Fghfdf

WIN! £2,559 WORTH OF FANTASTIC PRIZES INSPIRING IDEAS AMAZING PRICES

DECORATING SHOPPING FOOD MAKING STYLING

BEST VALUE

IDEAS TO STEAL!

5 REAL HOMES & MAKEOVERS

XMAS GIFT GUIDE 80+ IDEAS UNDER £40!

DECEMBER 2021

Delish recipes for a festive feast

HOMES MAG

837 istmas

Easy upcycles to wow your guests

Chr

STYLING IDEAS & BEST BUYS I love filling our cosy home with colour

Give your home a festive glow up!

IT'S PARTY TIME! Set your best dressed Christmas table Alternative trees for small spaces and modern homes How to have a merry eco Christmas DIY festive door decs SOLD AS PART OF A VALUE PACK, NOT FOR RESALE

Shop our biggest ever Xmas style edit

GET CREATIVE

MAKE A SHOWSTOPPING CHANDELIER

Transform your home on a budget with

Visualise your dream room on your phone and see how our Get The Look For Less range could look in your very own kitchen, bathroom, garden or living space, for under £25/m2.

Scan me to visualise your dream room

Shop now in over 300 stores across the UK or online at toppstiles.co.uk/offers/get-the-look-for-less

Welcome to our DECEMBER ISSUE!

his Christmas, more than ever, we’re looking forward to celebrating and spending time with loved ones, so we’ve filled this issue with dazzling ideas to help you give your home a fabulous festive glow up.

You’ll find this season’s hottest Christmas trends on page 60, and over on page 71 we show you how to turn each of these schemes into a wow-factor table setting to impress your guests!

T

find original ideas for alternative Christmas trees on page 82, plus we have some simple tips for making your Christmas a little greener on page 76.

For a unique touch, there’s nothing like a handmade decoration. Our stunning festive chandelier (page 86) is so impressive yet surprisingly easy to make, and guests (and your postie!) will love the cheery welcome of a handmade door decoration – choose from three stylish designs on page 84. If you’re looking for inspiration for what to give your family and friends this year, turn to page 90. Every suggestion in our purse-friendly gift guide costs less than £40 and you’ll find dozens of ideas for under a fiver!

To help you pull out all the stops with your Christmas lunch, our delicious recipes (page 97) include the tastiest roast turkey, showstopping puds and ideas for yummy veggie options too. So happy cooking, making and decorating, and however you plan to spend the holiday season this year, we wish you happiness and health.

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

INSTAGRAM

PS. Don't miss it

@homestylemaguk

PINTEREST

The next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 7th December

pinterest.com/your_home_style

ED’S PICKS

97

82

86

60

Content s 22 97 118

DECORATING & STYLING 09

Style insider Bespoke gifts with a personal touch

16

The wish list Exciting new collabs and collections

18

Colour crush Turn up the heat with a copper glow

80

Stylish sustainable wrapping We show you how to wrap your gifts using furoshiki fabric squares

READER HOMES

SHOPPING

22

I filled our house with colour!

Fun, creative touches make our cover star Rachel’s house a showstopper

10

Shop the high street Our pick of the best, affordable buys

30 34

My nature inspired interior When Helen found her forever home, she loved the location but less so the house, so she got to work!

Festive paradise Celebrate the exotic with tropical prints

42

Rustic wonderland Create calm with natural materials

56

Sugar & Spice Go wild with leopard print and pastels

59

Home tech... smart speakers Our review of the best to buy

82

Best alternative Christmas trees Stylish options for small spaces and modern homes

20

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

60

Ready? Get set, glow up!

Give your home a festive revamp

71

Five fabulous tablescapes Wow guests with our themed looks

MAKEOVERS

76

Top tips for a greener Christmas Simple ways to make your celebrations more sustainable

114 A kitchen made for entertaining A simple redesign of Emma’s kitchen transformed this once tricky area into a social space for friends and family

6 yourhomestyle.uk

120 Our living room is ready to party!

Sarah has luxed up a dull room into a boudoir that sumptuously delightful!

48

Second-hand finds fill my home Upcycle queen Ami has styled a unique house full of quirky ideas

Contents

58

Plus WIN & SAVE!

70

Win! Top-tech twinkly lights and WiFi bulbs

60 82 10

90

The big festive gift guide With all our gift ideas under £40 you’ll find a pressie for everyone!

58

107 Savvy home solutions Genius ideas to make your home life a little easier

84

118 Classic Christmas Warm wood, neutrals and a simple dash of colour

86

124 Cocktail hour Celebrate the season in style!

88

MAKING 32

44

Festive wall art Say it loud and proud with a fun, seasonal slogan Wooden height chart How high? A fun way for kids to measure up

Gilded gin glasses Take gin ’o clock to the next level with these gorgeous golden glasses A trio of festive door decorations Choose from sparkles, a starburst or a pretty poinsettia Festive chandelier An eye-catching decoration that can be re-purposed throughout the year Vintage-style candlesticks Transform old stair spindles into these elegant table decorations

COOKING 97

It’s show time!

Delicious recipes for a festive feast, from Christmas lunch to lovely leftovers

104 Festive food news Fresh launches and tasty treats to try

112

Win! Methven shower and Addis goodies

106

Reader offer! Save 20% on EKO Home accessories

EVERY ISSUE 46

Your exclusive subscription offer Subscribe to HomeStyle today and you’ll receive a Sophie Allport festive tea towel and mug set worth £26!

109 #MyHShome You show us your home style in our pick of your fantastic pics!

110 Ask the Experts This month, our panel solve your festive dilemmas 128 Shopping directory Where to buy everything in this issue 130 In conversation with...

We catch up with brilliant British wallpaper designer Elizabeth Ockford On our cover December 2021 7

T O B O O K A F R E E A P P O I N T M E N T C A L L 0 8 0 0 5 8 7 6 4 8 0 O R V I S I T U S AT H I L L A R Y S . C O . U K

Y E A R S O F S T Y L E & VA L U E

Rated as Excellent by our customers

Trending ON A PLATE Hand-painted personalised family Christmas plate, £58, Happy Potter Ceramics

GOLD RINGS GLITTER BALL Personalised ceramic bauble, £12.50, Judy Broad Calligraphy

IN THE FOLD You’re A Gem token featuring 8 personalised messages, £18.95, Martha Brook

Style insider

CUSTOM MADE

Gold initial tree decorations, £2 each, B&M

DECK THE HALLS Embroidered linen personalised Christmas stocking, £28, Lisa Angel

Be unique and give bespoke gifts this Christmas with a personalised pressie The festive season is the ultimate time of year to show your loved ones how important they are to you, so we’re always looking for ways to make gifts more meaningful. Personalised decorations are a great way to show a thoughtful touch and will become treasured keepsakes for many future festive celebrations

BOTTOMS UP

lowvee

Alphabet gin glass, £6, Next

SIGN OF THE TIMES Personalised ‘Santa Stop Here!’ Christmas sign, £18, The Laser Studio

STEP ON IT Named doormat, £26.99, Getting Personal

Support smaller makers with these customised gifts Feature Hannah Tribe

WONDER WOOL Personalised wool wire word, £12, Home of the Mall

SCENTS OF OCCASION Refillable essential oil initial candle, £23.50, Little Karma Co. Ltd

December 2021 9

Christmas tree, £250; stocking, £16; Christmas holly diffuser, £20; Christmas candle, £16, all Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley WOODLAND WONDERS Bring nature indoors this festive season with on-trend dried florals and foliage

Foliage bauble, £5

Autumn floral arrangement, £110

Burgandy floral arrangement, extra large, £185

Christmas candle, £16

Glass bauble, £6

Felt acorn baubles, £10

Gold star bauble, £6

Christmas holly diffuser, £20

Stocking, £16 Tree topper, £18

SHOP THE

HIGH STREET

Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer 10 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

Dunelm Light up pom pom star, £6

KEEP YOUR COOL Forgo glitz and opt for pared-back chic with understated style

Large hanging light up paper star, £8 Winter Solstice coloured paper fans, set of seven, £8 Neon merry light up sign, £15 White and red paper trees, £8 Reusable fabric crackers, £15 Light up wooden stars, set of two, £34.99

Montreal, dining chair, set of two, £189

Gold metal hammered tray, £10

Loren mirrored small sideboard, £239

Zonda made to measure fabric in Elephant, from £100; beaded star placemats, set of two, £15; connoisseur gin glasses, set of four, £20; gingerbread LED candles, set of two, £10; Montreal large bench seat, £209; silver ferns, set of three, £3.50, all Dunelm

HOW TO

style the look 1

Feature Katie Dutton

Let this look grow and grow! When it comes to greenery, more is more.

As well as a traditional tree, you could layer up your home with rich foliage, such as wreaths and garlands.

Match your decorations so that they’re in keeping with your natural theme and go for dried flower bouquets, woodland-themed baubles and botanical scented candles.

2

December 2021 11

HomeSense

Abstract artwork, £79.99; animal print base table lamp, £19.99; velvet fringed pink pouff, £39.99; Santa ceramic ornament, £9.99; console table, £99.99; pink sequins fabric tree, £12.99; pink velvet storage ottoman, £149.99; silver rhino ornament, £169.99, all HomeSense

SPARKLE SEASON Be loud, be proud and embrace colour with the maximalist trend Silver cocktail shaker set, £12.99 Origami paper decorations, assorted colours £3.99

Dark pink glass goblet, £3.99

Pink ribbed Champagne glass, £3.99

White pinecone lights, £19.99

White bouclé chair, £129.99

Shelving unit, wood and metal, £99.99

12 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

HOW TO Nut cracker double duvet set, £28; throw, £15, both Debenhams

style the look 1

This Christmas trend is all about making a statement, so don’t hold back. Mix metallic textures with bright, sparkly colours and work on the principle, ‘If it’s kitsch, it fits!’

Transform a sideboard or table into a cocktail station with a marble or gold tray, some sparkly lights, and your favourite Martini glasses.

2

Debenhams WRAPPING UP Keep the cold out with these snuggly homewares Christmas town cushion, £18

Paddywax candles, £18 Throw, £20

Penguin doorstop, £15 Nut cracker cushion, £15 December 2021 13

Wren Kitchens has transformed our day-to-day lives Actor and TV personality Kieron Richardson and his husband Carl turned to Wren Kitchens to create a familyfriendly space with plenty of room for entertaining too

The couple chose Luxury Laminate worktops in Washed Concrete and Super Silk Titanium: versatile and easy to maintain, they make the tidy-up after baking with children Phoebe and Chase that bit simpler

kitchen is so much more than simply a functional space. No longer just a place to prepare meals, it’s where we cook and eat our favourite food, drink wine until all hours with friends and make a mess baking cakes with little ones. Wren understands that the kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter the size or layout of your space, their expert team will work closely with you to create a beautiful, functional space that suits you and your family’s lifestyle.

To see how Wren collaborates with their customers to create tailor-made designs, take a look at Kieron and Carl’s kitchen transformation.

A Working with Wren, Kieron and Carl finally have their dream family kitchen

For more inspiration, search #wrenovation 14 yourhomestyle.uk

Their home is part of the #wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations.

CREATING THE WOW FACTOR When Hollyoaks actor and TV personality, Kieron Richardson, and his husband Carl moved into their new home in Manchester, renovating the kitchen was top of their list. With two young children, the couple wanted to maximise the space available in the already-extended kitchen, so that the whole family could really enjoy the room together.

After admiring TV and radio presenter Rylan’s Wren kitchen on Gogglebox, the couple looked to the kitchen specialists to create their own dream space.

Advertisement feature

Unused space was a problem in the old kitchen, but thanks to Wren, every inch has been included in the new design

The island acts as a station to cook, eat and entertain, while built-in cupboards are perfect for storing tableware and toys

From the moment they walked into their local showroom, they knew Wren Kitchens had the wow factor they were looking for. ‘We found the quality and the look we were after,’ says Carl. ‘Everything that Wren does is a cut above the rest.’

The couple chose a sleek, streamlined design from the contemporary Milano range and, on the suggestion of Wren Designer Chloe, picked out cupboards and drawers in Sea Foam Gloss.

Kieron wasn’t sure at first, but seeing the finished results, he’s glad he took the Designer’s expert advice. ‘It looks incredible,’ he smiles.

and they were delighted that Wren could accommodate their wish list item. They love the ovens’ stylish streamlined finish and it was the durable, wipe-clean surfaces that sealed the deal.

THE PERFECT FAMILY SPACE A highlight of the whole process was having the kitchen fitted. ‘Just to see it being unboxed was magical,’ says Kieron. ‘It was really exciting to see it progress day to day.’

The couple have enjoyed sharing their new kitchen with family and friends who, they say, love the design as much as they do. Both Kieron’s mum and their next-door neighbours

were so impressed that they’ve decided to go for a Wren kitchen too!

Now, with plenty of space to cook, entertain and play, the family are more excited than ever for the festive celebrations. ‘We can’t wait for Christmas this year,’ says Kieron. ‘Ordinarily we’d go out, and even though we’ve spent so much time at home over the last year, we can’t wait to spend Christmas in our new kitchen.’

With two young children, storage was a top priority for the couple’s design, and a large island, complete with handleless cupboards underneath, has made a big impact on dayto-day family life. ‘I’ve always wanted an island,’ says Kieron. ‘Having kids, you want to bake, you want to get creative and that’s what we use the island for.’

Thanks to new-found space created through Wren’s clever reconfiguration, there’s plenty of room for the little ones to play independently too, keeping everyone happy. ‘While we’re eating our breakfast, they can play, and we’ve still got eyes on them,’ Kieron explains.

Having used Neff appliances before, Kieron and Carl were adamant that their new kitchen would include the brand’s Slide&Hide ovens,

Cupboards in Metallic Slate and Sea Foam Gloss create a contemporary finish in the couple’s open-plan space

Feature Catriona Burns

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL

December 2021 15

Dinner plate, £14; medium plate, £12; side plate, £10; small dish, £8; mug, £12, all West House Pottery

GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING Social enterprise West House Pottery is a not-for-profit pottery that helps children, young people and adults with learning difficulties to build their creative skills and confidence by designing and making ceramic homewares – and very lovely they are too. From serving bowls to soap dishes, the range has a distinctive neutral oatmeal glaze that works wonderfully for showcasing food, plants, trinkets, candles and more.

We’re adding it to our Christmas list!

Prices range from £6 to £20 and you can purchase its wares at etsy.com/ uk/shop/WestHousePottery.

TheWISH LIST...

New this month: exciting collections, collaborations, creations and more…

WE ARE LOVING...

Napkins and table runners, from £16; carafe, £6; glassware, from £6; crockery in White and Grey, from £6; vases, from £8; tealight holders, £4; Norr lantern, £30; Arden cutlery, from £4, all the Cotswold Company

If you’re aiming for a more eco-friendly Christmas, your tree decorations are a great place to start.

These plastic-free, hand felted hanging decs from Ian Snow are ticking our sustainable box. Made from ethically sourced natural dyes by a familyrun business, who could resist a dog on skis or a cat wrapped in fairy lights? For something a little more traditional, there’s also a range of floral embroidered designs, and stockings too.

From £7. iansnow.com

SET THE SCENE Make the most of playing host this season with a show-stopping table setting. We have our eyes on this gorgeous new range from the Cotswold Company, which includes glasses, table runners, vases and cutlery.

The muted tones are perfect for a wintry dinner but these are timeless designs that would look great all year long. Just popping some candles in dainty tealight holders or filling a glass vase with dried flowers can make all the difference to your festive dinners. cotswoldco.com For more ideas on seasonal tablescaping check out our trend guide on page 71 16 yourhomestyle.uk

Vase, from £8; table runner, from £16; tealight holder, £4

Wish list

SLEEK STYLE

SAVE VS SPLURGE

SWYFT, who made a name for itself with its easy-to-construct ‘sofa in a box’, has now released its first furniture collection, which can be installed as easily as its sofas – without the need for tools. Its Case Goods range includes a statement coffee table and side tables, which are available in light to dark ash shades and made from non-toxic materials. Modernist and oh-so-minimal, these pieces would look stylish in both neutral and eclectic interiors. Contrast the wood against velvet furnishings or positioned on a shaggy Berber rug, or why not double up by placing the tables on rustic wooden floors? The collection starts at £195 for a small side table and with each purchase the brand will plant a tree in partnership with the World Land Trust. swyfthome.com

Tree toppers

Natural star tree topper, Hudson Home Gold starburst Christmas tree St George

BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE Embrace colour and discover therapist and author Momtaz Begum-Hossain’s sevenpoint manifesto for using colour to boost mental wellbeing. In this book she shows us how to tune into the colours in our daily lives, and our interiors, outlining the benefits that it can bring. Hello Rainbow: Finding Happiness in Colour by Momtaz BegumHossain, £14.99, Leaping Hare Press

Coffee table in light ash, £450; large side table in light ash, £245; Model 02 three seater sofa, £1,295, all SWYFT

BOUTIQUE BUYS: DAR LEONE Travel the world from your living room with this Londonbased brand’s range of luxe, global-inspired homewares

Cirque Musa Yeli cushion, £35

Dea Hots/Tropic Marine wallpaper, £84 for 10 metres, Dar Leone

Whether it’s wallpaper, textiles or crockery, Dar Leone founder Isatu Funna, who is Sierra Leonean American, reimagines West African designs with millennial shades, such as pastel pinks and mustard yellows. See the full range at dar-leone.com.

Fanjul tropic palm mini tray, £19

we e lov

Romarong Mende Blue mug, £29

Feature Katie Dutton

Guava Lilac tray, £25

Jackfruit Green round tray, £25 Sierra Bay Peacock Blue oblong tray, £28 December 2021 17

Colour crush COPPER GLOW Turn up the heat this Christmas with a dash of copper – a smouldering shade that will add warmth and light to your interiors. Beyond the festive season, this enigmatic hue will lift your spirits throughout the winter and

into spring 3

2

5

1

4

6

7 9 10

Feature Katie Dutton

8

11

9 12

11 13

1 Unlit blue Brunswick 7ft Christmas tree, £229; Copper River bauble wreath, £35; fire cracker lights, £30; Harvard desk light in Grey, £399; all John Lewis & Partners 2 Capella paper star in Natural, from £9, Rose & Grey 3 Copper crackle glass onion bauble, £6, Sass & Belle 4 Tivoli planter, £9.99, Ivyline 5 Fizzy large pendant in Copper, £135, Fishpools 6 Palm tree hook, £9.95, Bombay Duck 7 Hanging furry llama decorations, £8.50 each, Rose & Grey 8 Indian tan paper star tree topper, £15, Rose & Grey 9 Heather dining chair in Burnt Orange velvet and copper, £109, Cult Furniture10 Occasional table with brass legs in Copper, £85, Bombay Duck 11 Colourblock advent candle, £22, Rose & Grey 12 Ziggy TV stand, £449, Swoon 13 Copper River leaf wreath, £35, John Lewis & Partners 18 yourhomestyle.uk

Orchid Jungle IB5020

B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N C O L L E C T I O N AT W A L L P A P E R D I R E C T

Things to do in...

DECEMBER Easy updates and seasonal style ideas to try this month…

Seasonal style DOORSCAPING Make your home feel even more welcoming with a beautiful seasonal display around your front door. Hang lights of different designs, use foraged foliage to create an arch and position seasonal ornaments on the approach. It’s the warmest winter welcome home, and it will cheer up your postie too!

SPONSORED BY 20 yourhomestyle.uk

Bright white LED cone trees, £50 for set of 3; warm white LED icicle lights, £40; Willow red berry and snowflake wreath, £25; neon star silhouette, £25; Champagne North Star LED light, £18; all Homebase

Harris makes decorating easy, fun and satisfying. Using its quality, task-specific decorating tools you’ll get fantastic results every time, whether you’re tackling hard-to-reach areas, painting super-neat edges or you want smooth, even coverage fast. Harris has all the hints and tips to share. Let’s decorate!

December at home Jolly animal Christmas cards, £14 for 12, Katie Cardew

Seriously Good paper hanging brush, £6, Seriously Good paste brush, £5.80, Seriously Good seam roller, £1.87, Harris

WEEKEND PROJECT

F res hen up

Christmas is always a busy time for visitors, so you might want to give the downstairs bathroom a quick spruce before the hoards descend. Small rooms are the perfect place to experiment with bold, bright wallpaper bursting with personality. Make the job a breeze with high-quality wallpapering tools from Harris and you’ll have a luxe loo in a jiffy.

Quick win SEND YOUR LOVE Send your far-off friends and family a little festive cheer this year with a hand-written Christmas card. Nothing beats getting a real card through the post, especially when it contains a heart-warming personal message. This year, the last recommended posting dates are 17 December for second class postage, and 20 December for first class.

Naughty & Nice glasses, £1.50 each, Poundland Pinch bowls, £5, Primark

Quick win IN A PINCH Give your meals a boost of extra flavour with this two-tone pinch bowl from Primark. Fill it with traditional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and it’ll be super versatile and suitable for every meal. Alternatively, adapt the ingredients depending on the cuisine you’re eating, and try out chilli flakes, pumpkin seeds or toasted sesame seeds instead.

YOURHOMESTYLE

S ign up

We’re here to help make your Christmas sparklier, tastier and more fun than ever. Sign up to our mailing list at yourhomestyle.uk/ Christmas to receive our weekly festive tips and tricks, including a step-by-step video guide on how to decorate the perfect, Insta-worthy Christmas tree!

Problem solved WHO’S BEEN NAUGHTY? Our fun video tutorials feature pro tips and tricks to ensure you’re sorted for Christmas, from dressing your tree to making cocktails and tying the perfect bow

Use these adorable glasses to help guests choose between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during your festive get-togethers.

They’re a neat, no-fuss way to make sure everyone gets the delicious drink they ordered!

December 2021 21

‘I love our little house, and I’m enjoying turning it into a cosy family home’

FESTIVE PARADISE p30

Our home is filled with CHRISTMAS COLOUR Celebrating her love of upcycling, Rachel Verney has turned a tired, dated interior into a home that’s bursting with fun, creative touches

Inspiring homes ‘I was never really into Christmas until I had the boys but now I want to make it magical for them.

I love the creativity of it and the decorated mantel is as much for me as it is for them. I sprayed the mirror gold, while the yellow spotted rug is from George Home’

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Rachel Verney and I work for Citizens Advice. I live with my partner, Jon Stroud, an oven cleaner, and our two children, Rudi, seven, and Arlo, four. I like to share my renovation journey on Instagram @the_shoestring_home.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom 1950s ex-council house in Reigate, Surrey.

We moved here in September 2018.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The whole house needed updating.

In classic 1980s style everything was lime green, orange and brown with fake-wood cladding and floral wallpaper everywhere you looked.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We did a full renovation of the kitchen and bathroom, choosing classic white for both. Then I started filling each room with preloved, upcycled furniture that was either free or a bargain second-hand buy.

