gold inner shade, £65, Iconic Lights

Superfresco Easy Navy Clouds smooth wallpaper, £15, B&Q

Vernice Springs tiles, £28.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors

her fabric Heavy faux leat 9 per m, 1.9 in Brown, £1 ics br Terry ’s Fa

revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning, to look out and bring in new ideas. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us?' Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK O Bright Skies is an energising blue that will give a room a sense of

space and light. Pair it with harmonious colours, such as greens and yellows, for calm schemes that are bursting with life. Bring in plenty of houseplants for colour.

A.S Creation embo ssed leaf Jungle Green wallp aper, £20, I want wallpaper

O Use a range of natural materials to create a welcoming space that

puts you instantly at ease. Consider natural carpets, or large-scale jute rugs, to really set the scene. Accessorise with on-trend macramé or other woven pieces. O Look out for furniture with sleek curves and elegant lines as flowing

e herringbone Kersaint Cobb jut 5.99 per sq m, natural carpet, £3 Flooring Direct 76 yourhomestyle.uk

Flute décor tile in Bright Skies, £59.85 per m, Topps Tiles

shapes will complement the natural materials to create a relaxed, but modern effect. Use a number of stark black and white pieces to create contrast within the harmonious colour scheme.

Style edit

BRIGHT SKIES Broaden your horizons and brighten your outlook with this warm, uplifting blue Skies, Matt emulsion in Bright £31.09 per 2.5L, Dulux

Regal Select matte paint in Smoke, from £24.50 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

Contour Grecian Black wallpaper, £17 per roll, Wilko

Levande fabric in Spruce, £19.95 per sq m, Just Fabrics

Matt emulsion in Fogg, £45 per 2.5L, Claybrook Studio

Castle Baby Blue gingham duvet cover, £149, Antipodream

Spot Monochrome wallpaper, £10, Dunelm

Adele Light Blue floor tile, £16.9 9 per sq m, Tile Mount ain

COLOUR PALETTE January 2022 77

One problem room TWO NEW LOOKS Jade's bedroom This is my daughter’s childhood bedroom. It hasn’t changed much since her teenage years and she’s now in her 30s and left home long ago! I want to turn the space into a guest bedroom, for family and friends. As couples sometimes stay, I’d like to swap the single bed for a double. The accessories are dated and need replacing with on-trend alternatives. I want the room to feel like a real treat for visiting family and friends to relax in. Likes: warm colours, rich fabrics, fun prints. Dislikes: neutrals, minimalism.

Every month, we ask two interior stylists to solve a real room design dilemma, each creating a mood board to Circle of Love print, £45, Clare Davis London

The look BRIGHT LINEAR Setskog bedside table, £35, IKEA

For The Love of Art cushion, £29.99, H&M Home

Studio Placement bedding set, £32, Argos Studio

Alma chest of drawers, £319, Cult Furniture

Audrey double bed in Canary, from £835, Sofa.com

MEET THE STYLIST Feature Sophie Warren-Smith

Sophie is an interior and floral stylist and writer. She has worked for brands including IKEA, Freemans and WHSmith and for many interior magazines. Find her at theprettiestposy.co.uk.

78 yourhomestyle.uk

Villa Geo rug, from £49.99, Carpetright Geneva Matt Black and Satin Cylinder table lamp, £56, Iconic Lights

Style advice Studio Brush Marks double bedding set, £21; Studio Arch Geometric duvet, £22; Studio shaped wool rug, £110; Ngami Mushroom table lamp, £22; Elin double bed frame in Mustard, £179; Coral glass tumbler, £1; small candle holder, £6; Greenwich mirror unit, £199; Riva side table, £80; faux floral trailing in Mustard pot, £10, all Habitat

Colour palette Use these colours in these proportions around the room

1 3 2

1 Crafted By Crown Yarn matt emulsion, £30 for 2.5L, Wickes 2 Powdered Heather matt emulsion, £31.09 for 2.5L, Dulux 3 Out of The Blue matt emulsion, £40 for 2.5L, Coat

Sophie’s style tips ł Ground the style’s loud colour scheme with pieces of black furniture for a contemporary, balanced finish.

WHY IT WORKS Fresh and absolutely contemporary, this look is sure to make a lasting impression on visiting friends and family. The scheme’s strong colours and shapes mean that with just a few key pieces, the room will be transformed. Vibrant colours create a warm welcome, while statement lighting and furniture give an indulgent, luxe feel.

ł Choose a statement piece of furniture, like a bed or armchair, to kick-start your makeover. Build the scheme around it with accessories that are easy to swap out when you want to change up the look. Hyett armchair with light legs, £275, Next

Bloomingville Abstract throw, £58, Sweetpea & Willow

ł Guest bedrooms are all about meeting the visitor’s needs, so incorporate pieces that will make their stay as comfortable as possible. A bedside table with a good book and water is a nice touch, while an armchair provides a spot for guests to take off shoes or place a bag.

Cradle Matt Black ceiling light, £104.40, där lighting

Kyto candlestick holder, £6.50, Oliver Bonas

DV EA

ICE?

Anyday bedding, from £3.50, John Lewis & Partners

NEED

If you’d like our stylists’ help with a problem room, send a photo of your room to homestyle@immediate. co.uk for your chance to appear in this new feature. January 2022 79

WHY IT WORKS This soft look is a nod to the traditional countryside. It’s romantic, nostalgic, and will offer guests a real sense of relaxation and escapism. Luxurious shades of pink and dusky teal are mixed with whimsical floral prints and vintage-look pieces, all of which should appeal to Jade’s love of warm colours and rich, patterned fabrics. Romie rug, £229.99, My-Furniture

Jade's bedroom

Hampstead floor lamp, £180, Garden Trading

Large Vintage mirror, £79.95, Rose & Grey

Vox Retro bookcase, £198, Cuckooland

Reversible velvet cushions in Pink/Plum Red and Ocean/Sky Blue, £28 each, Mint & May

Alba candle, £29, Little Karma

The look ENGLISH ESCAPE Summer Garden Smoke Blue fabric, £54 per m, Jacqueline Milton

Arianna Rose velvet chair, £249, Dunelm

Embroidered Flower Pink velvet bedspread, £195, Oliver Bonas

MEET THE STYLIST Feature Laurie Davidson

For the last 20 years Laurie has styled shoots, created content and hosted interior workshops. She also has her own design studio where she helps people get a look they’ll love. @lifeofaninteriorstylist.

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Emilia double bed in Lagoon Brushed Linen Cotton, £814.50, Sofa.com

Style advice

Colour palette Use this trio of colours in these proportions around the room

1 First Light matt emulsion, from £85 for 3.79L, Benjamin Moore

2 Made x Lick Teal 01 emulsion, £38 for 2.5L, MADE.com

3 White Heron matt emulsion, from £85 for 3.79L, Benjamin Moore

Laurie style tips Accessorize Floral Blush reversible duvet set, from £35, Dunelm

Julius velvet curtains in Slate Blue, £89, MADE.com

● Reversible bedding gives you two looks for the price of one – great when you’re catering for guests with different tastes and styles. ● This look is all about print and pattern. Consider floral wallpaper or a botanical design for your curtains and bedding. Layering these materials with plain pieces gives the room a sense of depth and luxury.

Reversible Floral duvet set, from £12, Matalan

● It’s all in the details with this scheme. Vases with bunches of wild dried flowers and an embroidered velvet bedspread give a dreamy, romantic quality, while a scented candle completes the look and adds a deliciously floral fragrance.

, Greenwich Flowers wallpaper £18 per roll, Cath Kidston

Large glass vase with floral bouquet, £20, Habitat

Matthew Williamson Phileas lamp base, £98, with Empire shade in Crimson Tulasi, £48, Pooky

Bergen pouffe, £79, Cult Furniture

● Cosy it up in winter with candles and heavy curtains. Brighten the room in spring with flowers and swap rich materials for lighter ones.

What did Jade decide? ‘I love Laurie’s English Escape. I think the delicate floral prints and the pretty colour scheme will appeal to old and young guests. I also like that it can be cosied up in the winter and feel nice and bright in summer. It’s a timeless look that will impress family and friends for years to come.’

January 2022 81

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NEW LOOKS FOR 2022 Refresh your home for the new year without breaking the bank, with these quick and stylish tips and tricks

On a roll

Nuit Lush wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown

Feature Hannah Tribe

The feature wall is back! Use one roll of gorgeous wallpaper on a chimney breast or inside an alcove for a high-impact, low budget look.

The Virtue Sofa, from £95 per month, Sofology

84 yourhomestyle.uk

In the loop Take a flexible approach to refurbishing your living room with the Loop rental scheme from Sofology. The Virtue Sofa, pictured here in Cozy Ochre, is available from £95 a month for six months. The Loop rental programme also includes a snuggly armchair and a sweet matching footstool. Sofology takes a sustainable approach to renting, so when you’re ready for a new look, your rented pieces are picked up, recycled and repurposed for their next new home.

Style advice

GO WITH THE FLOW

Cover up

Keep clutter hidden in plain sight with frosted cabinets. These translucent doors conceal your books and unused ornaments while letting their beautiful colours shine through. If you already have clearfronted cabinets, upcycle them by applying static-cling privacy film to the inside of the doors.

Rounded, organic shapes are set to be a huge trend in 2022. Flowing lines have a calming influence on rooms, which makes them appear warm and welcoming. Try it out with oval mirrors, circular tables, and deep buttoned chairs.

Long Tall Sally metal highboard, £399; The Side Piece cabinet, £349, both Henry Holland at Freemans

Seashell lamps, from £39, Dana stoneware stacked side table, £125; Kyoto glass & metal large console cabinet, £635; Sofia Lind Mirror Mirror print, £65; Sofia Lind Meet Me at Jaures print, £65, all Rose & Grey

DOUBLE VISION Place bouquets in front of lowhanging mirrors and the blooming bunch will feel twice as large. This neat hack will make your home feel more glamourous in an instant.

Sensational stripes Linear designs are the perfect pattern to opt for when you want visual impact, but not a print. Stripes are timelessly stylish and will suit any interior space. Grace linear stripe vase, £20, Very

Aanais chandelier, £275; Mortimer snuggle chair, from £1,125; Daphne rug, from £150; Hanover sideboard, £995, side table, £325; Tate lamp base, £59; Mille Fleur shade, £53; Rosanna cushion, £42; Payton throw, £65, all Laura Ashley

Stripe seat pad in Mustard, £10, John Lewis & Partners

Cleo striped throw, £49.50, Oliver Bonas

January 2022 85

The sky’s the limit Think outside the box when it comes to using colour in 2022. Drawing a bold tone up onto the ceiling is a clever way to create ‘zones’ within a larger space. This pink strip sets the scene for relaxed dining, but you could use the same effect to create a cosy reading nook or to delineate a place for studying. Keep the base colour of the walls a similar shade to the main section of the ceiling for a clean look.

Simply Refresh one coat paint in Pressed Petal, £40.55 per 2.5L, Dulux 86 yourhomestyle.uk

Style advice Golden Lily cushion in Bitter Chocolate, £125; Hyacinth cushion in Enchanted Prussian, £125; Golden Lily wallpaper, £150 per roll, all Archive by Sanderson design

Back to the future

Embrace Grandmillennial style to create an eclectic and endlessly customisable look. Mix and match heritage prints in new and exciting colourways, or pair vintage pieces with unexpected wall colours and painted woodwork for impact. This scheme is perfect for DIY projects too. Try adding brightly coloured fringing to lampshades using hot glue, or re-frame needlepoint pictures from charity shops in elaborate frames. .

January 2022 87

MURAL SUPPORT This high-impact mural looks complicated, but it’s really just a combination of simple geometric shapes. Straight lines and circles are the easiest shapes to paint, take a look at our guide to creating these designs at bit.ly/decotechniques before making your mark. This mural cleverly includes the headboard too, so the bed feels grounded in its space. DIY your own version with a piece of pre-cut MDF to create a similar effect.

Chalk Paint in Old Ochre, Honfleur, Napoleonic Blue and Scandinavian Pink, all £21.95 per 1L, Annie Sloan

88 yourhomestyle.uk

Style advice

Houseplants, from £4.99, and pots, from £5.99 all Beards & Daisies

Shine on Don’t pack away your Christmas lights too soon. Use them to brighten up spaces during the rest of winter. They’ll create a cosy and restful atmosphere during the dark evenings and add a bit of sparkle to dull days. Try wrapping them around your banisters or sticking them to the wall using renter-friendly adhesive hooks.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Green up your home office with houseplants. These helpful colleagues work hard to purify the air and create a calming vibe that’s perfect for keeping you in a productive headspace throughout the day. Trailing types, like pothos, look great on high shelves; try a peace lily on your desk too. Kikkerland ivy string lights, £15, Urban Outfitters

Sunny side up Start the day in a good mood by clothing your bed linen in optimistic colours. Yellow and pink hues have a positive effect on our state of mind, so they’re the perfect shades for seeing you through the winter months.

Alizee storage bag, £25, Oliver Bonas

Marsella quilt cover set in Dijon, from £99, Sheridan

Home Sweet Home underbed storage bag, £14, Cath Kidston

Karismatik storage case, £12, IKEA

Stow away

Create more space by making use of neglected spots. These versatile storage bags can be packed full of off-season items and stored under the bed, or under any other free-standing piece of furniture.

January 2022 89

Colour clash

Felicity Cream 12 piece dinner set, £35; Country Manor cast iron pans, from £35; cast iron trivet £15; enamel pie dish, from £5; Country Manor embossed mugs, £12; oak chopping board, £20; glass storage jar in wood and faux leather, £5, all Habitat

Give your kitchen a shot of energy with a bold mood board that takes colour from opposite sides of the colour wheel. In this look from Furniture & Choice, the orange hue clashes excitingly with the turquoise tiles. Yellow, which works harmoniously with orange, helps to draw the look together. Try this technique with pink in a green kitchen, or violet against sunny yellow.

Rail of a time

Make a feature of your beautiful tableware by adding them into your décor. Instal a peg rail above your worksurface as a simple way to show off stylish mugs, jugs and utensils. This rail can also be used to support free-standing pictures or postcards, creating a fuss-free display that you can switch up as you like.

Hamilton extending dining table, from £399.99; Chester chairs in Oak, £59.99 each, Furniture & Choice

Get organised Create a calmer kitchen by removing all the branding from the space. The bright and clashing designs on lots of different packaging can create a stressful vibe. Dial things down by decanting your ingredients into pared-back storage solutions. Open-wire baskets are perfect for storing fruit and veg, and cereals stay crisp in air-tight glass jars.

