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idealhome.co.uk FR EE W IT H T HE M AY 2019 ISSUE. NOT FOR R ESA L E

EST. 1920

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BRITAIN’S BESTSELLING HOMES MAGAZINE

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Stylish Homes

◆ EDINBURGH VILLA ◆ MEGA-EXTENDED SEMI ◆ BUDGET-SAVVY TERRACE ◆ CHIC TOWNHOUSE

RENOVATION HELL!

My Devon “ dream became a nightmare ”

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome Vanessa

PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Vanessa Richmond, Editor

So, if you noticed the mention of ‘Ownable’ on the cover of this issue, you’re probably wondering what it’s all about! You might have spotted it at the end of last year, too, when we did a trial run. We know from your phone calls and emails that you sometimes struggle to find items we’ve featured, but Ownable makes it so easy.

It’s a free mobile app you download, then choose Ideal Home and the page number where you’ve spotted something you like.

When you click on the item, it takes you to the product on the retailer’s site.

Alternatively – handy if you want to buy things from a variety of retailers – you can register for an Ownable account, fill your basket and place one order for everything. Simple, easy and quick – the way shopping should be!

MAY 2019

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May 2019

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42 152 What’s new 9 You deserve... ...a lazy weekend brunch

10 How to add wow!

Fabulous finishing touches in warm shades

13 Need to know What’s hot this month

17 The shortlist Stand-out headboards to dream about

19 Ideal Vs Great Deal A modern industrial hallway

20 Wallpaper edit Roll out a fab feature wall

104 Timeless style Scandi boho from the Ideal Home range at Very.co.uk

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MAY 2019

Real homes 26 ‘We made every space work harder’

48 ‘We transformed a bland interior with colour’

70 ‘This house was a wreck when we bought it’

92 ‘Being creative boosted our budget’

Style & decor 42 The new way to do Glamour

63 Cool, calm living spaces Breathe new life into your home with plants

85 Easy perk-ups with paint A simple way to add style

107 40 easy style updates

Clever tricks and smart buys

Before & after 120 ‘Glass is pricey, but money well spent’

126 ‘It works hard for us’ 130 ‘We needed a teen-friendly bathroom’

136 ‘It has something for each one of us’

143 ‘We knocked out an old conservatory’

CONTENTS

85 120 20 48 To find all the stockists in this issue, turn to page 172 Regulars

Simple solutions 146 Genius problem solvers for a smooth-running life

149 Clean faster with

5 Editor’s letter 39 In my experience

‘My Devon dream turned into a total nightmare’

a cordless vacuum

69 The big question

151 We’re cooking on gas!

Would you hold a kids’ party at home?

Simple pleasures 106 Reader offer 20% off at Secret Linen Store

SAVE UP TO

43%

158 Subscribe to Ideal Home 174 A space of my own

152 Food with friends

Alison uses her garden studio as a much-needed escape

Lunch with the girls

160 Somewhere for

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MAY 2019

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WHAT’S NEW

IN MAY

You deserve… a lazy weekend brunch

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

Live life in the slow lane just for a day! A lay-in, followed by strong coffee and delicious things shared with people you love, at a table laid with white linens and crockery. Simple pleasures, happy times…

WHERE TO BUY Low serving bowl, £40; Porto small heart oven dish, £25; pasta bowls, £12 each; stoneware small oven dish, £20; Porto heart ramekin, £12; Le Creuset saucepan, £150; grey stripe napkin, £25 for four; linen glass cloth tea towel, £10, all The White Company

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NATURAL ADDITION Aiko fivepiece flatware set, £30, Anthropologie

ALL THE TASSELS Chateau cushion, £53, Amara

WORK WITH WOOD Wooden pot, £12.99, H&M Home

CARAMEL ACCENT Hübsch leather hook wall shelf, £67, Smallable

wow!

HOW TO ADD

CRAFTED DESIGN Wooden planter, £30, A New Tribe

COCOONING COLOUR Kitchen painted in Lady Bug claypaint, £43 for 2.5L, Earthborn

TOUGH LUXE Leather pendant, £145, Rockett St George

TABLETOP FEATURE Javi terrazzo serving board, £30, Habitat

Go on, pick something you love – because every room needs a magic ingredient that takes it from finished to fabulous

AMBER GLOW Tapered colour tumbler, £4, Marks & Spencer

BLUSHING BEAUTY Katjia leather dining chair, £260, Souk Collective

RUSTIC INDUSTRIAL Wooden slats lamp, £150, French Connection Home

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MAY 2019

WHAT’S NEW

GO FOR WARM GRAIN Ellis dining table, £699; Kyoto chairs, £199 for two; Ali pendant, £89; Amalia 12-piece dinner set in Clay, £119, all Swoon

ALL IN THE DETAIL Large Enter mirror, £145, Ferm Living

PERK UP NEUTRALS Paprika cushion, £25, John Lewis & Partners

SCORCHED EARTH Concrete round pot, from £19, Amara

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

LAYER ON LINEN Boon Mee linen throw in Sienna, £185, La Redoute

STATEMENT GROOVES Lloyd cabinet, £599, Next Home BURNT HUES Kelim borders rug, £89, Smallable

WEAVE IN TEXTURE Basket, £34.99, H&M Home

MAY 2019

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WHAT’S NEW

know NEED TO

Mimosa sofa in Forest, £1,219; Mimosa snuggler in Grey Linear Stem, £839, both Barker and Stonehouse

We’ve been shamelessly snooping around the shops, so you don’t miss a single thing that matters...

1

2 1 Animal & leaf cushion cover, £16 2 Eye mirror, £18 3 Bamboo woven plant hanger, £16 4 Dash & Hand bathroom set, £16

3 4

ASOS LAUNCHES HOMEWARE! It took longer than we expected, but Asos has finally joined the interiors market with its first in-house range, Asos Supply. Just the thing for fledgling interior lovers, it’s all about personality pieces – textiles with bold graphic prints, a good dose of animal print, plant and wall hangers, stylish baskets and colourful bathroom bits.

Check out Orla Kiely’s new furniture range

Think retro prints and Orla Kiely instantly springs to mind. Now, she has teamed up with Barker and Stonehouse to bring her iconic designs to life with her first upholstery collection. Perfectly matched with mid-century furniture, it includes pieces for the living room and bedroom, with many designs featuring a subtle mix of print with plain. The striking green velvet Mimosa sofa boasts a retro glam look that will steal the show in any living space.

Available from Barker and Stonehouse.

GREAT DEAL

IDEAL

TREAT YOURSELF TO A FANCY BIT ON THE SIDE

SURPRISE IN STORE!

Industrial style at Argos

Argos has launched the very now Nomad range – but we love it for more than just its loft-style good looks. The display cabinet, £229.99, would work in a number of rooms, and the round dining table and chairs can squeeze into small spaces thanks to chairs that tuck under the table, £249.99.

£119

BRING A POP OF POLISH Aluminium tray table, Amara

£65

IN THE PINK Dark pink and gold round side table, £65, Kaleidoscope MAY 2019

13

WHAT’S NEW

Catwalk style at Matalan

High-end fashion house Nicole Farhi is bringing its expertise in elegance to a new bed and bath collection at Matalan. The plush towels and bedlinens have textured design details and velvet accessories that elevate plain to posh – which means higher price points than normal, but they’re still a steal if you want a luxe hotel feel at home.

Brilliant OR bonkers?

PINEAPPLE LAUNDRY BASKET, £85, NEXT HOME

Love it or hate it, the trend for pineapples isn’t dropping off yet. If you love it, we’re here to feed your obsession with a giant wicker version, to make wash day just less drab.

WE KEEP SEEING...

PATTERN COLLABS Designer prints are giving high-street seats a unique twist HOT TROPICS Izzy love seat in London Lagoon Dusk, £1,460, Lucy Tiffney at Sofa.com

MID-CENTURY MODERNIST Marino chair in Kiso, £1,995, Ercol x Flock range at Heal’s

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MAY 2019

FRESH BOTANICALS Daphne in Harlequin Entity Emerald, £399.99, My Furniture

Make product searches easy

New website Hone is the equivalent of a huge online catalogue of all the big-name brands, helping to whittle down your wish list. Search by item, then add to a shortlist, which allows you to compare prices and see your choices grouped together. Set up pricedrop alerts for your favourite pieces so you can snap them up in the sale, create a shareable mood board for a room, and, when you’ve decided on The One, the link takes you straight to the seller’s website. Genius! See honestore.co.uk.