MY STORY We didn’t actually see this house until the day we moved in. We were on holiday when it came on the market, but we viewed it online, and Jon’s brother gave it the thumbs up. When I first walked in I loved it, even though the décor was stuck in the 1980s, it felt like a really happy house.

After moving in we realised the house needed completely rewiring, so we used all of our savings on that. It meant we had to save for a couple of years before we could begin the renovations. We started with the dining room as all it needed was plastering and wallpapering. The living room was a

fairly easy fix as the only major work was replacing the old gas fire with a surround and hearth that Jon found on the street.

When it came to the kitchen, we got Wickes to do the whole job as we’d never done a renovation before and it felt less daunting having a company organise everything for us. The kitchen wasn’t a cheap job, so when it came to the bathroom, we sourced and project managed everything ourselves to save some money.

I don’t know if it will ever feel completely finished, but I love our little house, and I’m enjoying the process of turning it into a cosy, colourful family home.

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

MY FAVOURITE PART I love all the colour. I discovered the joy of painting second-hand furniture during lockdown and it’s such an easy way to transform a space.

‘When we first got this gorgeous sofa from Wayfair it was a novelty not to be sitting on garden chairs. It looks so sumptuous piled with colourful cushions, and I love it next to the upcycled coral cabinet. The round rug is from Fy! and the beautiful, coloured flowers are from Shida’

Style idea Fill a fruit bowl with colourful baubles for a fun, seasonal detail ‘I papered the back of this cabinet with tropical jungle wallpaper and then painted it in Valspar’s Flamboyant Flamingo. The hardest part was painting the front as I needed so much FrogTape to mask the glass on the wooden design.

The beautiful coloured flowers, from Shida, are preserved and they last up to a year’

‘I discovered my love of upcycling during lockdown and I haven’t stopped since.

I love using leftover paints to create beautiful furniture that’s unique to us’ 24 yourhomestyle.uk

Living room ‘When we moved in, the living room had brown cladding around the fireplace and lime green walls. As our money had gone on redoing the electrics, we pulled off the cladding and then lived with the green until we could afford to decorate.

Eventually we were able to put down wood-effect laminate flooring and we painted the walls in neutral magnolia.

I put up this Ipanema wallpaper from John Lewis & Partners and painted the fire surround to complement it. After replacing all the windows, Jon’s mum bought us the blind, which does a good job of letting light flood in but still providing privacy. I like to go full-on with decorating this room at Christmas and I love styling up the mantelpiece.’

Inspiring homes ‘Coordinating Christmas paper and pretty wrapping is all part of the fun,’ says Rachel. For more festive wrapping ideas, turn to p80 and check out our furoshiki gift wrap tutorial.

‘I didn’t want a traditional star for the top of the tree, so I chose these artificial pampas grasses, from Amazon, as a quirky alternative’

‘I love having brightly-coloured candles dotted around my home. These twisted ones are from Here + Now Home and the Ho Ho Ho print is from @kindofsimpledesigns. The mantel is made up of fir branches, gold-sprayed leaves and peacock feathers from Amazon, with a few colourful baubles thrown in for good measure’

HOW TO...

Create a festive

mantelscape

Style up a seasonal shelfie to add extra wow-factor to your Christmas décor Attach a fir garland to the mantelpiece using wire twisted around Command hooks. This will prevent long-term marks when you take your decoration down.

You’ll need two hooks on the mantel and two on the wall either side of your surround; two going up and two going down, so that you can firmly attach your garland and accessories. If necessary, attach another Command hook so that you can use more wire.

Weave in fairy lights first, and make sure you leave enough cord to plug them in.

Add in individual branches of eucalyptus and sprayed gold leaves, using wire to hold them in place. Stand back to check you have a balanced look.

make

FESTIVE SLOGAN ART p32

Push some faux peacock feathers through the garland to add height. These are long and light so should stay put without support, but if necessary, use more wire. Finish the look by putting some colourful baubles along your mantel.

December 2021 25

Dining room ‘This is a hard-working room as I use it as an office too. Having it separate from the kitchen has worked well. During lockdown, when Rudy was being home-schooled, he could work in here while Arlo played in the living room. We ripped up the carpet and put down cheap laminate floor as a quick fix when we first moved in, though now it’s down I like it. I already had my heart set on the Palm Jungle wallpaper from Cole & Son for a feature wall, so we chose Farrow & Ball’s Teresa’s Green to go with it. All the furniture in here is either second-hand or upcycled. I only started painting furniture during lockdown, and I love the way it’s creating unique spaces in my home.’

‘I love building a fun tablescape, and the more colour the better. The jungle plates are from Forest’

‘We painted this IKEA Kallax unit in Valspar’s Forest Symphony, and then added the legs. It’s perfect for storing the boys’ art and craft supplies. Jon spotted the gold shelves in IKEA. The candle bridge was Jon’s mum’s and I painted it and added the miniature pom poms’

Six-pack candle twist, Nordic Nest

Steal my style

Get Rachel’s vibrant home style

Ero velvet and tassel lampshade, Oliver Bonas

‘We bought this cabinet at a house clearance for £12. I painted it and then added some gold leaf.

The mirror was second hand for £15 and the cool thunderbolt came separately from Trash Flamingo’ 26 yourhomestyle.uk

Peacock Iridescent feather plate, TK Maxx

Inspiring homes ‘Jon’s always finding pieces of discarded furniture. These chairs were being thrown out on the street, so he brought them home and I painted them. The R print is from Lorna Freytag and the handles on the upcycled cupboard are from Anthropologie’

Style idea Use artificial greenery that can be repurposed in spring

‘We splashed out on the Crackle Bottle Green wall tiles from Porcelain Superstore and balanced the cost by choosing these classic white Madison units from the Wickes Essentials range.

The copper-effect bar handles are from B&Q and complement the green tiles, creating the luxe feel I was after’

Style idea Tea towels are an easy way to add colour to a white kitchen

‘Jon made the scaffold shelves for us and attached them with £7 brackets from B&Q. The Cookworks copper kettle and matching toaster are from Argos’

Kitchen ‘Everything in here was brown when we first moved in and there was fake wood panelling on the walls with yellow vinyl tiles underneath. We chiselled that all off and ripped up the grubby old floor.

Then we blocked up a back door and got rid of a built-in pantry, which gave us a bit more space. We stuck to the original layout so that we didn’t have to move the plumbing, and then we got Wickes in to project manage the installation, including the flooring and tiling. It didn’t save any money, but it took the stress out of the job. The only thing on my wish list was the beautiful green kitchen tiles, so I based everything else around that. I chose the cheapest kitchen Wickes stocked, and then picked rose gold accessories to add a bit of sophisticated luxe to the space.’

28 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

‘Not everyone can live in a period home and doing up our ex-council house on a budget is what keeps it interesting’

Style idea Leave plaster unpainted for a warm, rustic effect

‘I like to make the bedroom feel homely and at the moment I’m using this bedding and the cute Siesta cushion, both from Primark, to add that splash of colour it needs’

Bathroom ‘Getting the bathroom done was a great moment as we’d been living with a green loo and no shower for ages. We took out the dividing wall to open up the space and when we had the funds, we bought the cheapest bathroom furniture we could find, the Milan range from Victorian Plumbing. We booked a separate tiler and plumber, which saved a fortune, compared with having it project managed, like the kitchen, though it was a lot more effort. Jon wanted a really powerful shower so most of the budget went on that.’

‘I wanted grey floor tiles to complement the walls and found these from Tiles Direct. The gold waterfall taps and the mirror, from Wayfair, add a touch of opulence’

Bedroom We haven’t had the time or budget to get this room looking exactly how we want, though I have great plans for it. We stripped off the original peach wallpaper and Jon’s brother plastered it for us. Then we built a stud wall opposite the bed as, eventually, I’d like to have a mantel and fireplace in the room. We plan to put built-in storage down one side of the room for our clothes, but we’re living with what we have at the moment. The plaster effect is really cool, though eventually I want the walls to be bright, so I’ve just splashed out on Matthew Williamson Valldemossa wallpaper. I also plan to paint the mantel a colour picked out from the wallpaper and I’ll probably finish the room off with a plant shelf over the bed.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

It takes time to create a home. Not many people have all the money to do everything at once, but that’s okay. A house is a long-term investment so there’s no hurry.

Sometimes practicalities and what works best for our family are more important than the décor. A quality shower was essential, so I had to work around that and be savvy with my bathroom shopping.

It’s actually not that hard to be really creative on a budget. A piece of furniture left out on the street and a £3 tester pot is all you really need.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes December 2021 29

hop the look...

FESTIVE PARADISE Celebrate the exotic, like Rachel, with bright tropical prints

2 3

1

4

7 5

6

8 9 10

lowvee

11

Style idea

Feature Hannah Tribe

Combine flamboyant bird motifs with rich leafy patterns for a colour blast

1 Inlight Charlotte 5 light chandelier, £50, Matalan 2 Tropical bird decorations, £24 for set of three, Lola and Mawu 3 Paradise bird cushion in Wild Dove Grey, £22, The Futon Company 4 Green and blue peacock wreath, £12.99, TK Maxx 5 Botanical curved footstool, £295, Furniture Village 6 Pink flocked toucan pillar candle holder, £45, Audenza 7 Perfect peacock round rug, £99, Joe Browns 8 Velvet over door hook, £19.50, Oliver Bonas 9 Polly parrots gold table lamp, £55, Dunelm 10 Statement clear glass and red fringe tassel pendant light, £99, La Redoute 11 Tropical leaf garland, £10, Habitat 30 yourhomestyle.uk

SCHMIDT GROUPE SAS - RCS COLMAR B 326 784 709

The beating heart of your home. > www.homedesign.schmidt

Make the look...

FESTIVE WALL ART Spread Christmas cheer in your home, like Rachel, with a merry message spelt out in a bold colour. Which seasonal greeting will you choose?

Pink, red and white paper, from a selection, Hobbycraft

You will need ł A3 frame ł Pink, red and white

paper

ł Ruler ł Alphabet stencil ł Pencil ł Scissors ł Glue stick

1 Try using foiled or glitter paper for a glam and glitzy look; and if you already have a spare A3 frame, gold spray paint is a quick and easy upcycle.

2

3

4 32 yourhomestyle.uk

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

Top tip

Remove the backing board from the frame and use it to measure and cut out a piece of pink paper to fit inside.

Next, take the alphabet stencil and draw out your chosen slogan on the sheets of red and white paper.

Neatly cut out the letters, and then arrange them as you wish on the sheet of pink paper, with the red overlapping the white. Leave some edges of the white letters showing so that they look like highlights.

When you’re happy with the layout, stick the letters in place with glue. Place the slogan art inside the frame and replace the backing board.

Space craft

Double your useable space with our sofa beds.

Experts in small space living 20 stores | 0345 609 4455 | futoncompany.co.uk

We turned a bungalow into a SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME When Helen Lawson found the perfect location for her forever home, rather than let the dated building put her off, she got to work!

Inspiring homes altered or is entirely new. We went to an architect with a brief and drew our own designs too. We then spent six months with all the drawings pinned to the walls in the hallway and we picked all of our favourite elements and combined them into one final set of drawings. We built a temporary kitchen in the garage and lived through the build as much as possible. It was quite stressful with two small children, but it was one of the most exciting things we’ve done.

Décor-wise, we’ve used natural materials and the colour palette is neutral. I love that the interiors are inspired by the countryside, picking up the greens, blues and rusts that we see through the seasons.

‘We wanted our kitchen to be really sociable and welcoming.

It’s fantastic to use the space at my favourite time of year’

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Helen Lawson, 36, a social media manager at The Open University. I live with my husband, Craig, an engineer at Red Bull Racing, and our two daughters Ottilie, five, and Pippa, seven, plus our cairn terrier, Alf, and five hens.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom house in Mursley, Buckinghamshire. I post interior updates on my Instagram @cedar.tree.house.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE When we bought this house, it was a two-bedroom bungalow. We wanted a larger home with plenty of space for the whole family. There wasn’t much to like about the old house when we moved in, but the location and the garden more than made up for that.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We extended the building to give us more space. We thought hard about making the rooms welcoming but beautiful and functional too. Craig handmade lots of the furniture and we decorated with neutral colours and natural materials to give a warm, cosy look that feels connected to the countryside around us.

Style idea Customise a kitchen island by painting the cupboards in a colour of your choice

MY FAVOURITE PART I love how we’ve managed to connect the space so well with the environment. We deliberately planned the house so that no matter where you are, you can see the garden and the far-reaching countryside views.

Feature and styling Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

MY STORY We wanted to raise our children in the countryside, so we both agreed Mursley in Buckinghamshire was the perfect place.

It was important for us to find a large plot with countryside views and we finally found a bungalow within our budget. It had enough outside space with mature trees where we could hang a swing, and space to grow vegetables. It also had room for my hens, so it ticked all the boxes.

After a year of settling in, we started to draw up plans for the rebuild, which turned out to be bigger than we’d imagined. In the end, only the playroom has remained untouched. Everything else has been

‘We designed the house with lots of views into the garden.

It’s an amazing place to watch the weather roll in and see the seasons change.

It’s magical for the girls’

Style idea Greenery from the garden adds an easy festive touch

make

HEIGHT RULER p44

Helen likes to mix and match her home décor and picked out these bar stools from Dunelm to go with the bespoke kitchen island

Steal my style

Get Helen’s rustic Scandi home style with these buys

Festive village wooden advent calendar, Tether & Float

Star serving bowl, Matalan

36 yourhomestyle.uk

Rustic wooden side table, HomeSense

Inspiring homes

Kitchen-diner ‘The old kitchen was much smaller than this and it was exciting to see the new area being built. This room really is the heart of our home. The cabinets are from DIY Kitchens, but we customised it to suit our style. We used a quartz worktop and combined it with a large circular wooden worktop, which Craig made. We also painted the doors in Farrow & Ball Cornforth White and the island in Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue for an extra splash of colour. Built-in furniture is dotted throughout the house, all designed by us and handmade by Craig. The bench seat with storage underneath makes the most out of every inch of space, as well as showcasing Craig’s beautiful carpentry. Craig even made the dining table, which can seat the extended family over Christmas. The same mix of neutral colours continue through the whole house to give continuity and link each room together.’

‘I love to mix different tableware together. I purposely didn’t buy a matching set of plates and bowls because I think mixing it up gives the table a more interesting look’

‘We made the growth chart ourselves from a length of solid oak. It’s very popular in our house and we’re always looking to see who’s grown the most. The set of leaf artwork is from Slinky Prints’

HOW TO...

Decorate with neutrals Style idea Bench seating is a practical option if you often have extra people for dinner

Beige is far from boring. Get a classic, cosy look with these style tips Incorporate lots of different materials to add warmth to your space. A mix of linen, sheepskin and chunky knits alongside wood, wicker and rattan will add interest and make the space feel cosier. You can almost never have enough textures.

Head to the high street for expensivelooking but budget-friendly accessories.

H&M Home and Zara Home are great for linen bedding, cushions and throws in pared-back colours for a good price.

Use darker tones to highlight architectural features in your home, such as chimney breasts, alcoves and window frames.

If you’ve got kids, think about how you can make the look family friendly. Going for darker neutrals, instead of all-whites, is more practical and you’ll probably worry less about grubby fingerprints or muddy shoes.

Add to the look’s calming effect with organic shapes that boost feel-good brainwaves. There are lots of irregular-sized mirrors, wiggly vases and curved furniture on the high street right now.

Neutrals are all about understated chic, so don’t ruin the vibe by having too much stuff. Stick with a less-is-more approach.

December 2021 37

Style idea Paper star decorations will still look in season well into the new year

‘It feels warm and cosy in here all year round, especially with the log burner’

The round jute rug is an eBay buy, while the John Lewis & Partners sofa is a secondhand find from Facebook Marketplace. The John Lewis & Partners black and gold clock adds a bit of understated glamour

38 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

Living room ‘This is where we spend most of our time. It has a log burner, which keeps the room feeling cosy during the winter, and large glass doors that we can open during the summer months. We love the large doors that flood the room with light and let us take in the beautiful views. The area is very practical too because we have a vinyl floor, which looks like wood but is much easier to keep clean, especially with the children and our dog. Even the hens have been known to come in for a chat! It always feels so bright and open, a complete transformation to when we first bought the house.’

‘We like to go all out at Christmas time, especially after the last year of lockdown restrictions’

‘The girls love to sit here and play or watch TV. Fitted alcove shelving makes the most out of the space and it’s handy for storing our stash of logs’

‘We love the large doors that flood the room with light and let us take in the beautiful views’ December 2021 39

‘We’re so delighted our bedroom has such incredible views onto the garden. Long white linen curtains keep the room feeling light and airy. As with the downstairs, wood features strongly in here, keeping continuity around the house’

Style idea RUSTIC CHRISTMAS p42

‘The furniture is all from charity shops.

The Stag Minstrel dressing table sits snuggly under the window, and is a great spot for getting ready in the mornings’

Extend your bed space with a simple bench

Master bedroom ‘The bedroom has been decorated in neutral colours, in keeping with the rest of the house. The same coffee colour carpet runs through the upstairs to warm it up and feels cosy underfoot. We’ve used all the space in the eaves for storage to help organise the upstairs. We absolutely love the view from the bed.

Building another storey has made a huge difference and now we get to see for miles from our bedroom window.

I’ve added lots of green plants to add a splash of colour and also to connect the room to the outside.’

40 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

Style idea A contrasting mix of materials, such as brick and marble, adds interest

The little pink chair is from a local charity shop and ties in perfectly with the room’s soft scheme

Pippa's bedroom ‘We asked the girls how they wanted their rooms to look and they both chose pink. We went for muted, dusky pink on the walls to soften the room and make it feel more sophisticated.

A built-in window seat, made by Craig, with storage underneath makes perfect use of the space. The metal bed from IKEA fits snugly in the corner and looks very festive with some Christmas bed linen from Next.’

‘We’ve made the most of the unusual shape and put a shower head at the highest point.

We also created cupboard space for storage’

Bathroom ‘We combined three different materials; marble, brick and porcelain in the bathroom to add extra interest and highlight the shape of the roof.

It works really well as our family bathroom and feels bright and fresh. We’ve incorporated some storage to hide away our bathroom bits and bobs, too.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

Location was key for us. Being surrounded by a lovely garden was important and we knew that we could then transform the bungalow into the perfect home.

Take your time thinking about how you want to live in your home. We asked a few architects for ideas and stuck all the designs on the walls and mulled them over for a while until we worked out which aspects we liked and put them all together for the final design.

A row of star stickers is a quick and easy way to add a magical feel, while a pretty garland made from fabric offcuts adds interest to the metal headboard

It’s really important to consider practical materials with children and pets. The vinyl flooring looks like wood but it’s much easier to mop and keep clean.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes December 2021 41

hop the look...

RUSTIC WONDERLAND Cosy up, like Helen, with warm neutral tones and calming natural materials

2 4

1

3

5

6

Style idea Give this look an extra special touch by adding in your own handmade pieces 7

8

lowvee 10

9

Feature Hannah Tribe

11

1 Wooden candle, £6, B&M 2 Wooden short salad server set, £24.50, Oliver Bonas 3 Wooden star with LED light, £19.99, Very 4 Wooden bead bunting, £10, Habitat 5 Nordic Christmas glass tealight holder votive set, £41.90, Beaumonde 6 Hatton wooden bar stool in Walnut, £99, Cult Furniture 7 Alicia reactive glaze mugs in Soft White/Charcoal, £39 for set of four, MADE.com 8 Stoneware candle holder in Light Grey, £24, Rose & Grey 9 Wildflower Scabious decoration, £5, The Village Green 10 Caernarfon blanket in Cynhaeaf/Harvest, £145, Welsh Otter 11 Driftwood stag, £25, Next 42 yourhomestyle.uk

Make the look...

WOODEN HEIGHT CHART Capture the magic of little ones growing up, as Helen has with this rustic-look ruler, and track their childhood from first steps to starting school Ronseal Oak Satin wood stain, £10 for 250ml, B&Q. Paint tester sachets, 99p each, Rust-Oleum. Tim Holtz Falling Stars stencil, £5.99, Dizzy Birds Crafts.

Sharpie Black Fine Point permanent marker pen, £3 for two, Hobbycraft

You will Top tip

Sand down any rough edges on the length of wood. Dust with a cloth, and apply wood stain with a brush.

Allow to dry.

Next, draw mountain shapes with snowcaps on the bottom half of the length of wood. Draw around a cup at the top to create a moon, and use a stencil to add some different-sized stars.

Paint the mountains in different shades of grey, and add white snowcaps.

Paint the moon and stars in white. Leave to dry.

Using a ruler and black marker pen, add the markers at 2.5cm intervals and then write the numbers every 30cm using the stencil.

2

3

4 44 yourhomestyle.uk

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

Hang the height chart with a sawtooth hanger, strengthened by a 3m Command strip or simply prop it up against a wall

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TRENDY POSTERLOUNGE’S TIPS FOR AUTUMN & WINTER 2021 Autumn and winter are known as the times of year where socialising gradually goes from outside to inside. In order to make you feel cosy, we have some tips on some of the wall art trends happening during these colder months, which you can use to turn your home into a relaxation paradis.

How to get started With the addition of a couple of blankets, you have the perfect start to making your home cosy during the colder months, but what if making it cosy, doesn’t have to stop there and can be extended to the walls? This year, gold, white and grey are the trendy colours of the colder seasons. Posterlounge, a family run company, started bringing art to its customers’ walls around 15 years ago. The online shop allows you to discover new pieces of art, whilst offering you a chance to filter designs in the colour trends.

Don’t let it stop there. If the colours on trend are not to your taste, you can use the filter to find colours which match the furniture in your house.

Spoilt for choice!

It all starts with a concept. Once you have decided whether to brighten up the walls with the matching colours of your furniture, or a centre piece in that room, or by following the trends, you can look at finding the perfect wall art. Posterlounge’s array of designs allows you to have these ideas turn into reality with a choice of 8 different materials. If you prefer a glossy finish, then you can choose an acrylic glass print, or even a poster in an elegant black frame. If you prefer a matt finish, then an aluminium print not only looks elegant but brings a slightly industrial feel to any room. Otherwise, a classic canvas print will also do the trick.

www.posterlounge.co.uk

What else is on trend?

Not only are the colours gold, white and grey in trend, but photography is making a comeback (that is, if it ever went away). A black and white photograph would not only fit in with the current trends but can look very chic in its simplest form on your wall.

Geometric patterns, like those of the American artist duo SpaceFrog Designs are also in this season. The bright colours of these designs can either be let wild with a glossy finish or tamed with a matt one – it is completely up to you. So, if you’re looking for a trendy, seasonal interior makeover, you will find all that you need at Posterlounge.

"

Subscription order form SUBSCRIBING IS EASY: Send this coupon to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA (please write in capitals)

FESTIVE GIFT!

HomeStyle subscription order form: Yes! I would like to subscribe to HomeStyle magazine Payment options: UK Direct Debit – £25.99 every 13 issues – saving 20% + Sophie Allport tea towel and mug set + free delivery Your details Name .................................................................................................................................................................................