Ready for a rest

A spoon rest is a practical and pretty accessory that every home cook needs. They add a pop of colour to your work surface and help to keep it free from cooking stains. Spoon rest in Essaouira, £10.95, Artisan Homeware

Marian spoon rest, £12, Anthropologie Bertie sausage dog spoon rest, £3, Dunelm

90 yourhomestyle.uk

Malvern storage baskets, £25 for set of three; dish drainer, £22, mug tree, £16; wire egg holder, £1; sink caddy, £14; glass storage jars, from £16 for a set of two, all Next

Home tech

5 OF THE BEST

You are my sunshine Beurer WL 50 wake up light, £69.99, John Lewis & Partners Create your own private sunrise and sunset with this clever lamp that uses light and sound settings to help you fall asleep easily and wake up gently. There’s a choice of soothing wake-up and sleep melodies, an alarm with a snooze setting and an FM radio with space for 10 presets, plus you can play your own music via Bluetooth or using the auxiliary cable supplied. We love: The option to adjust the light intensity to suit you, with three levels to choose from.

SUNRISE ALARM CLOCKS The winter months can make getting out of bed a lot less appealing, so why not treat yourself to a sunrise alarm clock to help support your sleep rhythm and say goodbye to those January blues?

Rise and shine Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB, £199, Lumie Light therapy specialist Lumie’s premium sleep and wake up light boasts adjustable fading sunrise and sunset duration and intensity for easier sleep and brighter waking. Teamed with high-quality audio via Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and a USB port, this stylish design gives the complete sound and light experience – you can drift off to the sound of calming waves or wake up to birdsong with over 20 different sounds. We love: The choice of five different colours so it fits in with your bedroom

Wakey wakey

Here comes the sun

Groov-e Light Curve wake up clock radio, £39.99, Argos If you’re looking for a sunrise alarm that won’t break the bank, this budget model fits the bill. The sunrise and sunset simulation increases and decreases the light’s brightness, offering a relaxing 10-, 20- or 30-minute lighting cycle. There are eight sounds that you can use as an alarm, while the built in FM radio means that you can wake up to the news or your favourite station. We love: The mood light function, which moves through seven colours or can be set to your preferred shade.

Somneo sleep and wake-up light, £189.99, Philips Designed to help calm the body and mind, Somneo features a lightguided breathing function inspired by common relaxation exercises for a smooth transition to sleep. Inspired by nature, the sunset and sunrise simulation mimics the full natural colour spectrum of white hues, from cool blues to warm reds, gradually adjusting the light for sleeping or waking. You can listen to your own music via the AUX input or with the built-in FM radio. We love: The midnight light function, which uses a dim orange light to help you find your way in the dark with minimum sleep disturbance.

Echo Show 8, £119.99, Amazon Although it’s not strictly a light alarm, Amazon’s latest Echo Show offers a sunrise feature that can be set for alarms between 4am and 9am. This slowly brightens the display to mimic the arrival of daylight to help you wake gently. You can also use it alongside alarm tones set to gradually increase in volume. Although it’s not as advanced as some dedicated sunrise alarms, it has other advantages, such as the built-in functionality of Alexa, making it easy to use voice commands and control other smart home devices. We love: The built-in Bluetooth, which means you can stream music straight from your phone.

NEXT MONTH

Heated blankets Feature Lisa Hibberd

Wake me up

January 2022 91

Welcome the new year in style Whether you’re planning a glamorous cocktail party, a special dinner or a cosy night in with loved ones, our best buys will help you start 2022 with flair

A deep blue colour scheme creates a showstopping vibe that’s perfect for any party. A mixture of jewel-coloured decorations and gold accents take this look to the next level. Emerson 2-seater velvet recliner sofa in Navy, £600; 6ft mixed tip natural look Christmas tree in Green, £80; Kayleigh drinks trolley in Brass, £125; Gold sparkly tree skirt, £16; Gold rim Prosecco flute, £16 for four; Gold rim Champagne coupe, £16 for four; Gold rim wine glass, £16 for four; baubles, from £8 for a pack of 48, all Habitat

Style advice 1 2

4 5

STYLE INSPIRATION

Cocktail party chic Inspired by a sophisticated cocktail evening, this look is all about bringing glitz and glamour to your home

Style the look Colour-wise, think deep, luxurious shades of forest green and velvety blue, peppered with pops of bright neon for a touch of disco chic.

Black drinks trolley, £28; Gold sparkle gin glass, £20 for four; Gold sparkle cocktail glass, £20 for four; Grey occasion accent chair, £70; Homemaker monochrome concentric rug, from £25; plain faux fur cushion, £8, all George Home

Conjure up cocktails at your very own bar station. There are plenty of affordable drinks trolleys on offer this season, and they’re a great addition to your home that will be used throughout the year. Stock with your favourite tipples, cocktail accessories and glassware and you’ll be ready to knock up a mojito in no time. This look is all about entertaining, so make sure you have plenty of chairs or stools for guests to perch on, as well as platters and trays from which to offer them drinks or snacks.

1 Monroe gin glasses in Rose Gold, £28 for four; Monroe Champagne saucers in Rose Gold, £28 for four; Monroe tall tumblers in Rose Gold, £24 for four; Vintage Fan Champagne bucket in Rose Gold, £14; round tray, £25, all Next 2 Be Kind neon light, £59.99, Lights4fun 3 Habitat Imogen quilted fabric bar stool in Grey, £80, Argos 4 Habitat neon light up star, £15, Argos 5 Golden disco ball, £95, Cox & Cox 6 David Bowie art print in Dark Orange, £35, Bold & Noble 7 Marble and acacia display stand, £29.99 for two, Lakeland

Top tip Opt for LED candles at parties and busy social events for the same intimate ambience without the fire hazard.

STYLE INSPIRATION

Cosy night in Gather friends and family together for a movie or games night complete with drinks, popcorn and comfy seating. Novelty hoodies optional!

Style the look This relaxed scheme is designed to make everyone feel at home, so make sure there’s enough comfy seating – invest in some floor cushions if necessary. Pile up the pillows and throws for the ultimate in homely style. Family-friendly décor is a must for a night of fun and games, and you can’t go wrong with a few cute novelty figures and colourful decorations to brighten up a dull corner. Nothing says ‘night in’ more than drinks and nibbles, so prepare some tasty snacks and keep the drinks flowing, whether it’s warming hot chocolate, cups of tea or something stronger. Although a festive movie is sure to go down a storm, a selection of board games is a great way to liven up the evening and keep kids (and grown-ups!) entertained.

Stoneware Snowflake platter, 41.8cm 28.5cm (W x D), £10, Tesco

94 yourhomestyle.uk

Top tip Kids will love this year’s Nordic Nomad trend, which features quirky gnomes and gonks in a range of decorations, toys and plushies.

Style advice Check double duvet set, £18; Cable knit hot water bottle in Red, £6; Cable knit throw in Red, £15; Cable knit cushion in Red, £8, all Wilko

1 Habitat Drew low side table in bamboo, £45, Argos 2 Large ivory knitted pouffe, £64.99, BTFY 3 Hot Cocoa diffuser 70ml, £8, Next 4 Cosy sparkle throw in Midnight, £30, Walton & Co 5 Inca tufted cream wall hanging, £22, Dunelm 6 Pass the Pud family game, £22, Gibsons 7 Gourmet popcorn party snack selection – 14 packs in seven flavours, £20, Popcorn Shed

5 7 Fill your home with fun by creating a scheme that’s sure to make guests of all ages feel welcome. Adult Santa and Reindeer oversized hoodies, £16 each; gnome decorations, from £3; 70cm gnome plush, £15; Nordic paper fans, £8 for seven; 6ft slim western pine tree, £40; Salisbury slub cotton blend 2 seater sofa bed in Sandstone, £1,399; Oakland mirrored side table, £69; jute marl rug, from £129; cotton tassel circle rug, £69; Tori 1 light pendant fitting in Black, £89; baubles, from £2, all Dunelm

January 2022 95

White wooden star light, £10; small wooden light, £5; wooden-effect star tea light, £8 for two; wooden block tree scene, £3; Black glass vase, £8; wooden tree, £3, all George Home

Style the look Enhance the wintery feel by ensuring you introduce plenty of cosy textures in the form of throws and cushions. Chunky knits work well, as well as faux fur and fleece designs. Stick to whites and silvery greys with hints of green, such as garlands with white berries, for this laid-back, welcoming look. Natural materials will give it a Nordic edge, so consider sprigs of eucalyptus, ivy and mini trees. Keep lighting subtle to create a cosy ambience for your meal. A display of fairy lights will make your space twinkle, while plenty of candles can’t fail to achieve the perfect atmosphere for the evening.

STYLE INSPIRATION

Grown-up dining Host a dinner party to remember by creating a Nordic-inspired setting with a nod to nature

2 3

5 6

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1 Pine needle tree in Snowy, £3, B&M 2 Fox & Ivy hammered gin glass, £3.50, Tesco 3 Gold hanging hoop decoration with mistletoe, £32.99, Ginger Ray 4 Platinum band porcelain boxed 12-piece dinnerware set in White/ Silver, £30; Mountain Foliage napkins in White/Silver, £20 for four; Platinum band snowflake dish, £6; Christmas pinecone napkin rings, £12 for four, all John Lewis & Partners 5 Cream faux fur throw, £20, George Home 6 Silver snowflake placemat, £5 for four, Wilko 7 Rose Gold-effect marble 12-piece dinner set, £25, George Home

Style advice Invite guests to dine in style by creating a winter wonderland scheme with chic yet affordable decorations and accessories. Curtain lights, £15; wreath, £8; Christmas tree candles, from £1 each; White berry and foliage garland, £6; charger plates, £1 each; decorations, from £1.50 each; tealight candle holders, £1 each; pinecone decorations, £2 for six; star tree topper, £2; throw, £10; cushions, from £6 each; Silver stag, £2; large Silver candle, £4; mini Silver baubles, £1 for 24, all Poundland

Top tip Your dinnerware doesn’t need to match perfectly to create a sophisticated look – mismatched in similar colours will look just as classy.

January 2022 97

ALL BOXED UP Store 24 baubles in this festive fabric storage box. It measures 26.5cm x 31.5cm x 41cm (H x W x D) and will keep them safely organised all year round. Bauble storage box, £19.50, Cox & Cox

TOP TIP ‘For large lighting pieces, such as outdoor figures and window star lights, keep the boxes they arrive in. As these are designed to keep your products super safe on their journey to your home, they’ll protect them in your loft or garage too.’ The experts at Lights4fun

TINSEL WINDER If you have metres of tinsel that you get out to decorate your home each year, make sure they’re kept in tip top condition with this storage winder, measuring 15cm x 32.5cm x 1.5cm (H x W x D). Tinsel storage winder, £7.50 for two, A Place for Everything

All you need for a

TOP TIP ‘If putting your artificial Christmas tree together is like a tricky festive jigsaw puzzle, make life easier by using coloured tape around the ends – so next time just match up the colours and your tree will be up in no time.’ The experts at Lights4fun

WONDER WHEEL Save yourself hours of detangling with this light storage wheel with a diameter of 49cm and a depth of 9cm that will store and protect your festive illuminations. Light storage wheel, £2.99, The Range

STRESS-FREE FESTIVE TIDY UP

When the time comes to get your Christmas decorations organised and neatly stored away, our best buys to tackle everything from baubles to NEAT & TIDY gift wrap will come in handy! Ensure your showstopping front door wreath is kept pristine and dust free for years to come with this neat storage bag. Measuring 60cm in height x 75cm in diameter, there’s also a handle for easy carrying. Christmas wreath storage, £26.99, Wayfair

BAG FOR LIFE This large bag with handy carry handles is ideal for getting your faux Christmas tree packed away. It measures 73cm in diameter x 142cm in length. Christmas tree storage bag, £29.99, Hayes Garden World

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CARRY ALL Use this strong, lightweight holder to keep a selection of your Christmas decorations organised and ready for use. From baubles and tree decorations, to fairy lights and small festive ornaments, this bag can carry it all. It measures 34cm x 60cm x 25cm (H x W x D). Netagon decorations box, £12.99, Amazon

Expert advice SIZED TO FIT LINE ’EM UP This fabric storage box boasts three neat drawers to store 48 baubles and tree decorations all in one place. It measures 40cm x 40cm x 33cm (H x W x D). WeRChristmas Christmas decoration storage box, £24.99, Amazon

Keep your gift wrap, ribbons, tags and tape all in one place with this 22L box, which also has two internal trays. It measures 15.5cm x 82cm x 25.5cm (H x W x D) and holds up to 10 rolls of gift wrap. Wrapping paper storage box, £17.50, A Place for Everything

TOP TIP ‘Save money and reuse cardboard packaging by cutting it into strips to wrap your Christmas lights around. You can tailor the size to suit the length of your lights, then store these in a box or bag to keep them watertight and protected for use again next season.’ The experts at Lights4fun

THINK SMART Keep your tree decorations safely packed away until next season with this lidded plastic box. The inserts help to divide the box into sections so that decorations remain intact and tangle-free. Orthex SmartStore Classic storage box, from £3.50; Orthex SmartStore storage inserts, from £3, both Homebase

FABRIC SOLUTIONS This fabric gift wrap storage bag is the ideal wrapping station, with fasteners to keep the rolls of paper secure on one side and pouches for all your wrapping essentials on the other. The bag measures 82 x 34 x 13cm (H x W x D). Christmas gift wrap storage, £26.99, Wayfair

20/20 VISION

WHEELY HELPFUL Keep your artificial Christmas tree in this durable bag with sturdy sides and wheels at the bottom to help you manoeuvre it in and out of storage for the festive season. The bag measures 62cm x 149cm x 55cm (H x W x D). Christmas tree storage bag, £35.99, Wayfair

Feature Lara Berry

GET WOUND UP Three plastic winders neatly store strings of lights so they don’t get tangled after use, which are then packed in the bag to keep them safe from breakages and ready for next season. The bag measures 30cm x 15cm d x 44cm (H x W x D). PE lights storage bag, £8, B&Q

This round storage bag, which has a 76cm diameter and is 20cm deep, is ideal for your festive wreath or garland. Plus, its clear design will help you identify its contents in an instant. Ram clear wreath and garland storage, £9.99, Amazon

January 2022 99

GLITZY BAR CART Serve up your festive cocktails in style with this glamorous trolley

TOP TIP If your table doesn’t have wheels, you can buy inexpensive sets of casters from DIY stores.