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Velvet cushions, from £18 each; velvet throw, £50; bedding, from £50 for a double, all Matalan

WHAT’S NEW

SEVENTIES STYLE Tio rattan headboard, £229 for king-size, La Redoute

PRETTY PATTERN Isabella headboard in Bernard Thorp Yamuna Blue, £1,000 for king-size, KD Loves

DECORATIVE DESIGN Atika white carved headboard, £599 for king-size, Atkin & Thyme

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THE SHORTLIST

Stand-out headboards

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

BUTTONED BEAUTY Dozer headboard in Tuscan Pink clever softie, £715 for double, Loaf

GLAM GOODIE Deco divan headboard, £99 for king-size, Very

TO GIVE YOUR BEDROOM SASS

HANDMADE HERO King Palmette headboard, £1,150 for king-size, Oka

LUXE LEATHER Teak and hand woven leather headboard, £395 for king-size, Cuckooland

FLORAL FAVOURITE Penelope printed fabric headboard, £79 for double, JD Williams MAY 2019

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WHAT’S NEW

Ideal Vs Great Deal Create a functional hallway scheme with a modern industrial feel using clever storage ideas and reclaimed materials

MODERN CLASSIC Sala coat stand, £129, Dwell AGED EFFECT Eichholtz Mountbatten mirror, £645, Sweetpea & Willow

METAL EDGE Boffin black industrial desk lamp, £115, Loaf

BOUNCE LIGHT Panelled brass mirror, £350, Cox & Cox INDUSTRIAL ELEGANCE Brooklyn glass funnel pendant, £69, Industville

STAY ORGANISED Brass letter organiser, £30, Gisela Graham

TOUCH OF GREEN Echeveria succulent, £16, Neptune

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

RIGHT ANGLES Fletcher console table, £449, Swoon

WARM WELCOME Star doormat, £28.50, Audenza

TALL TIDY Black metal coat stand, £65, John Lewis & Partners

FLUTED FINISH Single Paris ceiling light, £50, Garden Trading

SLEEK STYLE Bailey table lamp, £34.99, Very

MAIL ORDER Elena glass and gold metal letter organiser, £23.99, Maisons du Monde

NATURAL SELECTION Cement pot with cacti, £6, Morrisons

RAW MATERIALS Stanford industrial reclaimed wood console table, £230, Modish Living

STAR BUY Hare & Home small star doormat, £10, Trouva

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WALLPAPER EDIT

Style on a roll Don’t think of wallpaper as ‘decorating’, think of it as an accessory and use it to update a room, not redo it. It’s ideal for giving a tired look a new twist, adding a surprise or just a touch of colour and character. With the latest pastethe-wall designs, you can have a feature wall done in a couple of hours. This is our edit of the latest and best…

ILLUSTRATED DESIGN Use a hand finished print to bring character to open-plan living.

Haiku wallpaper, £35 a roll, Scion at Style Library

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MAY 2019

WHAT’S NEW

If your style is…

SCANDI

1

2

HAND-PAINTED TILE The painterly glaze creates an interesting contrast to sleek Scandi furniture.

Gio geometric tile wallpaper, £75 a roll, Woodchip & Magnolia

1. FINE LINES Dip into deep green.

Diamond Stitch, £29.95 a roll, Galerie range, Wallpaperdirect 2. SCANDINESE Fusing the simplicity of a minimalist print with a neutral backdrop.

Yukutori wallpaper, £101 a roll, Farrow & Ball

If your style is…

MODERN COUNTRY 1

2

1. FOLKY FLORAL A modern colour update on the ditsy.

Olivia embroidery wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown 2. BLURRED LINES An abstract take on a painterly floral.

Cody wallpaper, £59 a roll, Villa Nova

ARTS & CRAFTS IN NEUTRAL Tone on tone is perfect for the pattern shy.

Blomstermala 51018, £54.95 a roll, Galerie Wallcoverings

MAY 2019

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DRAMATIC DAMASK An ombré effect in striking cobalt gives this even more grandeur.

St James’s Park, £202 a roll, Little Greene

1

If your style is…

CLASSIC

1. TAPESTRY MURAL Contrast this pastoral scene with modern furniture.

Stand Wood mural, £119m, Zoffany at Style Library 2. STRUCTURED ARCHES Pair with panelling for a smart style with a hint of eccentric.

Marie wallpaper, £89 a roll, Sandberg Wallpaper

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MAY 2019

2 JACOBEAN REMAKE A pastel palette gives this classic design a fresh twist.

Bordado wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown

WHAT’S NEW

If your style is…

GLAMOUR 1

2

1. CHIC INDUSTRIAL A metallic gleam upgrades a distressed style finish.

Anthropic wallpaper, £99 a roll, Anthology range, Wallpaperdirect 1. FULL CIRCLE Mix this dramatic tone with modern black framed furniture.

Spheres Bleu Encre wallpaper, £63.80 a roll, Casadeco

TONAL PALM PRINTS Look for neutral, sketchy designs – this one has a metallic shimmer.

Ambience Enchanted wallpaper, £33.60 a roll, Prestigious Textiles range, Graham Sanderson Interiors

INSTANT DISPLAY Tapping into the trend for collectibles and curiosities.

Vessel wallpaper, £65 a roll, Mini Moderns

If your style is…

1

QUIRKY SCALED UP BOTANICAL Create a grand entrance in a hallway.

Timonius Timon mural, from £65sq m, by James Miller, Natural History Museum range, Surface View

1. ‘MADE YOU LOOK’ DESIGN Try in a hallway for a surprising habitat.

Ringtailed lemur wallpaper, £79 a roll, Sanderson at Style Library 2. PLAYFUL PRINT This dog lover’s delight would be perfect for a playroom.

Buckley wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown

2

MAY 2019

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WHAT’S NEW

1

If your style is…

MID-CENTURY MODERN 1. GRAPHIC DESIGN Subtle pattern but a bold inky colourway.

Transmission wallpaper, £60 a roll, Mini Moderns

2

2. STRIKING TECHNIQUE Mix a global print with industrial and retro furniture.

Shibori wallpaper, £79 a roll, Sandberg Wallpaper

NAÏVE TROPICAL Bring a fun, vibrant backdrop to dark toned wood and metallics.

Hygge Hope wallpaper, £40.50 a roll, Caselio range, Jane Clayton & Company

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MAY 2019

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

BOLD MONOCHROME A timeless colourway with organic curves creates an abstract geometric.

Bottles wallpaper, £72 a roll, MissPrint

‘We made every space work harder’ Alison and Adnan El-Araby made clever improvements to the layout of their home, then learnt how to turn the neutral, but bland, decor into something quite special…

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MAY 2019

REAL HOME

Living room ‘I wanted my own space where I could sit and have a coffee or drink in the evening, with no children allowed! Top of my wish list was a pink sofa, and this one goes perfectly with the Art Deco-style cabinet I already owned. It’s a really pretty room.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Vivienne sofa, £899, Cult Furniture, is similar. Nesting tables, £159.99 for two, Zara Home, are a match

Love ALISON’S STYLE?

Turn to page 37 to shop the look

MAY 2019

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Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY

A four-bed, Thirties, end-of-terrace house in southwest London.

THE VALUE Similar

properties in the area cost from £850,000.

Alison El-Araby lives here with her husband Adnan and their children Lina, three, and Sharif, one.

Alison and Adnan are investment managers.

A

Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR NURSERY

FAMILY LIVING AREA BEDROOM

KITCHEN

DINING AREA

LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

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MAY 2019

FIRST FLOOR

“

Having lived in a flat before, we were not used to having so much space, and didn’t know what to do with it all!

”

lthough the house they were taking on was a little unloved, Alison and Adnan El-Araby were confident that with a little work it could be a great family home. ‘We could see that the house was full of potential,’ says Alison. ‘It had already been knocked through and there was a small extension to the side, but the ceilings were too low and it was quite dark, so we decided to re-do the extension, incorporating the garage and extending to the rear to increase the overall floor space. We then decided to extend up into the loft, too, to add an extra bedroom and en suite.

The renovation work started in the spring and was carried out over six months, while we lived in a flat nearby. We were nervous about embarking on such a big project, but we had great builders from Grand Design London and everything went smoothly. We were able to move in just before Christmas.

The kitchen and bathrooms had been fitted and most of the house was painted in a soft grey to give us a neutral backdrop, but it just didn’t feel finished. We’d moved in all of our furniture, but having lived in a flat previously, there just wasn’t enough of it and some of the rooms felt bare. I wasn’t sure what to do next.