Mobile telephone number** .............................................................................................................................

Address ............................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................Postcode.........................................................

Email** ..............................................................................................................................................................................

Please send HomeStyle as a gift to the person below Name .....................................................................................................................................................................

Telephone number.......................................................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................................................................ ...............................................................................................................Postcode ............................................

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the form and send to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society

Originators Identification Number

7 1 0 6 4 4 To: The Manager

THE PERFECT

Bank/Building Society

SAVE 20% ON THE SHOP PRICE – paying only £25.99 every 13 issues by Direct Debit* RECEIVE A SOPHIE ALLPORT TEA TOWEL AND MUG SET – worth £26!

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE of your favourite magazine filled with the best home inspiration

Address

Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s)

Branch Sort Code

Bank/Building Society Account Number

Reference Number (for office use only)

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society: Please pay Immediate Media Co Ltd Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Immediate Media Co Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank / Building Society.

Signature(s) Date

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account

**DATA PROTECTION Keep in touch: HomeStyle (published by Immediate Media Company Limited) would like to send you updates, special offers and promotions by email. You can unsubscribe from these at any time. Please tick here if you would like to receive these .

We would also like to keep in touch by post and telephone about other relevant offers and promotions from Immediate Media. If you do not wish to be contacted this way, please tick here post phone . For more information about how to change the way we contact you, and how we hold your personal information, please see our privacy policy, which can be viewed online at www.immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy.

OTHER PAYMENTS For a year’s subscription (13 issues) UK cheque/credit card – £29.13 for 13 issues – saving 10% + Sophie Allport tea towel and mug set + free delivery Europe – €37 for 13 issues – saving 20% ROW – $49 for 13 issues – saving 20% US / Canada – $40 for 13 issues – saving 20% I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ ................................................................................................... made payable to Immediate Media Company Ltd. Please charge my Visa/Mastercard £ .....................................................................................................

Name on card...............................................................................................................................................................

Card no .............................................................................................................................................................................

Expiry date......................................................................................................................................................................

Security code (last 3 digits on reverse)........................................................................................................

Signature .........................................................................................................................................................................

Credit card transactions are charged in £ sterling and converted at current rates.

PROMO CODE: HSP72 46 yourhomestyle.uk

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 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 8am – 6pm and Sat 9am – 1pm.

OFFER ENDS 31st December 2021 *Sophie Allport and 20% saving offer is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. Stock is subject to availability and HomeStyle reserves the right to substitute the Sophie Allport set for another item of similar value. The Sophie Allport set will be sent separately within 28 days of payment. Your subscription will start with the next available issue.

We’re here to help you create your dream home on a budget

* TODAY

SAVE 20%

L IA AS EC STM R SP RI FFE H C O

SUBSCRIBE TO

+

GIFT WORTH

£26!

RECEIVE A SOPHIE ALLPORT CHRISTMAS GIFT SET Ordering a gift subscription? Order by 6th December to ensure your recipient receives their first mag in January

H U R RY !

SUBSCR IBE NOW

SIMPLE WAYS TO ORDER TODAY ONLINE AT www.buysubscriptions.com/HSP72 CALL ON 0330 135 8961 Please quote reference number: HSP72

‘Your Christmas decorations are only there for a few weeks, so just go for it!’

Second-hand finds give our home SO MUCH CHARACTER Ami Wootton has given her three-bed semi a whole new look and feel with French vintage buys and upcycled bargains

Inspiring homes

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Ami Wootton, owner of interiors shop, Glebe House Vintage @life_behind_glebehousevintage.

I live with my husband, Paul, a painter and decorator, children, Archie, 13, and Kitty, seven, plus our family dog, Naughty George.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom 1940s house in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE An old couple had lived here for years so we had to remove layers of woodchip and painted blown vinyl, as well as ripping up all the 1960s carpets.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We moved an internal wall to make the kitchen-diner bigger and fitted a new bathroom. I love a rustic French look, so there are lots of pieces with imperfections and contrasting textures, such as wood and velvet.

MY FAVOURITE PART Our cosy living room. It’s the first room people see when they come in and it makes such a statement.

MY STORY When we bought this place in 2006, it wasn’t really my dream house. We’d seen a much bigger rundown Victorian property that we loved, but we decided not to overstretch ourselves and went for this three-bed semi instead. It seemed like the sensible option as it had the parking space and garden we wanted, plus scope for extending in the future. Once everything was stripped back and replastered, we could redecorate one room at a time.

Five years ago, I had the idea to make the living room smaller in order to create a bigger kitchen-diner next door, and we

added a conservatory off the kitchen too.

As the living room had spanned the whole length of the house, we didn’t mind making it a bit smaller.

My favourite local shops are Rutherfords of Morpeth and Antiquites Francaises in Jesmond, Newcastle, but I also love Anthropologie and TK Maxx. I’ve always got a project on the go, so I’m often on Facebook Marketplace or eBay looking for bargains. Seven years ago, I opened my shop, Glebe House Vintage in Newbigginby-the-Sea. I adore sharing my passion for upcycling with others through workshops and one-off commissions.

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

Ami has painted the walls up to the picture rail in Little Greene’s Obsidian Green, with Light Peach Blossom above to tie in with the French Connection rug. ‘The Barker & Stonehouse sofa was free. A home mover had been let down by someone who was due to collect it,’ says Ami. ‘I’ve dressed it up with velvet cushions’

‘I’m a fan of the rustic French look, so there are lots of pieces with imperfections and contrasting textures like wood and velvet’

Style idea For a vintage feel, swap curtains for shutters

SUGAR AND SPICE p56 50 yourhomestyle.uk

A custom-made wallpaper mural by Rebel Walls instantly draws the eye upwards to the ceiling. ‘It feels cosier in the evening and also makes the Next chandelier really pop,’ Ami says. Having a radiator cover behind the sofa provides a great ledge for display, which includes quirky lamps from Absolutely Fabrics and candle holders from Glebe House Vintage

Inspiring homes ‘This year I’ve gone for pale pink and metallic baubles, mixed with brass leaves that I sell in my shop,’ says Ami. ‘The presents are wrapped in Golden Leopard paper from Cox & Cox’

‘This is the first French shelf I ever bought and now I sell them in my shop too,’ says Ami. ‘The mini wooden Christmas tree was picked up at B&M’

HOW TO...

Wallpaper a ceiling Get creative on the fifth wall with a daring new look overhead Put up a sample first, as you would with paint. The effect can look different from below, so make sure you’re happy with your choice.

If you’ve decided to be bold with your ceiling wallpaper, keep the walls quite plain in either white or a colour that picks out a hue from the overhead pattern.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could use the same wallpaper on the walls and ceiling. It’s a dramatic look that has a cosy effect and works particularly well in a small space, such as a bathroom or in a room with sloping ceilings.

If your ceiling hasn’t been freshly plastered, fill any holes or cracks. Then apply a coat of 50/50 PVA glue and water to size it. The semi-glossy surface makes it easier to slide wallpaper into place and match the pattern.

After pasting your first piece of wallpaper and folding it into the middle, start along one edge of the ceiling. Make sure it comes down onto the wall by a few inches, so you can trim the excess with a Stanley knife after smoothing with a brush.

This ensures a neat edge with no gap.

At the corners, you’ll need to cut a diagonal line before trimming.

‘I absolutely love the log-burner,’ says Ami. ‘We went for cream so it would stand out and I bought the surround on eBay.’ The garland is made from chicken wire, pine branches and dried leaves, while the Christmas tree log holder was a £20 bargain on Facebook Marketplace’

Living room ‘This room used to be bigger and had space for a dining table before we put up a stud wall to extend the kitchen.

With dark brown walls and a green carpet, it was pretty uninspiring, so we put down oak-effect laminate flooring and painted the walls a dark greygreen colour teamed with pink. They say you shouldn’t use a dark colour unless you’ve got high ceilings, but I disagree. Although I’m drawn to pale neutral colours, they don’t feel right in my house. A couple of years ago, I spotted the lovely Rebel Walls pink wallpaper in a nursery on Instagram and decided to use it on the ceiling.

We ordered eight strips made to fit my measurements, which cost about £600.

Luckily, I had a 50% discount code.

Paul was worried it might be a bit overpowering, but I absolutely love it.’

December 2021 51

‘I normally have ivy and eucalyptus hanging from the chandelier, but I wanted to do something different this year, so I got these tealight holders from a wholesale florist’

Above the window is an advent calendar inspired by @pandora.maxton on Instagram. ‘It’s basically mini zinc buckets from Hobbycraft hanging from a long branch, with little treats inside,’ says Ami. ‘I steeped some of the buckets in bleach to make them look aged and rusty. The plates are a mixture of new ones from Anthropologie and vintage ones from France’

Dining area

‘We often have family for Christmas dinner. We tend to bring a second table in here as there’s normally about 11 of us. The Victorian dining table was a great find on eBay, and we’ve teamed it with chairs painted in different colours to break things up. Eventually, we’d like to knock down the conservatory at the side and extend the kitchen further to add an island.’

Steal my style

make GOLD LEAF GLASSES p58

Get Ami’s cosy vintage home style with these buys

Paper lanterns, Cielshop

Flo wall light, BHS Tower Fresco bamboo dinner set, Robert Dyas 52 yourhomestyle.uk

Happy to mix old and new, Ami chose pink tableware from Dunelm and vintage candlesticks from her shop to coordinate with her colour scheme. ‘I always have a few bunches of eucalyptus dotted around the house at Christmas,’ she adds

Inspiring homes

Kitchen ‘We lived with our old kitchen for 10 years.

It was small with hardly any workspace and our big, free-standing fridge took up too much room. To make matters worse, when we added a conservatory, it made the kitchen feel really dark. We decided to put up a partition wall to make the kitchen bigger and block up the door into the hall. The space works so much better now. It features Howdens units with a repurposed Victorian sideboard fashioned into a sink unit. We’ve even managed to incorporate an under-counter fridge and dishwasher. I love the extractor our builder made from chipboard corbels and a decorative piece of wood picked up at Tynemouth Market.’

Style idea Going dark on the ceiling? Pick a contrasting pendant or chandelier to stand out

‘I used to have lighter units and darker walls but during lockdown I redid the kitchen-diner as I wanted a dark ceiling and light walls. This meant repainting the Howdens units dark to match by mixing two Annie Sloan chalk paints, Graphite and Amsterdam Green. It’s really tied the two rooms together, so they flow now’ December 2021 53

Style idea Using a textured wallpaper before painting your bedroom ceiling will give a dramatic, luxe feel

Having bought the bed on eBay years ago, Ami recently gave it a revamp.

‘I fancied a change from the faded rose fabric but didn’t want to pay £500 for professional upholstery,’ she says. ‘So, I did it myself after watching YouTube tutorials and also gold-leafed the frame.’ It’s been dressed up with green velvet cushions from IKEA and a bedspread from MADE.com

Master bedroom ‘We took up the carpet in here, painted the floorboards in Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone and added panelling. Inspired by Pinterest, I wanted gold anaglypta wallpaper on the ceiling to add some texture. Paul took some persuading though! After getting loads of tester pots, I settled on Metallic Gold by Crown. On the walls we’ve gone for Peignoir and Green Smoke, both by Farrow & Ball, to create continuity with the living room. The French bedside cabinets were found by an antiques buyer who helps source things for my shop and I painted them in green. I didn’t want lamps as I don’t like a cluttered look, so went for wall lights instead.’

54 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes

Bathroom

Style idea

Ami decided to rethink the bathroom again during lockdown. ‘I needed a project, so I repainted the walls, spray-painted the chrome fittings in black, including the taps, towel rail and shower surround, and added black vinyl tape onto the shower screen to create a Crittall effect. I love the Quick-Step shiplap flooring as it’s waterproof and non-slip. The only thing that bugs me is having the boiler in the bathroom cupboard. I was at work when they came to fit it and would’ve preferred it in the utility room. It cost £400 less, but it’s a bit awkward as we could’ve had a shower in that spot.’

Spraying a chrome radiator black will give your bathroom an instant designer look

Archie's bedroom ‘Archie wanted an orange bedroom, but it wouldn’t have worked with the rest of the house,’ says Ami. ‘When he went away for a weekend, I redecorated his room as a surprise. I got the pallet wood from Facebook Marketplace, painted the walls grey and added a new carpet. Luckily he loved it and we did compromise with an orange stripe featuring his date of birth to add a little detail.’

‘Although I plan to eventually take out the bath and get a walk-in shower, I gave the bathroom a mini makeover during lockdown, and added pink towels from H&M Home’

WHAT I LEARNED...

Always go with your gut instinct. There have been a few times where I’ve picked a colour, chickened out and then ended up changing it back to what I originally wanted.

Think differently to create a better use of space. When I first suggested the idea of making part of the living room a new kitchen, nobody thought it was a good idea.

A gunmetal IKEA cabinet ties in with the industrial rustic look in here, while vintage crates make handy side tables. Ami found the 3D paper animal head at Assembli

Your Christmas decorations are only there for a few weeks, so just go for it! There are so many fantastic ideas on Pinterest that can be adapted to suit your home.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes December 2021 55

hop the look...

SUGAR & SPICE Bring a wild side to a romantic look, like Amy, with fierce leopard print

2 3 1

4

5 6

7

8

wvee

lo

10

Style idea

9

Feature Hannah Tribe

Blush pink and dusty apricot tones will create a sophisticated scheme

1 Samsun Chateau Cream chandelier, £99, Dunelm 2 Artex Richmond traditional plaster 53cm ceiling rose, £42, B&Q 3 Leopard print rug, from £25, George Home 4 Beige leopard print bath sheet, £19.99, TK Maxx 5 Button office chair in Blush, £99.99, The Range 6 Easton brushed brass wall light, £28, Habitat 7 5A Fifth Avenue leopard cushion, £30, Dunelm 8 Ferm Living dipped candles in Blush, £5 for two, Rose & Grey 9 Vanligen tealight holder, £1, IKEA 10 Bunch of Blush Pink Lagarus Ovatus, £10, Rockett St George 56 yourhomestyle.uk

Struggling with your this year?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you...

A gripping literary crime debut, unlike anything you’ve ever read before

Set in Pompeii’s lupanar, this Sunday Times bestselling novel reimagines the lives of women who have long been overlooked

The perfect Christmas gift for cooks and bibliophiles alike, from award-winning food writer Kate Young

A smart and funny novel for all women who won’t be told it’s too late to shake things up

At the heart of the Ottoman Empire, the lives of four families are intertwined as their city is ripped apart

Make the look...

GOLD GIN GLASSES Give your G&Ts a glamorous golden glow, like Ami, with this pair of gilded glasses, and make gin o’clock a real occasion Gédéo Gold gilding leaves, £12 for 25 sheets; Mod Podge dishwasher-safe gloss, £8, both Hobbycraft.

Polyvine Metal Leaf size adhesive, £3.80, Jackson’s Art Supplies. Amber Dappled votive candle, £2.50, Primark.

Himitsu Jade wallpaper, £65 a roll, Graham & Brown

Top tip Dishwasher-safe varnish will protect the gold leaf, but we would still recommend handwashing to keep your gin glasses in top condition.

You will need ● Gin glasses ● Size adhesive ● Gold leaf ● Paintbrushes ● Dishwasher-safe

varnish

1

First ensure that the glasses are completely clean, dry and free of any dirt or grease.

Apply a thin layer of size adhesive to the bottom section of the glasses, and leave to go tacky and clear in appearance.

Carefully lay a sheet of gold leaf over the tacky areas, and use a soft dry brush to press it in place and also rub off any excess leaf.

Work around the glasses, completely covering the tacky areas, and then leave to dry.

Apply a coat of dishwasher-safe varnish to protect the gold leaf before using.

3

4 5 58 yourhomestyle.uk

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

2

Home tech

5 OF THE BEST

SMART SPEAKERS Hands-free Sonos One smart speaker, around £199, Sonos This powerful smart speaker is a great choice for music lovers as it offers fantastic room-filling sound that can be controlled with your voice. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built in, so you can check the news, ask questions and set alarms in an instant. Its sleek, compact design is available in black or white and will fit right in with your décor.

We love: The option to pair two Sonos Ones together for stereo separation – perfect home cinema surround sound for those festive films and parties.

From playing a festive playlist or your favourite podcast to answering questions and setting reminders, a smart speaker is an invaluable addition to any well-connected home.

Check out some of the latest options to find out what’s new in the world of these handy gadgets, powered by your very own virtual assistant

Speak easy Echo Dot, £49.99, Amazon The 4th Generation Echo Dot offers everything you need for both entertainment and smart home control.

Ask Alexa to tell a joke or answer questions, and use your voice to control your smart home with compatible devices, such as lights and thermostats.

Music streaming is available through Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and more.

We love: The kids’ version, which comes in a tiger or panda design and has easy-to-use parental controls for complete peace of mind.

Wake me up

Smarter sounds

Smart clock 2, £59.99, Lenovo This brand new voice-controlled speaker and clock features a 10cm touch-screen colour display, which can be customised with different clock faces and even family photos. Google Assistant lets you wake up to the news, your favourite playlist or a connected lamp brightening gradually, so your morning routine will become a little more relaxed. There’s also an optional wireless charging dock (£24.99) so you can charge your phone while you sleep.

We love: The soft-touch fabric cover is available in three stylish colours.

Apple HomePod mini, £99, AO.com Delivering impressive audio as well as stylish good looks in a sleek spherical design, Apple’s HomePod mini with Siri is a great choice, especially if you already own other Apple products – bear in mind that you will need an iPhone or iPad to use it. It features the Siri personal assistant to help with everyday tasks and complete your smart home set-up.

We love: The price – at under £100 it’s an affordable option for anyone looking to invest in a smart speaker with great quality sound.

NEXT MONTH

Nest Audio, £89.99, Google Store Stream your favourite music and radio and experience room-filling sound with Google’s latest smart speaker. You can ask Google anything, from weather updates to news, for help around the house, such as setting timers or making shopping lists, or to control your smart lights or TV. We love: The choice of five different colours, so you’re sure to find one to suit your room scheme.

Sunrise alarm clocks

Feature Lisa Hibberd

In fine voice

December 2021 59

E M O H R U O Y E GIV

A FESTIVE P U W O L G Have fun with your seasonal schemes this year with our five inspirational looks – from Nordic Winter to New Nostalgia – and create

Tropics paper fans, £8 for seven; tropics paper onions, £12 for four; Nordic Nomad round paper baubles, £12 for four; 50cm paper onions, £15 each; 6ft slim flocked tree, £49, all Dunelm

3 2

STYLE EDIT

1

4

7ft Vienna tree, £235; baubles, from £3 each; lantern lights, £9; LED pillar candles, £10; snowflake string lights, £9, all Homebase

AFTER MIDNIGHT

5

Create an atmosphere with sultry tones and enigmatic lighting and add sumptuous textures and jewel tones for shimmer 8

6 7

1 Festive foliage Christmas wreath, £84.99, Lights4fun 2 Hand-painted floral baubles, £39, Not on the High Street 3 Shatterproof baubles, £12 for a set of 50, Next 4 Paper flower mantel garland making kit, £60, Not on the High Street 5 Iron house lantern, £39.99, Dobbies 6 Beaded leaf bauble, £1.50, Wilko 7 Blue and gold glitter droplet baubles, £1.49 each, The Range 8 Hammered gold tree topper, £22.50, Oliver Bonas 60 yourhomestyle.uk

HOW TO GET THE LOOK ● Deep shades come to life during the festive period.

Rich colours create an intimate atmosphere and sparkly decorations shine against a darker backdrop. ● Darker colours are the ideal stage for fairy lights, which appear to shine brighter when set against deep grey, green or blue. Use LED lights if you can, and festoon them around the room, focusing on corners to create the most dramatic effect. ● Choose decorations in a range of juicy colours.

Vibrant berry tones, spruce greens and navy blues are happy partners that work well together. Avoid using exactly the same tone as your wall; look for hues that pop and fizz against your cosy interior.

Turn to p75 to turn this look into a tablescape

Unlit Peruvian pine tree, £229; vine lights, £70; peacock decoration, 12; green baubles, £30 for 20; Gemstone Forest wrapping papers, from £4; kraft paper, from £5; small owl, £10; glitter pinecone wreath, £35; pinecone owl, £35; hedgehog decoration, £10 for a set of three; tapestry pheasant, £12; pinecone garland, £20; butterfly decorations, £6 each; neon star lights, £25 each, all John Lewis & Partners December 2021 61

Alpine glass flutes, £29.45 for two; luxury artificial wreath, £69.99; push serving cart, £305.99, all Wayfair

HOW TO GET THE LOOK ● Dig into Christmases of yesteryear for this full-of-fun, home-spun look. Find inspiration in your own family’s quirky festive traditions (we all have them!) and celebrate the richness of that history. Personalise this bright and chirpy theme with details that are meaningful to you, such as hand-made decorations, vintage baubles or heritage print papers. ● Create a foundation of tried-and-tested colours and patterns, such as forest greens with candy stripes, then build up your theme using more eclectic items that have special memories or meaning. ● Get playful and add in flashes of fun with rainbow tones and super-kitsch decorations.

Turn to p72 to turn this look into a tablescape

62 yourhomestyle.uk

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Flocked tree, £85; baubles, from 50p; wrapping paper, from £1.50 for 4m; gift bags, from 80p, all George Home

1

2

3

4

5

STYLE EDIT 6

NEW NOSTALGIA

9

7

Step back in time and evoke festive memories from Christmases past to create this fun look that blends traditional with kitsch; perfect for all the family to enjoy

8

10

11

Santa Sweet bauble, £2 each; bolt w nbo bauble, £3; Rai ble, bau e can dy bauble, £3; Can ble, bau pom pom et £3; Alphab tala £2 each, all Ma n

1 Glass red car with Christmas tree bauble, £11.99, Dobbies 2 ‘Fa la la’ felt Christmas garland, £12.99, Lights4fun 3 Red swirl bauble, £1.99, The Range 4 Neon wreath, £30, Next 5 Brush trees, £30 for 12, John Lewis & Partners 6 Fabric candy cane decorations, £10.99 for set of five, Very 7 Decoupage Santa bauble, £1, Wilko 8 Mince pie Christmas tree bauble, £4.95, ad&i 9 Green and silver Christmas stocking, £25, Postcards Home 10 Mini house decorations, £5 for four, Habitat 11 Meowie Bowie Christmas tree decoration, £12, Rockett St George December 2021 63

Cosy Elegance light up Christmas presents, from £1 each, Poundland

1 2

6

4 5 3

8

STYLE EDIT

7 9

FROSTED PASTELS

10

11

Sprinkle on plenty of sparkle with soft pinks and this glittering winter wonderland scheme

12

1 Blush glittered brush trees, £15.50 for four, Cox & Cox 2 Pre-lit pink pampas, £12, John Lewis & Partners 3 Gold and pink wreath, £28, Next 4 Blush swirl finial bauble, £3, B&M 5 Glass celeste finial, £6.99, Dobbies 6 White sequin chandelier decoration, £2.99, The Range 7 Jar with pink mercury glass decorations, £24.99, HomeSense 8 Blush Coast champagne maidenhair garland, £15, John Lewis & Partners 9 Pink and gold Christmas present decoration, £1.50, Poundland 10 Golden jewelled tree topper, £12.50, Cox & Cox 11 Blush pink and champagne leaf bauble, £1.49, The Range 12 Gold beaded shaker baubles, £5 for 12, Habitat 64 yourhomestyle.uk

side table, £35; tassel trim cushion, £10; Pink glitter tree, £3; peacock Christmas decoration, £8; Blush Archies rug, £70, all B&M

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx HOW TO GET THE LOOK ● This delicate but high-impact theme is perfect for homes that already have light-touch décor. Cream, pink or pale blue walls will create the ideal setting, giving space for the metallic finishes and fluffy textiles of this scheme to take centre stage. ● Pile up rugs, throws and cushions to make this ethereal look feel cosy. Stick to a pale colour scheme of off-whites and blush pinks, while cable knits and faux fur will bring plenty of snuggly texture. ● Look out for beaded, mercury or ‘silvered’ glass and embroidered decorations as these will dial up the twinkle factor when you turn on your Christmas lights.