New Year Fireworks wall mural, from £35 per sq m, Wallsauce. 7.5ft pre-lit Fraser fir, £679, Balsam Hill. Luxe giant gold star, £10; Luxe 200mm plate gold pumpkin baubles, £4 each, all Wilko. Large textured glass baubles in Blush & Gold, £55 for 12; glittered trailing willow sprays, £24 for three; shatterproof glittered starbursts in Blush, £17.50 for four; golden foil fringed curtain, £8.50, All Cox & Cox. Highgate goblets, £28 for four, Not Just Jugs. All other items, stylist’s own 100 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea This trolley is also perfect for taking food and drink out into the garden during summer parties.

Seasonal crafting

You will need Old side table with wheels z Pencil z Tape measure z Saw z Sanding block z 4 x 97.8cm lengths of Louli scalloped edge moulding, £13.50 each, Camilla Hampton Interiors z Grab adhesive z Panel pins z Hammer z Artisan Gold Bright Effect spray paint, £11.30 for 400ml, Craig & Rose z D-C Fix Reflective gloss mirrored-effect self-adhesive film, £10 for 1.5m x 45cm, B&Q z Craft knife z Old credit card or small squeegee z 5 x WATT T-bar handles, £17.95 each, Plank Hardware z Screwdriver z

Sand the surface of the table to remove old varnish and to give a key to the surface. Wipe away dust and debris with warm soapy water. Leave to dry thoroughly.

Before

Using a pencil and tape measure, measure the length of each side of the table’s lower shelf. Mark each side inconspicuously in pencil from 1 to 4. Measure and cut four lengths of scalloped trim to the length of the four side measurements and mark them with the corresponding side number. Vintage tables can vary in size by millimetres on each side, so by numbering the lengths of trim you won’t mix them up and will ensure they fit their corresponding sides perfectly. Attach each length of trim to the sides of the lower shelf using grab adhesive. Hammer a panel pin in at each end to ensure a tight adhesion. Leave for a couple of hours to allow the glue to dry thoroughly. Working in a well-ventilated area, ideally outside, give the table at least four coats of paint all over. Pay attention to areas such as the inside of the legs to ensure they are as evenly coated as the outer, more visible surfaces. Work in slow, even strokes to avoid runs or drips and allow the paint to dry thoroughly between each coat.

Once the paint is dry, measure and cut a piece of mirror film to fit on the top surface of the table. Peel away the white paper film to reveal the sticky surface, while smoothing the film into position using your other hand. Gently glide an old credit card over the surface to remove air bubbles. Leave the protective top on the mirror film. Measure up for the side bars. Place the bar handles on each side of the top surface of the table. Use a pencil and tape measure to mark where you need to drill holes for the screws to affix the handles. Using the correct size drill bit, drill the holes through the tabletop. Working from the underside of the tabletop, attach the screws to the bar handles. Measure for the side handle. Place the remaining bar handle on the side of the table, below the tabletop. Use a pencil and tape measure to mark where you need to drill holes for the screws to go in. Drill the holes through the side of the table and attach the screws to the bar handle. Remove the protective top film to finish.

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

Bar carts are this season’s must-have accessory and will add a touch of glitz and glamour to your New Year’s Eve celebrations. They’re lots of fun to revamp, so try your hand at making your own from an old trolley or side table.

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PERSONALISED WINE CHARMS Add a bit of festive bling and keep your guests’ glasses from getting mixed up

TOP TIP Use a black fine-tip marker to emphasise the lettering. Trace over the letters before using a damp cloth to wipe away excess ink from the surface.

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Seasonal crafting

You will need Ultimate Metal Press Kit, £25, Hobbycraft Masking tape  Pencil and ruler  Black fine-tip marker  Kitchen towel  Snowflake wooden embellishments, £6.50 for a pack of 100, Hobbycraft  Selection of Pebeo Pearl acrylic paints, £2.25 each, Hobbycraft  Artist’s paintbrush  Beads Unlimited 5mm Silver Plated Jump Rings, £2.50 for 200, and Silver Plated 25mm Hanging Hoops, £2.50 for 10, Hobbycraft  Jewellery pliers  

Position a round metal blank from the metal press kit on the stamping block and secure in place with masking tape,

leaving a space where you want to stamp. This will prevent it slipping while you work. Mark the masking tape at intervals with a black pen to show where you want each letter to be. Take your first letter stamp and place it face down on the blank. Ensure it is the right way up and in line with your first mark. The stamp should be upright at a 90º angle against the blank. With the hammer, tap the end of the stamp firmly, just once. Avoid hitting the stamp multiple times as it may cause the stamp to move and blur the edges of the letter imprint. Carefully move along the blank, stamping each letter as you go. Once you’ve finished stamping, use a damp cloth to polish the blank and bring out the natural shine of the metal. Using pearlescent acrylic paint and an artist’s paintbrush, carefully paint both

2 3

sides of your wooden snowflake embellishments. Leave to dry. Using jewellery pliers, carefully prise apart the ends of a jump ring. Slide the ring through a suitable hole on a snowflake embellishment and gently press the ring closed once more using the pliers. Repeat this method to add jump rings to each of the stamped metal blanks. Attach a jump ring through the hole at the base of a silver plated hanging hoop. Before you close this jump ring, thread on the jump rings attached to the stamped blank and snowflake, making sure the stamped blank is face-up on top of the snowflake. Carefully close the jump ring using jewellery pliers. To attach the wine charm to a glass, pull apart the hanging loop, place it around the stem, then push the end of the loop back into its housing.

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

Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep track of your own wine glass at parties. Make identifying it easy with these personalised wine charms.

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CHALKBOARD COCKTAIL MENU Impress your party guests with this stylish drinks display board

TOP TIP Chalk pens are easy to wipe off the blackboard surface with a damp cloth, so you can update your menu.

7.5ft pre-lit Fraser fir, £679, Balsam Hill. Peacock martini glasses, £29.45 for two, Not Just Jugs. Brass cocktail trolley, £450; glittered baubles in Blush, £35 for 12; glittered trailing willow sprays, £24 for three, all Cox & Cox. Luxe black glitter and bead topped baubles, £1.50 each, Wilko. All other items, stylist’s own 104 yourhomestyle.uk

Seasonal crafting

You will need Ruler or tape measure z Hacksaw z Balsa strip 13mm x 13mm x 91cm, £3.70 and Basswood block 5cm x 5cm x 30.5cm, £9, Hobbycraft z Grab adhesive z Rust-Oleum Metallic spray paint in Gold, £8 for 400ml, Dunelm z A4 Seawhite MDF board, £3, Hobbycraft z Rust-Oleum Black matt chalkboard paint (brush on) 0.75ml, £12.99, The Range z Paintbrush z 6B and HB pencils z Uni-ball PWE-5M liquid chalk marker pens, £22 per pack of 8, Hobbycraft z

Measure and mark the balsa strip at 30.5cm intervals in pencil. Then, using

a small hacksaw, cut the balsa into two 30.5cm lengths. Make your wooden base. Stand the MDF board centrally on the long side of the basswood block and mark either side of the MDF with a pencil. Using this mark as a guide, position the lengths of balsa on either side, leaving a gap between them for the MDF to stand. Glue the balsa strips in place using grab adhesive. Leave to dry. Working in a well-ventilated area and protecting your work surface with old newspaper, carefully spray the wooden base using gold paint. Give the base two coats of paint, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. Make the blackboard. Using a small 2cm-wide paintbrush, carefully paint the front surface and sides of the MDF board using blackboard paint. Apply two coats of

paint, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. Turn the blackboard over and repeat on the remaining surface. Make a lettering template. Use a computer to print: ’Cocktails & Mocktails’ using a font of your choice. Make sure you use a font size that will work on your A4 blackboard. With the printed side face down, use a 6B pencil to draw over the back of the letters. Turn the paper over and place it in your desired position on the blackboard. Use an HB pencil to draw around the outline of the letters to transfer them to the surface of the blackboard. Using your traced letters as a guide, go over the lettering using coloured chalk pens. Add simple sketches of cocktails and colourful flourishes to embellish the cocktail menu. Once the chalk paint is dry, carefully slide the blackboard onto the wooden base.

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

Chalkboard cocktail menus are found in all the hippest cocktail bars, so why not make one for your NYE party? This one is easy to create and can be used time and again.

January 2022 105

SPA BATHR OOM We live in a three-storey Victorian townhouse and our interior style is very eclectic; inspired by our travels over the years and time spent living abroad. We revamped this room ourselves on a budget. We painted the tiles white and the rest of the walls and the furniture in shades of grey. I then framed some pieces of African mud cloth that I already had and put up some display shelves. Every room in our home is full of plants as I think they really bring a room alive. @camden_house36

TOWN & C OUNTRY

WHEN ONE DOOR OPENS . ..

I would describe my home style as ‘modern rustic’. I love the natural textures and warmth of wood and rattan materials but I also like contemporary statement furniture, such as this black glass-fronted cabinet. Having travelled extensively, I also love to incorporate different cultural influences through patterns, prints and ornaments. We picked up some of these items on our travels and others have been sourced on the high street. @the_interior_lens

We always try to achieve a relaxed contemporary look to our interior design, while letting the unique features of our Grade II listed 1805 Gothic Revival home shine through. We used neutral colours and added interest with pale blue in soft furnishings and ornaments. The artwork keeps the area interesting, and the ogee-style doors steal the show and remain preserved. @beechmount_house_1805

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WIN A VOUCHER! Congratulations to everyone featured in this month’s #myHShome – you’ve won an experience gift box from Red Letter Days* worth £49.99! Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room for your chance to win a prize next month.

HOU S E OF DREA MS Our home style is very much about adding colour where and when we can! When we see things we like we just go for it. We love a colour clash or pop of colour on a neutral background. Overall, we’re very spontaneous with our décor and try to be bold and brave with our choices. @lovelane_jp

Show us your style! Upload your home shot to Instagram using #myHShome 106 yourhomestyle.uk

*This gift box entitles you to over 2,625 experiences in the UK, valid for 24 months.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Put some new ideas on the table with this month’s stylish updates BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL One of the biggest trends for 2022 is set to be big, bold and unapologetic colour. Don’t let your bathroom miss out on a slice of the action. Paper your walls with fab designs and upcycle your existing bathroom units with a fresh new hue. Try out unexpected combinations, such as pink and green or get fruity with zesty citrus tones. Why not try your hand at painting a mural too?

SITTING PRETTY Pash Classics specialises in creating reproductions of iconic midcentury furniture and lighting for budget-friendly prices. We love the elegant lines of the Wishbone chair inspired by the work of Danish designer Hans Wegner. The curved back creates a comfortable chair that’s ideal for long conversations around the dinner table. Wishbone chair in Dark Green, £139 each, Pash Classics

Staffordshire Springs wallpaper in Emerald Green, from £37 per roll, Catherine Rowe Designs Deco Petit platter, £9.99, Coupe plate, £13.99 and Grand platter, £39.99, all T&G Woodware

BLOOMING LOVELY

SHARING IS CARING Serve up canapés, nibbles and bites in style with these oh-so-trendy Art Decoinspired wooden serving platters.

British tile manufacturers, Original Style, has announced Wildflower Rose as its tile of the year for 2022. This delicate design taps into the cottagecore trend with its floral details. The tile can be used in your kitchen or bathroom (or both!) to add a touch of botanical beauty. Original Style has paired up with COAT paints, who has picked its perfect colours to match this stunning tile. Try it with pink, like Ciao Sofia, or create a sophisticated look with deep green Adulting, both £42 per 2.5L from COAT.

Wildflower Rose tile, £79.95 per sq m, Original Style

January 2022 107

Spray-painting our kitchen

Palm Springs was a huge inspiration for Nikki and Luke’s house and was continued into the kitchen. The worktop, custom-made in a pale pink concrete, not only incorporates Nikki’s favourite colour into the scheme, it also ties the vibrant blue units and bright white floors together

GAVE IT A UNIQUE TWIST

Nikki Griffiths gave her unloved space a modern makeover with bold colours and stylish accessories

About me I’m Nikki Griffiths, a communications and sustainability director. I live with my partner, Luke Moseley, a music producer, and our two Boston terriers, Paloma and Pilot. Our home is a 1960s threebedroom ex-council terrace in Streatham Hill, London. We share our renovation journey on Instagram @tierneyterracelocation.

My room...

MY PROBLEM KITCHEN It was in the wrong location at the front of the house. We wanted to connect it to the garden to create a better flow. Plus, it was in a terrible state – it hadn’t been touched for decades. HOW I MADE IT WORK We added a single-storey rear extension and moved the kitchen to the back of the house. Knocking down a back wall meant we could steal a little space from the old kitchen and create a snug area. We spray-painted our IKEA kitchen cabinets and added quirky artwork and accessories. MY FAVOURITE PART I love the connection we have with the outside. Our garden is really private and green, so it’s very calming to be linked to that space when we’re in the kitchen, which is where I spend the majority of my time.

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Befor e

Kitchen makeover

Style idea Make a room feel bigger with fullheight doors

TOTAL

£9,000 January 2022 109

Feature Laura Ewart Photos Lizzie Orme Styling Emma Fishman

‘It took a while to commit to going all blue as I thought it might be overpowering but the white floor, tiling and walls balance it out’

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

BRING IT BACK DOWN TO EARTH As the house is a fairly standard build, Nikki and Luke didn’t want to go too over the top. ‘It wouldn’t have felt authentic,’ Nikki explains. ‘To balance the bright colours, we went for matt black and white fixtures and fittings throughout, including the switches, sockets and the white sink and tap. We also tried to use low-cost materials, like the concrete worktop. But, of course, it had to be colourful and this pale pink design was perfect.’

ACCESSORIZE The white walls and tiles allow for fun and cheery accessories. The spaghetti artwork from Frowzy Prints shows that this isn’t a kitchen that takes itself too seriously. ‘There are so many similar kitchens out there, but it’s easy to put your own stamp on them with accessories,’ says Nikki. ‘It’s a great way to have fun.’ The lamp, from houseof.com works perfectly with the colourful plant pots. ‘I like to have things out on the worktop. Since the walls are quite plain, it helps the space feel cosy.’