We lived in the house for more than a year before my husband had the idea of calling in an interior designer to help us. With a young daughter and another baby on the way, I was keen to get it done. After doing some research, we found Yoko Kloeden (yokokloeden.com).

While I had ideas about the colours I liked and the type of furniture I wanted, Yoko helped us picture how it would look and pulled everything together, sourcing some wonderful furniture and furnishings. I’m so pleased that we were braver in our choices. It’s such a great house and now it’s got decor that does it justice.’

REAL HOME

Hallway ‘The dark blue wall makes an instant impact as you walk in the door and extends all the way upstairs. The slimline console table and large mirror above give the open-plan space a focal point,’ says Alison.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Antwerp console, £349, Dwell, is similar. Lucas mirror, £89.99, Maisons du Monde, is comparable

LOW-LEVEL LIGHTING Illuminates the staircase at night and adds extra decoration

MAY 2019

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“

The glazed interior doors let through lots of light, so it’s lovely when the sun comes beaming through in the morning

”

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MAY 2019

REAL HOME

Dining and sitting area ‘The downstairs rooms had been knocked through already, which created a really large open-plan space, so we added the glass doors to separate areas when we needed to.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Rustic engineered oak flooring in jet black finish, £163sq m, Wood and Beyond, is a similar style

BESPOKE CUPBOARDS Make use of an awkward space

MAY 2019

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REAL HOME

Kitchen ‘We went for quartzite on the island to make it more of a standout piece. It looks like marble but is as durable as granite – I love it.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke kitchen, price on request, Wooden Horse.

Samsung fridge freezer, £1,549, John Lewis & Partners

The sofa fits snugly into the corner of the open-plan space

FRAMED WALLPAPER Easy, low-cost artwork

Kitchen-diner ‘We went for a petrol-blue glass splashback to contrast with the grey units, and had the island painted to match.

We weren’t sure if the live-edge table would work with the floor, but its grain is stunning.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar dining table, £1,950, Paul Frampton.

Wishbone chairs, £139 each, Cult Furniture. Similar splashback, from £109, AluSplash

GLASS SPLASHBACK Adds a pop of colour and is easy to keep clean

IDEAL HOME

loves

Wishbone chairs Design classics that work in traditional, modern and mid-century-style dining spaces

MAY 2019

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POCKET DOOR A space-saving way to separate off an en suite

Lina’s bedroom

Main bedroom

‘We’ve gone for soft grey in the children’s bedrooms as we plan to move them into the larger guest rooms when they’re older.

I’ve added touches of soft pink on the rug and bedding in Lina’s room to pretty it up.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Babymore Eva sleigh cot bed, £199, Precious Little One. Bronte throw, £49.95, Gilbert & Rose

‘In our loft room, we built a false wall to conceal the wardrobes and dressing table. We don’t need bedside tables because the wall has lights and the long niche gives us storage.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Kopardal bed frame, £115 for a double, Ikea, is similar.

Vienne quilted throw, £225, The White Company, is a match

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Don’t rush it. We lived here for over a year before remodelling, which gave us thinking time to figure out what we wanted to do with the space and what would work where

34

MAY 2019

”

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE PLANS AGENCY SERVICE

REAL HOME

Downstairs loo ‘The unusual monkey-print wallpaper adds a touch of fun in the cloakroom, perking up the simple brick-shape wall tiles and the monochrome floor tiles,’ says Alison.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Acacia wallpaper, £90 a roll, Cole & Son at Wallpaper Direct.

For a similar basin, try the Euro Duo, £269, Bathstore

MAY 2019

35

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REAL HOME

Make it work for you ALISON’S STYLE: BLUSH DECO

Contemporary pieces in velvet, brass, soft pink and white create a chic living space with a hint of Art Deco glamour BRASS DETAIL Set of two nesting coffee tables, £315, Rockett St George

GREAT DEAL

IDEAL

TIMELESS DISPLAY Peony faux hydrangea in fish bowl, £75, John Lewis & Partners

SOFT ACCENT Hydrangea arrangement in vase, £15, George Home

SWISH ACCENT Carved Glamour cushion, £19.99, Very

FINE FRINGE Cushion cover, £8.99, H&M Home

COCKTAIL READY Zelda bar cabinet, £899, West Elm

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

ABSTRACT BEAUTY Astral rug in pink, £349, 160x230cm, The Rug Seller

HIGH SHINE Aruba nest coffee tables, £199 for set of two, Very

DECO GLAM Carraway cabinet, £329, Marks & Spencer

SLEEK DESIGN Apollo floor lamp, £125, Debenhams

COOL CONTOUR Bardolino pink velvet pleated sofa, £675, Artisanti

CHIC STATEMENT Stella floor lamp, £100, Matalan

COLOUR WASH Brooklyn rug, 160x220cm, £119, Dunelm

PETITE FRAME Margot three seater sofa bed, £499, Made.com

MAY 2019

37

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IN MY EXPERIENCE

‘My Devon dream turned into a total nightmare’ Fixing up an idyllic cottage on a fashionable part of the Devon coast seemed like a dream come true for Karen Wheeler – until an onslaught of domestic disasters set in…

K

aren Wheeler, 49, moved with her dog Biff to a four-bedroom, 18th-century cottage in east Devon in 2013. They’re now living in a two-bedroom Victorian ground-floor flat nearby while Karen plans her next property project.

‘I fell in love with Plum Tree Cottage the second I walked through the door.

I loved the period features and could see so much potential. It looked cute and cosy from the outside, but it actually had four floors, including a two-room loft conversion and a “garden room” in the basement that looked out on to the pretty courtyard.

I viewed it in November, and contracts were exchanged within weeks. The vendors were keen to be in their new home for Christmas.

I'm often asked why I moved to Devon when I didn’t know anyone there. To be honest, everything happened quite quickly.

I’d been living in rural France for eight years, but was missing the UK. The winters got to me and I missed British pubs and shops! But I didn’t want to go back to London where I’d lived before, because most of my friends had moved out of the city.

A friend and I stopped off in Devon on the way to Cornwall that summer, and it seemed ideal. I conjured up this image of life by the sea – long walks along the beach with Biff, writing my books with an ocean view…

I just about had time to organise a survey. Apart from a bit of damp – to be expected in an old house – it didn’t throw up any

The kitchen refit took far longer than expected

Karen loved the cottage’s kerb appeal

surprises. But at the 11th hour, the water searches revealed a disused pipe leading out from the property.

A pipe so close to the sewer and with easy access to food scraps and raw sewage would make a wonderful bolthole for my biggest fear – rats.

I arranged a last-minute drains survey on the morning contracts were exchanged and was relieved to be told that the pipe was empty, so went ahead with the purchase.

It was only when I was en route to pick up the keys the following day that I received the full report and CCTV images. Staring out of the darkness in the pictures were pairs of beady eyes. And in the foreground, the curved outline of a rat! Other people, including a pest control expert, confirmed my fears when they saw the images. So, I moved back into the holiday park I’d been living in while

Karen gave the house a classic look

MAY 2019

39

IN MY EXPERIENCE

Karen enjoyed decorating and furnishing The little courtyard is a suntrap

the purchase went through and then spent a few weeks finding out how to get rid of the rats and rodent-proof the cottage before I could move in.

Because I was new to the area and didn’t have any personal recommendations, I had no idea who to trust with jobs that needed doing. The pest control guy also found dry rot and woodworm beneath the sitting room floor. The first price I was quoted to sort it out was £6,500.

All my survey had said was that the floor joists might require further investigation. The cottage also needed rewiring. And when I moved in two months later, I discovered – after taking a bath – that there was a problem with the plumbing.

The bath water had leaked through the ceiling and cut off the electricity.

“

it to be rat-proofed. For months the sitting room became a makeshift kitchen. I was cooking meals using a single electric ring and a microwave balanced on top of a bookcase.

Making friends locally was a real game-changer. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, and I’d just get chatting to people while I was walking Biff on the beach. Now I had support and recommendations I could trust.

I also grew to realise that all the problems were never as bad as they’d initially seemed. The dry rot, for example, was sorted out for less than £1,000. And the rats? It transpired that they didn’t exist. The “eyes” in the images were actually the reflections of the CCTV lights and the “rat outline” was sewage – although I only discovered this via a solicitor’s letter two months later, after I’d spent £3,000 on pest control.

The first year in that cottage nearly broke me.