Turn to p73 to turn this look into tablescape

7ft pre-lit Derry spruce tree, £180; gold angel tree topper, £12; Snow Blossom shatterproof baubles, £12 for nine; silver ombre LED pillar candles, £10 for three; neon star decoration in Warm White, £5; rose pink ceramic flower decoration, £4; pale pink ceramic flower glass bauble, £4; iridescent heart trinket decoration, £6; pink feather glass bauble, £3; glass concertina finial decoration, £4; Deco rose gold butterfly in heart glass hanging decoration, £4; Pink feather ball hanging decoration, £3; plated feather Christmas hanging decoration, £2, all Homebase

December 2021 65

7.5ft Norway spruce artificial tree, £180; willow tree topper in Silver, £12; tree skirt in Dark Brown, £18; 1,000 LED compact lights in Warm White, £50; Winter Retreat shatterproof Christmas tree baubles, £12 for nine; acorn decoration in Silver and White, £3; crackle glass bauble in Mint, £5; gem snowflake glass bauble, £2; silver bell decoration, £3; green leaf glass bauble, £3; hanging LED star decoration, £4; nostalgic bells decoration, £4; snow-filled pinecone bauble, £5; hemp rope hanging decoration, £2, all Homebase

HOW TO GET THE LOOK ● Creating a look that packs a festive punch isn’t always about piling on the colour and sparkle. A Scandiinspired, pared-back scheme can be just as dramatic. ● A monochrome palette is the foundation for this theme. Use snow-white, frosty grey and deep-black in varying amounts until you find a balance that suits your home. Then add in pale birch wood tones and small pops of sky blue to brighten things up. ● Don’t be afraid to add a little shimmer to this scheme too. A few metallic silver elements will create highlights that even out the darker tones and add interest if your take on the look is predominantly grey.

Turn to p71 to turn this look into a tablescape

66 yourhomestyle.uk

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bedding, from £10; cushions, from £6; throw, £20; cone tree lights, £12 for two; metal side table, £14, all George Home

1 2

3 4

5

NORDIC WINTER 6

A cool, contemporary scheme centered around a palette of refined greys and subtle metallics that’s

8 7

natural details 9

10

1 Isla tree, £279; snowflake topper, £20; Snow Mountain baubles, from £1.50; mistletoe pine wreath, £40; large snowy owl, £30; Cognitation canvas, £125; velvet cushion in Teal, £25; Skye rug, £140; Platform large sofa; £1949; Stave console table, £299; ceramic house in White, £12, all John Lewis & Partners

11

2 Silver and gold acrylic 3 Indian Tan paper star

4 Gold pinecone, £3.99, HomeSense 5 Mini pinecone spray, £5.99, Sophie Allport 6 Nordic village scene, £25.99, Very 7 Wooden star lights, £5, George Home 8 Painted snow scene bauble, £4, Wilko 9 Bavarian pre-lit garland, £29.99, Very 10 Resin hare decorations, £9.99 for two, Gisela Graham 11 Wooden houses, £26, Next December 2021 67

7ft unlit Brunswick tree, £229; Berry star tree topper, £10; Festive Field Red Berry garland, £40; Otley large 3-seater sofa, £1399, all John Lewis & Partners

1

2

4 3

5

6

STYLE EDIT

BRITISH WOODLAND 7

Adored by traditionalists celebrate this ever-popular,

8

festive colours and cute, charming characters

10

9

Winter solstice wrap, from £1.50, Dunelm

11

12

1 Sloe berry foliage Christmas garland, £19.99, Ginger Ray 2 Outdoor robins, £24.99, Dobbies 3 Mini hessian stocking decoration, £2.50, Tesco 4 Christmas deer hanging decoration, £8.99, Walton & Co 5 Felt mouse tree decoration, £9.95, Winters Moon 6 Large lit garland with cones and berries, £12.99, TK Maxx 7 Wooden bauble with holly decoration, £3.65 each, Daisy Park 8 Red Berry Christmas faux flowers, £12, Wilko 9 Classic half wreath, £20, Habitat 10 Wooden decorations, £1.50 each, B&M 11 Painted glass fox decoration, £9.50, Gisela Graham 12 Mushrooms felt hanging decorations, £9.50 for four, Sass & Belle

68 yourhomestyle.uk

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HOW TO GET THE LOOK ● Escape to the country with this traditional festive scheme. The combination of red and green is inspired by the world outside our windows at this time of year, so bring it home so you can enjoy it indoors too. ● Create your own sustainable decorations from foliage and other natural finds. If you have a real Christmas tree, trim off any awkwardly shaped branches and use them as decorations.

Wrap the branches together with a length of florist wire to make a garland or, turn them into neat bunches to hang on doors or window frames. You’ll find more craft ideas with festive foliage on p88.

Turn to p74 to turn this look into a tablescape

Alphabet stocking, £10; fur throw, £20; holly duvet set, from £10; tree cushion, £8; cottage plates, £12 for four; velvet napkins, £6 for four; side plate, £3.50; mug, £12 for four; home trunks, £45; robin decoration, £4; stag family, £22; tea set decoration, £3.50; stag hanging decoration, £2.50; Christmas sign, £3, all Matalan

December 2021 69

AMAZING PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! Enter for your chance to win super stylish and smart lighting prizes

WIN!

Top-tech Twinkly lights for Christmas

This month, we are giving five lucky HomeStyle readers the chance to win a set of 250 LED, multicolour RGB smart app-controlled lights. They are perfect for creating truly unique Christmas displays at home and they’re worth £99.99!

With Twinkly, you can customise brilliant and sophisticated lighting effects for Christmas and beyond, thanks to high-spec LEDs. The only limitation is your imagination!

Attach the multicolour string lights to your tree and control them using the Twinkly app or your voice assistant to form different colours and patterns; with 16 million colour options available, let your creativity run wild. The high-tech lights allow you to map each bulb in the app with technology recognising the position of each LED, giving you complete control of your light installation. For more details on Twinkly’s product range visit twinkly.com.

WIN!

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 9th December 2021.

Add a vintage touch with Innr WiFi Filament Bulbs

We’ve teamed up with smart lighting brand Innr to offer five readers the chance to win its vintagestyle WiFi Filament bulbs, in three distinctive styles, worth £99.97! These retro-looking LED bulbs shed a warm and beautiful golden light, perfect for winter nights at home, and to create a welcoming ambience.

Innr’s Filament LEDs connect to your phone via wi-fi and can be dimmed wirelessly, all controlled through the free Innr app. With Innr wi-fi bulbs you can set routines so they switch on and off automatically in the morning, or in the evening; or light your space to fit your mood with a touch of a button or a single voice command. The Innr bulbs are easy to install and will fit into your existing lamps with an E27 Edison screw socket.

See the whole range innr.com.

TO ENTER

5

LUCKY WINNERS

70 yourhomestyle.uk

5

LUCKY WINNERS

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 9th January 2021.

Twinkly and Innr prize draws close on the 9th December and 9th January respectively, 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. Find full terms and conditions under the Twinkly and Innr prize draw pages at yourhomestyle.uk/win. Installation is not included with either prize.

Style edit

Top the tables 1 STYLE EDIT

NORDIC WINTER

10

2 all Matalan

9

8

3

7

5 6 4

taupe tones for a soft, snowy scheme that will enhance the look of your festive menu. Bring in flashes of forest green with tablemats, runners or cushions. Try foraged foliage garlands or wreaths on the table too – they look beautiful when arranged as centrepieces.

Sprinkle a little festive magic with satin-finish metallic touches and plenty of glowing candles.

Choose silver for a cool, frosty effect, or warm things up a little with brass and gold.

1 2 Christmas tree crackers, £20 for set of six, Sophie Allport 3 Fox & Ivy hammered gin glass, £3.50, Tesco 4 Snow Mountain tabletop glitter trees, £20 for set of three, John Lewis & Partners 5 Stackable green glass tumbler, £2, Dunelm 6 Wooden Christmas tree placecards and holders, £5.99 for set of 12, Ginger Ray 7 White stag bowl, £8, Wilko 8 Snow tipped prelit garland, £20, Habitat 9 Klokhet candle in beige, £2.75 for set of eight, IKEA 10 Winter Garden dinner set, £50 for 12 pieces, Habitat December 2021 71

Feature Hannah Tribe

L

STYLE EDIT

NEW NOSTALGIA

1

Tuppence Collective Christmas tablecloth, £100; Oakdene Designs personalised place settings, £16; Rose Nisbet Ceramics and Textiles cosmic gravy boat, £72; GC Couture Red Velvet cake, £59.99; Forever Crackers reusable crackers and crown, £30, all Not on the High Street

10

2

9

3

erve up a slice of Christmas past with this playful look. Make room at the table for colourful characters, jolly snowmen and chubby robins – and have fun creating a unique colour scheme that suits your home. Start with the primary colours, red, blue and yellow, then add in vibrant rainbow tones.

S

8

5

6

one you will love all year round.

7 4

1

2 Christmas double oven glove, £22 Joules charger plate, £2, B&M 7 candelabra, £20, Paperchase 10

72 yourhomestyle.uk

3 5 Callie napkin, £7 for set of four, Next 6 Slogan 8 Christmas pudding casserole dish, £24, Next 9 Nutcracker

Style edit STYLE EDIT

FROSTED PASTELS

1

Rose Gold 12 piece dinner set, £25; Gold 16 piece cutlery set, £12; diamanté stem glasses £10 for two; baubles, from £1; mini snow trees, £4 for four; Pink mini tree, from £3, all George Home

10

2

9 3

T

his dreamy scheme is a paradise moodboard of soft, ethereal hues. Pick pink or purple as your base tone and pair with white to keep the feel floaty. Use teal and sky blue as an accent colour to sharpen up the warmer tones. Add your accent shade sparingly by using it with placemats or statement serveware. This look is all about the details, so include plenty of printed or painted plates and bowls with pretty, intricate designs.

4

5

8 6

7

1Pink pine needle tree, £3, B&M 2 Snowflake napkin ring, £6 for two, Matalan 3 Pokal glass in Pink, 75p, IKEA 4 Dusky Pink sakura cherry blossom dinner plate, £14, Rockett St George 5 Handmade confetti glass bowl, £24.95, Not on the High Street 6 Green dipped pasta bowl, £5, Dunelm 7 Round woven placemats in Blue, £10 for set of four, M&S 8 Pink cocktail glasses, £49.50 for a set of four, Audenza 9 Bobbly jug, £12.99, TK Maxx 10 Faux fur seat pad in Blush, £7.99, The Range December 2021 73

STYLE EDIT

BRITISH WOODLAND

1

10

9 charger plate, £12; glass jug, £20; foliage runner, £14; print bowl, £40;

8 2

ive timeless white tableware a new twist by pairing it with detailed botanical designs and the clean lines of contemporary glassware. Start building the scheme with a tablecloth in bold scarlet red, then lay a leaf motif table runner on top to anchor the look, or mimic the effect with a plain runner and a botanical garland.

G

5 4 up the white for a fresher feel.

7 3

6

1 Lacquered twist candles in Crimson, £4, Rebecca Udal 2 Garland, £18, George Home 3 Tartan napkins, £12 for four, M&S 4 Christmas wreath serving plate, £25.50, Artisan Homeware 5 Glass taper candle holder, £25, Habitat 6 Fox & Ivy jewel green goblet, £3.50, Tesco 7 Embroidered holly berry runner in white, £21, Walton & Co 8 Peter Rabbit luxury Christmas crackers, £25.95 for set of six, Annabel James 9 Bobble small dip bowl in green, £8, Dobbies 10 Red berry bauble placecard holders with holly leaf tags, £7.99 for six, Ginger Ray 74 yourhomestyle.uk

Style edit STYLE EDIT

AFTER MIDNIGHT 11

1

Red charger plate, £2.99; white dinner plate, £2.99; glass onion bauble, £2.99; Piceno wine glass, £11.99 for four; serving bowl, £7.99; rustic pillar candle in Wine Red, £2.99, all Dobbies

10

2

3

9

J

uicy, deliciously indulgent colours are key to this theme. Berry red, warm navy and jade green can be combined for a jewel-toned scheme, or used alone for a high-drama feel.

Stick to matte finishes when using these hues to create a sophisticated atmosphere, then lift the look with glittering metallic accents and shining glassware. Look out for pieces with faceted surfaces, such as cut or pressed glass, so that light is reflected from every direction.

4 6

8 5 7

1 Marlon candleholder, £22, Cult Furniture 2 Leaf pattern napkins in Gold & White, £20 for four, John Lewis & Partners 3 Beaded garland, £15.99, Very 4 Märit table runner in Dark Blue, £4, IKEA 5 Deep gold charger plate, £1, Dunelm 6 Dip dye Gold LED candles, £17.99 for set of three, Very 7 Edo serving platter, £24.50, Oliver Bonas 8 Artland Highgate hi-ball glasses, £29.15 for four, Not Just Jugs 9 Gold cutlery set, £25 for 16 pieces, Habitat 10 Gold Toast & Marmalade plate, £24.95, Emma Bridgewater 11 Diamond cracker, £8 for six, George Home December 2021 75

Have yourself

Recycled cardboard house gift boxes, £14.50 for three, Cox & Cox

a very eco

Christmas Choosing a greener festive season this year? Follow our 15 top tips to ensure your celebrations are as planet-friendly as possible DECORATE DECORATE RESPONSIBLY

Photo Jason Jenkins

3 Turn to page 80 for our fabric wrapping tutorial

When it comes to decorations, we’re big fans of designs that use sustainable materials. We’re pleased to see that Dunelm has made a huge effort this year to increase its eco credentials, taking steps including ditching all glitter from its Christmas ranges and removing all plastic packaging from its baubles. In addition, check out the brand’s fantastic collection of paper decorations, such as these hanging stars and fans, which are designed to be used year after year.

CHOOSE REUSABLE REUSABLE CHOOSE WRAPPING WRAP

1

The average UK household gets through around four rolls of wrapping paper at Christmas, much of which inevitably ends up in the bin. You can find plenty of inspiration for sustainable gift wrapping in Zero Waste Gift Wrap by Christine Leech. This gorgeous book includes ideas such as tsutsumu – the traditional Japanese wrapping technique using furoshiki cloths, so you can give a gift and the piece of fabric that it’s wrapped in!

Turn to page 80 for a tutorial. If you do choose paper wrap, check the label to make sure that it’s recyclable, and remember that any plastic-based sticky tape should be removed before recycling.

2

USE ECO TAPE

Most sticky tape is non-recyclable, as it’s made from a type of plastic called polypropylene. Green Planet Paper’s tape is an eco alternative – it uses a natural rubber adhesive that won’t pollute. It can also be written on, so it’s ideal for Xmas parcels. It’s £1.81 per roll from green-planet-paper.co.uk

76 yourhomestyle.uk

White hanging paper snowmen, £5 for four; Light up paper star hanging decoration, small £5, large £8; Nordic Nomad coloured paper fans, £8 for seven; 5ft blue spruce garland, £18; 15 LED Star Burst lights in Warm White, £15, all Dunelm

Top tip

Save all the festive gift boxes and bags you’re given to re-use next year. Use old Christmas cards to make new tags.

Style advice

Natural wax candles are more sustainable and better for our health 4 GO FOR GIFT BOXES

Pretty gift boxes like these can be re-gifted or used to store bits and bobs all year round

Vegan jewelled roast, £5.99, Waitrose

5

LESS MEAT EAT VEGGIE

The climate impact of meat is enormous – according to Greenpeace it’s roughly equivalent to all the driving and flying of every car, truck and plane in the world. To reduce this impact, choose local and organic where possible. There are lots of delicious meat-free alternatives available too. This festive vegan roast, £5.99 from Waitrose, is particularly spectacular. It’s a mushroom-based roast with sweet caramelised onions, chestnuts and a clove-spiced apricot centre, topped with a crunchy, colourful garnish of cranberries, crushed chestnuts, sunflower seeds and pine nuts. We can’t wait to tuck in!

December 2021 77

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Style idea

For another alternative to wrapping paper, why not try gift boxes this year as a more sustainable option? They can easily be re-used or re-gifted by the recipient, and so are much less wasteful.

These gorgeous house designs from Cox & Cox are ideal for that special gift, and, as they’re made from recycled cardboard, you can be confident that you’re making an eco-conscious choice. We think they look so stylish you could even use them as Christmas decorations.

8

SHOP LOCAL

Tree Wishes Christmas cards, £13.99 for 10, 1 Tree Cards

Shortages of food during the pandemic led many of us to rethink our shopping habits, and continuing to shop locally not only supports local businesses but has many environmental benefits. If you can walk to the shops too, even better! Purchasing goods produced in your local community shortens the supply chain, reducing the need for transportation and lowering emissions. Many smaller businesses take more care to ensure that their packaging is sustainable so that’s a definite win for the planet.

CONSIDER PRE-LOVED GIFTS

9 Northern Lights Christmas tree kit, £34.99, Beards & Daisies

6

PLANT A A CHRISTMAS PLANT TREE CHRISTMAS TREE

According to the Carbon Trust, if you have an artificial Christmas tree you’ll need to re-use it for at least 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than that of a real tree, due to the energyintensive production processes involved in making it. The most eco-friendly option is to buy a living potted tree that you can water and later plant in your garden. It can then be brought inside every year, helping to save £££s as well as the planet. This year, Beards & Daisies is offering a lovely kit which, along with a mini tree to be grown outside after Christmas, includes a selection of reusable decorations. If you don’t have a garden and do need to dispose of a real tree, contact your local council as many offer a collection service and will ensure that your tree is recycled responsibly.

7

BE CRACKER CONSCIOUS

Single-use Christmas crackers often contain plastic toys, non-recyclable ribbon and other materials, which are likely to end up in landfill. The good news is that many supermarkets and high-street stores have a focus this year on being more eco-friendly – look out for Dunelm’s reusable crackers, and those that boast recyclable materials and no plastic. Or, if you’re feeling creative, check out Furniture and Choice’s online project on how to make your own crackers from toilet roll tubes. Visit furniturechoice. co.uk for the step-by-step guide.

78 yourhomestyle.uk

Unwanted Christmas gifts play a big part in the amount of waste thrown into landfill each year. To help counteract this enormous eco problem, consider buying pre-loved gifts to give them a new lease of life, gift your time and skills – such as baby-sitting vouchers, cooking a meal or help with DIY – instead of an item, and donate or sell any unwanted gifts you receive so that someone else can make use of them. Local social media groups are a great place to start buying and selling.

Head to furniturechoice.co.uk to see how to make your own sustainable crackers

CHOOSE ECOECOCHOOSE CONSCIOUS CA CARDS

10

The ultimate in green Christmas greetings, 1 Tree Cards offers a lovely collection of Christmas cards, which aim to have a positive effect on the planet. Every 1 Tree Card plants a tree through its partner charity, Eden Reforestation Projects. All cards and envelopes are 100% recycled and printed with vegan inks and renewable energy. Each card also includes a seed token, which the recipient can plant, to grow into bee-friendly flowers.

Style advice 5ft wooden tree, £45; Mixed Glacier baubles £12 for 100; Denver solid wood dining bench, £150; Supersoft faux fur 60cm x 90cm shaggy rug in Cream, £12, all Habitat

50s Xmas recycled shopping bag, £2.95, Rex London

AVOID PLASTIC PLASTIC AVOID BAGS

13

It can be easy to forget your reusable bags in the inevitable mad dash to the shops at this time of year. Limit your plastic use and ensure you’re never without one with this festive design from Rex London. Made from recycled plastics, with strong nylon handles and a fun retro Christmas print, it’s the perfect size for all manner of Christmas shopping. It’s priced at £2.95, and there are other quirky patterns to choose from too.

14

MAKEYOUR YOUROWN OWN MAKE DECORATIONS DECORATIONS

TRYAN AN TRY ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE TREE TREE

11

If you fancy something a little different to the traditional Christmas tree this year, check out Habitat’s 5ft wooden design, priced at £45. It’s handcrafted from solid wood, with powder-coated rails – simply add your choice of lights and decorations for a simple yet elegant festive feature. It’s a sturdy, space-saving option for smaller homes, and can be stored away easily for use time and time again without the hassle of trying to wrestle any foliage through the door or out of a loft hatch!

RETHINKYOUR RETHINK YOUR ADVENT ADVENT CALENDAR CALENDAR

12

As much as we all love a daily treat (or two) at Christmas, many chocolate advent calendars have plastic packaging inside.

Ring the changes this year with this fun, wooden Christmas tree calendar, which can be used year after year. It comes complete with 24 colourful, wooden, numbered

baubles to hook onto the tree each day.

As the tree fills up, everyone will know how many days are left before Santa comes to visit. The tree measures 46cm (h) x 36cm (w) x 5cm (d), and costs £19.99 from Ginger Ray. Wooden Christmas tree advent calendar, £19.99, Ginger Ray

If you’re trying to avoid buying tinsel and glitter this year, consider making some decorations from natural materials. Children will love to get involved in this one too, so it’s a great idea for a rainy weekend. Collect some fallen pinecones or holly from your local park or woods, paint or spray with eco-friendly, water-based paint and add a length of twine for hanging. Edible gingerbread decorations are another of our favourite ways to adorn a tree – if you can resist eating them long enough to hang them that is!

UPCYCLE LAST LAST UPCYCLE YEAR’S CARDS

15

If you’re organised enough to have kept hold of a few cards from last Christmas, there are plenty of ways to give them a new purpose. Cut out pictures and greetings to use as gift tags or collage them onto card banks using a non-toxic glue stick to create new designs. Get kids involved as friends and relatives will love to receive one of their handmade creations.