GO FOR IT! Nikki personalised the IKEA kitchen units by spraypainting them in a vibrant blue by Mylands paint. It was a bold choice, but the risk has clearly paid off. ‘It’s surprising how far you can push boundaries with interiors,’ says Nikki. ‘I often doubt that a certain idea will work, but then I give it a try and it always does. The worst thing you can do is hold back. Things can always be changed, or you can start over. Just be careful not to fall for too many fads and make sure you shop around for things that make you smile.’ 110 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea Add detachable legs to furniture for flexibility

Kitchen makeover As the dining table had to be long and thin to fit into the space, Nikki and Luke made one themselves. They also opted for bench seating, meaning they can push the table closer to the wall and tuck the bench underneath, keeping the walkway free

‘The sofa was a wild card. I was petrified that it was going to look awful until it arrived and slotted into place and I was in love straight away!’

MY EXPERIENCE

‘Would I do it again? Absolutely. I loved the whole process and I can’t wait for our next project’

We lived here for two years while we saved up for our dream kitchen. Once the works started, we had to move out for a bit as the house became a building site. We rented down the road which saved us money in the long run as the contractors could work faster. I knew I wanted a few pink items, including a pink concrete worktop, the little pink handles and the pink geometric wallpaper. I wanted something really uplifting, which this kitchen definitely is. It took a while to commit to going all blue as I thought it might be overpowering, but the white floor, tiling and walls balance it out. Luckily, Luke loves bright colours as much as me. This house came with a lot of baggage, and we really wanted to finish everything to a very high standard and to give it a whole new look. We finished the project on time, but over budget, so we rent the house out as a shoot location to try and make some of the extra costs back. Our kitchen is now big enough to host our many nieces and nephews, as well as all our friends, which was so important to us. All in all, the work took around six months. We were so lucky to have great contractors and we didn’t find any nasty surprises. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I loved the whole process; my favourite part was mood-boarding and sourcing all the finishing touches. I can’t wait for our next project.

My shopping list ● Veddinge cupboard doors, from £11, IKEA ● Kitchen units painted in FTT-018, £73 for 2.5L, Mylands paint ● Pink concrete worktops, £3,000, Mortise Concrete ● Hobson brass handles, £19 each, Swarf ● White Franke sink, £158, Wickes ● For a similar tap, try the Cooke & Lewis Katiki White kitchen tap, £50; White floating shelf, £10, both B&Q ● Arrows Gloss White wall tiles, £50.40 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore ● For a similar oven, try the NEFF N30 electric double oven, £699, Currys ● Wundt 2 wallpaper, £140 per roll, Quirk & Rescue ● Hübsch White plant pot, £65 for two, Connox ● For a similar plant, try the Pink Elephant Ear plant by Brazen Botany, £158, Not on the High Street ● Jake symmetrical corner sofa, £3,432, Love Your Home ● Malmros dining chair, £149 each, Cult Furniture ● Charcoal Grey Opal Disk ceiling light, £179; Pink Arch table lamp, £99, both houseof.com ● Cement and brass lamp base, £95, Oliver Bonas ● Small black coffee machine, £150, De’Longhi ● Fried egg artwork, POA, Krystal. Wong ● Wavy plant pot, £20, Proudly Potty on Etsy ● Plant print, £11, BettyCassieDjango on Etsy ● Pink concrete tray, £34.99; Pink concrete candle holder, £9.99; Pink concrete pot, £14.99; Pink concrete bowl, £15.99, all ConcretelyCo on Etsy ● Callie scalloped bowls, £22; polka dot vase, £6; marble footed bowl, £25, all Next. Turn to p144 for stockist details

£80 B&Q

Studio cup and saucer set, £9.50, Habitat

Hang the Nantan pendant over a kitchen table or island

£27.50 Maisons du Monde Complement this earthenware bowl with colourful citrus fruit

Get the look... BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Take inspiration from Nikki and go for bright drama in your kitchen space with strong patterns, vibrant colours and statement-making accessories

£19.99 Temptation Gifts Start on a happy note with a cuppa in Orla Kiely’s Pressed Flower mugs

£65 Oliver Bonas

IN V E S T AT

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G RE

These neon napkins are perfect for NYE drinks and nibbles

IN V E S T M AT EN T

£5 Meri Meri

N T G RE

Cheeky wall art brings character to a kitchen

£175 for two La Redoute These Bonna stackable chairs are straight out of the 1970s!

£25 Argos Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, this Coral tableware will cheer up your day

£20 Tesco Home Ground a colourful tablescape with the Fox & Ivy cutlery set

Get the look Shop

S tyle advice

£25 John Lewis & Partners

£26 Earl of East

Make practical pretty Kitchenware doesn’t have to just be useful. From tea towels to cooking utensils and oven gloves to bins, pick accessories in on-trend designs that not only make your life easier but your space more stylish.

These East End Prints placemats are sure to be a family favourite

Designer brand dusendusen has brought stripes to the kitchen with this oven mitt

Out on display What’s the point of having colourful kitchenware to hide it in the cupboards? Keep Insta-worthy pots out on the stove, drape pretty tea towels over a drawer handle and stack your fave cookbooks within reach.

Shop your own home

£3.99 HomeSense For a space-saving trick, choose utensils you can hang up

Before you buy new, have a look in other rooms for objects that might also work in the kitchen. Artwork, quirky lighting or books could perk up a kitchen table, worktop or shelf and bring fresh style to your space.

£5 Matalan With this three-pack set of tea towels, drying the dishes is a team effort

lowvee £13 Sass and Belle Make an empty corner pop with this Bubblegum Pink vase

£35 Amara Add a talking point to worktops with a zingy cookbook

Sleek and stylish, the Astoria tap makes a statement

£10.25 Habitat Brighten up the table with Habitat’s Architect jug

‘Team vibrant colours with sharp, clean lines for a fresh, modern look’ January 2022 113

Feature Catriona Burns

Sawyer Mustard Yellow bar stools, £158 for two, Danetti

£114 Wayfair

I created a

Style idea Mix up a gallery ledge with prints, plates, fun mirrors and plants

HOTEL LUXE LOOK AT HOME Inspired by a holiday, Emma McAllister installed a bath and bar area in her bedroom, creating a stylish space perfect for relaxing with partner, Chris

About me I’m Emma McAllister, a nurse. I live with my husband, Chris, who works for a car manufacturer, and our three boys, Noah, 10, Zac, seven, and Felix, six. Our home is a three-bed semi in Tyne and Wear. I keep a record of our renovation journey @zebra.homeinspo

My room... MY PROBLEM BEDROOM Our home is a new-build so the room was simply a shell with grey carpet and magnolia walls. It was the perfect blank canvas that I could transform. HOW I MADE IT WORK The room is long and thin, so I zoned it into three parts. The middle was the obvious choice for our bed, and we put up panelling along the back wall to add interest. The alcove under the Velux was perfect for a bathing area, so we installed the bath here and hid the plumbing in a raised platform. Finally, I created a sophisticated bar area to bookend the room. MY FAVOURITE PART It’s got to be the bath – it feels like a real luxury. I’m a nurse and I work long hours, so I love having a dedicated spot to relax in.

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Bedroom makeover ‘I love a zebra motif and I have it all around the house. The bedding, from Wayfair, really stands out against the grey and yellow. I particularly love this print, from Junique, as the zebra looks so regal’

TOTAL

£1,247 January 2022 115

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Caroline Mardon

‘We spend a lot of time up here. Chris will sit and have a drink, put some music on and chat while I’m getting ready to go out’

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

TRY AN EASY FURNITURE HACK ‘These bedside cabinets are from the budget Kullen range in IKEA. I’d seen a post on social media using electrical tape to create unique pieces and we had some in the house, so I decided to try it out. It was really quick and easy, and I didn’t even measure it. I just stuck it on and was happy with how it looked, and it literally cost pennies.’

MIX MONOCHROME WITH COLOUR ‘I love black and white, and the bath was the starting point for the whole look. Adding a classic pattern on the frame means it has timeless appeal. Monochrome is a really good base for adding splashes of colour, and though I love yellow at the moment, I use accessories to add colour so I can change it up at any point.’

CREATE ZONES ‘This room is big so I knew it could be multifunctional. After we installed the bath and bed, I still had this corner to play with. It’s awkward because of the slanting roof. I know other homes on our estate had chairs here too, but I decided to up the ante by putting a cocktail trolley, from B&M, in here. During lockdown it became our “going out” place.’ 116 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea A button-back bed is a classic choice that will stand the test of time

Bedroom makeover ‘The bath is acrylic, which made getting it up the stairs so much easier. We put it on the platform as a good-looking way to house the pipework’

‘I absolutely love piling up the bed with lots of pillows and cushions as it’s a really easy way to create a feeling of complete luxury, and they also add colour and texture to the monochrome scheme’

‘I use the bath all the time. It’s definitely not just for show’

MY EXPERIENCE It was this top room that sold this place to us. The house is three storeys high, so I thought the boys could have the middle floor and we could have our own sanctuary up here. We’d been to a hotel with a bath in the alcove and I knew I wanted one in here. Chris’ s stepdad built the frame to house it, which saved on our budget and then a plumber installed the pipework. I looked at using ceramic tiles but was wary of the weight on the frame and when I saw these vinyl tiles I thought they’d be simpler to use and that Chris could fit them. It’s a long, thin room so we wanted something to catch the eye, which is why we decided on the wall panelling. Chris took it on as a project, though the design took time as drawing it out and calculating how much space we wanted between each panel was tricky. We went to B&Q, who cut all the MDF for us, and Chris glued it to the wall. Even in new-builds the walls aren’t completely flat, so he secured it with panel pins. I was thinking of painting it black but worried about the light, so I chose this dark grey as a compromise. I set up the chairs and bar area in the corner, as I thought it would be nice to add to the hotel vibe I wanted. It really has become the sanctuary I hoped for.

My shopping list ● Crushed velvet bed frame, £269.99; Silver Sophia lean-to mirror, £99.99, both The Range ● Kullen chest of two drawers, £25, IKEA ● Black tripod table lamp, £15; Deco Glamour Silver drinks trolley, £40, both B&M ● Richmond free-standing bath and shower mixer, £540, Unique Kitchens & Bathrooms ● For similar vinyl, try the Comet Floorpops peel-and-stick floor tiles, £16 for 10, Homebase ● For a similar rug, try the Zebra print rug, from £22, JD Williams ● Blenheim chandelier, £49; cushions, from a selection, both Dunelm ● Mister Stripe print, from £44.95, Junique ● Tyshawn Zebra bedding, £25.99, Wayfair ● Black Geometric chairs, £72 for two, eBay ● Leopard print rug, £25, George Home ● Wall panelling made from MDF board, from £8.97 for 405mm x 810mm, B&Q Turn to p144 for stockist details

January 2022 117

£50 Argos The Inspire chandelier is a modern £2.50 classic

Primark A scented candle can help you unwind

Portia bed, £625; velvet sequin star bedding set, £60; Camille bedside table, £140; Nero Black marble touch lamp, £75, all Next

Get the look...

BOUTIQUE BOUDOIR Make your bedroom more than just a place to sleep, like Emma, with quirky artwork, statement lighting and plush textures £150 Homebase

lowvee

A chaise longue is the ultimate in laid-back luxe

£379 Made.com Statement stripes make the Noorali dressing table a stand-out piece

£35 Freemans This Jungle Zebra cushion has a hot pink reverse

£19.99 Rockett St George Style up a night-stand with a fashionable coffee table book 118 yourhomestyle.uk

£25 Ink & Drop We love a classic portrait print with a cheeky twist

Get the look Shop

S tyle advice

£110 Very

Prioritise the bed

We spend a lot of time in our nest, so it’s worth making it the star of the show. Treat yourself to luxurious sheets, pick out a statement frame – rattan and velvet both make an impact in different ways – and add personality with cushions and throws.

Treat yourself Pamper yourself with hotel-style touches. Recreate a happy memory with a scented candle, indulge with a fancy box of chocolates and give a nod to nature with a houseplant that will bring the outside in.

Tassels make this wall mirror so glam

£28 George Home Want your own mini bar? Just stock up a cocktail cart with your fave drinks

Get in the zone Defined areas will maximise time spent in the room. Have a dressing table as your getting-ready space, a comfy chair for relaxing in, or a desk for working from home.

£45 Dunelm Put a Hotel Finley tripod lamp on each bedside table

£69.99 per sq m Tapi Go wild with animal print carpet

£299 DFS

This Retro accent chair is available in 24 different colours

£99 Very Add some drama to your space with the Chester chest

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Lady Muck accent chair in Plush Paprika, £999, Sofology

IN V E S T AT

£129.99 Walton & Co

‘Modern meets classic in this decadent, hotel-inspired look’ January 2022 119

Feature Catriona Burns

Dress up your bed with the Empress throw

We turned an old bedroom into

OUR FAMILY BATHROOM

Style idea Hang plants by a window so they soak up lots of sunlight

Completely rethinking an unused room gave Lianne Westwood the space she needed to install a walk-in shower and separate bath

About me I’m Lianne Westwood, 40. I run an online homeware store and interior design consultancy, Albert & Moo @albertandmoo. I live here with my husband, Craig, our six-month-old baby daughter, Martha, and cocker spaniel, Winston. Our home is a four-bedroom Victorian house in south-east London.

My room... MY PROBLEM BATHROOM The old bathroom was absolutely tiny and there was no room for a separate shower and bath, which I really wanted. HOW I MADE IT WORK Because we had converted the loft into two extra bedrooms, we were able to turn one of the old bedrooms into a bathroom instead. We put in a separate bath and shower and decorated in a pink and black colour scheme and brought in lots of houseplants. MY FAVOURITE PART It’s got to be the upcycled vanity unit. I eventually found an old chest of drawers online and had two circular basins fitted on top with black taps. I think it suits the room perfectly and it’s really practical too.

120 yourhomestyle.uk

Befor e

Bathroom makeover

‘This room really reflects my style. I’m so pleased with the final result’

TOTAL

£2,905 January 2022 121

Feature and styling Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

Lianne has painted the picture rail and window frame black, which accentuates the dusky pink walls and ties in with the feature floor tiles

Style advice

Lianne decided against her original plan for a monochrome scheme and went for Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink to add warmth and interest to the walls

Three simple tricks to try in your own home

PAINT THE CEILING Sprucing up the ceiling will make a big impact. Plus, paint will cover up those hard-to-reach stains that occur in high-moisture spaces. Pick a finish that’s both stylish and functional – a water-resistant eggshell is a good choice. Cover up the floor and any fixtures and fittings so that they’re safe from paint splatters. For the best coverage, use a roller and be sure to work in the same direction. ‘Painting the ceiling has made it feel really cosy,’ says Lianne.