But friends and family would often say, “You’ll get through this – and one day you’ll look back and laugh!” And they were right. It was all worth it because, after a year of blood, sweat and tears, I ended up with a beautiful home. I lived there happily for a couple of years, but then realised I wanted a new project, so I’m planning a self-build next. More than anything, I’m so pleased I’ve moved here. I just love the scenery and lifestyle, and I’ve made some wonderful friends.

I’ve also learned a lot from the experience. I’d now always advise people to get a specialist survey depending on the type of property they’re buying – so a damp survey on an old cottage, an asbestos one on a Seventies bungalow, and so on… I’ve learned to expect “buyer’s regret” when you first walk into a new property, but know that it will pass. I’ve also learnt a great deal about rats. I think I’m one of the country’s foremost rat experts now!’

Dream Cottage: Four Seasons in Devon by the Sea by Karen Wheeler is a four-part, e-book series at £2.99 each, published by Sweet Pea Publishing

There were times when I felt this creeping sense of physical horror.

It felt like the cottage was fighting with me

The leaking bath ruined the electrics

Biff the dog loves living by the sea

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MAY 2019

At the same time, my mother in Cheshire was sectioned with vascular dementia and moved into a nursing home. We’d been estranged for more than a decade, but, because my two brothers live abroad, it fell to me to sort things out and to be the emergency contact whenever there was a medical problem or an issue with our old family home. I spent much of that year driving up and down the motorway to talk to strangers – medics, carers, social workers, solicitors, utility companies…

There were times when I felt this creeping sense of physical horror. It felt like the cottage was fighting with me. I love the nice parts of renovating a house – choosing the paint colours and furniture – but you have to go through a lot of stress before you get to that point. And everything takes longer than you ever imagine. I’d known from the start that I’d need to update the kitchen, but I didn’t factor in how long that would take – especially as I wanted

FEATURE JANE MURPHY

”

THE NEW WAY TO DO

Glamour Brass, marble and velvet still abound, but this season’s spin dials down the fierce factor with a delicate palette and retro-inspired curves

Smooth out hard edges Channel your soft side with velvet sofas without a sharp corner in sight: all gentle curves and fluted backs.

WHERE TO BUY Meghan sofa, £1,199; armchair, from £649; velvet pouffe, £65; Satre coffee table, £350; Louis De Poortere Columbus rug, £680, all John Lewis & Partners

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MAY 2019

STYLE & DECOR UPGRADE YOUR TABLEWARE Marble finishes bring understated elegance to the table.

Everyday Luxury marble dinner set, from £3.25; glass butter dish, £6.50; wooden tray, £10, all Sainsbury’s Home

STYLIST’S NOTE

“

Use contrasting finishes shiny brass, soft velvet, matt marble and grey polished glass – to enliven the soft shades

MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

MIX IN VINTAGESTYLE ELEMENTS Eye-catching without being flashy, brushed brass has vintage appeal with a modern edge.

Pascali brass sideboard, £799, Atkin and Thyme

”

Soften your wall colour Pair soft pink with denim tones – softer than midnight blue but a characterful alternative to grey.

WHERE TO BUY Pashmina and Runaway matt emulsion, both £18 for 2.5L, Crown.

SUBTLE SHEEN Jacquard weave cushion cover, £12.99, H&M GLOBE DESIGN Claude table lamp, £45, Debenhams

SHINING EXAMPLE Ombre vase, £18, Sainsbury’s Home

GEO PRINT Medium box, £25, Debenhams MAY 2019

43

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STYLE & DECOR

Use a footstool as a coffee table

ADD A STATEMENT LAMP A mid-century-style lamp cuts through the sweetness of pink.

Strong shades are making way for softer hues such as denim blue – velvet is a must.

WHERE TO BUY Loaf Belgrave three-seater sofa, from £1,699; Dollop footstool in Winter Sky clever velvet, £499; David Hunt Heron lamp, £250; cushions from £40, all John Lewis & Partners

The Opal table lamp, £218, Royal Design, is similar. Pashmina matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5L, Crown.

STYLIST’S NOTE

“

Shell pink, powdered denim blue and silver are taking the place of last season’s midnight blue and emerald green

”

MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

DRESS THE MANTEL Marwood pillar candle holder, large, £40; small, £25, both Amara

COOL CONTOUR Milan Oval mirror, £129, Marks & Spencer

GIVE IT A BOHO TWIST Balance marble and brass with Moroccan-inspired towels and artisan rattan.

Tile towel from £10; marble bathroom accessories, from £12; Hanoi baskets, £180 for set of two, all A by Amara range, Amara

ELEGANT LEGS Luxe three oval bamboo coffee table, £375, Oliver Bonas

MAY 2019

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STYLE & DECOR

Throw in a chunky knit Take the formality out of a smart, upholstered bed with layers of relaxed textiles.

WHERE TO BUY Solid raised shutters in Fuchsia Falls, from £207sq m, California Shutters.

Jaipur throw in Dusky Pink, £140, Christy. Super chunky knit throw, £150, Cox & Cox

CHOOSE SUBTLE PATTERN Classic damask bedlinen is elegant, teamed with small-scale patterns.

Cushion, £50; bedlinen, from £20, all Bedeck of Belfast Allegro collection, Bedeck Home

STYLIST’S NOTE

“

Mix up different prints and try relaxed global designs for rugs or curtains, alongside more ornate traditional pattern

”

MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

FABULOUS FRINGE Velvet cushion cover, £19.99, Zara Home

SIMPLIFY YOUR CONSOLE Bleached wood is a fresh take, but the gold details still have the luxe touch.

Ashridge console table, £329, Atkin and Thyme

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MAY 2019

CHIC UPGRADE Everyday Luxury Marble 12 piece tableware set, £38, Argos

DECO CURVES Hepburn armchair, £494, Sweetpea & Willow

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

LIQUID SILVER Mayer pendant light, £79, Made.com

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Dining area ‘I was a bit worried about the combination of green and pink, says Ella. ‘It was worth getting loads of tester pots. Over the years, we’ve become bolder with colour. It’s our house and it doesn’t matter to us if people don’t like it!’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Calamine estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Woodwork painted in Salvia architect’s eggshell, £68 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Ocrul rug, £199, La Redoute

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MAY 2019

REAL HOME

‘We transformed a bland interior with colour’ When Ella and Rory Fletcher moved into this townhouse with its big, bright, high-ceilinged rooms, they saw a chance to let loose with some bold ideas

Love

ELLA’S STYLE? Turn to page 61 to shop the look

MAY 2019

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Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY

A five-bedroom, threestorey Victorian terrace in Edinburgh.

THE VALUE Bought in August 2017 for £880,000; now worth around £900,000.

Ella Fletcher, who runs a ceramics business, lives here with her husband Rory, a communications consultant, and their children Daisy, five, and Arthur, two.

T Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM

STUDY

BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR BEDROOM BEDROOM

UTILITY

KITCHEN BEDROOM DINING ROOM

FIRST FLOOR LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

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MAY 2019

“

The original features clinched it for us – the lovely fireplace, coving, cornices and floorboards

”

he Fletchers have no regrets about selling their three bedroom cottage on a noisy bus route near Heathrow and moving to a peaceful street in the Morningside area of Edinburgh.

‘We met at Edinburgh University in 2004, and had always dreamed of moving back. We were fed up of working crazy hours and it made sense to move before our daughter Daisy started school, so we hatched a plan to rent there for six months first. However, Rory found a job in Edinburgh straight away so we quickly sold our house in Kew and started house hunting.

‘After viewing several homes we couldn’t really afford as we hadn’t got to grips with the Scottish “offers over” system, we fell for this place, with its original window panelling and Edinburgh press alcove cupboards with shallow shelves that are typical of houses here. The decor was bland, but every room was a really good size and felt bigger because of the high ceilings and big windows. Another bonus was the two spare bedrooms on the top floor that would be perfect for visiting family.

‘As the house is two-and-a-half times bigger than our London home, our old stuff looked like doll’s house furniture, so we had to buy lots of new things! It was the kitchen-diner that needed the most work. We brought in Rollo Developments to design and fit a new kitchen and restore the fireplace and Edinburgh press cupboards. They also replaced a window with a glazed door and built steps down into the garden.

‘Now we’re settled and I’ve started a new venture – a ceramics studio accessed from a separate staircase off the kitchen (ellafletcherdesigns.co.uk). I don’t believe in a “forever home” as I’d get bored, but we don’t need more space, so I can imagine living here for 15 or 20 years.’

REAL HOME

Kitchen ‘This had black-gloss units, wood worktops and mix of orange laminate and grey-tile flooring. It didn’t suit the age of the house.