You could also stick cut-out card images onto the front of plain brown paper gift bags and gift tags to give them a fun, festive touch.

December 2021 79

IT’S A

WRAP! Sustainable and stylish, this Japanese gift-wrapping technique is ideal for all sorts of gifts, awkward shapes included

Style idea Choose your wrap to suit your recipient – a beautiful scarf can be an extra gift

T

he Japanese technique of wrapping gifts in lightweight, re-usable fabric squares called furoshiki uses simple knots and folds to secure the gift inside.

There are many different knotting patterns but this basic technique can be used to wrap all sorts of gifts from books to balls and bottles. You just need to size up your wraps depending on the size

80 yourhomestyle.uk

and shape of your gift. You can buy furoshiki-style wrapping cloths online – Etsy has a huge selection – make your own from left-over fabric scraps or use vintage scarves. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to tie a Katakake Bukuro (translating as ‘carry wrap’), which works brilliantly for all kinds of gifts, as long as they aren’t too heavy.

This is an edited extract from Zero Waste Gift Wrap

by Christine Leech (£9.99, David & Charles)

Gift wrapping

HOW TO TIE THE WRAP

1

2

3

4

YOU WILL NEED Furoshiki-style wrapping cloth (cotton, nylon and silk all work well) large enough to fit your gift

z

1 2 3 4

Place your gift in the centre of the wrap on a diagonal, as shown.

Tie a single knot in the bottom right and then top left corners of the wrap.

Flip both knots so that they sit inside the wrap, as shown.

Tie the remaining corners together with a single knot.

TOP TIP To help your wrap hold its shape, place a piece of cardboard under soft, squashy gifts.

A

B

HOW TO TIE A REEF KNOT

A B C C

D

Take the right-hand corner (blue) and place it over the left-hand corner (pink).

Tie a knot by taking the righthand corner (blue) under the left-hand corner (pink).

Notice that the corners have now switched sides. Take the now left-hand corner (blue) and place it over the right-hand corner (pink).

Tie a second knot by taking the now left-hand corner (blue) under the right-hand corner (pink).

D

TOP TIP Old clothes can also be repurposed into wraps – shirts, t-shirts and cotton items are ideal.

December 2021 81

8 of the best

alter native CHRISTMAS

TREES

Try something different this Christmas with stylish tree ideas that spark festive magic and suit modern schemes and small spaces

1

Chic teak

For a modern, eco alternative to a traditional pine we love this teak wood tree by Sklum. At 159cm (h) x 90cm (w) with a 30cm base there’s plenty of space to add your stamp with your choice of decorations and it’s still compact enough to slot into a cosy corner.

This tree will last for years and you could use it at other times of the year too – it would look great hung with Easter decorations.

Gold side table, £79.99; Gingerbread pastel nutcracker, £12.99; Strawberry disks sweets, £4.99; Animal print gift bag, £1.99; Grey & Pastels rug, £99.99, all HomeSense

2 Pale Gold alternative tree, £65, Ella James Abies teak wood Christmas tree, £129.95, Sklum

82 yourhomestyle.uk

Going for gold

Gold adds elegance and glamour and it’s a classic choice for Christmas as it blends well with lots of festive colours. This gold metal tree measures 41cm (h) x 16.5cm (w) and could take centre stage on a mantelpiece, console table or a festive dinner setting.

Macramé Christmas tree crafting kit, £39.99, Wool Couture Company

Style edit Coastal LED Christmas tree, £35, Bloom

5

Pretty in pink

The contemporary combination of natural, washed wood and real pine cones with candy pink decorations gives this mini tree a real spark. It lights up with LEDs powered by two AA batteries (not included) and measures 68cm (h) x 15cm (w), making it ideal for compact homes, or as an extra decoration for a desk, side table or window sill.

Indoor Outdoor Magical string light tree, £85, Cox & Cox

6 For a totally fresh look, why not make your own wall-art Christmas tree using honeycomb paper pom poms, like this one created by HomeSense. Attach your decorations using Command Strips so you don’t mark your walls and then you can simply fold them up and use them again afterwards. You can buy paper honeycomb decorations in all colours and sizes from decopompoms.co.uk, with prices starting at £2.75 for a 10cm pom pom.

4

With its zig-zag trails of light, this sparkling LED string light tree by Cox & Cox can be hung both indoors and outdoors. Featuring 200 micro LED lights with a star shape at the top, it’s sure to add a magical atmosphere to any Christmas theme. Measuring 150cm (h) x 117cm (w), the metal frame means you can add your own decorations too.

Danville Christmas tree, £195, Perch and Parrow

Make it macramé

This year, why not turn your Christmas tree into a crafting project, with this macramé design adding a homemade touch to your décor? Featuring natural wooden beads, the finished tree measures around 90cm in length. Hang it as a piece of festive wall art and stack your pressies underneath if you’re really short on space.

Choose from two natural shades for a Scandi look, or four vivid colours including seasonal red or green.

8

Tiny delight

This rustic-style wooden hanging tree is a lovely solution for a small space. Measuring 47cm (h) x 62cm (w), it comes with a star on top and LED lights already attached so all you need to do is style it up with your favourite baubles for a gorgeous modern finish.

Calora 20 LED hanging tree, £40, Perch and Parrow

7

Festive classic

This stylish faux tree is tall (162cm) and slim, making it a great space-saving choice you can use for years to come. If space isn’t an issue, it would make a lovely addition to a hallway or kitchen-diner and there’s plenty of room under the branches to stack your pressies too.

Feature Tallulah Rushaya

3

Pom pom party

Light the way

December 2021 83

CREATE A WARM WELCOME Instead of a traditional wreath, try making one of these original festive decorations for your front door this Christmas

STARBURST You will need  Wooden stars, £4.95 for 180, Baker Ross  6mm organdie ribbon, £1.60 for 8m; Silver berry picks, £3 for 81; 15mm grosgrain ribbon in Grey, £3.40 for 5m, Hobbycraft  Acrylic paint in White  Iridescent biodegradable glitter  Glue gun  3 fir branches  3 holly sprigs  5 lengths of ivy  Florist wire

1

Begin by making your frosted stars. Paint wooden stars with white acrylic paint and, while the paint is still wet, sprinkle them on both sides with iridescent glitter and leave to dry. Once dried, use a glue gun to attach the stars to three lengths of organdie ribbon.

SPARKLES 3 Use a glue gun to attach a length of coloured You will need organdie ribbon to the top  Snowflake wooden photo decorations, £5.95 for eight, Baker Ross  Pinecones  Acrylic paint in White and Pastel shades  Paintbrush  Iridescent biodegradable glitter  Scissors  Glue gun

1

Paint four wooden snowflake decorations with pastel acrylic paints.

While the paint is still wet, sprinkle on iridescent glitter and leave to dry.

Use a brush to apply white acrylic paint to five pinecones to create a frosted effect. Sprinkle with glitter then leave to dry.

2

84 yourhomestyle.uk

of each pinecone. Tie lengths of ribbons to the tops of the wooden snowflakes and trim the ends. Try to use ribbons that match the colours you have painted your snowflakes.

Place the snowflakes and pinecones flat on your work surface and arrange them at different lengths so that none are on the same level.

Once you’re satisfied with the effect, tie all the ribbons together at the top with a neat knot and then trim the ends so that they are the same length.

4

5

2

Cluster together three fir branches with the longest one in the centre. Bind the tops of the stems together using florist wire.

Add the lengths of ivy, then place three sprigs of holly on top, with the longest one in the centre. Bind the tops of the holly and ivy to the top of the fir branches with florist wire.

Place the three ribbons of stars on top of the foliage and bind them using florist wire to attach them to the foliage stems.

Place clusters of silver berry picks at intervals on top of the foliage and bind their wires around the foliage stems to attach them.

Spread out the berries to create a starburst effect.

Finally, tie a grosgrain ribbon bow at the top of the decoration to hide the florist wire binding.

3

4

5

Festive crafting Essential Connect 140 warm white connectable net lights (2m x 1.5m), £19.99, Lights4fun

You will need A4 Seawhite MDF board, £3; Parsley fern pick, £5, Hobbycraft  Emulsion paint: we used Velvet Ribbon and Fortune Green, £2.03 for 30ml, Dulux  Paintbrush  Artist’s paintbrush  Royal Metallics paint in Gold, £2 for 50ml, Protek  A4 felt sheets, plain and glittered  Scissors  Rust-Oleum Elegant Metallic spray paint in Gold, £8 for 400ml, Dunelm  Glitter glue  Glue gun  Ribbon  Staple gun 

1

Paint an A4 piece of MDF with two coats of purple paint. Once dry, lightly dip a dry paintbrush in teal paint and gently drag it horizontally across the surface of the sign to create a distressed effect. Once the paint has dried, use a fine artist’s paintbrush and gold paint to write ‘Merry Christmas’ on the centre of the sign. Use a stencil if you prefer.

2

Take a faux parsley fern pick and separate the individual fern leaves.

Spray six of them on both sides with gold paint and leave to dry.

While the paint is drying, cut out the petals for your felt poinsettias. For each flower, you will need to cut five large petal shapes and five smaller petal shapes from coloured felt. Scale them up or down to create larger and smaller poinsettias for your sign. We made two large, four medium and two small poinsettias.

Once you’ve cut out all your petal shapes, outline the edges of each petal using glitter glue and allow them to dry thoroughly.

To assemble the poinsettias, cut a disk of felt 3cm in diameter to use as the base. Use a glue gun to attach the larger petals around the disk, slightly overlapping them as you go. Next attach the smaller petals on top of the larger ones in the same way, but slightly offsetting them so the points of the smaller petals fit between the gaps in the larger petals, as shown.

3

4

5

6

Take a sheet of green glitter felt and cut four large and four small holly leaves from it. Then cut eight 1cm diameter disks from the green glitter felt and glue one disk to the centre of each felt poinsettia. Take a sheet of gold glitter felt and cut two large and two small ivy leaves from it.

To assemble your sign, glue three gold fern leaves, all pointing outwards, to the top left corner of the sign. Repeat for the bottom right corner. Place one large, one medium and one small poinsettia on top of the fern leaves, on both the top and bottom corners, and glue into position. Next, glue a small poinsettia on the top right and bottom left corners. Tuck four holly leaves beneath the small poinsettias and stick into place.

Finally, glue a large and a small ivy leaf beneath the two small poinsettias.

To finish, use a staple gun to attach two lengths of matching ribbon to the back of the sign and tie them into a neat bow at the top. Your sign is now ready to hang.

7

8

December 2021 85

Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath Photos Sussie Bell

PRETTY POINSETTIA

FESTIVE CHANDELIER Create an eye-catching decoration to display above your Christmas dining table

TOP TIP To use your chandelier all year, restyle it with seasonal foliage (fresh or faux) and decorations, such as spring flowers or autumnal twigs.

Style idea If you have a long dining table, try making three wreaths to suspend along the length of the table

White washed linen curtains, £150 per pair, Cox & Cox. Winter Wonderland mural, £30 per m sq, Wallsauce

Festive crafting

You will need 45cm willow wreath, £10, Hobbycraft 4 x Holland ivy garland, £4.99 each, Hobbycraft z 3 x English ivy garland, £5.99 each, Hobbycraft z Selection of red berry picks, from £2 each, Hobbycraft z Ginger Ray foliage string lights, £9, Hobbycraft z Florist wire z 2m chain z Wire cutters z 4 x 25mm S hooks z 4mm carabiner snap hook z 10 TruGlow® Christmas tree candle lights, £49.99, Lights4fun z z

1

Begin by winding lengths of faux green ivy around the wreath base, tucking the ends in between the willow to secure them.

Repeat the same method with lengths of faux variegated ivy until most of the willow wreath is covered.

Carefully add a selection of picks featuring berries, fir, pinecones and toadstools around the wreath, making sure the ends are firmly wedged into the willow wreath base to keep them secure. Use lengths of florist wire to secure longer picks and keep them tightly attached to the wreath base. Make sure you place the picks on both the top and the underside of the wreath.

Once you’re happy with the placement of the picks on your wreath, wind a length of foliage string lights around the wreath.

Place the battery pack on the top side of the

2

3

wreath, hiding it carefully among the foliage and securing it in place with a length of florist wire.

Carefully measure and cut a 2m length of chain into four 50cm lengths using wire cutters.

Attach four S hooks at equal distances around the top of the wreath and hook one end of each hook into the willow base.

Attach one end of each 50cm length of chain onto each hook.

Take the other end of each length of chain and hook it onto a carabiner snap hook. Attach clip-on battery-powered LED candles around your wreath, spacing them evenly. These lights give a realistic candle effect without the fire hazard. Then use the carabiner to suspend the wreath above your dining table, making sure that your ceiling hook can take its weight.

4 5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

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

Save space on your Christmas dinner table and create an impact by elevating a traditional centrepiece and creating this dramatic hanging chandelier instead. It’s so quick and easy to make and it can be reused time and again at different times of the year, whether you choose to use faux foliage, as we have, or fresh.

December 2021 87

VINTAGE-STYLE CANDLESTICKS Transform old stair spindles into elegant candleholders, perfect for a festive tablescape

TOP TIP If you don’t have any old stair spindles, you can also create these candlesticks using turned chair legs.

20 Maple Leaf micro fairy lights, £13.99, Lights4fun. Ombré Gold gem glass baubles, £40 for 12; Vida velvet dining chair in Blue, £227.50 per pair, all Cox & Cox. Winter berries runner in Gold, £24.59; glass plait napkin ring in Gold, £11.29 for a set of four; Primavera tablecloth in Porcelain (130cm x 180cm), £39.99; Dupion napkin in Gold, £15.99 for a set of four, all Walton & Co. Cutlery in Matt Gold, £20 for a 16-piece set, Wilko. Winter Wonderland mural, £30 per m sq, Wallsauce. All other items, stylist’s own 88 yourhomestyle.uk

Festive crafting

You will need Stair spindle z Ruler or tape measure z Pencil z Saw z Sanding block z Grab adhesive z Square deck post cap z Small terracotta plant saucer z Mini tart tin, £10.99 for four, Lakeland z Artisan metal primer, £9.50 for 400ml, Craig & Rose z Matt emulsion paint – we used Damson Dream 1, Sapphire Springs 1 and Paradise Green 1, all £2.02 for 30ml, Dulux z Frensheen mineral powder in Gorgeous Gold, £9.95, Frenchic z Clear Wax, £14.95 for 400ml, Frenchic z

1

Use a pencil and ruler to measure and mark your desired candlestick length on the spindle. You should be able to cut at least two candlesticks from one spindle. Use a hand saw to carefully cut your spindle using your pencil marks as a guide. Once you’ve made your cuts, sand any rough edges smooth using a sanding block.

Using a grab adhesive, such as No More Nails, glue the bottom of your candlestick to the centre of a square deck post cap and leave to dry.

Attach a small terracotta plant saucer to the top of your candlestick using grab adhesive and leave to dry. Next, glue a small tart tin on top of the saucer and leave it to dry thoroughly.

Working in a well-ventilated room with open windows, or even better outside, apply a coat of metal primer evenly all over

2

3

4

the candlestick, taking particular care to thoroughly coat the metal tart tin, and then leave it to dry.

Apply two coats of your choice of emulsion paint to the candlestick, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats.

Tester pots are ideal for this project.

Mix a teaspoon of Frensheen gold pigment powder with a teaspoon of clear finishing wax to form a metallic paste.

Then, using your fingertip, highlight any protruding surfaces on the candlestick with the metallic paste to create an aged effect.

You only need a tiny amount of paste to produce a lovely antiqued look, don’t use too much or you’ll lose the subtlety.

Finish off by gently wiping the waxed areas with a soft cloth to work the wax into the surface of the candlestick and to remove any excess.

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

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

These striking candlesticks are so easy to make and are a perfect project for upcycling beginners. They look great grouped together, so make a few in different heights for an impactful display in a colour scheme to match your décor.

December 2021 89

YOUR ULTIMATE

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Every gift in our fabulous festive guide costs less than £40 – so you can give your friends and family the perfect pressie without breaking the bank

SO COSY Handwarmer, £22.50, Genus Gardenwear

Give them an encounter with wild beasts, but very mini ones (!), with this cosy insect hotel.

CJ Wildlife Apex insect house, £25, National Trust Shop

SHARPEN UP

FOR THE

Make your own craft knife kit, £39.95, Tinker and Fix

FLEXIBLE LIVING

HOT POT

Yoga mat in Flame Orange, £22, Mint Velvet

530ml food flask, £28.99, SHO

Practical and pretty gift ideas for those who love the great outdoors, whether that’s wild camping or a back-garden expedition GET A HEAD

we

love

TRUE BREW

EAT OUT

Handcrafted speckled enamel coffee pot, £25, House of Flora

Enamel plate, £10, Vivienne Electra

Classic beanie in Red, £35, Arket

£5 STOCKING FILLERS OR UNDER

Scott and Lawson bear camping multi tool, £5, Dunelm

90 yourhomestyle.uk

Daisy Sprout pencil, £3, V&A Shops

Nature Trail magnifying glass, £2.95, Rex London

Small pressed floral floating glass frame, £3.50, Primark

Protein balls, £1.99 per pack, The Protein Ball Co

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Christmas gift guide

FOR THE

STYLIST MAGIC TOUCH

On-trend home accessories for your interior loving friends and family, or perhaps a cheeky little gift to yourself!

Archie touch lamp in Satin Brass and Alabaster, £30, BHS

FLOOR SHOW Heritage faux fur rug, £20, Matalan

FULL BLOOM 18cm terracotta flower pot in Yellow, £25, Arket

lowvee TICK TOCK STAR Habitat mantel clock, £15, Sainsbury’s

SNUGGLE UP

SUPER SEVENTIES

Recycled cotton throw, £18, Walton & Co

Dagget tortoise tumblers, £35 for six, MADE.com

INSTANT SHELFIE Candle holder and vase set with wood tray, £36, Cult Furniture

PICK & MIX Lokalt serving bowl, £18, IKEA

£5 STOCKING FILLERS OR UNDER

Gold faux pampas grass vase, £4, Primark

Jewellery holder, £5, Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Twist candles, £4 each, HAY

Bright geo ballpoint pen, £5, Paperchase

Faux succulent, £5, Oliver Bonas

December 2021 91

ROAST OF THE TOWN Kapka splatter enamelware, from £18.99, Sous Chef

DRIP FEED This classy bottle is designed to create that perfect drizzle. Halo oil bottle, £30, Denby

BEST DRESSED Christmas Pudding apron, £24.95, Annabel James

FOR THE

STICK ’EM UP Cheese magnetic fridge board, £12, Katie Cardew

EASY CHEESY Bergen cheese knives, £30 set for three, Anthropologie

FOODIE

lowvee

Tuck into these tasty gifts for food lovers, master chefs and star bakers BOARD MEETING Plough serving board, £28, Case Furniture

ROLL ALONG 15-piece sushi making kit, £15.04, Mano Mano

£5

IN THE MIX Stoneware mixing bowl, £19, ProCook

STOCKING FILLERS

OR UNDER

Cave-aged Rock Star cheddar, £4.50, Snowdonia Cheese Company

92 yourhomestyle.uk

Petit-Beurre cookie cutter, £2.95, Rex London

Piri Piri marinade kit, £3.20, Tastesmiths

Teas from the Winter collection, £3.99 each, Teapigs

Wooden scoops, £4.25 for three, T&G Woodware

Christmas gift guide

FOR THE

TECH LOVER Stylish state-of-the-art ideas for gadget-lovers and gamers SHINE A LIGHT

TAKE A STAND

Make their gaming more immersive with an intelligent light bar that responds to sound; it’s great for movies too! Red5 sound reactive light bar, £15, Menkind

Yamazaki headphone stand, £18, A Place For Everything

SAFE AND SOUND SCREEN QUEEN

Baggu 16-inch Calico Block laptop sleeve, £30, Found Bath

Lo-Fi monochrome phone projector, £20, Science Museum

IN A FIX This mouldable glue can be used to repair cables and create ergonomic grips on gadgets.

Rebel Tech kit, £10.99, Sugru

OUT AND ABOUT Rockbox Bold XS Bluetooth speaker, £29.99, HMV Online

lowvee

NEAT AND TIDY Bookaroo travel tech tidy in Copper, £20, Daisy Park

£5 STOCKING FILLERS OR UNDER

Alan Turing’s Zeta function machine lens and screen cloth, £4, Curating Cambridge

Charging cable for micro-USB, £5, Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Hexbug nano toy, £4.99, Smyths Toys

Genius key ring, £5, Daisy Park

Touchscreen gloves, £4.99 for two, H&M

December 2021 93

BOX OF DELIGHTS IN THE MAIL

Family Favourites sharing box, £30, Cartwright & Butler

Puzzle Post personalised Escape Room in an envelope, £14, Not on the High Street

FOR THE

FAMILY Treat the team to some quality time together with these family-friendly gift ideas PIECE TOGETHER Enjoy The Forest jigsaw puzzle, £23, National Trust Shops

HOME & DRY Stag dog drying coat, £31.95, Dogrobes Ltd

DIG IN Plant a tree kit, £24.50, The Den Kit Company

SOCK IT TO THEM Find the item in the sock, how hard can it be? This fast-paced and hilariously frustrating game is suitable for ages 8+.

The Sock Game, £19.99, Waterstones

SNUG AS A BUG Matalan x Alder Hey charity pyjamas, from £5.50 for kids, £12.50 for adults, Matalan

HANG IT ALL Solar system coat rack, £35, Fy!

lowvee

£5 STOCKING FILLERS OR UNDER

Christmas feast for dogs or cats, £4.70, Natural Instinct

94 yourhomestyle.uk

McVitie’s Victoria biscuits, £3, all major supermarkets

National Trust photographic playing cards, £5, National Trust shops

Mini trivia pub quiz game, £4, Oliver Bonas

Noted family 2022 planner, £5, The Calendar Club

Christmas gift guide SWEET SCENTS Laura Ashley Sweet Pea and Freesia diffuser, £16, Next

lowvee

OH SO COSY Knitted hot water bottle cover, £35, Mint Velvet

IN BLOOM SCANDI SPA

HOME SLICE

Show your thanks by having a beautiful bunch delivered before you arrive.

The Lola bouquet, from £30, Bloom & Wild

Habitat bath salts, £12, Sainsbury’s

Round iced Christmas cake, £18, Cartwright & Butler

FOR THE

HOST Show your appreciation with these luxurious gifts that will ensure they really are the host with the most

SAVE FACE Limited Edition Christmas Winter Delights moisturiser, £13.95, Steamcream

TEAR AND SHARE Crosta & Molica hand-wrapped apricot panettone, £11, Ocado

£5 STOCKING FILLERS OR UNDER

bomb, £4.95, Lush

Guylian Praline Sea Shells, £5 for 250g, Tesco

Alphabet keyring, £3, Matalan

Non-Alcoholic Passionfruit Martini and Peach Bellini, £2.70 each, Belvoir

Votive candles, £1.99 each, Yankee Candle

December 2021 95

96 yourhomestyle.uk

Festive feasting

LET THE SHOW BEGIN...