OLD MEETS NEW Mix up old and new to add personality to the room. Look on secondhand sites for old pieces of wooden furniture that are in keeping with the age of your home, like a chest of drawers or wall cabinets, and consider how you could reinterpret them in your home. Customise your piece with a lick of paint, a stencil design or new handles. Team with contemporary geometric patterns in the room and green plants for an eclectic feel.

MAKE IT HOMELY Treat your bathroom like you would any other room in the house for a warm, welcoming feel. Decorate the space with hanging plants and framed artwork on the wall, like this print from Margot McDaid. Bring in a side table to the space and place it by the bath or shower area as a handy surface to keep your lotions and potions within easy reach. Also, be sure to highlight any original features, like this fireplace. Not only is it a beautiful feature in the room, it works well as handy shelf space. 122 yourhomestyle.uk

‘The patterned floor was quite an investment, but I had my eye on these tiles for a while and they brighten up the whole room’

Bathroom makeover

Style idea Black fittings and fixtures complement a dark-coloured ceiling

A black, floor-standing bath tap adds a contemporary feel and ties in well with the black woodwork and black painted bath. The wooden bath rack keeps Lianne’s bath bits within easy reach

MY EXPERIENCE Like many Victorian terraces, this house had a tiny bathroom at the back of the house. We always wanted a bigger space with room for a free-standing bath and walk-in shower. We weren’t really using one of the bedrooms, so it made complete sense to turn it into our family bathroom. Originally, I wanted a monochrome look in here. It’s how I’d designed the bathroom in our previous house, and it worked really well. But this room is much bigger, and I thought it deserved a bit more drama, so I went for a pink and black scheme instead. The other idea I stole from our previous bathroom was upcycling an old vanity with twin countertop sinks. I looked online for a Victorian chest of drawers but after months of searching on eBay I couldn’t find what I wanted within budget. The builders were pressuring me to have all the bathroom products ready, so I hastily bought a modern sideboard instead. As soon as it arrived though, I knew it wasn’t right. I had one last look on eBay and found exactly what I wanted. I’m so pleased I went with my heart and pursued the idea. It’s my favourite thing in the bathroom. The patterned floor was quite an investment, but I had my eye on these tiles for a while and they brighten up the whole room. We chose a free-standing bath to go under the window and decided to paint the outside black, in keeping with the rest of the room. A black shower and taps were added for a contemporary twist on the classic feature. To finish, I added loads of houseplants to add another layer of interest. This room really reflects my style. I’m so pleased with the final result.

My shopping list ● Sorrento Nizza floor tiles, £99.80 per sq m, Fired Earth ● Brewst Matte Black bath tap, £349.99; Brewst single lever basin tap, £75.99, both Homary ● Bateau double-ended free-standing bath, £794.70, Burlington Bathrooms ● Crosswater shower head, £189.99; Vos shower handset and hose in Matt Black, £124.99; slate-effect shower tray, £249.99, all Drench ● Hudson Reed black frame shower screen, £129.95; Sahara round white basin, £59.95, Victorian Plumbing ● Bulkhead sconce wall lights, £79, Industville ● Anath Classic White glass bathroom pendant light, £290, The Pendant Lighting Company ● Walls painted in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5L; ceiling painted in Railings estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5L, both Farrow & Ball ● Be Kind print, £45, Margot Mc Daid ● Tobias black metal mirror, £110, Maisons du Monde ● Plant pots, from a selection, Albert & Moo ● Fink bath rack, £44.99; artificial fern plant in pot, £27.99, both Wayfair ● Amber Noir pillar candle, £28, Shearer Candles ● Matrix Diamond White Gloss wall tiles, £22.16 per sq m, Topps Tiles Turn to p144 for stockist details

Regent plant pot in Sea Spray and Chalk, £24, Leaf Envy

£35 Rockett St George For all of the style with none of the fuss, this faux fern is an on-trend choice

£25.50 The Little Botanical Belly baskets are great for big, bold leafy plants

£14.50 Red Candy Frida looks iconic as ever in black and white

Get the look...

PERFECT POTS Show off your houseplants in style, just like Lianne, with a variety of planters that come in different shapes and sizes

wvee

£22 Matalan No one would ever guess this succulent selection isn’t real

£12 Arket Make use of vertical space with the Afroart hanger

£34.99 VonHaus With three tiers, there’s plenty of room for the whole green gang

£27 Big Pot Little Pot Let plants shine bright in this handmade piece

£15.50 Scaramanga Sometimes you just can’t beat classic terracotta tubs

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Get the look

S tyle advice

£16.50 Oliver Bonas

Do your research

G RE

IN V E S T AT

£16 Home of the Mall

Bathrooms are often short on space so make use of every inch. Hanging planters from the ceiling not only frees up wall and floor space but will give the room jungle-style vibes.

IN V E S T M AT EN T

Look up

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The bathroom is the perfect place for this little guy to hang out

Before you decide which plants you’re bringing into the bathroom, consider what the lighting is like and if it’s suitable for your plants to thrive in. Species such as monstera, ferns and Chinese money plants love the warm humid air that bathrooms provide.

A water-resistant gloss makes this hand-painted terracotta a good choice

And chill… Make your bathtime even more relaxing by placing potted plants around the tub. Not only does it look beautiful, the plants will create a feeling of calm and help you unwind, exactly what you want from a soak.

£98 Oliver Bonas

Bring boho vibes to your bathroom with the Bali triple stand

£39.95 Audenza

£99.95 Lime Lace

Use this Green Glass pot as a candle holder too

The Kensington will fit snugly into awkward corners

£65 Next

£12.99 JYSK

We’ve gone dotty for this polka planter

Wooden details have a home spa vibe

Gloss Pink ceramic pot, £19.99, Gardenesque

£29 Fy! Celebrate curves with a cheeky design

£6 each Sass & Belle

‘Make plants pop with bold accent colours, such as black, grey and navy blue’ January 2022 125

Feature Catriona Burns

Line these mushroom print minis up on a shelf or windowsill

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

Dimplex Bayport log effect electric stove, £399, AO.com

I am looking to buy an electric stove fire. Do you Q know if there are any that are silent? Caroline Morris, London Will Jones, Heating and Air Treatment A expert at AO.com, says… Electric stove fires are significantly quieter than other types of traditional fires or fan heaters. However, most models when turned on to provide heat are not 100 per cent silent, generating a small amount of noise to produce the heat. This is minimal and wouldn’t cause disruption to the house. The majority of electric stove fires do, however, feature a ‘flame only’ setting, which gives the ambiance of a fire without any heat. This feature is silent and would be a great choice if you want the look and feel of a fire in your home but don’t want the heat or you need silence. Take a look at Dimplex’s Gosford or Bayport or the Warmlite Rochester log-effect electric stoves on AO.com, which all offer a flame effect without heat.

I’m on a tight budget this winter and would love Q some energy efficiency tips and advice for saving money? Lena Nowak, Brentford Brian Horne, Senior Insight and A Analytics Consultant at the Energy Saving Trust, advises… The first step to

Sloan black flatweave rug, from £79.99 for a 66cm x 200cm runner, Rugs Direct

I have laminate flooring and I’d like to get a rug to warm up Q the kitchen. What type is the most durable and easiest to keep clean? Jane Nash, Chichester

Feature Hayley Gilbert

Nick Acaster, Managing Director of Rugs Direct A and Stair Rods Direct, says… Generally, rugs that are suitable for indoor/outdoor and made with polypropylene are the best choice for kitchens, as they are the easiest to clean. Polypropylene is stain-resistant as well as strong and durable so it will withstand the wear and tear of kitchen life. Flatweave rugs are also a good choice as they tend to be colourfast so keep that ‘new’ look. Some of the smaller designs can go straight in the washing machine. A thick pile or shaggy rug is a definite ‘no’ in a kitchen – food will get trapped in the long fibres and they are hard to clean. It is worth considering an anti-slip rug or using an anti-slip mat as a rug underlay to avoid any accidents, especially on laminate, tiled or wooden flooring. 126 yourhomestyle.uk

reduce energy usage is to take control of your heating, including setting controls to only heat the rooms you need, when you need them. Turning your thermostat down by one degree can typically save you around £55 a year, while installing and correctly using a programmable room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could save you £70 a year and reduce your carbon emissions by 305kg. Your home may be losing heat through gaps around windows and doors, floorboards or through chimneys. Quick and cost-effective DIY solutions include fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes around doors and windows, and sealing gaps between floors and skirting boards. Such simple measures have a potential saving of £25 a year on bills. Insulating any exposed hot water pipes and fitting Snowy Day draught excluder, an extra hot water cylinder £29.99, Celina Digby jacket for about £15, can save £18 a year. The average UK household spends £35 each year powering appliances left on standby, so switch these off, too.

Expert advice Help! The black mould won’t come off the rubber door Q seal on my washing machine – is there anything I can do? Salena Harding, Cardiff

GentlePower H8 W946WB UK washing machine with antimicrobic door seal, £609, Hotpoint

Tailang Bu, Category Marketing Manager A for Laundry UK/Ireland at Hotpoint, recommends… Applying bleach to a cloth and laying it over the mould in the seal overnight may improve the situation, but it won’t completely remove the mould. The best solution is to get in touch with your washing machine’s manufacturer to replace the door seal – it’s not really a DIY job. In the future, to prevent black mould from forming, dry the door seal after use to remove excess water, run a regular wash with a descaler and degreaser, leave the door open to allow the seal and drum to dry and, if possible, avoid keeping your washing machine in a damp area, such as a garage. We recommend using the Hotpoint Limescale & Detergent Remover, £17.99 for 12 sachets, which you can buy on our website at parts.hotpoint.co.uk, to eliminate limescale and grease. The Anti-Limescale Magnet, £22.99, will also help to prevent limescale building up on the heating elements and other parts of Replacement antimicrobic door seal, £27.29, Hotpoint the machine. If you are in the position to buy a new model, consider one of Hotpoint’s latest GentlePower or ActiveCare models, which benefit from an antimicrobic door seal that banishes up to 99 per cent of bacteria.

I’d like to have fitted cabinets in the alcoves Q either side of my fireplace, do I need to remove the picture rail and skirting boards before

Traditional alcove cabinet by DIY Alcove Cabinets, from £570, painted in Oval Room Blue by Farrow and Ball

measuring and fitting? Alina Sani, London John Graham, Managing Director at A DIY Alcove Cabinets, says… Alcove cabinets are a great way to maximise

ESTIONS! U Q

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

WE NEED YO

storage space and can completely transform the look and feel of a room. Fitted furniture should always enhance a room, not take away, so we advise all of our clients to leave their original features in place. Fitted furniture should be designed to work around picture rails, skirting boards and dado rails. The process used to do this is called ‘scribing’ where the supplied material is cut over and around the shape of the feature to give the furniture its ‘fitted’ finish. Scribing is usually Scribing means cutting done with a jigsaw and is a fitted furniture around the relatively easy process for feature for a neat finish a confident DIYer. When measuring for a fitted alcove cabinet or wardrobe, we recommend ignoring the skirting and picture rails and measuring wall to wall at the widest point. For us, measurements don’t need to be ‘mm perfect’ as we allow a tolerance within the cabinet construction of up to 20mm.

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COMING NEXT MONTH Inspiring real homes & makeovers full of ideas to steal!

Fall for chic city schemes: New York, Paris, Stockholm

Our style edit of 2022’s hottest interior trends

PLUS, DON’T MISS… How to declutter with pro organiser You Need A Vicky Luxe for less bathrooms Money-saving tips for homeowners and renters New season best buys for easy, affordable updates Amazing prizes & more!

Get your copy! FEBRUARY ISSUE

on sale 4th January

Quick-cook delicious, healthy family dinners

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Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Helpful hints

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

Herbs to hand Short on surface space in your kitchen? Need extra room for your thriving herb collection? These clever little magnetic pots let you keep your cooking herbs within easy reach on your fridge or freezer door! They’re handy for repotting supermarket herb plants too and make a lovely display on an otherwise bare spot. A set of three pots costs £12.99 from iwantoneofthose.com

Happy houseplants Use the inside of banana skin to clean dust from houseplant leaves and keep them shiny and healthy through the winter.

Heaven scent Developed by perfumers and made with essential oils, these veganfriendly cleaning concentrates make chores much more pleasant! £1.99 each from astonish.co.uk

Drink to that Whether you want to differentiate between glasses at a party or you’re after a cute straw to take with you when you’re out and about, these fun glass straws have a multitude of uses, and most importantly, they help cut out single-use plastics. This pack of five costs £8 from etsy.com/uk/shop/CircleSquareShop

3 of the best: fancy cocktail shakers for the holiday season FLORAL DESIGN

Made from stainless steel and brass, this design is for fans of a sleek, polished look. Brass cocktail shaker, £45, Spicer & Wood

Tall and elegant, you’ll want to keep this glass number out on display! Tierra cocktail shaker, £40, Anthropologie

RETRO STYLE This practical shaker has a 2-in-1 lid and measuring cup. Nicholas Vahé industrial cocktail shaker, £22, Quince and Cook

Feature Katie Dutton

CONTEMPORARY CURVES

January 2022 129

Fresher for longer Hands up, who cleans their toothbrush? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This Vermont Soap toothbrush cleaner, made from peppermint and eucalyptus, will help keep your brush as hygienic as possible. Simply spray onto your toothbrush after use and let it do its thing. Easy! A 118ml bottle costs £6.75 from liveinthelight.co.uk

Easy-fit filter If you live in an area with hard water or want to eliminate unwanted chemicals or odours from your shower water, the Hello Klean Shower filter is well worth a look. The sleek mechanism takes just two minutes to install – with no tools required – and attaches to all types of bath taps and shower heads. £60 from helloklean.co.uk

Some like it hot This extra long hot water bottle will keep you cosy. £22.99, Lakeland

Plastic-free laundry We’re cutting out harmful plastic laundry capsules and opting for a more conscious clean with eco brand Blueland’s plastic-free laundry tablets. The laundry starter set, £18, includes a cute pastel tin with 40 tablets, delivered in compostable paper. A 40 tablet refill costs £14. Blueland do refillable cleaners and hand soap too. blueland.com

stack Cleagon, rack

Keep your home warm this winter

With many of us now stocked up on reusable water bottles and coffee cups, the need for drying-up space might have increased! Luckily, the clever folk at OXO have come up with a solution. Their new compact drying rack holds four bottles and four lids and also has innovative reusable straw holders so you can efficiently dry those too. It’s perfect for families and anyone on the go. When not in use, the nifty rack can be folded up flat and easily stored away. £20 from John Lewis & Partners.