The U-shaped layout worked, though, so we just replaced the units with dark green ones from Kitchens by Nick McNally. The light walls, floor and worktops stop it feeling too dark.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Midas stool, £145; Globe pearl drop pendant, £155, both Rockett St George.

Dandelion tiles, £147sq m, Tile Expert

GLAZED DOORS Help make a kitchen feel lighter and more spacious

IDEAL HOME

loves

Geometric tiles They add subtle pattern.

‘The tiler hated me as they were hard to work with, but I love them so much,’ says Ella

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PAINTED RADIATOR Makes it recede into the wall

Living room ‘This had pale grey walls when we moved in, but we’ve made it cosier by painting them dark blue and adding lots of colourful artwork for a gallery wall. It’s not matchy-matchy because I wanted it to look fun and informal.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Hendricks velvet sofa, £2,600, Habitat. Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Set of two industrial shelves, £125, Cox & Cox

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MAY 2019

REAL HOME

“

The house lends itself to bolder colours – thanks to the high ceilings, the rooms can take it

”

MAY 2019

53

Main bedroom ‘We used the pink in here first so knew it would work downstairs in the kitchen-diner,’ says Ella. ‘Combined with the blue it helps create the calm, serene and peaceful feel we wanted.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Calamine estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Nyhavn chest of drawers, £449, Swoon, is similar. Karl Johan table lamp, £235.75, Clippings, is a good match. Macramé wall hangings, from £40, By Bella Designs

Bathroom ‘A lick of paint was all that was needed to refresh the existing bathroom,’ says Ella. ‘I’m not massively keen on this room, but eventually we’ll turn it into a swanky hotel-style bathroom when the kids are a bit older.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Try striped bath mat, £17.99, H&M, for a similar look. Isla freestanding bath, £399.99, Soak, is a similar style. Primark has faux plants from £2.50. Christy hand towel in silver, £9, John Lewis & Partners is similar

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Living in the house for a good six months to a year before redoing the kitchen was helpful as our plans changed when we worked out how we actually used the house.

It would’ve been a mistake to start building work before then

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MAY 2019

”

REAL HOME

Main bedroom ‘We scaled up our bed to super-king size to fit the width of the chimney breast in here and I love it – it fits us, the kids, plus the dog and the cat!’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bergerac super king-size bed with storage, £849, Made.com.

Laterza king size quilt, £168, Anthropologie, is similar

PICTURE LEDGES For a changing display without a hammer and nails

REAL HOME

Daisy’s room ‘Although Daisy was going through a girly pink phase, I knew it might not last,’ says Ella. ‘I felt blue walls would work better as we could add elements of pink without it feeling too sugary.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Blue Blood pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Greenaway skinny bookcase, £75, Great Little Trading Co

LIBRARY SHELF Makes picture books easy to pick for younger children

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MAY 2019

CANOPY Hangs from the ceiling to upgrade a basic bed

Daisy’s room ‘The kids’ rooms were where I was really able to go a bit wild,’ says Ella, ‘so I’ve tried to make them as exciting, bright, bold and cheerful as possible. Daisy had fun helping me put up the pink wall stickers!’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Try pack of 40 pink polka dot wall decals, £24.25, Happy Wallz Art on Etsy. Lilly children’s pink canopy, £47.99, Maisons du Monde, is similar

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REAL HOME

DON’T MISS THE DETAILS...

FEATURE KAREN WILSON, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE PLANS AGENCY SERVICE

Clockwise from top left: ‘I love mid-century-style furniture, like the Ikea armchair in the kitchendiner; the tiles in the hallway are in keeping with the period of the house, but more fun; I used masking tape and Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue to paint the mountains in Arthur’s room; laying the oak flooring made the kitchendiner really come together.’

MAY 2019

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REAL HOME

Make it work for you ELLA’S STYLE: POLISHED SCANDI

Glam gold accessories and hardware add a more adventurous edge to this otherwise muted scheme

GREAT DEAL

IDEAL TEAR DROP Globe drop pendant ceiling light, £155, Rockett St George

ON REFLECTION Ariano maple veneer mirror, £120, Habitat

SOFT TOUCH Classic scatter cushion, £65, Loaf

ON THE MAP Edinburgh poster, from £39.95, Juniqe

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

PRETTY PINKS Faux snapdragon stem, £7.50, Gisela Graham

BERBER BEAUTY Ocrul patterned rug, £199, La Redoute

HOT SEAT Midas bar stool, £145, Rockett St George

ROUND ABOUT Large wooden round mirror, £40, Sainsbury’s Home

PLUMP IT UP Pink velvet cushion, £5, Primark

BLING RINGS Lisa opal glass pendant light, £75, Debenhams

CITY SCAPE Edinburgh city print, from £5.99, Etsy

COOL STOOL Kane bar stool, £99.99, Wayfair

IN BLOOM Faux flower stem, £2.99, HomeSense

GEO STYLE Noble rug, from £48.99, Carpetright

MAY 2019

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STYLE & DECOR

Cool, calm LIVING SPACES Breathe new life, style and freshness into your home with plants and punchy pastels

Bali face pot, £18.50, Wyld Home. Mini pink pot, £14 for three, Sass & Belle. Faux air plants, from £3.50 each, Wyld Home. Zinnia watering can, £29, Made.com.

Cards, from a selection, The Paper Parlour. For a similar wall planter, try Notonthehighstreet.com.

Succulents, from a selection, Dobbies.

Cactus in diamond pot, £19, Bloombox Club.

Shop this feature with

MAY 2019

63

STYLE & DECOR

Stylist’s Note Group plants inside your bifolds, French doors or rear windows to give the area a garden-room feel

“

MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

”

HANDLED BASKET Makes it easy to move bigger plants around

THIS PAGE Walls painted in Wevet estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Frame armchair, £599, Made.com. Slit side table, £135, Amara. Little Cheese footstool, from £195, Loaf. Mottram rug, £169, Sofa.com. ON ARMCHAIR Valerie cushion, £65, Habitat. Slub loop throw, £35, Debenhams. ON WINDOW SEAT Seat cushion in Sulis Aria 7817/29; piped in Sulis Red Coral 7817/46, both £55m, Romo. Cushions (from left) in Taos Alpine V3366/03, £30m, Villa Nova; coral velvet floor cushion, £49, Cult Furniture; Valerie cushion, £65; Alicia cushion, £40, both Habitat; Knot cushion, £91, Made In Design; Feathered cushion in Sand Dune, £40, Sofa.com; Kelim cushion, £59, Nest. Faux large asparagus fern, £125, Wyld Home. Large plants, from a selection, Dobbies. Smaller plants and other pots, from a selection, Bloombox Club. Eve large pink pot, £35; pale green painted plant pot, £12.50; collapsible basket, £35; Unimug mug and strainer, £18; plant books, from a selection, all The Conran Shop. Basket with white stripe, from a selection, Cox & Cox. Plant mister, £12, Sass & Belle. Shop this feature with

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MAY 2019

THIS PAGE Lexham console, £499, Harveys. Round plant box, £169; Terrazzo plant pot, £45, both Made In Design. Cosmo macramé planter, £15, Debenhams. Galaxy hanging planter, £22; carafe, £24; cups, £30 for four, all Urban Coo. Tray, £25, Nest. Faux fern (in Galaxy planter), £30; faux sedum (on wall), £6; faux air plants (on wall), from £3.50 each; faux trailing cactus, £13.50; Bubble vase on stand, £30, all Wyld Home.

Wall planters, £23.99 each, Jack Laverick at Notonthehighstreet.com.

Terrarium, £14, coral vase, £14, both Sainsbury’s Home. Cards, as before.

Other plants, from a selection, Bloombox Club.

Shop this feature with

Surface space

PALE PLANTER Blends in so all you see is greenery

Free up your tabletops by making use of the ceiling, walls and floor: trailing plants look great hanging in holders, and wallmounted pots are perfect for air plants.

Who needs artwork when you have your own living wall?

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THIS PAGE Wall planner, £12.50, Doodle Love at Notonthehighstreet.com. Vari table lamp, £68, Oliver Bonas.

Kate Spade sticky notes, £14; boxed pencils, £11.50; Happiness planner notebooks, £20 each; thank-you card from the Happiness planner set, £34, all The Paper Parlour. Notecard set, £7.95, Happy Makehouse at Notonthehighstreet.com. Hand, £19; Vitra L’Oiseau bird, £95, both Nest. Basket, £26 for two, Debenhams. Faux fern, £17.50, Wyld Home. Other plants, from a selection, Bloombox Club. For similar chairs, try Cult Furniture.