VEGETARIAN

Cauliflower cheese pithivier Prep time 5 mins Cook time 1 hr 5 mins Serves 8

INGREDIENTS ł ½ tbsp olive oil ł 2 red onions, sliced ł 2 tsp balsamic vinegar ł 1 tsp dark brown sugar ł 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves ł 600g cauliflower, broken into florets ł 40g unsalted butter ł 1 tbsp flour, plus extra for dusting ł 300ml milk ł 100g strong Cheddar, grated ł 375g (about 3) leeks, trimmed and sliced ł 2 x 375g packs ready-rolled light puff pastry ł 1 egg, beaten

METHOD

1

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions for 8-10 minutes until soft.

Add the vinegar, sugar and thyme, and cook for 12-15 minutes until starting to caramelise.

Meanwhile, cook the caulifower in a pan of boiling water for 8-10 minutes until tender.

To make the cheese sauce, melt 20g butter in a small pan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until combined and golden. Add the milk gradually, stirring until the sauce thickens. Mix in the cauliflower and 80g of the cheese. Set aside.

Melt 20g butter in another pan and fry the sliced leeks over a low heat until soft.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4. On a floured work surface, roll out a pastry sheet to a 26cm square. Cut into a 26cmwide circle and place on a greased baking sheet.

2

3 4

5

Spoon the onions onto the circle, leaving a 1.5cm border at the edge. Top with the cauliflower cheese, remaining Cheddar, and leeks.

Moisten the edge of the pastry with water.

Roll out the other pastry sheet to a 30cm square. Lay over the veg, pressing down to seal the edges. Trim into a circle. Score lines in the pastry with a knife, starting in the centre and working outwards. Brush the top with beaten egg and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden.

6

Cook’s tip To make ahead and freeze, prepare the pithivier without brushing with egg, then wrap in nonstick baking paper and foil. To reheat, remove from the freezer, unwrap and defrost in the fridge overnight. Brush with egg and bake as in step 6. Once reheated from frozen, eat on the same day – do not reheat a second time.

December 2021 97

Feature Katie Nicholls Recipe and photo Cauliflower cheese pithivier – realfood.tesco.com

Treat your family and friends to a delicious festive feast that’s also fun to prepare and cook

Perfect roast turkey Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hr 45 mins Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS ł A whole turkey, about 4.5kg ł 100g butter, softened ł Salt and black pepper, to season ł 1kg roast turkey stuffing (optional) ł Roast potatoes, parsnips and any other vegetables of your choice, to serve

METHOD

1 2

Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas Mark 5.

Use tweezers to remove any stubborn feathers left in the skin of the turkey.

Place the turkey on a rack, breast-side down, and then place the rack into a roasting pan. Take the butter and rub it all over the skin, making sure you get it into the folds of the legs too. Sprinkle salt and black pepper all over. Fill with stuffing, if using (see the recipe on the next page).

Pour 2cm of water into the base of the roasting pan, underneath the rack. Roast on the bottom shelf of the preheated oven for 45 minutes, then turn the turkey over and baste by using a spoon to scoop the liquid from the bottom of the pan over the turkey.

Sprinkle over a little more salt and black pepper.

Return to the oven for 1 hour more but remove the turkey and baste it every 15 minutes.

After this time, check to see if it’s cooked: at the thickest part of the leg, scratch the surface with a fork and press down. If the juices are still pink, return to the oven for another 10 minutes and check again.

If your turkey is bigger or smaller than the one used here, you can work out the total cooking time at 25 minutes per 1kg unstuffed weight.

Once cooked, allow the turkey to rest for 8-10 minutes. Serve with gravy, stuffing, roast potatoes, parsnips, pigs in blankets and any other sides you like.

3

4

5

Pigs in blankets Prep time 10 mins Cook time 15-20 mins Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS ł 16-20 chipolatas ł 8-10 slices streaky bacon

METHOD

1 2

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4.

Cut each slice of bacon in half and wrap each halfslice around a chipolata. Place in a roasting tin.

Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the sausages are cooked through.

98 yourhomestyle.uk

Roast turkey, pigs in blankets, pork and chestnut stuffing and gravy recipes from Cluck Oink Baa Moo by Miranda Ballard, Ryland Peters & Small, £16.99.

Festive feasting

Sprouts with pancetta crumb

Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hr 45 mins Serves 8-10

Prep time 5 mins Cook time 15 mins Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

ł 20g butter ł 1 white onion ł Big pinch of fresh sage ł Big pinch of freshly chopped parsley ł Handful of dried apricots ł 50g beef suet or vegetable shortening ł 80g dried breadcrumbs ł 1 beaten egg ł 150g cooked chestnuts ł 1 lemon, halved ł 200g minced pork ł Salt

ł 2 tbsp olive oil ł 65g smoked pancetta cubes ł 40g ciabatta, ł 20g butter ł 650g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced ł 200ml Elmlea double cream

and black pepper, to season

alternative or double cream

METHOD

METHOD

Put the butter, onion, sage, parsley, apricots, suet or shortening, breadcrumbs, beaten egg and chestnuts into a food processor. Squeeze in the lemon juice from both halves, but keep one of the squeezed halves for later. Whizz until finely chopped.

Transfer the stuffing mixture to a mixing bowl and add the ground pork. Mix together and season well. Stuff into the cavity of the turkey and use the reserved lemon half to partly seal the entrance.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a mediumhigh heat. Fry the pancetta for 3 minutes until golden and releasing its fat. Add the breadcrumbs, stir through and fry for another 4 minutes until crisp and golden, stirring regularly. Spoon into a bowl; set aside.

Melt the butter with the remaining oil in the pan.

Add the sprouts, season and fry for 5 minutes.

Pour over the Elmlea and bubble for a further 2 minutes or until the sprouts are just tender. Spoon into a warmed serving dish and top with the pancetta crumbs. Serve immediately.

1

2

Turkey gravy Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hr 55 mins Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS ł Giblets from the turkey ł 1 carrot, roughly chopped ł 1 celery stick, roughly chopped ł 1 white onion, roughly chopped ł 60ml red wine ł 2 tbsp plain flour ł Salt and black pepper, to season ł Pinch of freshly chopped tarragon or parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

blitzed to breadcrumbs

1

2

Cook’s tip Slice the sprouts the day before, cover with damp kitchen paper and store in the fridge.

Cranberry and sloe gin sauce

Prep time 2 mins Cook time 15 mins Serves 8

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1

While your turkey is roasting, put the giblets in a pan, add the chopped carrot, celery and onion.

Cover with water and bring to the boil. You might want to remove the liver from the giblets as it’s a strong flavour, but feel free to use if you like.

Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for as long as it takes to roast the turkey. Once your turkey is cooked, take it and the rack out of the roasting pan and place the roasting pan (if it is flameproof) over a low heat on the stove top to keep it bubbling. Be sure to scrape off any crispy bits from the edge of the dish to get all the flavour into the gravy.

Add 150ml of the giblet stock and the red wine and mix well. Sprinkle in the flour, let it colour and then stir well until the gravy starts to thicken. Taste and add salt and pepper. Tarragon is also lovely in a gravy for turkey or a pinch of parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice, if you want to lighten it.

2

3

GLUTEN FREE

ł 2 clementines, zested and juiced ł 2 tbsp marmalade ł 50g caster sugar ł 3 tbsp sloe gin ł 400g cranberries

METHOD

1 2

Heat the clementine zest, juice, marmalade, sugar and gin in a pan over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

Add the berries and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the fruit has softened and the sauce has thickened. Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool. Chill until ready to serve.

Cook’s tip You can save time on the day by making this sauce ahead. Allow to cool completely and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost in the fridge.

December 2021 99

Recipes and photos Sprouts with pancetta crumb, Cranberry and sloe gin sauce – realfood.tesco.com Main image Steve Painter © Ryland Peters & Small

Pork and chestnut stuffing

BOXING CLEVER Be smart with Christmas lunch leftovers with these tasty, creative Boxing Day meals

Christmas lunch patties with gochujang mayo Prep time 12 mins Cook time 25 mins Makes 6-8 patties

INGREDIENTS ł 200g leftover roast potatoes, finely chopped ł 150g leftover cooked carrots or swede, finely chopped ł 150g leftover cooked Brussels sprouts, finely sliced ł 100g leftover cooked stuffing, finely chopped or crumbled ł 50g leftover cooked cabbage, or 2 tbsp kimchi ł 1 garlic clove, grated ł 1 tsp grated ginger ł splash of Tabasco ł 100g leftover cooked sausages, finely chopped ł 100g leftover roast turkey meat, shredded or finely chopped ł 50g cheese, grated (any kind) ł 2 tbsp bread sauce or mayonnaise ł 1 tbsp chopped herbs (coriander, parsley or chives all work well) ł 3 tbsp plain flour ł 3 tbsp semolina flour (or use an extra 2 tbsp plain flour) ł 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil ł 2 tbsp rapeseed oil or leftover turkey drippings, plus extra for moulding For the gochujang mayonnaise ł 6 tbsp mayonnaise ł 2-3 tbsp gochujang hot red chilli paste ł ½ lime, zested, plus 1-2 tbsp juice 100 yourhomestyle.uk

METHOD

1

Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6. To make the gochujang mayo, whisk together the mayonnaise, 2 tbsp gochujang and the lime zest and juice. Taste and add another 1 tbsp gochujang if you prefer more spice. Set aside.

To make the patties, mash the potatoes well in a large bowl using a potato masher or fork. Add the carrots or swede, sprouts and stuffing and mash together to combine. Stir in the cabbage or kimchi and season well. Stir in the garlic, ginger, Tabasco, sausages, turkey, cheese, bread sauce or mayonnaise and herbs, mixing everything well until evenly combined.

Put the flours in a second shallow bowl. Lightly oil your hands, and mould handfuls of the patty mixture into burger-sized patties. If they start to fall apart, add a little more bread sauce or mayonnaise. Lightly dust the patties in the flour mixture, then flatten them slightly between your palms.

When all the mixture has been used (you should have about six to eight patties), heat the sesame and rapeseed oils in a heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. Fry the patties undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, until they have a golden crust (you’ll need to do this in batches).

Carefully flip and fry for another couple of minutes on the other side until golden. Transfer the fried patties to a baking tray and bake in the oven for 5 minutes until deeply golden and crisp on the outside, and cooked through. Serve with the gochujang mayo.

2

3

4

Festive feasting

Prep time 30 mins Cook time 40 mins Serves 4

INGREDIENTS ł 1.5kg Christmas leftovers, such as turkey or goose, ham, bacon, sausages, stuffing, sprouts, roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, bread sauce and peas For the white wine sauce ł 50g butter ł 1 tsp mustard powder ł 50g plain flour, sifted ł 150ml white wine ł 700ml full-fat milk ł salt and pepper, to season For the topping ł 100g fresh breadcrumbs ł 100g finely grated Parmesan or grated Cheddar cheese

METHOD

1

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and sprinkle in the mustard powder and flour. Add a pinch of salt

and pepper and then slowly add the milk, a little at a time, mixing well with the butter and flour base. Once all the milk is added, keep stirring continuously over the heat until the sauce begins to thicken. Once it is the consistency of double cream, add the wine and reduce to a low simmer.

Taste and add more seasoning as you like.

Take all the leftovers and slice everything you can into strips and discs. Any leftover sausages can be sliced lengthways to make thin strips.

Layer them all in a large roasting pan, however you like. You can be a bit particular and have separate layers of each, or you can just throw it all in! Pour the white wine sauce over the top.

Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan or Cheddar together in a bowl and sprinkle over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven with foil on top for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes. If you want to brown the top a little more to serve, just pop it under a preheated grill for a few minutes until crispy and browned.

2 3

4 5

Cook’s tip This pie tastes delicious served with leftover cranberry sauce.

Christmas leftover veg korma Prep time 10 mins Cook time 30 mins Serves 4

VEGETARIAN

INGREDIENTS ł 1 tbsp olive oil ł 1 onion, finely chopped ł 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped ł 5cm piece ginger, peeled and finely sliced ł 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped ł 2 tsp garam masala ł 1 tsp ground turmeric ł 100g ground almonds ł 400g tin chopped tomatoes ł 1 vegetable stock cube, made up to 400ml ł 200g long-grain rice ł 500g leftover roasted vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips or butternut squash ł 200ml double cream ł Handful fresh coriander

METHOD

1

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or casserole dish over a medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook for 10 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, ginger and chilli and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir in the garam masala, turmeric and ground almonds. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stock. Stir well, then simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.

Meanwhile, wash the rice well in a sieve, then tip into a saucepan. Add 400ml water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 12 minutes until tender.

Add the roasted vegetables and double cream to the curry, stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes until heated through. Serve with the rice.

2

3

4

Boxing Day pie recipe from Pies, Glorious Pies by Maxine Clark, Ryland Peters & Small, £14.99.

Photography by Steve Painter © Ryland Peters & Small December 2021 101

Recipes and photos Christmas lunch patties with gochujang mayo – bbcgoodfood.com; Christmas leftover veg korma – realfood.tesco.com

Boxing Day pie

THE GRAND FINALE Indulge your sweet tooth and delight your guests with these Christmas crowd-pleasers

Spun sugar To top with spun sugar, as shown, lay 2 greased wooden spoons on a sheet of baking paper. Melt 200g caster sugar in a frying pan; when deep gold, take off the heat, dip in a fork, then take the thread of caramel slowly back and forth over the spoon handles. Place on top of the pudding when cool.

Christmas sticky toffee pudding

ł Double cream or ice cream, to serve For the sauce ł 175g golden caster sugar ł 2 clementines, segmented ł 100g butter ł 50ml double cream ł ¼ tsp sea salt ł 1 tbsp brandy

Prep time 30 mins Cook time 1 hr 15 mins Serves 8

METHOD VEGETARIAN

INGREDIENTS ł 75g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing ł 150g stoned dates, chopped ł 55ml brandy ł 100g light soft brown sugar ł ½ tsp vanilla extract ł 1½ tbsp clear honey ł 2 clementines, zest and juice ł 2 eggs ł 130g self-raising flour ł 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda ł 1 tsp mixed spice ł ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg ł 1 apple, peeled, cored and grated 102 yourhomestyle.uk

1

Preheat oven to 160˚C/140˚C/Gas Mark 3.

Grease a 1.2L ovenproof pudding basin and line the base with a circle of baking paper. Put the dates, brandy and 175ml water in a pan, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring a little, until a thick paste has formed; set aside.

Put the butter, sugar, vanilla, honey and clementine zest (reserve juice for sauce) in a large bowl and beat with electric beaters until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one by one, beating in between until combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda, spices and a pinch

2

of salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, then gently stir in the date purée and grated apple. Spoon the mixture into the pudding basin, smooth the top and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer comes out almost clean. Cover with foil after 30 mins if browning too quickly. Leave in the basin, on a rack, while you make the sauce.

Line a baking tray with parchment. Put the sugar in a frying pan over a medium heat. Heat to dissolve and then until bubbling and golden; do not stir. Take off the heat, add the clementine segments and use a slotted spoon to lift them out onto the baking tray; set aside. Add the butter, cream and clementine juice, return to the heat, bring to a simmer and stir to make a toffee sauce.

Add the salt and brandy, then take off the heat.

Turn out the pudding, pour over the sauce and top with the caramelised clementine, to serve.

3

Festive feasting

Vegan Christmas pudding Prep time 15 mins Cook time 4 hours Serves 10

Ginger bundt recipe from Gingerbread

by Heather Whinney, Lorenz Books, £15.

Photography © Lorenz Books

VEGAN

INGREDIENTS ł 200g mixed dried fruit ł 50g candied peel ł 100g dried figs, chopped ł 100g pitted dates, chopped ł 50g glacé morello cherries, halved ł 100ml brandy (or orange juice) ł 100g vegetable suet ł 75g soft brown sugar ł ½ orange, zested ł ½ lemon, zested ł 85g plain flour ł ½ tsp baking powder ł ½ tsp nutmeg ł ½ tsp ground ginger ł 1 tsp mixed spice ł 1 tsp cinnamon ł ½ tsp salt ł 1 apple, peeled and grated ł 40g breadcrumbs ł 1 tbsp black treacle

METHOD

1 2

Grease a 1L pudding basin. Cut out a circle of baking paper and fit it into the base of the basin.

In a bowl, combine all the chopped dried fruit with the alcohol (or orange juice) and leave to soak for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, to allow the fruit to soften.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the suet with the sugar and orange and lemon zest, using a wooden spoon. Then sift in the flour, baking powder, spices and salt, and stir to combine. Add the grated apple, breadcrumbs, black treacle and the soaked fruit along with its soaking liquid. Mix well until combined.

Spoon the mixture into the pudding basin, pushing it down with the spoon and smoothing the top. Cover with a large piece of non-stick baking paper, folded to give a double thickness, then pleated in the middle (to allow the pudding to expand). Tie string around the basin to keep the paper in place, lay a piece of foil on top then make a loop of string to use as a handle to lift the pudding out of the pan after cooking.

Put an upturned saucer or small plate in the bottom of a large saucepan. Carefully stand the pudding basin on the saucer, then pour boiling water into the pan so it comes about halfway up the basin. The water shouldn’t touch the foil or it may seep into the pudding. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 4 hours. Check occasionally to see if the water has boiled away and add more if necessary.

When the pudding is cooked, carefully lift it out of the pan. Cool for 15-20 minutes. Turn out onto a serving plate and cut into slices to serve.

4

5

6

Cook’s tip This pudding can be made up to a week in advance. Allow to cool completely, then remove the baking paper and foil. Re-cover with clean foil and store in a cool dry place until needed.

To reheat, cover with baking paper and foil then heat in a pan of boiling water for 1 hour, as above.

VEGETARIAN

Ginger bundt Prep time 25 mins Cook time 40 mins Serves 12

INGREDIENTS ł 280g softened butter, plus extra for greasing ł 250g caster sugar ł 1 orange, juice and zest ł 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting ł 2 tsp baking powder ł A pinch of salt ł 1-2 tsp ground ginger ł 4 eggs, lightly beaten ł 100g crystallised ginger, finely chopped ł 2 balls of preserved/stem ginger, finely chopped ł 150g maraschino cherries ł Icing sugar, sifted, for dusting For the syrup ł 100g caster sugar ł Juice of 2 oranges Special equipment ł 2.4L bundt tin

METHOD

1

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease the bundt tin really well with melted butter, brushing it into all the shapes of the tin – this will allow it to upturn easily and keep the cake’s shape.

2

Put the butter, sugar and orange zest in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk for 10 minutes, or by hand for 15 minutes, until creamy and pale.

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and ground ginger into a separate mixing bowl and put to one side.

Trickle the egg into the creamed butter a little at a time, along with a spoonful of the flour mix, beating gently after each addition. When combined, stir in the remaining flour mix, then stir in the crystallised and preserved/stem ginger. Toss the cherries in a little flour (to help prevent them from sinking), then fold them in too.

Spoon the mixture into the greased tin, level the top and bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden and risen and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.

To make the syrup, put the sugar and orange juice in a pan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Using a skewer, poke holes all over the cake and slowly pour over the syrup.

Leave the cake in the tin until cool, then loosen the edges with a palette knife and turn it out on to a serving plate. Dust the top with icing sugar to serve. Store this cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

3 4

5

6 7

December 2021 103

Recipes Christmas sticky toffee pudding – waitrose.com; Vegan Christmas Pudding – realfood.tesco.com

3

Our pick of the best festive

FOOD & DRINK We’re feeling Christmassy as we enjoy Asian-inspired seasonal treats, exciting new cocktails, puds and chocolates

SWEET AS CANDY

The folks at Waitrose have pulled out all the stops for Christmas with a banquet of delicious new festive recipes to cater for pre- and post- C Day parties, Christmas lunch and Boxing Day. Whetting our appetite in particular are a trio of Xmas desserts: the No.1 Chocolate & Salted Caramel Melt In the Middle Pudding (£6), the Vegan Winter Pudding (£5) and a party show-stopper, Heston’s Giant Cracking Penny (£20). Inspired by childhood memories, this super-sized coin serves 10 and is made of a Belgian chocolate shell surrounding rich chocolate mousse with hazelnut ganache. How many sleeps until Xmas? Available from Waitrose nationwide.

More than boursin...

Drum roll for the cheese lovers: Boursin’s anticipated festive flavour combinations are back!

The flavoursome threesome is garlic and herb, shallot and chive and roasted onion. The Christmas limited edition costs £3 and is available nationwide in Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado.

Tickled pink While we celebrate the return to social gatherings, not everyone likes a hangover. For teetotallers and drivers

Perfect partner

Sourdough cracker maker, Peter’s Yard has collaborated with The Cheese Explorer, aka Emma Young, to suggest dream cheese-board pairings. Flavour combinations include Fig & Spelt Sourdough Crackers with Sainsbury’s Long Clawson Blue Stilton and Rosemary & Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers with Sainsbury’s West Country Vintage Reserve Cheddar. Find out more at petersyard.com.

VIVA LA COCKTAIL

Independent cocktail brand Tom Savano has released an exciting new flavour for Christmas.

The Finnish Liberation Cosmopolitan (£27, 500ml) tips its hat to champion of the LGBTQIA community, Tom of Finland. Cranberry juice, orange, vodka and lime juice combine to produce a deliciously refreshing cocktail. Find it at John Lewis & Partners and tomsavano.com.

104 yourhomestyle.uk

Spencer Matthews’ CleanCo has a new alcohol-free pink gin, which boasts ‘lead notes of strawberry, with a pink peppercorn kick’.

Priced £19 (70cl) from clean.co.

Coming up roses We love a Christmas collaboration. Justin Bieber and Busta Rymes? Maybe not.

However, this festive pairing between Cadbury Roses and Cath Kidston is genius. There are two sizes of limited-edition tins: 800g (all major retailers, £9.99) and 432g, (exclusively Waitrose, £5.99); and both feature the iconic Kidston rose buds.

Food news

TWO’S COMPANY If you’re planning to spend Christmas day as a duo then it makes sense to only buy what you need. This dinner for two from Tesco has the full festive caboodle, including turkey breast, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings, roasted carrots and parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower and sprouts, sage and onion stuffing, all with gravy and cranberry sauce. For dessert, there’s cider and Courvoisier VS Cognac Christmas puddings with brandy sauce, plus Champagne and Christmas crackers. The package costs £35 and will be launched in Tesco on 13th December.

Happy Beanz Heinz fanz will love this year’s festive merchandise as the beans aficionado has released a hamper full of fun ideas that would make great stocking fillers and gifts. In its box of goodies, Heinz has a personalised gift set (£25), which includes a festive Heinz apron, oven gloves and tea towel, or go all-out with the Christmas jumper (£30), which is adorned with the Beanz Meanz Crimbo logo. All profits from the jumper go to its charity partner Magic Breakfast, helping to fight childhood hunger in the UK. Order from heinztohome.co.uk before 18th December.