Home essentials: electric oil diffusers Fill your home with spa-like scents at the touch of a button Classic white Cowshed electric diffuser, £80, Very

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Mabb leaf sandblasted ceramic aroma diffuser, £45, Oliver Bonas

Pretty pink Neom wellbeing pod mini, £50, M&S

Did you know dust on radiators creates a layer of insulation, preventing heat from properly spreading around your room? Give your radiators a vacuum with the crevice nozzle or dust with a cloth once a week for efficient heat circulation.

Buyer’s guide

TRIED & TESTED

Smooth operators Looking for a blender but not sure where to start? Here’s your go-to guide to seven of the best food processors to suit your checklist and your pocket

SMEG BLF01CRUK 50S RETRO STYLE BLENDER Size: 39.7cm x 19.7cm x 16.3cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 1.5L Power: 800W Key features: Make soups and frozen drinks with its thermoresistant jug ● Speed settings can be adjusted while blending ● Stylish retro design The low down: Style meets substance in the SMEG 50s Retro Style blender. It’s at the top end of our price scale, but we believe it’s a worthy investment, thanks to its versatility, functionality and style credentials (choose from seven colours). The 800W motor and generous 1.5L jug make this an ideal blender for a

NINJA BN750UK 2-IN-1 BLENDER WITH AUTO-IQ

Tech pro

Size: 45.5cm x 25.5cm x 19cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 2.1L Power: 1200W Key features: Clear digital display with timer countdown lets you know how long each blend will take ● AutoIQ pre-set functions mean you can blend, crunch and crush at just one touch ● Make smaller portions and take them on the go with a 700ml cup attachment

The low down: The Ninja 2-in-1 blender is a practical and durable food processor, with the strongest motor of all our reviewed models, and it can handle a large quantity of Ninja 2-in-1 blender with ingredients with ease. It features innovative AutoIQ Auto-IQ BN750UK, technology, which takes the guesswork out of blending £129, AO styles – ideal if you’re new to food processors, or if time is of the essence. There’s also a helpful manual and recipe book to set you on the right path. Choose from three pre-set functions: ‘blend’, for making drinks, dips, dressings and salsa; ‘max blend’ for tougher ingredients, such as seeds, nuts, and fruit and veggies with skin on; and ‘crush’, for turning ice and frozen ingredients into smooth drinks and desserts. You can also make soups – just let the ingredients cool before blending. Measurements on the jug help to make blending ingredients even more precise. The attachments are dishwasher safe too. Overall, the powerful blades and efficient crushing performance make this an excellent and versatile choice and good value for the price.

range of culinary dishes, from smoothies to savoury sauces. Better still, the plastic jug is thermoresistant so you can whip up hot and cold concoctions, and it features measurements, which is helpful when you need to add specific amounts to your blends. The lid doesn’t lock in so it’s worth holding down on it for larger quantities. It offers three pre-set functions – ‘smoothie’, ‘ice crush’ and ‘pulse’ – as well as four different speed settings. An ergonomic handle and anti-slip feet make it comfortable to use and its moderate size won’t take up too much space on your countertop. The blades are a little fiddly to remove, but once taken out they are simple to clean and the jug can be popped in the dishwasher.

Ver sandtile a sh styli

Feature Katie Dutton

lenders can help you create a range of culinary delights including sauces, soups, smoothies, frozen cocktails, fresh juices, milkshakes, marinades, baby food and more! But before you part with your cash, think about what type of blender will be best for you and your home. If you’re on a health kick, a small single-setting blender that can grind fresh and frozen fruit at the push of a button might be all you need. If you’re a keen cook and baker, a larger model with multiple speed settings, pre-set functions and a pulse mode will give you greater control over your food prep. If you’re looking for a blender for occasional use, a mid-priced machine with one to two speed settings and a pulse function will give you flexibility without a premium price tag. Our seven fab food processors range in price from our steal find at £32.96 to our investment buy at £160. Each model offers impressive blending and, with some models, crushing and chopping. With a mix of sizes, styles and functionality, there’s a blender here for every budget, counter space and cooking approach.

SMEG BLF01CRUK 50s Retro Style blender, Cream, £160, AO January 2022 131

Nutribullet 600 Series blender, Graphite, £69.99, Currys

RUSSELL HOBBS 24722 DESIRE JUG BLENDER Size: 41.5cm x 20.7cm x 20.7cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 1.5L Power: 650W Key features: ● Strong glass jug that can withstand temperatures up to 40°C ● Great all-rounder ● Quality feel for purse-friendly price The low down: Looking for a reliable blender that doesn’t break the bank? The Desire Jug from Russell Hobbs is a versatile, affordable option. This model can blend both warm and cold ingredients and offers two speed settings, plus a pulse function. Simple cup measurements on the side of the jug help to determine ingredient portion sizes and the addition of a measuring cap, which can be slotted into the lid, means you can pour in extra ingredients without stopping the blend. The Desire can crush, grind, purée and blend hard and soft ingredients, whether it’s vegetables for marinades and sauces or frozen fruit for fresh juices and smoothies. You can blend ingredients for soup too, but they must be cooled to 40°C first. As it’s sturdy with non-slip feet, there won’t be any movement even when using the strongest setting. There are no pre-set functions, but for the price it’s a great all-rounder and when your cooking prep is done, you can put both the blade and the jug in the dishwasher. Russell Hobbs 24722 Desire Jug blender, £51.99, Currys

Cult classic NUTRIBULLET 600 SERIES BLENDER Size: 33cm x 17cm x 30cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 700ml Power: 600W Key features: ● Sleek and simple design ● Short and tall cups that double up as blending jugs ● Includes a ‘pocket nutritionist’ with recipes The low down: The NutriBullet has become a cult classic in recent years thanks to its intuitive functionality and slim, sleek design. It’s designed to give you a quick blast of healthy food with smoothies and juices, but it can also chop vegetables, make sauces, purées and breadcrumbs and, once the ingredients are cooled, blend deliciously smooth soups. What sets this model apart is the way users turn on the blender. Whereas most food processors use dials or buttons to set off the blades, the Nutribullet requires users to press down, turn and lock the bottle/blender jug in place. There are no speed settings, pre-set functions or timed blends so you’ll need to keep an eye on things but the efficient NutriBullet 600 only takes around 30 seconds to whiz up your fave fruit and veg. For a no-fuss blender, that can be easily tucked away, the NutriBullet 600 is ideal, and it’s not too loud either. The cups are dishwasher safe but you’ll need to handwash the blades.

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Top Tip

For a quick and easy clean, and if you don’t have a dishwasher, fill your blender jug halfway with warm (not hot!) soapy water, hit the standard blend setting and let it run for 20-30 seconds to give it a deep clean – then simply rinse out and leave to dry.

Buyer’s guide LAKELAND PERSONAL BLENDER & SMOOTHIE MAKER Size: 32.5cm x 15.5cm x 12cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 600ml Power: 350W Key features: ● Toughened glass jug ● Quiet Mark accreditation ● Additional bottle to take blends on the go The low down: Considering its compact size, the blending on the Personal blender and smoothie maker from Lakeland is efficient and reliable, cutting through small veg pieces and frozen fruits with ease. There are two settings, plus a pulse function, which is especially good at tackling larger fruit and veggies. If you’re after a dinky smoothie maker, this

model is ideal, and it can whip up small batches of sauces and baby food too. It can’t be used for hot foods so if you need to blend ingredients for soup, you’ll need to let them cool down first. This Lakeland model is lightweight, it takes up minimal space and is also surprisingly quiet – it has even been awarded the internationally recognised Quiet Mark accreditation. The jug and blades can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher but thanks to its small size, it doesn’t take long to wash.

Quqicukieatnd Lakeland Personal blender & smoothie maker, £44.99, Lakeland

BREVILLE BLENDACTI FAMILY GEN2 FOOD BLENDER Size: 37cm x 12.8cm x 12.4cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 600ml Power: 300W Key features: ● Comes with two 600ml bottles and two 300ml bottles ● Simple design means it’s quick and easy to use

Pur sdely fr ien

The low down: For a simple, affordable smoothie maker, the BlendActi Family Gen2 Food blender from Breville ticks the box. With its single Breville BlendActi Family speed setting and juice Gen2 Food blender, £32.99, function this model blends John Lewis & Partners fruit, both fresh and frozen, with ease, making wonderfully smooth drinks. It can also chop small pieces of veg, but it’s not the best at juicing or puréeing them. Four smoothie bottles, each with their own colourful lid, make this blender especially appealing to kids and means taking healthy drinks on the go is a doddle. You’ll need space to store the extra bottles but the machine itself is very slim and compact and takes up barely any room on a countertop. The no-frills, quick and easy functionality of this Breville model makes it ideal for families or anyone looking to introduce a healthy smoothie into their breakfast routine. At £32.99, it’s a steal too!

CUISINART SILVER CORDLESS ON-THE-GO BLENDER RPB100U Size: 30cm x 9.5cm x 10.5cm (H x W x D) Capacity: 450ml Power: 10W Key features: ● Cordless with USB charging ● Small size is ideal for single smoothies, salsas and dips ● Blending jug doubles up as a cup The low down: If you’re a keen picnicker or camper, or you just prefer a wire-free countertop, the Cuisinart Cordless On-TheGo blender is made for you. Thanks to its cordless design, you can take the blender with you and whip up fresh drinks and condiments wherever you fancy. On a full charge, it can work continuously for 20 minutes, which is plenty of time to mix multiple batches of smoothies, juices and sauces. After you’ve finished with your blends, use the USB charging lead to get the batteries full again, which should take around 120 minutes. Due to the lower wattage and petite size, this model is best suited for soft fruit and veg and it also makes a mean milkshake. It can also blend frozen fruit and it crushes ice to a lovely fine consistency so it’s great for frozen cocktails. You can make small batches of ingredients for soup too, just wait for the ingredients to cool down first. To clean, the jug can go in the dishwasher while the blades need to be hand washed. Cuisinart Silver Cordless On-The-Go blender RPB100U, £100, Lakeland

Cordless

January 2022 133

Our pick of the best

FOOD & DRINK Let’s get this party started with some of the best buys and tasty treats to welcome in the New Year

Oh! Honey

TASTE OF SCOTLAND

Waitrose has excelled this year with a cornucopia of delightful treats for Chistmas, from Chocca Mocha Wensleydale to Tiramisu Panettone, or how about the Fudge & Honeycomb gift pack?

Buttery salmon, ribbons of smooth, fresh courgette and grassy dill – a salmon starter at a party is always a guaranteed success, so we applaud Morrisons who has announced its Best Triple Smoked Salmon on sale from 12th December. Fished off the coast of the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland, the salmon has been dry cured with sea salt, demerara sugar and smoked three times over oak and cask chippings in Morrisons’ own kilns, for a hearty flavour and deep rich colour. Serve with cream cheese and peppery crackers as a delicious dinner-party starter, or as a buffet favourite for fellow partygoers to dip into as they please. £6 (300g), available from Morrisons nationwide.

Send us to heaven! £5 Waitrose.

Bake, craft, play

Sandwiched between the flurry of Christmas Day and the cork-popping of New Year is a week of calm. Time to spend hours with the kids cooking and baking. Craft & Crumb makes it easy with its themed range of Bake & Craft Kits. Each includes a baking and a craft activity that kids can, literally, get their teeth stuck into. Available from Ocado and John Lewis. Prices start at £5.99. craftandcrumb.com

THE PRICE OF JOY

Serve up this showstopper of a dessert and you’ll wow your guests in a jiffy. The new Vegan Millionaire Salted Caramel Cheesecake is part of Waitrose’s ‘stacker’ range and includes two individual square slices in each pack. The salted caramel, chocolate digestive crumb and chocolate drizzle on a biscuit base will have your guests asking for more. £3.90, Waitrose 134 yourhomestyle.uk

Vegan and lactose intolerant coffee lovers, listen up! Jimmy’s has announced a vegan, dairy-free version of its well-established Original Iced Coffee. It tastes oat-so delicious, and Jimmy’s is upping its sustainability creds, reducing plastic waste with aluminium cans. £1.70, Co-op.

Heat seekers Give your seasonal shindy a little heat with Carrs’ new Warm Chilli Melts. Exclusive to Christmas, the subtle taste is the perfect partner for an aged Cheddar or runny Brie. They cost £1.49 (150g) or find them partnered with original and cheese flavour in the Carrs’ festive Melts Selection (£4.50, 450g). Available from all major supermarkets.

Food news

OVER TO YOU... The ‘makeaway’ trend has gathered pace since lockdown, and picking up the baton with a fresh take is You Be Chef. Michelin-starred chef Robert Thompson wanted to celebrate the produce of the Isle of Wight and offer restaurant-quality food at home. The process is in three steps. Head to youbechef.com and select the number of guests, courses and preferences; the team will design a meal and pack the ingredients (from local suppliers); when your box arrives, follow the step-by-step videos created for the weekly menus alongside the enclosed instructions for a personalised experience. Bingo! Top-quality food from your kitchen. youbechef.com.

Spice to be nice New brand Howdah has a spicy snack range that includes Bombay Mix, Bakarwadi and Masala Dippers. None of these nibbles lasted long in the HomeStyle office as the moreish, modern Indian treats disappeared sharpish. An ideal addition to a party this New Year, these are snacks that give back too. For every bag it sells, Howdah buys a school meal for a child in need in India and more than 175,000 lunches have been provided so far. Visit howdahsnacks.co.uk for more details. Available exclusively in Sainsbury’s for £2.60 per 150g.

Pop, dip and bite

Follow the silk road We’re fans of all the wonderful flavours of gin but this Black Lemon offering from OPIHR promises something truly different with the exotic taste of ancient Persia. Inspired by the Iranian love of black lemons (small limes), the gin also features a mix of Timut pepper and, of course, juniper. From Sainsburys, £24 for 70cl.

If you like party food full of flavour and a side dose of healthy conscience, then VFC’s – Vegan Fried Chicken – trio of treats should be on your Christmas list. The Popcorn Chick*n, Chick*n Fillets and Chick*n Bites won’t just make vegan/veggie friends happy but meat-eaters will also love these crispy bites that look and tear just like real chicken. Company founders Matthew Glover and chef Adam York say they developed the doppelgängers as a ‘sit-down protest’ to intensive farming. £3 each, Tesco.