For similar wall light try Original BTC. Other items, as before.

Shop this feature with

Stylist’s Note Soften the hard edges of a functional home office with a cluster of frothy plants.

Vary heights, leaf shapes and pot textures for an informal look

“

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

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MAY 2019

”

STYLE & DECOR

BLUE-BLACK PAINT BAND A striking backdrop for leafy greens

FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS, VANESSA RICHMOND STYLING ALI ATTENBOROUGH STYLE ASSISTANT CHARLOTTE MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHS TIM YOUNG

Potting table on wheels Keep all your plantcare kit together on a mini trolley and use it to move your pots around the house

THIS PAGE Dark band on wall painted in Kigali pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Block trolley, £159, Hurn & Hurn. Brass tray, £65, Made In Design. For similar gloves, try Royal Design. For similar glassware, try Habitat. Blue Star fern (in pink pot), £16, Bloombox Club.

Other items, as before.

Shop this feature with

MAY 2019

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THE BIG QUESTION

Would you hold a kids’ party at home?

Are you happy to let a crowd of sugar-fuelled kids take over your home, or are parties best kept at a safe distance?

No

Yes “

“

Holding parties at home is a lot less stress and a lot more fun

I’m too concerned about children’s safety and possible breakages

Emily Cleary, 41, lives in a three-bed semi in Buckinghamshire with her husband Jamie, their son, Henry, six, and daughter, Beatrice, four. Emily is a writer and PR consultant.

‘We recently held our first children’s party at home for Beatrice’s fourth birthday. There were 10 kids, plus eight adults. I had my doubts initially, but the main consideration was cost. We’d previously held Henry’s birthday party in a local hall and it cost nearly £800 in total, whereas the party at home was around £100.

I knew there would be sticky fingers everywhere, so we cleared the party room of breakables and put a plastic sheet underneath the table with a wipe-clean tablecloth on top. Henry made ‘No Entry’ signs for the playroom and we even pushed a coffee table up against the doors in case the temptation proved too much for anyone! We played lots of traditional party games, like pass the parcel. Beatrice wanted a unicorn theme, so I bought a unicorn piñata – that was my only oversight, actually. It was filled with sweets and “unicorn dust”, which made such a mess. I’m still finding it down the sofa!

But I would do it again. You’re not limited to a time frame and you can take your time clearing up. To anyone else I’d say: plan carefully, be prepared to be anxious, and don’t forget to check down the sofa afterwards!’

Kate Beavis, 46, lives in a four-bed detached house in a Bedfordshire village with her husband Adam, their son Herbie, 10, and daughter Kitty, eight.

Kate is a vintage style expert (katebeavis.com).

‘We had a small Halloween party at home when Herbie was about five. I still shudder when I think about it. We have a very carefully curated mid-century interior, including a Fifties cocktail cabinet full of vintage glassware downstairs, which is just too big to move elsewhere. So I was concerned for the kids’ safety and terrified that something would get broken.

I spent most of the time shouting, “Careful! Careful!”.

Everyone else enjoyed themselves, but I was brimming with anxiety the whole time.

After that, we started having the kids’ parties in a local church hall instead. It’s fairly cheap to hire for a two-hour party and you get the keys for the whole day. It’s well equipped with a kitchen and long trestle tables. So the kids can invite more friends and run around like crazy and make loads of noise. Kitty and her friends are all keen gymnasts, and there’s plenty of space for them to do somersaults and cartwheels. Imagine that in my house!

Herbie’s now starting to prefer outings to parties – and that suits me fine. But both kids regularly ask if they can have a few friends round for sleepovers, and even that makes me feel twitchy! Our two have learned to be careful, but it’s not a very child-friendly house.

For children’s parties, though, I’d always recommend holding it outside the home. Of course, you may have to shop around to find an affordable venue or go halves on a joint party.’

”

FEATURE JANE MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHS ANNA BERRY, ALAMY

“

At home, the party can go on longer and you can take your time over the clearing up

”

”

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Contemporary, but characterful The couple added an open-plan room at the rear of the house. ‘It’s so big, but we made it interesting by adding shelves to display storage jars, cookbooks and ornaments,’ says Holly.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Tala Voroni II bulb pendants, £25 each, Tala. Vardagen storage jars, £1.50 each, Ikea

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MAY 2019

REAL HOME

‘This house was a wreck when we bought it’ Holly Dormon and Matthew Haswell stripped this house back to a shell and started from scratch…

IDEAL HOME

loves

Dark colours on cabinets In a light-filled extension, you need something dramatic to stop the space looking bland

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Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY

A four-bedroom, semi-detached Forties house in Surrey.

THE VALUE Bought in 2016 for £730,000.

Now worth £1.2m.

Holly Dormon, a fulltime mum, lives here with her partner Matthew Haswell, MD of a recruitment company, and their children, Ava, seven, and Elise, four.

H Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

DINING SPACE

BEDROOM SITTING AREA

UTILITY LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

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MAY 2019

FIRST FLOOR

“

The house hadn’t been touched for decades, but the potential to turn it into something special was huge

”

olly and Matthew weren’t put off by the rundown state of this Forties house. ‘My dad is a builder and has always encouraged me to see the potential in things and take risks,’ says Holly. ‘It had a large garden and off-street parking, so we took Dad to the second viewing to make sure that everything we wanted to do could be done within our budget! We lived with Matt’s mum for a year, because it took ages to get planning permission and, when the work started, there was no way we could live there with our two girls. At one point, the house was just a shell with few internal walls.’

The biggest project was extending and reconfiguring the ground floor to create a large, open-plan room consisting of a kitchen, dining space and sitting area. ‘I love the pitched roof of the extension,’ says Holly. ‘It adds a real sense of scale and drama. And, although the Crittall-style doors were a big expense, they let in so much light and give the room lots of character. The different zones in this space each have their own feel and it works so much better for us, because we can prepare food, eat together and, when we have friends over, I can cook but still socialise.’

The front sitting room was also rejigged. ‘We wanted it to be cosy, but spacious enough to fit in the whole family and our friends. So, we made it bigger by moving one of the walls and the chimney breast, which we rebuilt in exposed brick to create a feature.’ The couple also converted the loft into bedrooms for the girls and a box room was turned into an en suite for the main bedroom. ‘It’s been quite a journey, but we adore the house now that it’s been designed perfectly to suit our growing family,’ says Holly. ‘There’s not much more we want or need… unless another project comes along!’

REAL HOME

Bespoke-look units ‘To cut costs, we bought our kitchen wholesale, sprayed it the colours we wanted and had hinges cut in. It worked out much cheaper than buying a bespoke kitchen but gives the same effect.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke solid wood kitchen, price on request, Benchmarx. Units painted in Observatory eggshell; island in Maritime Eggshell, both £63 for 2.5L, Mylands

Love

HOLLY’S WALL OF GLASS? Turn to page 83 to shop the look

Stylist’s Note ‘The steel island surface works with the exposed brick and metal-framed windows for an industrial vibe’ Ruth Corbett, Houses Editor

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REAL HOME

Holly added window film to this vintage cabinet to conceal the children’s toys

We’re always on the lookout for “interesting bits and pieces on our travels or from local shops ” White walls mean Holly can mix bright, bold details

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MAY 2019

Stylist’s Note

Creative mix ‘I enjoy the different colours and textures in this space,’ says Holly.

‘From the exposed brick to the vibrant fabrics, it’s a visual feast.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar table, try Sumatra, £925, Lombok. For similar chairs, try the Tolix-style, £69 each, Cult Furniture.

Diner 125 pendant, £929, Original BTC

‘Positioned near the glass doors and rooflight, Holly’s twin mirrors bounce light deep into the space’ Holly Phillips, Decorating Editor

Corner sofa ‘The large, comfy corner sofa creates a seating zone but keeps the space open. The children relax here after school and we all stretch out after dinner.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Large Aissa sofa in Midnight Blue brushed cotton, £3,590, Sofa.com.