Asian flavours Known for its tasty, Asian-inspired dishes, Itsu has fast become a high-street favourite and we were delighted to find Itsu products in the frozen section of supermarkets. So when we discovered Itsu had released a Combine a gonk with chocolate limited-edition Christmas gyoza, and what do you get? Well, six a flutter of excitement spread scrumptious flavours of hot around the HomeStyle office. chocolate it would seem.

Filled with turkey, pork, bacon, Choose from hazelnut, orange, sage and cranberry, these mini vanilla, peppermint, salted gyozas are caramel or ideal for festive cinnamon. party platters The Gonk hot or thrown into chocolates a stir fry. cost £4 for a Find them in pack of six Waitrose and from Tesco.

Ocado at Available £3.75 for 12 nationwide. dumplings.

Gonk for Xmas

So Divine GET SET... BAKE! If your bottom gets soggy or your showstopper is more of a party pooper, worry not, the Great British Bake Off ‘s Bake Off Box has released a Christmas package that should help you up your game. The bundle includes a gingerbread cake and apron, cake stand, recipe cards for chocolate cake, banana and walnut cake, mini loaves and lemony lemon slices and costs £36.99. If you’re gifting to a friend, last orders are called on 14th December for delivery in time for Christmas. bakeoffbox.co.uk

Hands up who still jumps out of bed on 1st December to prise open the first window of their advent calendar? Making their calendars even more special this year is Divine, as the Fairtrade chocolate company announce the launch of its dark chocolate Luxury Vegan Advent and the Milk Chocolate Advent, which cleverly transforms into a decoration once all the choccies have been scoffed.

They cost £5 and are available from Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, Oxfam and Traidcraft.

December 2021 105

READER OFFER! on stylish EKO Home accessories Scan me to browse!

Save 20% on the Galleria 9L bin, usually £89.99 now £71.99, the Aroma Lite soap dispenser, usually £39.99 now £31.99, and the iMira Mini 5x magnifying mirror, usually £59.99 now £47.99!

Scrubs up well We’ve teamed up with EKO Home to give you great savings on its top-quality, smart homeware. EKO’s products have a reputation for being stylish and smart, making your home look beautiful, perform better, while also making life easier.

We’re delighted to offer HomeStyle readers the chance to save an amazing 20% on three high-performance, essential accessories for your home. This timelimited bumper offer is available on the EKO Home White Galleria 9L sensor bin, Aroma Lite touch-free soap dispenser and the iMira Mini magnifying mirror.

The soft curves and striking finish of the White Galleria 9L sensor bin will look stylish in a bedroom, bathroom, home office or living area. Wave your hand over the sensor to open the lid, dispose of your waste, and it will close silently and automatically after use.

TO REDEEM You can make a statement with the chic and clever Aroma Lite touch-free soap dispenser too. Fill it with soap and place it by your sink for quick dispensing, or fill with hand sanitiser and put it in your hallway for everyone’s convenience and hygiene benefit.

And finally – the brilliant mirror that helps you look your best, all day, every day! The iMira Mini magnifying mirror is illuminated with a powerful LED light. The 5x ultra-clear magnifying mirror is ideal for those wanting a flawless finish for make-up, clear vision for putting in contact lenses or for shaving. It provides perfect visibility in a dark room – great for winter mornings.

Home living has never been easier thanks to the stylish, touch-free, hygienic accessories from EKO Home.

It’s so easy!

Simply use the code

HOMESTYLE20 at the checkout to get 20% off the RRP of specified EKO Home accessories at ekohome.co.uk, or scan the QR code on your phone’s camera.

Offer expires 7th December 2021.

See the whole range at ekohome.co.uk * This code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

106 yourhomestyle.uk

avv

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Helpful hints

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

Easy installation We are big fans of beautiful designs that also makes life a little easier, which is why the new DFS Boxit collection has caught our eye. The range features two sofas and four beds, including the Cosmos Blue double, shown below. Each piece is boxed up compactly to fit through any doorway and all you need for assembly is an Allen key. Bedframes cost £499 and sofas £699 from dfs.co.uk

Old veg?

Put floppy carrots in a Tupperware of water overnight and they’ll taste fresh and crunchy in the morning!

for less These stylish and affordable new insulated bottles from Poundland are a real find. They’ll keep liquids hot or cold, are leak proof

Glow up Achieving a polished look can be a tad tricky on dark winter mornings, but luckily a new mirror gadget is here to save the day when the light outside is murky. The Halo make-up mirror features a ring light for perfect illumination, while a Bluetooth speaker means you can listen to some of your top tunes while you get ready for the day. The mirror can also be used as a desk light or bedside lamp too. The Halo mirror costs £49.95 from arighibianchi.co.uk

CHEF APPROVED

STEAM IN STYLE

HOB-FREE

You can’t go wrong with your veg using this tough, heatresistant steamer set Professional stainless steel steamer set, £89, ProCook

This pan can fry, boil, sear, braise, sauté and steam, all while looking fabulous!

Always Pan with stackable steamers, from £125, Our Place

Keep an eye on your veg with a faff-free translucent electric counter-top steamer Russell Hobbs 21140 electric steamer, £30, AO

Feature Katie Dutton

3 of the best: stackable steamers for your festive veg

December 2021 107

Stylish storage One of the best bits of Christmas lunch is the leftovers! Turkey sarnie anyone? We’re stocking up on stylish storage in readiness with a set of these pretty airtight tubs. The Vintage Ivy lunch box costs £4.95 from rexlondon.com

Add some sparkle Ready for cocktail season? Cut out the plastic bottles with a clever and stylish SodaStream.

It will let you carbonate water, cordials and more with the press of a button. The cordless design is available in classic black, as well as more playful shades. There are plenty of yummy syrups to try too. £99 from sodastream.co.uk

Quick clean Make festive clean ups a breeze with this vegan anti-bac spray, £1.99 from nimble

Welcome home

Door mats don’t have to be dull! This charming festive design from Cox & Cox is as pretty as it is practical. It will keep firmly on your floor, thanks to a non-stick PVC backing, while the mat is made from sustainable natural coconut fibres. To keep it clean, give it a gentle brush off and shake.

Christmas car door mat, £20, coxandcox.co.uk

One-pot wonder

Shining silverware

What’s more festive than sitting around a table with loved ones and sharing a delicious meal?

This year you can take the stress out of cooking for crowds with a staple, all-purpose casserole dish, like this Christmassy red number from ProCook. It’s non-stick, provides even heat distribution, is oven safe up to 260 degrees and suits all hob types, making it a go-to for wintry one-pot meals. We have our eyes on the 28cm size, which can serve up to nine guests. This size costs £79 but smaller and larger casseroles are available. procook.co.uk

Kitchen essentials: pro prep tools Make light work of your Christmas lunch prep with these small but indispensable tools

Garlic crusher, £18, Joseph Joseph 108 yourhomestyle.uk

Chef’nTwist’N Sprout Brussels sprout tool, £7.14, Harts of Stur

Lemon squeezer in Venetian Hearts, £10.95, Artisan Homeware

Bringing out the family silver this Christmas? Try this quick and clever cleaning tip: rub on a small amount of toothpaste and buff in a circular motion. Wash off with warm, soapy water and polish thoroughly with a clean cloth. Good as new!

Get in touch

#myHShome Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram for your chance to appear on this very page!

DELICIOUSLY DARK ‘Going dark seemed like the natural choice for us as we wanted our home to feel cosy and welcoming. Low level lighting was an absolute must too, because there’s nothing better than a warm glow to make you want to hunker down in the evening. We added interest and a touch of opulence to the whole room by hanging chandeliers, throwing in plush velvet throws, cushions and quirky gold accents. We have 14 lamps in this room, but the standard lamp with its tasselled shade is my absolute favourite and finishes off this corner perfectly.’ @itsonlytaken10years

Show us your style! Upload your home shot to Instagram using #myHShome

Sponsored by...

WIN A VOUCHER! month’s #myHShome – you’ve won a £25 voucher to spend on Christmas goodies at Funky Chunky Furniture Co.! Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room for your chance to win a prize next month.

SMOKE & MIRRORS ‘The living room was the hardest to style as, like most new builds, it had a long featureless flat wall. We made a false chimney breast with a space underneath for logs, flowers or baskets – season depending. Sourcing a railway sleeper and adding a ladder shelf into the alcove allowed instant decor opportunities. With the lamps and candles and colourful walls it’s such a warm and cosy spot. It’s my favourite room; homely and comfortable.’ @myhomeismyhappy

RAINBOW DAZE

WARM WELCOME ‘I’ve always been a lover of traditional interiors and creating cosy spaces that complement the original features of a house. When we viewed our house one of the things I fell in love with was the cast iron fireplaces in the spare bedrooms and I knew they were going to be an amazing feature! We decided to paint this fireplace black to make it stand out against the Farrow & Ball Hardwick White walls and styled the rest of the room with wooden furniture and rattan accessories. It creates a warm, inviting space for guests.’ @our_1930srenovation_story

‘Our home is pretty quirky with colour blocking and clashing in every room. Our love for colour emerged after we invested in our bright multi-coloured flooring. We knew we wanted to have a pink shade that would complement the floor but we didn’t want to cover the space totally so we focused on one wall. We completed the look by adding lots of amazing artwork and accessorised with yellow chairs.’ @thehousewiththepinkwall

December 2021 109

Ask the

Order a KellyBronze free-range turkey from kellybronze.co.uk

EXPERTS This month, our panel of those in the know are here to answer your festive asks

How long does cooked turkey last Q in the fridge and what’s the best way to store it? Geri Caldwell, Luton Paul Kelly, turkey farmer for A KellyBronze, says...

Refrigerators tend to remove moisture from the products within, so it is absolutely critical that you cover your turkey well to avoid it going dry and preserve the eating quality. The very simple and easy way is to wrap it in cling film, tin foil or anything else that is not permeable. It can be frozen in the same way, as long as all the meat is totally covered. Turkey meat will last for seven days fresh and up to three months frozen. Personally, I think any meat eaten at fridge temperature does not do it justice. I always suggest leaving a bit of time to allow the meat to come up to room temperature before eating.

The eve sleep away mattress measures 75cm x 190cm

I have guests coming for Christmas, is there a Q better option than an inflatable mattress?

Fen Lam, Kettering

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Kate Dutton, Director of Product and Sourcing at A eve sleep, suggests… The eve sleep Sleep Away mattress provides great comfort all night long with a luxurious 8cm of foam, so there will be no waking up in the night needing to re-inflate.

Traditional inflatable mattresses can be noisy, with every movement you make giving an unrestful night – something that the sleep away mattress doesn’t cause as the foam makes movements noiseless. Simply unzip it and give it 30 minutes for the foam to get nice and plump.

The mattress features a convenient zippable top panel that can be removed and washed in a standard washing machine at 40 degrees, so you can ensure a clean, fresh mattress for every new visitor. While providing the comfort of a proper mattress, it can be stored away neatly in its cotton drawstring bag, ready for your next guest’s arrival. It costs £179 and matching bedding is also available at evesleep.co.uk.

110 yourhomestyle.uk

you buy eco-friendly tinsel?

Q Can Cariad Davis, East Lothian Thomas Inskip, Ecotinsel Inventor A & Head Crafter at Paperboy Crafts UK, recommends... All traditional tinsel is made from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, coated with a metallic finish, and PVC is the world’s third most-widely produced synthetic plastic. It requires more toxic additives than any other plastic and produces harmful dioxins in its manufacture. Huge amounts of Christmas decorations, including tinsel, go to landfill every year, as it can’t be easily recycled. Once in landfill, PVC doesn’t readily decompose but as it slowly degrades, it leaches dangerous chemicals.

Eco tinsel is a new eco-friendly alternative to traditional tinsel. The garlands are handcrafted from 100% recycled paper, so they’re completely plastic-free and fully recyclable.

Available in 1.8 metre lengths, and a range of traditional and vibrant solid and mixed colours, prices start from £9.90.

Ecotinsel garlands are 100% recyclable. Buy from ecotinsel.co.uk

Expert advice Help! I have lots of guests Q staying this Christmas – how can I ensure that their towels are dried quickly?

Arianne Taylor, Herts Wendy Miranda, A Customer Ambassador for Lakeland, offers this advice…

The Dry:Soon range of heated airers is the perfect solution to keeping all your Christmas guests’ towels dry! Dry:Soon Airers have a light aluminium frame so they are easy to move around from room to room, and will dry your clothes so much more quickly than an unheated airer. Economical to run at less than 6p an hour, they have thermostatically-controlled bars that are safe to leave unattended as they won’t overheat. They’re also a lot kinder to your clothes than a turn in the tumble dryer.

The Dry:Soon 3-tier model, £144.99 from Lakeland, offers 21 metres of drying space, holding 15kg of laundry, yet it folds down to only 8cm deep for compact storage. Additional accessories available include a cover to keep the heat in and speed up drying, and a pair of mesh shelves for laying delicate and smaller items flat, rather than hanging them over the bars.

A heated airer is a quick and convenient way to dry towels and washing. Dry:Soon 3-Tier heated airer, £144.99, Lakeland

Photo Lights4fun Oliver Perrott Photography

What are the Q safest type of Christmas lights?

Aafia Talha, Belfast Amy Mason, A Director of Product at

Essential Connect 10m 100 warm white connectable fairy lights, £12.99, Lights4fun

UR

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

Lights4fun, says…

LED (light emitting diode) lights are a great choice for styling your home and garden at Christmas. Far more energy efficient than traditional filament bulbs, they’re cheaper to run and do not emit any heat so they are far safer to use around your home, as well as outdoors.

If you’re thinking of replacing your outdoor lights, we’d always start with LED string lights as they’re our most versatile and durable outdoor product. LED designs use around 90% less power than their filament counterpart, saving you a serious amount of money on your power bills when illuminating your space.

An LED is actually a chip on a circuit – that means it’s not a bulb so there is nothing to break inside.

This is another reason why LEDs are so ideal for garden lighting as they can be handled without the risk of breaking.

Xx 2021 111

Prize draw

AMAZING PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! Don’t miss your chance to win a state-of-the-art shower set and culinary goodies

WIN! A diverter mixer shower with Aio Aurajet handset and Satinjet overhead from Methven

2

LUCKY WINNERS

Methven has teamed up with HomeStyle to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a diverter mixer shower with Aio Aurajet handset and Satinjet overhead*, worth more than £480!

With an overhead drencher and hand shower, featuring patented Aio Aurajet and Satinjet technology, this Methven shower set promises to deliver an invigorating cleaning experience.

The eye-catching Aio Aurajet handset creates a striking look and delivers up to 20% more spray coverage and twice the amount of skin contact than the average shower, while the drencher overhead delivers over 300,000 droplets per second. Better yet, both the Aio Aurajet and Satinjet technology use as little as nine litres of water per minute, helping to minimise water usage and saving money on water and energy bills**. So you can reduce your water consumption without losing on comfort and style!

Browse more shower ranges at uk.methven.com

WIN!

TO ENTER

A bundle of kitchen goodies, new from Addis

Five lucky HomeStyle readers have the chance of winning a bundle of must-have kitchen essentials for baking, cooking and quick-fire easy food prep, worth £100!

Addis’s new kitchen microwave range includes a four-arm potato baker for whipping up a perfectly fluffy jacket potato in minutes, an egg maker so you can cook them just the way you like, and a microwave jug with a lid for warming up food.

Addis is also adding to its new kitchen gadgets range, including an innovative folding chopping board, a 2-in-1 bowl and strainer, a spatula that features an anti-scratch head and a serrated edge for easy cutting and separating, a spoon and ladle, and a whisk – so your cooking essentials are all covered!

Inventors of the toothbrush, British brand Addis was established 240 years ago and specialises in designing products for cleaning and home organisation, as well as storage product solutions.

See the full selection at addis.co.uk

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 for both prize draws is 9th January 2022.

5

LUCKY WINNERS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

112 yourhomestyle.uk

Prize draws close on 9th January 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. Find full terms and conditions under the Methven and Addis prize draw pages at yourhomestyle.uk/win. * Installation not included for Methven shower set. **Study conducted by Methven.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Put some new ideas on the table with this month’s stylish updates ALL IN THE DETAILS For a flawlessly stylish bathroom without the designer price tag, we love this new range of fittings from Britton.

The sophisticated Hoxton collection not only includes sink taps, mixer taps and showers, but all those little extras that give the room a stylish, pulled-together look and topdesigner feel, like matching towel hooks and even a toilet brush holder. Browse the range at Brittonbathrooms.com.

FRONT UP Ready for an easy kitchen update? Revamp your IKEA Metod or Factum frame kitchen with modern door and drawer fronts from Superfront. The Vertical pattern, which oozes designer hotel style, was made available in wood veneer earlier this year and has just been released in sleek lacquer too. There are now a whopping 19 finishes to choose from in just this pattern. Check out all the gorgeous designs at Superfront.com.

Hoxton basin mixer tap, £179, and towel ring, £60, Britton Vertical pattern kitchen door and drawer fronts in Desert Sand, from £39, Superfront Shanghi Lights storage jar; £6, soap dispenser £4; soap dish, £3.50, all Primark

on trend and brushed gold touches are perfect for adding a bit of glamour.

GLOW GETTERS British lighting experts, Lights & Lamps, has extended its popular range of Silio lighting to include its first ever designs suitable for bathrooms. The new additions are a seriously stylish pendant light, £69, and an elegant threelight ceiling fitting, £129, both available in brushed brass or matt black. These lights have an 1P44 rating, making them safe to use in bathroom lighting zones 2 and 3, which includes areas around the sink. Take a look at the full range at Lightsandlamps.com.

December 2021 113

Our open-plan layout is

TOTAL

£15,338

PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING Emma Brock knocked down walls to make a family-friendly room that everyone can enjoy

About me I’m Emma Brock, a teacher. I live with my husband, Sam Toogood, and our three boys, Miles, 10, Teddy, nine and Tristan, five. Our home is a 1950s four-bed semi near Cheddar, North Somerset. I post interior updates on my Instagram @bakewells_and_baskets.

My room...

MY PROBLEM KITCHEN The kitchen was separate from the snug and dining area. We often entertain friends and family, and I always felt cut off from everyone when I was in the kitchen. It was very small, dark and cramped.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We knocked the rooms together and zoned the living, dining and kitchen space, with bi-fold doors to the garden. The pitched roof and roof lights help create a bright, open feel. I chose oak flooring and a classic, farmhouse style that won’t date.

MY FAVOURITE PART The split-level island. It acts as a bridge between the cooking zone and the rest of the room. The lower worktop around the sink is quartz, which is really practical, and the wood surface gives the higher section a different feel. The boys love sitting on the stools for snacks, to do homework or just to chat.

114 yourhomestyle.uk

Befor e

Kitchen makeover

White frames blend the roof lights and ceiling, creating a seamless effect and emphasising the glass

Feature Annabelle Grundy Photos Colin Poole

Style idea

The shallow pitched roof, plain white walls and roof lights ensure Emma’s new kitchen feels bright and spacious. She chose Howdens’ Fairford cabinets, breaking up the large area with a mix of Dove Grey wall units and darker Slate Grey furniture for the island

‘I chose hard wearing oak flooring and a classic, farmhouse-style kitchen that won’t date’

December 2021 115

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

SIMPLE IS SAVVY ‘We had a large space to work with so when we started talking to kitchen designers, we found the amount of choice available was almost overwhelming. We were shown various complicated layouts and design features that just weren’t what we wanted. It’s important to keep focused on what you actually need and will use, rather than getting distracted with gadgets and unnecessary extras, especially if you want to keep control of your spending.’

MAXIMISE STORAGE OPTIONS ‘Although I wanted to avoid high-level wall units as they can make the room feel enclosed, I didn’t want to sacrifice storage. The solution was to build one side of the island from standard wall cupboards, and then fit the oak surface on top. I keep items I don’t use as much, such as large platters and extra tableware in here. The split-level style is really practical, and I’ve got the clear walls I wanted, without losing any precious cupboard space.’

KEEP WOOD LOOKING GOOD ‘I was keen to have oak worktops but I was worried about how well they’d wear. I’m careful not to put hot pans down, and I dry spills up straight away to avoid staining. The supplier suggested applying several coats of worktop oil to start, and I’ve redone that since, from time to time, with two or three more coats. So far the simple steps have worked. They’ve kept their lovely colour and still look great.’

116 yourhomestyle.uk

‘We couldn’t be more pleased with the results – it’s the perfect place for Christmas entertaining’

Kitchen makeover Emma’s dining table has two additional leaves so it can be extended for special family occasions, like Christmas Day. Her nifty mix of matching chairs and benches keep the seating flexible for adults and children. The Scandi-style wooden Christmas tree was a car-boot sale bargain

The cosy snug is connected to the kitchen-diner, adding a comfy spot for relaxing and watching TV. Emma and Sam had the old fireplace opened up and a wood-burner fitted, creating an inviting focal point

MY EXPERIENCE We love entertaining and celebrating occasions, such as Christmas, with friends and family so we decided to knock the old-fashioned kitchen, dining area and snug into one multi-purpose room where we could all be together.

We had a simple, practical layout in mind and Sam and I gathered ideas from magazines and Pinterest, and sketched our own plan with cooking, eating and relaxing zones. Our builder suggested Howdens for the cabinets and work surfaces, and I chose a timeless modern farmhouse look with grey units, oak and quartz worktops and a rustic-style dining table. I wanted oak flooring too, to draw the different areas together, and we added industrial touches, such as the pendant lights.

The boys love joining in when I’m baking, so one of my musthaves was the Rangemaster cooker. The island was the other key element, incorporating the breakfast bar, sink and dishwasher, as well as lots of handy storage.

Work began just before lockdown started and we had to make do with a temporary kitchen and microwave in the front room for a while. The original timescale was 12 weeks, but pandemic delays meant it took closer to six months. Nevertheless, we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. It’s now the perfect place for Christmas entertaining.

My shopping list ● Fairford kitchen units in Dove Grey and Slate Grey, £8,000; Lamona Belfast sink, £177; Lamona Breggia Chrome mixer tap, £59; Square-Edge Solid Oak worktops, £1,040, all Howdens ● Silver White Glitter quartz worktop, £1,300, L&S Granite ● Rangemaster Classic Deluxe cooker, £2,299, AO.com ● Smeg canopy cooker hood, £180, Appliances Direct ● Metro Brick Flat White tiles, £10 per sq m, Tiles Direct ● Weathered Oak counter stool, £250 each, Cox & Cox ● Rustic shelf with lipped brackets, £58 each, Acumen Collection ● Milano Anthracite vertical radiator, £344.95 each, Best Heating ● Fatouh rug, £136.50, La Redoute ● Modern Farmhouse extending dining table, £579; Modern Farmhouse bench, £229; Modern Farmhouse dining chairs, £280 for two, all InsideOut Living ● COZZY Vintage ceiling pendant light fittings, £15.99 each, Amazon ● For a similar kitchen dresser, try the Bournemouth four-door three-drawer sideboard, £380, Habitat.