On the vine SHAKE IT UP! Need a gift for a budding mixologist? Funkin Cocktails’ Xmas boxes are your answer. The Easy Entertaining Gift Box (£30) and The Mixologist Gift Box (£50) have all you need to whizz up a delightful cocktail. The Mixologist Gift Box (pictured) contains passion fruit purée, passion fruit syrup, a bottle of STRYKK No Vodka (non-alcoholic) or Absolut Vodka, a cocktail shaker and gourmet popcorn from Joe & Seph’s. Last orders is 20th December. funkincocktails.co.uk

Tomatoes are not the food stuff that we normally think about over Christmas and New Year, however, the folks at thetomatostall.co.uk have been getting creative with a wonderful range of recipes online to make the most of your toms over the festive season. Head to the site to find details on how to make this party-perfect antipasto Christmas tree, as well as tear and share bread with oak-smoked Isle of Wight tomatoes and brie. Plus details on how to order box deliveries. January 2022 135

Tasty midweek meals It’s the busiest time of the year so save yourself precious hours

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

SPEEDY CHICKEN AND CELERY GREEN CURRY PREP TIME 5 mins COOK TIME 15 mins SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ł 1 tsp vegetable oil ł 2 small red onions, peeled and cut into half moon slices ł 1 bunch of celery – half of the stalks thinly sliced, the other half cut into 6cm sticks ł 4 tbsp Thai green curry paste ł 2 x 400g cans of coconut milk ł 2 tbsp fish sauce ł Zest and juice of 2 limes ł 100g sugar snap peas ł 640g mini chicken fillets ł 2 x 250g packs ready-cooked, microwave Jasmine rice to serve

SUPER GREEN PASTA WITH ROCKET, ALMONDS AND LEMON METHOD 1 To make this super-quick and easy meal, heat PREP TIME 10 mins COOK TIME 10 mins SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ł 4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling ł 3 garlic cloves ł 2 anchovy fillets (optional, leave out if cooking vegetarian) ł 250g chopped kale ł 500g fresh pasta (any type) ł 60g roasted almonds ł 1 lemon ł 6 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese ł 2 large handfuls of rocket ł Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1 Fill the kettle with water and bring to the boil, then pour into a large saucepan, season with salt and return to the boil. Place another large saucepan over a medium heat and add the measured olive oil. 2 Peel and finely slice the garlic, add to the oil and cook for 2 minutes, until lightly coloured. Add the anchovies (if using) and break them down with a wooden spoon. Add the kale to the pan, along with a spoonful of the boiling water, cover with a lid and steam for 3 minutes. 3 Put the pasta into the pan of boiling water and stir to separate. Cook for 2 minutes, or as per the packet instructions. Roughly chop the almonds and zest the lemon. 4 Remove the kale from the heat and, using a hand-held blender, blitz until smooth. Drain the pasta and add it to the kale along with the lemon zest, half the Parmesan and some salt and pepper. Toss together. 5 Divide between four bowls and finish with the rocket, almonds, remaining Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. 136 yourhomestyle.uk

the oil in a medium-sized pan, add the red onion and thinly sliced celery, and then fry for 2 minutes. Tip in the Thai green curry paste and cook for 1 minute more. 2 Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, lime zest and juice and stir it all together so it’s thoroughly blended. Bring the curry sauce to a gentle simmer, then add the sugar snap peas, celery sticks and the mini chicken fillets. Cook the mixture through for 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked. Always check that the chicken meat is white throughout. 3 Cook the Jasmine rice according to the packet instructions and then serve in bowls topped with the green curry sauce.

BEER-BATTERED FISH TACOS PREP TIME 5 mins COOK TIME 30 mins SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ł 4 tbsp soured cream ł ½ tsp Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Chipotle Paste ł 2 limes, juice of about 1½ and the rest sliced ł ½ tsp clear honey ł 1 shallot, halved and thinly sliced ł 250g cucumber, halved and thinly sliced ł 250g red cabbage, shredded ł About 250ml sunflower oil ł 2 x 260g packs Waitrose No1 Icelandic Cod Loin, patted dry on kitchen paper

ł For the batter ł 100g plain flour ł 1 tsp ground cumin ł ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ł 200ml Peroni ł 12 Mexican soft taco wraps METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/Fan 130°C/ Gas Mark 2. Mix the soured cream and chipotle paste in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix the juice of 1 lime with the honey and a pinch of salt, then stir in the shallot and cucumber. In a third bowl, toss the cabbage with a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Set everything aside until the fish is cooked. 2 Heat the oil in a large, non-stick sauté or deepsided frying pan over a medium-high heat – it should be about 200°C when you start frying. 3 Cut the fish into 6cm lengths and season. For the batter, mix the flour, cumin and bicarbonate of soda in a mixing bowl. 4 When the oil is hot, lightly whisk the beer into the flour mixture (don’t worry if it’s not completely smooth). Dredge the cod, 2 to 3 pieces at a time, in the batter, then lower into the hot oil (cook in batches and avoid overcrowding the pan). Cook for 2 minutes on each side, nudging them if they’ve stuck a little. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Lift out and blot on kitchen paper. 5 Place the wraps on a baking tray and heat in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Top with the fish, cabbage, cucumber and shallot, chipotle cream and lime.

Food planning

to make in minutes with these tasty quick and easy, family-friendly dishes

FRIDAY

THURSDAY PREP TIME 10 mins COOK TIME 10 mins SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ł 65g cornflakes ł 2 skinless chicken breasts ł 3 eggs ł 4 tbsp plain flour ł Vegetable oil, for frying ł Cucumber ł 2 spring onions ł Small handful of coriander leaves ł 2 tbsp fish sauce ł Zest and juice of 1 lime ł 100g roasted peanuts, crushed (optional) ł 3 heaped tbsp crispy fried onions (optional) ł 4 brioche burger buns ł 4 little gem lettuce leaves ł Sea salt ł For the gochujang mayonnaise ł 2 tbsp gochujang chilli sauce ł 3 tbsp mayonnaise ł Zest and juice of 1 lime

METHOD

1 Start by making the gochujang mayonnaise: put all the ingredients for it into a bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

2 Crush the cornflakes in a bowl until they are just bigger than breadcrumbs. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally so you have 4 thin pieces of chicken. 3 Crack the eggs into a wide, shallow bowl and beat with a fork. Put the flour into a similar bowl and season with a little salt. Put the crushed cornflakes into a third bowl. Dip the chicken first into the seasoned flour, then the egg and finally the cornflakes. 4 Place a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and pour in a 2cm depth of oil. When hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Drain on kitchen paper. 5 Slice the cucumber into ribbons using a speed peeler, and roughly chop the spring onions. Place in a bowl with the coriander leaves, fish sauce, lime zest and juice, and toss together. If using the crushed peanuts and crispy fried onions, combine them in a bowl. 6 Split the buns in half and lay them out. Spoon a dollop of the gochujang mayonnaise onto the bottom halves and spread a little on the outside of the tops. Dip the tops into the peanut mixture (if using). Put the lettuce leaves on top of the mayonnaise inside the buns, followed by some of the cucumber salad and the crispy chicken. Put the bun lids on top before serving.

Head to your homestyle.uk for more tasty recipes

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH GRILLED CORN SALSA AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO PREP TIME 10 mins COOK TIME 10 mins SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ł 450g pork tenderloin, cut into 8 medallions ł 1 tbsp garlic powder ł 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper ł 2 corn on the cob ł Vegetable oil, for frying ł 1 red onion ł 2 tbsp red wine vinegar ł 1 tsp chopped chilli, from a jar ł 250g heritage tomatoes ł 2 large handfuls of baby spinach ł Small handful of Greek or regular basil ł 8 prosciutto slices ł 2 tbsp butter ł Sea salt METHOD

1 Place two griddle pans or frying pans over a high heat. Season the pork medallions all over with the garlic powder, black pepper and some sea salt.

2 When the pans are hot, brush the corn with a little oil, place in one of the pans and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning regularly, until charred all over.

3 Drizzle some oil into the second pan, add the medallions and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the medallions and cook for a further 2 minutes. Once cooked, transfer to a board to rest. 4 Meanwhile, peel and finely slice the onion and put it into a bowl with the vinegar and chopped chilli. Slice, halve or quarter the tomatoes, depending on their size, add them to the onions. 5 Remove the corn cobs from the pan and shave the kernels from the husks. Add them to the tomato mixture, along with the spinach and basil, then season with salt and toss together. 6 Lay the prosciutto slices in the empty pan and allow to crisp for Discover more 30 to 60 seconds on each side. tasty recipes Add the butter to the prosciutto like this one in pan and remove from the heat. Ramsay in 10 7 To finish, arrange the by Gordon medallions on a serving dish Ramsay, and place the crispy prosciutto Hodder & on top. Drizzle over the melted Stoughton, butter from the pan and serve £25, out now. with the corn salsa. January 2022 137

Feature Katie Nicholls Recipes and photos Super green pasta, Cornflake chicken sliders and Pork tenderloin with corn salsa – Ramsay in 10 by Gordon Ramsay. Chicken and celery curry – lovecelery.co.uk; Beer battered fish tacos – Waitrose & Partners: thousands of recipes can be found at waitrose.com/recipes

CORNFLAKE CHICKEN SLIDERS WITH GOCHUJANG MAYONNAISE

GET SET… READY? PARTY! Gather your friends and family and say goodbye to the year with these delicious party recipes to make sure that 2022 gets going with a bang

Creamy vegan METHOD mushroom pâté 1 Prep time 35 mins Cook time 25 mins + 2 hrs chilling Makes 6-8

INGREDIENTS ł 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling ł 750g chestnut mushrooms, sliced ł 2 garlic cloves, sliced ł 1 tbsp thyme leaves, plus 2 tsp ł 100-150ml soya or coconut cream ł sourdough toast, to serve ł caramelised red onion chutney or relish, to serve For the walnuts: ł 25g caster sugar ł 50g walnut halves 138 yourhomestyle.uk

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat and fry the mushrooms for 15-20 minutes until very soft, and any liquid that’s been released has evaporated. Stir in the garlic, 1 tbsp thyme leaves, 1 tsp sea salt and a good grind of black pepper and cook for 3 minutes more. Leave to cool slightly. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a food processor and blitz to a thick paste. Add 100ml soya cream, then blitz again until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as you go. You may need to add up to 50ml more cream. Season to taste, then spoon into a serving dish or bowl and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Drizzle over enough olive oil to coat the top of the pâté – it should be just enough to stop it drying out. Cover

and chill for 2 hours until firm. It will keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To make the walnuts, put the sugar in a medium-sized heavy-based frying pan with 1 tsp water, and stir to dissolve. Bring to a medium-high heat and bubble for 10 minutes without stirring until the sugar has melted and turned into a golden caramel. Stir in the nuts, the remaining 2 tsp thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt, then tip onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment and leave to cool. Once set, bash or break into chunks. To serve, spread the pâté over the sourdough toast, then cut into bite-sized squares. Top with dollops of chutney and the candied walnuts.

Cook’s tip Make individual ramekins of the pâté and serve as a starter.

NYE Party Food

Blinis sharing platter Prep time 35 mins Serves 8

INGREDIENTS ● 120g pack smoked salmon slices ● 133g pack mini blinis ● 100g pack toasted crostini ● cornichons, to serve (optional) For the mackerel pâté: ● 225g pack smoked mackerel, skinned ● 65g 50% less fat soft cheese ● 65g 50% less fat crème fraîche ● ½ lemon, zested ● 1 tbsp chopped dill, plus extra to garnish For the salmon pâté ● 180g pack Tesco hot smoked salmon ● 65g 50% reduced fat soft cheese ● 65g 50% reduced fat crème fraîche ● 15g chopped tarragon ● 1 tbsp creamed horseradish sauce For the lemon crème fraîche ● 1½ lemons, 1 cut into wedges, ½ zested, plus 1 tsp juice ● 100g 50% less fat crème fraîche For the chive cheese ● 15g snipped chives ● 100g 50% less fat soft cheese

METHOD

To make the mackerel pâté, flake the mackerel into a food processor. Add the other pâté ingredients and blitz until blended but still with some texture. Season with pepper and transfer to a serving dish. Cover and place in the fridge. Repeat the step above to make the salmon pâté. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Stir the lemon zest and juice into the crème fraîche with some seasoning. In a separate bowl, stir the chives into the soft cheese with some seasoning. Arrange the smoked salmon, extra dill, blinis, crostini and cornichons (if using) on a platter. Serve with the pâtés, lemon crème fraîche, chive cheese and lemon wedges.

2 3

Chorizo and Gruyère puffs Prep time 10 mins Cook time 30 mins Serves 8-10 (makes 30)

INGREDIENTS ● 75g butter ● 110g plain four, sieved ● 3 medium eggs ● 75g Gruyère cheese, diced ● 75g chorizo, skin-removed, diced and fried

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/ Gas Mark 4. In a pan, combine the butter, 175ml water and ½ tsp salt. Bring to the boil, remove from the heat and stir in the flour until smooth. Return to a medium heat and beat for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and leave for 1 minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until glossy, add the Gruyère and chorizo. Season with black pepper. Spoon 2cm balls of the mixture onto 2 greased baking trays. Bake for 30 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Pierce to allow the steam out. Serve warm.

January 2022 139

Harissa lamb sausage rolls Prep time 20 mins Cook time 25 mins Serves 8-12

INGREDIENTS ł 1 tsp vegetable oil ł 1 large white onion ł 3 garlic cloves ł 45g Cook With M&S Rose Harissa paste ł 400g 20% fat lamb mince ł 70g breadcrumbs ł 75g dried apricots ł ¼ pack of fresh mint ł 15g flat leaf parsley ł 320g ready to roll puff pastry ł 1 egg ł 1 pinch cinnamon ł 1 tub tzatziki

METHOD

1 2

Dice the white onion and the garlic cloves. Finely chop the mint and flat leaf parsley. Beat the eggs. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/Gas Mark 7. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan, then add the onion and garlic and cook for 8 minutes until soft. Add the Cook With M&S harissa paste and heat for a further 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to cool. Stir in the lamb, breadcrumbs, apricots and fresh herbs. Lay the pastry on a flat surface and cut in half lengthways, to make two long, thin rectangles. Split the filling in half and place each portion on to the top third section of each piece of pastry. Fold the pastry over to cover the filling and crimp the edge at one side with a fork. Brush all over with beaten egg and sprinkle over a pinch of cinnamon and sea salt. Cut into 8-12 pieces. Bake on a baking tray for around 25 minutes, until the pastry turns golden and is cooked through. Serve hot or cold with tzatziki on the side.