Koldby cow hide rug, £180, Ikea

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Stylist’s Note ‘In a big, open-plan space, scale everything up, from furniture to lighting, for a simple, confident look’ Ruth Corbett, Houses Editor

Dark accents Black-framed windows, dark painted units and metal lighting all give the wide, high-ceilinged, light-filled extension visual structure and detail.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Crittall-style steel doors and windows, price on application, Fabco

Cool blues ‘We added character to the sitting room walls with panelling and painted it in a traditional blue which instantly made the room feel calm and welcoming.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Islington matt emulsion, £46 for 2.5L; panelling painted in Long Acre eggshell, £63 for 2.5L, both Mylands

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REAL HOME ‘Adding open shelves gave our under-stair shoe storage style as well as functionality’

“

We love artwork and prints. It’s worth investing in pieces you love and will never tire of, to make a home unique

”

This vintage glass-fronted cabinet displays family photos

Opulent curtains and cushion fabrics give the sitting room a luxe look

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Stylist’s Note ‘A neutral room needs “wow” details, so Holly’s chandelier and ornate boudoir chair are perfect additions’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor

Warm, calm colour blend ‘We painted all the walls and woodwork in warm greys to make our bedroom feel sophisticated but inviting, and balanced it out with whitepainted floorboards.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Crace matt emulsion, £46 for 2.5L, Mylands

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REAL HOME

Pink as a neutral ‘We painted our old bedside tables pink and bought matching bedding to give the room a feminine touch. I love the softness of the pink against the dark of the woodwork,’ says Holly.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bedside tables painted in Rust-Oleum chalk paint, £5 for 125ml, B&Q. Washed linen double duvet set in dusky pink, £79, H&M Home. Sunder cushion is similar, £88, Anthropologie. Cargo mirrors, £91.99 each, Maisons du Monde

“

I wanted our home to feel inviting and be interesting to look at

”

Exposed brickwork gives the landing warmth and texture

Grey-painted woodwork White walls and floorboards keep the stairwell and landing light and fresh, while warm-grey woodwork gives the space definition for a smart finish.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Woodwork painted in Bond Street eggshell, £63 for 2.5L, Mylands. For a similar mirror, try the Tall Baroque, £325, Graham and Green

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REAL HOME

‘The teepee den doubles as a place to store Elise’s toys and cushions’

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

It’s alright to change your mind if something doesn’t seem right.

You can’t always tell what a space will feel like from a plan on a piece of paper FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR, VANESSA RICHMOND STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH PLANS AGENCY SERVICE

”

Space-saving bed ‘A high sleeper treehouse bed makes great use of space in Ava’s bedroom, and makes bedtime an adventure.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Christopher treehouse bed, £599, Noa & Nani. Pom-pom rug in grey, £47.99, Maisons du Monde. Walls painted in Dorchester Pink matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene

Give tradition a twist

The metal-leafwreathed mirror pretties up the family bathroom

‘I loved the idea of a traditional bathtub, but I painted it pink to make it look modern. It looks perfect against the dark painted panelling and patterned floor tiles.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bath painted in Bond Street eggshell, £63 for 2.5L, Mylands. Parquet charcoal floor tiles, £44.80sq m, Harvey Maria MAY 2019

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REAL HOME

Make it work for you HOLLY’S CHOICE: A WALL OF GLASS

Has Holly’s fab framed glazing caught your eye? Here’s all you need to know to start dreaming up your own The type of frame you choose for large windows can have a big impact on the design and budget, not to mention ongoing maintenance.

Q

Is steel worth the money?

Super-trendy, architecturallooking frames, like Holly’s, are made from rolled steel, which is incredibly strong, meaning the frame can be very thin. Modern versions are now double-glazed and hot-dip galvanized prior to powder coating to ensure they don’t rust. They are pricey, but for many there is no comparison.

Q

Can I get the Crittall look for less?

If it’s the distinctive design you’re after, seek out companies that specialise in steel replacement windows made from thermal aluminium. Try Jennyfields for similar horizontal glazing bars, solid lock panels and fasteners.

New tech means aluminium frames are becoming thinner, too – Express Bi-folding Doors has a range with vertical profiles of just 30mm wide. Plus, for standard openings, aluminium exterior

door sets are widely available ‘off-the-peg’ from builders’ merchants, which is far cheaper than buying bespoke.

Exposed brick breaks up the Crittall-style windows

Q

What about wood?

Timber-framed glazing is particularly suited to period and country homes, as it offers a more classical look. As a natural material, there will always be a risk of movement with solid timber frames. Buying well-seasoned timber that’s been properly dried and treated will increase stability. But timber frames will need to be resealed or painted occasionally to keep them weatherproof – do ask about aftercare before you buy.

Also, consider doors made from Accoya, a sustainable, engineered timber with impressive durability, stability, paint retention and strength.

KEY FACTS

“

Match the colour of new window frames to existing architectural details, like guttering and bargeboards, for a seamless and coherent look RACHAEL MUNDY, GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR, ANGLIAN

”

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

IDEAL HOME LOVES… SMART BLACK FRAMES

SLIM FRAMES Go full on industrial style with this super chic look.

Aluminium steel replacement door set, £3,432, Jennyfields

ENGINEERED TIMBER Achieve simple sophistication with large grey frames.

Horizon French doors, £1,008, Travis Perkins

FANTASTIC PLASTIC A budget friendly option that looks great in a dark finish. uPVC doors, from £1,850 including installation, Anglian

WIND LOAD For large expanses of glass, you must be sure the frame you select complies with Building Regulations.

SMART GLASS Solar Control glass will reduce the UV and IR light emitted through the glass.

HIDDEN COSTS Ask for quotes to include nonstandard colours, specialist lifting equipment and delivery costs.

NAME CHECK Crittall is the trading name of Essex firm Crittall Windows, founded in the 1800s.

‘Crittall-look’ or ‘Crittall-style’ are generic terms.

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STYLE & DECOR

Easy perk-ups

WITH PAINT Adding spot colour is a quick and simple way to add style – just be led by the room’s purpose and features…

Change colour seasonally, or when you switch up accent accessories

Define areas in a knockthrough It makes sense to paint the two spaces in the same colour, but why not pick out the archway in an accent?

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STYLE & DECOR

Fix pegs to the wall within the painted area to hang plants, keys or storage baskets

Paint a blackboard Mark out a simple rectangle to the same length as your dining table to make a feature thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part memo board, part wall art

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STYLE & DECOR If you already have colour on the walls, choose a deeper shade

Highlight great features A painted border will draw attention to lovely period door frames and deep skirting boards.

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Cosy up a high-ceilinged bedroom

Choose a classic, deep navy emulsion paint to mimic the night sky

Pale rooms can seem chilly and unwelcoming, especially in artificial light, but deep colour on the ceiling makes them cocooning.

STYLE & DECOR

Paint a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;headboardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Keep things simple with a panel of colour you can easily change, move or erase, for a cheaper and less bulky alternative to an upholstered headboard.

Position a wall light as if it were attached to a real headboard

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STYLE & DECOR

Define areas in a knock-through

Paint a blackboard

Highlight great features

Cosy up a highceilinged room

Walls painted in Hardwick White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Archway painted in Mister David absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Sisal Hopscotch Chalk carpet, £56.90sq m, Alternative Flooring. Izzy sofa in Canvas pure Belgian linen, £1,940, Sofa. com. Marino chair, from £1,370, Ercol. Hex footstool, from £379, Sofa Workshop. Velvet pouffe in gold, £65, John Lewis & Partners.

Brunel side table, £95, The White Company. Celestial rug, 221x160cm, £169, Woven. Blush & silver floor lamp, £125, Cox & Cox. ON POUFFE Round tray, £19.50, Marks & Spencer. Faux Echeveria succulent, £18, Neptune. Teapot in Mist, £120, Mud Australia. Naomi stoneware mugs, £6.50 each, Rose & Grey.

Garment washed linen napkins, £26 for four, Also Home. Small flared bowl, £25, Mud Australia.

Heart Leaf fern, from £15; pot, from £10, both Bloombox Club.

ON SOFA Penelope knitted throw, £70, Habitat. Unari velvet cushions in Teal, Blush and Citrine, £47 each, Also Home.

Velvet and linen blue cushion, £20, Cox & Cox. Jamie cushion (on chair), £65, Habitat. Similar gunmetal console, £350, French Connection Home. ON CONSOLE (from right) Small flared bowl in yellow, £25; oval medium vase in Blossom, £99, both Mud Australia. Press 25 geometric print, from £60, Liam Roberts at Artfinder. Heart leaf fern, from £15; pot, from £10, both Bloombox Club. Drip reactive vases, from £19.50 each, Marks & Spencer.

Corinium small white jug, £9, Neptune. Burdock sage green lamp with white shade, £125, Habitat. Halcyon artwork (above sofa), £880, Tate Gall at Artfinder.

Walls painted in Hardwick White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Blackboard painted in Rust Oleum black matt chalkboard paint, £12 for 750ml, B&Q. Earth table, from £499; Earth bench, from £199, both Furniture Village.