Turn to p128 for stockist details

N T G RE

G RE

ME

EN T

£2 each B&M

IN V E S T M AT

IN V E S T AT

lowvee Perfectly sized for a hot choc with marshmallows on top

£10 Habitat Mix up your Christmas cookies in Habitat’s Country Manor bowl

Get the look...

Canterbury dining table, £279; Hever bench, £129; Hever dining chairs, £159 for two, all Nöa & Nani

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC Go for a traditional vibe in your kitchen-diner, like Emma, with warm wood, neutrals and a dash of festive colour £20 John Lewis & Partners This Festive Field wreath is one to hang inside

£10 Paperchase Add warmth and texture with a rattan lantern

£1.99 H&M Home Green candlesticks are always a hit at Christmas

£299 for two Cult Furniture Snuggly seating at the dinner table, thanks to the Kenton bouclé chairs

£12 Only Nice Things Put this set of Scandi trees on a windowsill or kitchen dresser

118 yourhomestyle.uk

Shop Get the look

S tyle advice

£5 George Home

Go au naturel

Look to nature for festive décor. Sprigs of holly, kitchen herbs, pinecones and festive fruit, such as clementines, can all make a lovely centrepiece for the table.

Fairy lights aren’t just for the tree – string them up in the kitchen too

Timeless appeal For a look that won’t date anytime soon, stick to a pared-back neutral colour scheme.

At this time of year, a bit of classic red and green is always welcome for an instant Christmas hit that will work year after year.

£39.95 Daisy Park We love the red and green colour combo on this Emma Bridgewater teapot

Festive feels How you feel in your kitchen is just as important as how it looks. Cosy up your space with fairy lights and candles, mulled wine warming on the stove, soft textures to snuggle up to and some carols playing gently in the background.

£14 Matalan Cosy up chairs with fluffy seat pads

£14.99 Annabel James Give your bakes star quality with this embossed rolling pin

£23 Sophie Allport Style up a cooker with an on-theme oven glove

Cheer up kitchen chores with a set of festive tea towels Baubles, £19.99 for three; TruGlow LED pillar candles, £26.99 for three; Antique Brass Star lantern, £29.99; TruGlow LED votive candles, £19.99 for four; Wooden star light, £17.99; Champagne Gold TruGlow taper candles, £29.99 for four; Acorn Midwinter bough, £49.99, all Lights4fun

Make a Scandi-style scheme instantly festive with pops of green and red

£12.95 The Northern Line £12.99 Lights4fun

These cork-backed coasters are suitable for any surface

This Star candle bridge gives a warm, soft glow Feature Catriona Burns

£5 Wilko

December 2021 119

We've turned a dull living space into A PARTY ROOM By painting the walls dark and decorating with glam accessories, Sarah Amory has created a fun, luxurious room that’s perfect for Christmas celebrations

About me I’m Sarah Amory, an admin manager for my family business. I live with my husband, Gav, a builder, and our two children, Evie, 13, and Ronnie, 11. We live in a four-bedroom detached Edwardian house in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire that we bought in November 2014.

I Instagram our renovation journey @fallingforfilberts.

My room...

MY PROBLEM LIVING ROOM It was just so beige. It had magnolia walls and a light brown carpet, and I knew both had to go. The room had no personality or focus, so it was very boring.

‘You’ll never hear me say “less is more”.

Whether it’s plants, cushions or prints on the wall, more is definitely more for me’

HOW I MADE IT WORK I created a dark and moody space by painting the floor and walls in rich colours. Then I added sumptuous furniture, a retro bar, touches of luxe gold and quirky artwork.

MY FAVOURITE PART It’s got to be the bar. It’s a real statement piece and a focal point where friends can sit around and chat while we make cocktails.

120 yourhomestyle.uk

Befor e

Living room makeover ‘I wasn’t sure what to put on this large expanse of wall, as I have the gallery display next to it.

Then I spotted this giant wall hanging from Hilary and Flo; with its gold tones I knew it would be perfect for this space. The sofa and footstool are from Debenhams’

TOTAL

£2,150 Style idea

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

Play with scale and hang an oversized wall hanging next to a gallery display

December 2021 121

Style advice

‘This is the fun corner and the neon quote print is from Ink & Drop. After the past year or so, it’s a cheeky little reminder to enjoy yourself and do what makes you happy’

Three simple tricks to try in your own home

CUSTOMISE FESTIVE BARGAINS Decorating for Christmas doesn’t have to cost a fortune. An easy, budget-friendly way to transform a room is to fill a fireplace with loads of colourful paper pom poms and lanterns. Pick up a cardboard star for under £5 from Hobbycraft and spray it gold, then add a disco ball, oversized baubles, candles and finish off with glam gold accessories.

SWEEP THE SUPERMARKET Sarah loves to showcase her goodlooking glassware.

‘I love a retro cocktail shaker or a vintage coupe glass,’ she says, ‘but I also keep my eye out in supermarkets and high-street shops.

They’ve really upped their game in terms of homeware, and I often find stylish glassware from places like George Home and John Lewis & Partners that are really affordable.’

BUY FURNITURE THAT WORKS HARD Sarah has gone for style and function when choosing her luxurious, velvet Chesterfield sofa and matching footstool.

The statement sofa works as a beautiful focal point, piled high with on-trend patterned cushions.

The practical stool serves as extra seating that can be easily moved around the room and, with an added tray, can also double as a coffee or cocktail table.

122 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea A faux fur throw adds cosy texture and comfort to a bar stool

Living room makeover ‘I love how Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue looks different throughout the day.

When the sun is shining, the wall looks quite bright, but on a dark day it can look almost black, giving the room a completely different vibe. The gold table was a £10 bargain from our local recycling centre shop that sells furniture other people have thrown out’

MY EXPERIENCE I’d never even seen this place when Gav came home one day and said he’d bought it. To be fair, we were looking to upsize, and I totally trust his judgement. When I finally got to see it, I could see how much potential there was.

We also have a family living room, so we used this space as a temporary kitchen while we did an extension, but when that was finished, I thought about how to decorate. I decided on a sophisticated, grown-up look, full of sumptuous furniture and luxe accessories. A Chesterfield sofa was on my wish list, and I bought this one before we even moved in, so it had to live in my motherin-law’s garage for a few months. The first thing I did was paint the walls in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball, to create a bit of drama, and then I ripped up the beige carpets. The edges of the floorboards were painted black, which I liked, but, as seems to be the way with older properties, the middle was bare wood, so I covered the whole floor with a dark stain.

I was browsing eBay one day when this amazing retro bar popped up. At £200, it wasn’t the cheapest buy, but I knew it would be perfect in here. I filled the room with colourful cushions and quirky artwork, and my velvet curtains, a £10 bargain buy from Facebook Marketplace, finished off the look. We haven’t used the room much yet, because of lockdown, but this Christmas it’s finally going to be party time!

My shopping list ‘We haven’t used the room much yet, because of lockdown, but this Christmas it’s finally going to be party time!’

● For a similar sofa, try the three-seater Purple Chesterfield sofa, £689.99, Beliani ● Zebra patterned rug, £34.99, H&M Home ● Vintage-style Palm Tree floor lamp, £350; Midas bar stools, £185, both Rockett St George ● Large Sketched Female Figure velvet wall hanging, £150, Hilary and Flo ● For a similar mirror, try the Gold Hexagon wall mirror, £36.45, Melody Maison ● Pink Floral print, from £10, @lovesprint ● Walls painted in Farrow & Ball Blue Hague, £49.50 for 2.5L, B&Q ● For a similar cushion, try the Boho Floral Blue and Gold fringe cushion, £29, My Vintage Home ● Attitude art print by Marta Hutt, from £35, Lush Eclectic ● Large multicolour lip print, £38, House Of Neon ● Life Is Short Neon print, from £13, Ink & Drop ● I Came to Boogie wall art, £89.50, Oliver Bonas ● Gold Chunky stem wine glasses, £14 for a set of four, George Home ● For similar champagne glasses, try the Astrid cocktail glasses, £26 for a set of two, Homebase ● For a similar armchair, try the Strandmon Wing chair, £199, IKEA. Turn to p128 for stockist details

£99 Freemans For soft lighting, this Feather lamp is just the ticket

wvee

lo

£5 Primark Add a regal edge to your table with these Gold Leaf napkins

Get the look...

Borough bar glass, £25.99 for four; Borough highball glass, £25.99 for four, both Dobbies

COCKTAIL HOUR Whether you’ve got the whole gang over or it’s drinks for two, why not create a space where you can celebrate in style, like Sarah £19.95 Annabel James Finish off a table with luxury crackers

£165 each Wayfair Get comfy on the West Newbury swivel stool while someone else pours the drinks

£42 Ocado Avoid glass mix-ups with this set of different-shaped Lulu flutes

£79.50 Oliver Bonas

£26.95 Audenza

Liven up your walls with this beaded fabric wall art

Stacked in a luxe gold case, these Leopard coasters are made to be on display

124 yourhomestyle.uk

Get the look Shop

S tyle advice

Warm welcome

Make guests feel at home. Leave out an open bottle of bubbly they can pour, crackers to pull and bitesize snacks they can easily help themselves to.

£149 Freemans

Mix it up Give your set-up character with an eclectic selection of glassware. Different-sized glasses and accessories from various eras adds interest – mix an antique decanter with the latest trends from your fave high-street shop.

£50 Very

The Gatsby side table has plenty of room for bottles on the bottom and glasses on top

Deep green and gold give the Jones wall clock a decadent feel

Improvise If you don’t have space for a cocktail cart, display your bottles on a stylish tray, or on the lower level of a side table.

£9 Primark

ME

G RE

IN V E S T AT

Get in the party mood with a neon light box

IN V E S T M AT EN T

£160 Rockett St George

N T G RE

A stylish ice bucket is a game changer

£438 Lime Lace If it turns into a late one, guests can crash on the Jazmin sofa bed

£14.99 VonHaus Sturdy, versatile and stylish, the Graphite tray is a must-have for any host Bar neon light, £18, Primark

£28 Rockett St George Give dark décor a burst of colour with bright pink candles

£12.50 M&S

‘A mix of table lamps, candles and neon lights gives an after-hours feel’ December 2021 125

Feature Catriona Burns

Decorate an empty space with multicoloured glittery baubles

Shopping Directory

Why Not Be A Proofreader?

As a freelance proofreader and copy editor you can earn a good income making sure that copy is professional and error free. Earning your share can be fun, varied and profitable.

Our Proofreading and Copy Editing Course will show you how to set yourself up as a freelancer – either full or part-time – putting you in control of your working life! You’ll receive: • A first-class, home-study course created by professionals • Expert, personal tuition from your tutor • Advice on all types of proofreading and copy editing techniques • Plus much more!

If you want to be a proofreader and copy editor, this is the way to start! It’s ideal for beginners. No previous experience or special education required. You can be earning in as little as 2-3 months. 15 day trial. For free details visit our website or call us today!

www.wbproofreading.com FREE CALL 24 HRS

0800 856 2008

Quote Ref: MID21P

Your Course Includes: “The course has greatly improved and refreshed my grammatical knowledge, copy editing and proofreading. It has also sharpened my attention to detail. For the contract, I was able to set my own professional fee; and on the basis of my QTS, expertise and subject knowledge, I am earning £30.00 per hour.”

Claire Ezard Writers Bureau

32

Years of Success

= Specialist course on proofreading and copy editing. = Caring constructive help from expert tutors. = Four tutor-marked assignments. = Help and advice from our experienced Student Advisory Team. = Flexible study programme. = Specialist advice on how to find work. = Enrol when it suits you. = Instant access to course material when you enrol online. = 15 days trial. = Advice on how to set yourself up in business. = Continuing Professional Development Certificate.

All this for only £374

(instalment terms available)

www.facebook.com/thewritersbureau www.twitter.com/writersbureau email: FP@writersbureau.com Please include your name & address

Members of ITOL and NAWE

YES! Please send me free details on how to become a successful, proofreader and copy editor.

No stamp required. We do not share your details with any other person or organisation MID21P NAME .................................................................................................................................................................................

START YOUR COURSE TODAY by visiting our website. Your course modules and the first assignment are available online so you can start studying while you wait for your course books to arrive.

SCUMBLE “Extraordinary name.

#

ADDRESS ..........................................................................................................................................................................

Start TODAY When You Enrol ONLINE!

............................................................................................................................................................................................

POST CODE ............................................................................................................................................................................................

EMAIL .................................................................................................................................................................................

Freepost THE WRITERS BUREAU

GOOSIE Extraordinary furniture.”

Radiator Table aginst our Georgian Wall Panelling

www.scumblegoosie.com ~

01453 731305

To place an advert here, please call 0117 300 8801

homestylemag.co.uk

COMING NEXT MONTH 7 beautiful real homes and makeovers full of ideas to steal!

Hot new 2022 trends + easy updates on a budget

Be the host with the most – celebrate the season in style

PLUS, DON’T MISS… *Contents subject to change

Ask our stylists: one problem lounge, two style solutions Make an upcycled bar cart and cocktail accessories Top tips for tangle-free festive tidying Best home buys, amazing prizes & so much more!

Get your copy!

JANUARY ISSUE

on sale 7th December

Party snacks, and family faves from Gordon Ramsay

76

71 SHOPPING GUIDE Where to buy everything featured in this magazine A Absolutely Fabrics facebook.com/absolutelyfabricsuk Acumen acumencollection.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com AO.com ao.com A Place For Everything aplaceforeverything.co.uk Appliances Direct appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos argos.co.uk Artisan Homeware artisanhomeware.co.uk Asda asda.com Assembli Shop assemblishop.com Audenza audenza.com

B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q diy.com Baker Ross bakerross.co.uk Barker & Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse. co.uk Beards & Daisies beardsanddaisies.co.uk Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk Beliani beliani.co.uk Belvoir belvoir.co.uk Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Best Heating bestheating.com BHS bhs.com 128 yourhomestyle.uk

Bloom bloom.uk.com Bloom & Wild bloomandwild.com

C Calendar Club calendarclub.co.uk Carpetright carpetright.co.uk Cartwright & Butler cartwrightandbutler.co.uk Cass Art cassart.co.uk COAT Paints coatpaints.com Codu coduhome.co.uk Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Creed Revival creedrevival.com Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland cuckooland.com Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Curating Cambridge curatingcambridge.co.uk Currys PC World currys.co.uk

D Daisy Park daisypark.co.uk Dar Leone dar-leone.com där lighting darlighting.co.uk David & Charles davidandcharles.com Debenhams debenhams.com Denby denbypottery.com

DFS dfs.co.uk DIY Kitchens diy-kitchens.com Dobbies dobbies.com Dunelm dunelm.com Dulux dulux.co.uk

E eBay ebay.co.uk Ella James ellajames.co.uk Emma Bridgewater emmabridgewater.co.uk

F Facebook Marketplace facebook.com/marketplace Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Flying Tiger Copenhagen eu.flyingtiger.com Forest theforestandco.com Freemans freemans.com French Connection frenchconnection.com Frenchic frenchicpaint.co.uk Funky Chunky Furniture funky-chunky-furniture. co.uk Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk Fy! iamfy.co

G Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk Genus genus.gs George Home direct.asda.com Getting Personal gettingpersonal.co.uk Ginger Ray

gingerray.co.uk Gisela Graham giselagraham.co.uk Glebe House Vintage glebehousevintage.co.uk Google store.google.com Graham & Brown grahambrown.com Green & Heath greenandheath.co.uk Guylian guylian.com

johnlewis.com Joseph Joseph josephjoseph.com Judge horwood.co.uk Judy Broad Calligraphy judybroadcalligraphy. co.uk Juice juice.co.uk Juniqe juniqe.co.uk

K Katie Cardew katiecardew.com Kind of Simple Designs etsy.com/uk/shop/KindofSimpleDesigns Kitchen Craft kitchencraft.co.uk

H Habitat habitat.co.uk H&M 2.hm.com Harris Brushes harrisbrushes.com HAY hay.dk Here + Now Home etsy. com/uk/shop/HereAndNowHome Hilary and Flo hilaryandflo.co.uk Hobbycraft hobbycraft.co.uk Homebase homebase.co.uk Home of the Mall homeofthemall.com HomeSense homesense.com House of Neon houseofneon.online Howdens howdens.com Hudson Home hudsonhome.co.uk Hydro Flask hydroflask.com

J Jacqueliine Milton jacquelinemilton.co.uk Joe Browns joebrowns.co.uk John Lewis & Partners

L Lakeland lakeland.co.uk Land S Granite landsgranite.co.uk La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Laura Ashley next.co.uk/ shop/brand-lauraashley Lights4fun lights4fun.co.uk Little Greene littlegreene.com Little Karma Co. littlekarmaco.com Lola & Mawu lolaandmawu.com Lorna Freytag lornafreytag.com Luck & Luck luckandluck.co.uk Lush lush.com Lush Eclectic art.lusheclectic.com

M MADE made.com M&S marksandspencer.com Mano Mano manomano.co.uk Matalan matalan.co.uk Matthew Williamson matthewwilliamson.com

Melody Maison melodymaison.co.uk Menkind menkind.co.uk Millington & Hope millingtonandhope.com Mint Velvet mintvelvet.co.uk MY furniture my-furniture.com My Vintage Home myvintagehome.co.uk

N Nancy & Betty nancyandbetty.com National Trust Online Shop shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Natural Instinct naturalinstinct.com Next Home next.co.uk Not Just Jugs notjustjugs.com Not On The High Street notonthehighstreet.com

O Ocado ocado.com Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com Only Nice Things onlynicethings.co.uk Our Place fromourplace.co.uk

P Paperchase paperchase.com Perch & Parrow perchandparrow.com Pooky pooky.com Porcelain Superstore porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Postcards Home postcardshome.co.uk Poundland poundland.co.uk Primark primark.com Procook procook.co.uk Protek protekwoodstain.co.uk

Stockists

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

60 Q Quail Ceramics quailceramics.co.uk Quick Step quick-step.co.uk

R Range Cookers rangecookers.co.uk Rebecca Udall rebeccaudall.com Rebel Walls rebelwalls.com Rex London rexlondon.com Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk Rose & Grey roseandgrey.co.uk Rust-Oleum makeityours.co.uk

S Sass & Belle sassandbelle.co.uk Shida Preserved Flowers shida.florist SKLUM sklum.com Smyths Toys smythstoys.com Snowdonia Cheese Company snowdoniacheese.co.uk Sofa.com sofa.com SONOS sonos.com Sophie Allport sophieallport.com Sous Chef souschef.co.uk Sterling Windows sterlingwindows.co.uk STEAMCREAM steamcream.com Sugru sugru.com

Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeandwillow.com Swyft swyfthome.com

118

T T&G Woodware tg-woodware.com Tapi Carpets & Floors tapi.co.uk Teapigs teapigs.co.uk Tesco tesco.com The Cotswold Company cotswoldco.com The Den Kit Company thedenkitco.com The French Depot thefrenchdepot.com The Futon Company futoncompany.co.uk The Laser Studio notonthehighstreet.com/ thelaserstudio The Northern Line thenorthernline.co.uk The Protein Ball Co. theproteinballco.com The Range therange.co.uk The Tastesmiths tastesmiths.com The West House Pottery etsy.com/uk/shop/WestHousePottery Tiles Direct tiles-direct.com Tinker & Fix tinkerandfix.co.uk TK Maxx tkmaxx.com Travis Perkins travisperkins.co.uk Trash Flamingo @trashflamingo

U Unique Kitchens & Bathrooms uniquekitchensbathrooms.com

V V&A Shop vam.ac.uk Valspar valsparpaint.co.uk Very very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing victorianplumbing.co.uk Village Green villagegreenhome.co.uk VonHaus vonhaus.com

W Waitrose waitrose.com Wallsauce wallsauce.com Walton & Co waltonshop.co.uk Waterstones waterstones.com Wayfair wayfair.co.uk Welsh Otter welshotter.co.uk Wickes wickes.co.uk Wilko wilko.com Winters Moon wintersmoon.co.uk Wool Couture Company woolcouturecompany.com

Y Yankee Candle yankeecandle.co.uk

# 1 Tree Cards 1treecards.com

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 Co-ordinator 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

Elizabeth Ockford British wallpaper designer Elizabeth Ockford tells us what inspires her exuberant style When did you launch?

I launched my brand in 2019. I had previously been working under my name for another company and I was tired of producing dull, beige designs.

I wanted to create some joyful wallpaper, and really indulge my passion for colour. At the start of my career I worked for a very inspired man, Antony Little of Osborne & Little – it’s been wonderful being able to return to that level of creative challenge and fun!

Did you study interior design?

Feature Kirstie Duhig Photos Elizabeth Ockford Ltd

Elizabeth’s most popular designs include the ocean-inspired Kitts from The Islands collection, and Eleanor from The Garden (above left).

Top: Julia, shown here in Teal, works beautifully in a dining room or bedroom. Prices from £95 for 10m from elizabethockford.com

I studied textile design at Chelsea School of Art, so my training is purely textiles and wallpapers. But I have worked alongside some brilliant interior designers. Perhaps the biggest thing I picked up was that for an interior scheme to work well, not everything needs to be matchy-matchy.

What’s a typical day?

London, and I hope to start doing that again soon. I also soak up good stories – either in books or on TV and in movies.

I love looking at the sets and décor. The Great on Channel 4 was sumptuous!

Who are you following on Insta?

I’m following @ladoublej fashion house for their luscious prints; @indiahicksstyle for her immaculate taste and dream lifestyle; and Dan Levy @instadanjlevy because I’ve just finished Schitt’s Creek and think he’s wonderful!

Describe your style...

It’s very eclectic: a mix of vintage finds, inherited items with emotional value and new bits of design that I admire. Lots of colour, but perhaps sometimes that needs reigning in! I find myself thinking, ‘Ooh, I need some calm, plain, neutral walls to balance it out!’

My day often starts with a pretty walk through our village past the duckpond, taking my young son to school. I’m in the studio by 9am – I always want to be designing but I often get pulled away by all the other elements of running your own business.

Lunchtime, though, I get some ‘me space’, when I take my dog, Rocket, for a walk in the woods and fields at the back of the studio.

How do you decorate for Christmas?

Where do you find your inspiration?

I’m developing my line of fabrics to go with my wallpapers – they should be on the market before Christmas, so watch this space!

Everywhere! My lunchtime walk helps me note the passing seasons, and nature is inspirational to me every day.

Before Covid, I used to regularly visit galleries and shops up in

In a very relaxed way! Our tree is a chaotic mix of colour, lights and baubles, and I decorate it with my son and husband.

I definitely do not get to pull the ‘designer’ card out! For me, it’s all about making the house feel cosy and welcoming with lots of candles and twinkling lights.

What does the rest of the year hold for you?

See all of Elizabeth’s designs at elizabethockford.com and follow @elizabethockford

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