140 yourhomestyle.uk

Feature Katie Nicholls Recipes and photos Creamy vegan mushroom pâté, bbcgoodfood.com; DIY blinis, Chorizo and gruyère puffs, realfood.tesco.com; Harissa lamb sausage rolls, Special Christmas brownies, Marmalade whisky fizz, cookwithmands.com

Extra special Christmas brownies Prep time 15 mins Cook time 45 mins Serves 15

INGREDIENTS ł Icing sugar ł 5 eggs ł 300g dark chocolate ł 250g unsalted butter ł 400g caster sugar ł 1 tsp vanilla extract ł 150g plain flour ł 50g cocoa ł ½ tsp baking powder ł 3 tbsp mincemeat

METHOD

Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a shallow baking tin, leaving a bit of the baking paper overhanging the lengths of the tray (this will make it easier to remove the brownies once baked). Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Allow to cool. Place the eggs, sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer and beat for 3 to 4 minutes, until pale and fluffy. Transfer to a mixing bowl, then beat in the cooled chocolate mixture. Sift in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and a pinch of salt, then fold in with a large metal spoon until smooth. Gently fold in the mincemeat. Transfer the mixture to the tin and smooth the surface. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until firm to the touch but still a bit fudgy in the centre. Allow to cool in the tin, then remove, sprinkle with icing sugar and cut into squares.

3 4 5

6 7

Marmalade whisky fizz Prep time 5 mins Serves 1

INGREDIENTS ł A few drops Angostura bitters ł 2 tsp orange marmalade ł 60ml whisky ł 300ml ginger ale ł Crushed ice ł Orange slice, fresh or oven-dried, to garnish (optional)

METHOD

1 2

Blend a few drops of the Angostura bitters with 2 tsp orange marmalade in the bottom of a jar. Mix in 60ml of whisky, add the ginger ale and some crushed ice. Stir, add an orange slice to garnish if using, and serve immediately.

January 2022 141

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08 SHOPPING GUIDE Where to buy everything featured in this magazine A

Albert & Moo albertandmoo.com Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Antipodream antipodream.co.uk AO.com ao.com A Place For Everything aplaceforeverything.co.uk Arca arcalifestyle.com Argos argos.co.uk Artisan Homeware artisanhomeware.co.uk Astonish astonish.co.uk AUDENZA audenza.com

Cambridge Imprint cambridgeimprint.co.uk Camilla Hampton Interiors camillahampton.com Carpetright carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston cathkidston.com COAT coatpaints.com Charlton Island charltonisland.com Ciel Shop cielshopinteriors.com Circle Square Shop etsy.com/uk/shop/ CircleSquareShop Claybrook Studio claybrookstudio.co.uk Coffee & Cloth coffeeandcloth.co.uk Colourtrend colourtrend.ie Concretely Co etsy.com/ uk/shop/ConcretelyCo Connox connox.co.uk Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Creative Cables creative-cables.co.uk Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland cuckooland.com Cuisinart cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Currys PC World currys.co.uk

B Badger & Birch badgerandbirch.co.uk B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q diy.com Balsam Hill balsamhill.co.uk Banner Carpets bannercarpets.ie Beliani beliani.co.uk Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint. co.uk Best 4 Flooring best4flooring.co.uk Betsy Cassie Django etsy.com/uk/shop/ BettyCassieDjango BHS bhs.com Big Pot Little Pot bigpotlittlepot.co.uk Blueland blueland.com Bold & Noble boldandnoble.com Brazen Botany brazenbotany.co.uk Breville breville.co.uk Burlington Bathrooms burlingtonbathrooms.com 144 yourhomestyle.uk

D där lighting darlighting.co.uk David & Charles davidandcharles.com Debenhams debenhams.com

De’Longhi delonghi.com Desenio desenio.co.uk DFS dfs.co.uk Dizzy Duck Designs dizzyduckdesigns.com Doodlemoo doodlemoo.com Drench drench.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Dulux dulux.co.uk

E Earl of East earlofeast.com eBay ebay.co.uk Etsy etsy.com

F Fan Club fanclubclothing.com Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Fermanagh Cottage Industries facebook. com/FermanaghCottage-Industries Fired Earth firedearth.com Fleur and Grey fleurandgrey.co.uk Flooring Direct flooringdirect.co.uk Freemans freemans.com Furniture And Choice furnitureandchoice.co.uk Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk Fy! iamfy.co

G Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk George Home direct.asda.com Ger Malone germalone.com Ginger Ray gingerray.co.uk Glass Films glassfilms.eu

Graham & Brown grahambrown.com

H Habitat habitat.co.uk H&M 2hm.com Hayes Garden World hayesgardenworld.co.uk Hello Klean helloklean.co.uk Hobbycraft hobbycraft.co.uk Homary uk.homary.com Homebase homebase.co.uk Home Of Boho homeofboho.co.uk Home of the Mall homeofthemall.com HomeSense homesense.com Home Store + More homestoreandmore.co.uk houseof houseof.com House of Flora house-of-flora.com

I Ian Snow iansnow.com Iconic Lights iconiclights.co.uk IKEA ikea.com Industville industville.co.uk Ink & Drop inkanddrop.com I Want Wallpaper iwantwallpaper.co.uk IWOOT iwantoneofthose.com

J Jacqueliine Milton jacquelinemilton.co.uk Jane Clayton & Company janeclayton.co.uk Joe Browns joebrowns.co.uk

92 John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com Julian Charles juliancharles.co.uk Juniqe juniqe.co.uk Just Fabrics justfabrics.co.uk JYSK jysk.co.uk

K Kitchen Craft kitchencraft.co.uk KRYSTAL WONG krystalwongstudio.com

L Lakeland lakeland.co.uk La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Laura Ashley next.co.uk/ shop/brand-lauraashley Leafage weareleafage.com Lick lick.com Liga loveliga.co.uk Lights4fun lights4fun.co.uk Lime Lace Interiors limelace.co.uk Little Karma Co. littlekarmaco.com Live In The Light liveinthelight.co.uk Lola & Mawu lolaandmawu.com Love Your Home love-your-home.co.uk Lumie lumie.com Lust Home lusthome.com

M MADE.com made.com

M&S marksandspencer.com Maison du Monde maisondumonde.com Maison Lamée maisonlamee.com Margot in Margate margomcdaid.com Marquis & Dawe marquisanddawe.co.uk Martha Brook marthabrook.com Matalan matalan.co.uk Meri Meri merimeri.co.uk Mineheart mineheart.com Mortise Concrete mortiseconcrete.co.uk Mylands mylands.com My Vintage Home myvintagehome.co.uk

N Next Home next.co.uk Ninja Kitchen ninjakitchen.co.uk Nordic Nest nordicnest.com not just a shop notjustashop.arts.ac.uk Not Just Jugs notjustjugs.com Not On The High Street notonthehighstreet.com Nutribullet nutribullet.com

O Oka oka.com Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com

Stockists

Original Style Tiles originalstyle.com Orthex orthexgroup.com

P Papermash papermash.co.uk Pash Classics pash-classics.com Peg & Board pegandboard.com Philips philips.co.uk Pickleson Paint picklesonpaint.com Plank Hardware plankhardware.com Pooky pooky.com Pod Furniture podfurniture.ie Popcorn Shed popcornshed.com Porcelain Superstore porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Poundland poundland.co.uk Primark primark.com Proudly Potty etsy.com/ uk/shop/ProudlyPotty

P Quince & Cook quinceandcook.co.uk Quirk & Rescue quirkandrescue.com

Rust-Oleum makeityours.co.uk

S Sanderson Archive archive.sandersongroup. com Sass & Belle sassandbelle.co.uk Scaramanga scaramangashop.co.uk Shearer Candles shearercandles.com Sheridan debenhams. com/category/brandssheridan Silken Favours silkenfavours.com SKLUM sklum.com SMEG smeg.com Sofa.com sofa.com Sofology sofology.co.uk Sophie Allport sophieallport.com Soeuf Shop soeufshop.co.uk Spicer And Wood spicerandwood.co.uk Stencil Library stencil-library.com Studio studio.co.uk Studio Sam Buckley mrbuckley.co.uk Swealthy swealthy.co.uk Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeandwillow.com

R RE re-foundobjects.com Rebecca Udall rebeccaudall.com Red Candy redcandy.co.uk Remland Carpets remlandcarpets.co.uk Rex London rexlondon.com Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk Rose & Grey roseandgrey.co.uk

T Tala Home and Living talahomeandliving.co.uk T&G Woodware tg-woodware.com Tapi Carpets & Floors tapi.co.uk Temptation Gifts temptationgifts.com Terrys Fabrics terrysfabrics.co.uk Tesco tesco.com

The Grey Works thegreyworks.com The Happy Blossoms thehappyblossoms.com The Little Botanical thelittlebotanical.com The Range therange.co.uk The Rug Company therugcompany.com The Shop Floor Project theshopfloorproject.com Thorndown Paints thorndown.co.uk Tile Giant tilegiant.co.uk Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk TK Maxx tkmaxx.com Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk Total Tiles totaltiles.co.uk

U UNICEF market.unicef.org.uk Unique Kitchens & Bathrooms uniquekitchensbathrooms. com Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb

V Valspar valsparpaint.co.uk Very very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing victorianplumbing.co.uk VonHaus vonhaus.com

W Wallpaper Direct wallpaperdirect.com Walls & Floors wallsandfloors.co.uk Wallsauce wallsauce.com Walton & Co waltonshop.co.uk Waterstones waterstones.com Wayfair wayfair.co.uk Wickes wickes.co.uk Wilko wilko.com Woodchip & Magnolia woodchipandmagnolia. co.uk World of Wallpaper worldofwallpaper.com

Y Yellow Pop yellowpop.com

Z Zara Home zara.com

EDITORIAL Editor Kirstie Duhig Art Editor Emily Waite Senior Production Editor Katie Nicholls Features Editor Catriona Burns Staff Writer Hannah Tribe Editorial & Digital Assistant Katie Dutton Senior Digital Editor Debbie Graham Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Writer Thea Jeffreys Additional design Robert Bewick

ADVERTISING Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Business Development Manager Sophie Keenan Brand Sales Executives Phil Wallington, James Beckett, Ava Holdstock Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts, Alex Armstrong Ad Co-ordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike

MARKETING AND PRODUCTION Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Production Manager Emily Mounter Production Controller Georgia Tolley PR Manager Toby Hicks

PUBLISHING Managing Director Marie Davies Promotions & Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau

CONTACT HomeStyle at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Advertising Enquiries: Tel: 0117 300 8805 Subscription enquiries: Email: buysubscriptions.com/contact Tel: UK 03330 162 139; US/Canada: 855 827 8639 (toll free); Rest of the world +44(0)1604 973748 Editorial enquiries Email: homestyle@immediate.co.uk Tel: 0117 927 9009

© Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2021, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. HomeStyle is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgment will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from wellmanaged forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT.

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Katie Piper This month, broadcaster, writer and charity founder Katie Piper tells us why designing her new bedding range was a dream come true Have you always been interested in design?

Each range in Katie’s Bedeck collection features a positive affirmation

Yes, I have – it’s a hobby that I didn’t realise was an interest until recently. I think sometimes we don’t recognise our passions until we’re asked to speak about them, and then you realise: ‘Oh, I have a lot to say about this topic!’. I’ve always made an effort to ensure the space around me reflects who I am on the inside, and I think this is a fundamental element to design. It’s about expressing yourself.

What inspired your bedding collection?

Katie spent two years perfecting the designs for her debut bedding collection with Bedeck

My bedroom has always been a sanctuary to me. It’s imperative to have a peaceful, calm space in your life. I have always loved treating myself to new bedding, pillows, accessories – anything to make the room more comfortable and cosy! My debut bedding collection with Bedeck is a total dream come true for this reason. It’s been two years in the making, from design and drawings to launch. Just to add that extra bit of joy – Bedeck is making a donation to my charity, the Katie Piper Foundation, with each online sale at bedeck.com.

Do you have a favourite design?

Feature Kirstie Duhig

I genuinely love them all! After many meetings and months, toying over materials, fabrics, colourways and patterns, I feel a genuine connection to each and every set. Some are softer, some have busier floral patterns but all have my positive affirmations running throughout on the pillows and pillow cases.

146 yourhomestyle.uk

blush. That said, I love a homely, floral print and rooms that invite you in and feel safe and calm immediately. Often it’s the colour and florals that give me that warm, fuzzy feeling.

What’s a typical day for you? There is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ in my world – but my routine consists of being a mum to my two daughters, running the Katie Piper Foundation, recording my podcast series, writing – I’ve just released my ninth book – broadcasting on Loose Women, Songs of Praise or BBC Radio 2, and exercising. Exercise is such a great mental health booster. In the evenings I love to relax watching a series on Netflix with a bar of chocolate!

Who are you following on Insta? Ed Jackson. He’s a Channel 4 presenter and recovering quadriplegic who broke his back when diving into a pool in 2017. He’s just written a book called Lucky and he’s such an inspiration.

What’s your proudest career moment so far? My best life moment is becoming a mother. My proudest career moment was seeing the Katie Piper Foundation open the UK’s first burns rehabilitation unit in Liverpool.

What does 2022 hold for you?

What’s your style at home?

I hope health and happiness, personally and professionally. I am in talks to add to the current Bedeck collection and I have so many ideas, designs and patterns in motion already!

Overall, I love a modern feel. Clean spaces, neutral tones and clear spaces. My go-to colour palette is white, grey and pink

Shop Katie’s collection at bedeck.com and follow her on Instagram @katiepiper_

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Articles inside

Food news

Buyer’s guide to blenders

Tasty party snacks and treats

Savvy home solutions

Ask the experts

Boutique boudoir

Perfect pots

MyHShome

Bold and beautiful

Wine glass charms

Chalkboard cocktail menu

Upcycled bar cart

New Year’s Eve party trends

Wow-factor ideas for 2022

Now my new-build is so welcoming

I updated my granny’s cottage

Things to do in... January

One problem bedroom: two looks

We made our tiny budget go far

The wish list

Shop the high street

I embraced my love of colour