Natterbox chairs in Inky Blue and Good Yellow, £230 for two, Loaf. Porter rug, from £169, Sofa.com. Bates pendant lights in yellow and blue, £40 each, Habitat. Dip hanging pot, £9.99, Burgon & Ball. Wooden hook, £10.21 for six, Amazon. Vintage cake tin, £7; scales, £15; board, £12; ceramic measuring cups, £10; mixing bowl, £12, all Drury Lane range, Sainsbury’s Home. Linen tea towel, £12, The Linen Works. Seat cushion, £14.99 for two, HomeSense.

Walls painted in Hidey Hole absolute matt emulsion; border painted in Pall Mall absolute matt emulsion, both £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Chevron Marble framed poster, £25; Mountain Abstract framed poster, £25, both Cult Furniture.

Savannah oak sideboard, £2,595, Lombok. ON SIDEBOARD (from left) Linear hanging Hoya plant, from £20; Calathea Orbifolia plant in pot, £45; both Bloombox Club. Buttons saffron yellow vase, £15; Aveline patterned vase, £25, both Habitat. Faux Echeveria succulent, £18, Neptune. Toska large vase, £36.95, Nkuku. Backside rug, £152, Royal Design.

Ceiling painted in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Flapper double bed, £995, Loaf. Blue double duvet, £55; Oxford pillowcases, £15 each, blue throw, £75, all Blowing Grasses range, Clarissa Hulse. Hove pillowcase, £14; Margo Selby.

Garment washed linen pillowcases in Blush, £50 for two; Oli Ruffle linen cushion in Blush, £40, all Also Home.

Knitted pink throw, £75; knitted pink cushion cover (in basket) £25, both Secret Linen Store.

Brocklesby side table, £455, The White Company. Tear vase in Blossom, £39, Mud Australia.

Pink glass, £5; Mendi seagrass basket, £30, both The National Trust Shop. Seagrass oval basket, £40, The White Company. Macario stool, £75, Graham and Green. Dascia table lamp and pink shade, £75, Habitat. Coastal Breeze framed artwork, £489, Michael Hunter at Artfinder.

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Paint a ‘headboard’ Headboard painted in Goblin absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Peyton wall light in grey, £125, Cox & Cox. Cotton/bamboo pillowcases, £23.99 each, Urban Collective.

Zeya duvet cover, £95 for a double; Zeya pillowcases, £20 each, both Bedeck Home. Teal linen duvet cover, £119 for a double; teal linen pillowcases, £15 each, Secret Linen Store.

Knitted throw in Dark Spruce, £60; No.019 cushion in Evergreen, £25, John Lewis & Partners. Frayed cushion, £6,

George Home. Wire stool, £149, Bo Concept. Double headed, potted succulent, £29.50; small geometric embossed vase, £6, both Marks & Spencer. Small flared bowl, £25, Mud Australia.

Press 83 geometric artwork, £261, Liam Roberts at Artfinder.

FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS, VANESSA RICHMOND STYLING CHARLOTTE BOYD PHOTOGRAPHS JO HENDERSON

Where to buy

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GREEN ACCENT Soften and freshen up a monochrome colour scheme

Pre-loved pieces

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When we got the Ercol furniture it was covered in a dark red woodstain so we refurbished and reupholstered it allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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REAL HOME

‘Being creative boosted our budget’ Neena and Bob Findlay revamped their home on a shoestring with some hardcore bargain hunting and DIY design features

Love NEENA’S STYLE?

Turn to page 103 to shop the look

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Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY

A five-bed Victorian end of terrace in Hove, West Sussex, built in 1898.

THE VALUE bought in

2009 for £325,000; now worth around £625,000.

Neena Findlay runs a vegan meal delivery business from home.

She lives here with her husband Bob, a business analyst, and their sons Ed, nine and Wilf, seven.

“

As soon as we walked into this house for the viewing, we fell in love with the high ceilings and the space

”

N Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR

BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

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eena and Bob Findlay’s Victorian terrace is proof that creating a mid-century, Nordic feel to your home can be achieved on a budget. When the couple moved in 10 years ago with their baby son Ed, they stripped floors, updated the kitchen and bathroom and painted every room white, creating a perfect monotone backdrop for Neena’s Scandi-inspired furniture and accessories. ‘I’d say my style is a mix of Scandi, mid-century and bohemian – and always maximal,’ says Neena. ‘I can’t do minimal as whenever I see an empty space I always immediately start thinking about all the things that I could put there! It’s so hard to achieve that classic minimal look without it looking bare or stark. Plus, Victorian houses, with all their nooks and crannies, are made to be filled!’

The big bargain hunt Instead of indulging her passion at luxe Scandi stores, Neena has made it a mission to root out bargains. ‘I don’t pay top whack for anything,’ she says. ‘I absolutely love finding a bargain and eBay is brilliant for that. Almost everything in my house is from eBay or Ikea; Homebase does some fantastic hairpin plant stands and I’ve found some amazing stuff in Aldi, too.’ In fact, Neena is so passionate about tracking down affordable Nordic homeware that she co-runs the design group Housfolk on Facebook and Instagram. ‘We post curated images that

REAL HOME

Do geo walls on a budget Q Use decorator’s tape to map out block patterns or shapes, then paint them in different colours – try neon pops, bold shades or ice cream hues, or you can always fall back on can’t-go-wrong grey.

Q Wall decals and stickers are a quick and easy way to add geo designs to surfaces. Look out for simple shapes, and repeat them across a wall or even cupboard doors or tiles.

GREAT DESIGN for less Neena sanded, oiled and reupholstered the eBay-find Ercol chair herself

Retro vibe

‘I hated this fireplace when I moved in, but now I’m so glad we kept it.

The mirror was a 30th birthday present from my mum,’ says Neena MAY 2019

95

GREAT DESIGN for less The wall light is made from an Ikea bracket and components from eBay

DIY BENCH Ikea Kallax units, turned on their sides

Paint eďŹ&#x20AC;ects

Unable to find a rug in the colours she wanted, Neena created her own.

She plotted the design on the computer before marking it out with tape and painting it

REAL HOME

BIRCH PLY PANELS Update basic carcasses on a budget

Unique wall art

Neena found inspiration for her geometric design on Pinterest and used sample pots to paint the mural

“

Avoid buying larger items new. Scandi-inspired and vintage sofas, tables, chairs and shelving can all be found second-hand online

define our style, and then source similar items here in the UK so that we can let our followers know what’s actually available in the shops,’ she says.

Enjoying the space Having moved to this house from a small flat, the couple were wowed by its proportions. ‘As soon as we walked in, we fell in love with the high ceilings and space – as we’re end of terrace, our house is a good metre and a half wider than the other properties,’ says Neena.

Adding clever features Over time, the couple have added to the property’s natural assets with their own design solutions. For example, as well as knocking through into the dining

”

room, they’ve also created a bench seat by turning two Ikea Kallax units on their sides and topping them with a bespoke cushion. This also doubles as easy-access hidden toy storage. The dining room rug is a trompe l’oeil – Neena painted the geometric design directly onto the floorboards after a long and fruitless search for a floor covering in the right colours. Upstairs, a local carpenter made a funky blue and yellow-painted bunk bed for Neena’s sons, Ed and Wilf. ‘Both Bob and I are real homebodies, so where we live and the things we surround ourselves with are very important to us.

It takes time to create the perfect living space and home if you don’t want to spend too much money, but, with patience, it can be done – and when you finally find that exact piece of furniture or accessory that you’ve been looking for, you get a real buzz from it.’

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FULLY ESCORTED EUROPEAN TOURS Experience some of the world’s best destinations with these amazing tours

LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THE BERNINA EXPRESS

SICILY

EIGHT DAYS HALF-BOARD FROM ONLY £799PP DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2019

DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO NOVEMBER 2019

EIGHT DAYS HALF-BOARD FROM ONLY £899PP

PRICES INCLUDE O Take a lake cruise to beautiful Bellagio on Lake Como, or with a private visit to the delightful Villa del Balbianello and its inspirational gardens O Enjoy a full day visit to the chic resort of St Moritz, including a journey on the Bernina Express, one of the most spectacular railways in the Alps O Discover Bergamo, northern Italy’s most enchanting medieval town O Follow in the footsteps of the ‘Grand Tour’ with a visit to Lake Maggiore O Visit Lugano, an elegant Swiss lakeside town with Italian influences O Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers O Seven nights in a choice of well located four star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner* O The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

PRICES INCLUDE O Marvel at astonishing Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples on our guided tour of one of the UNESCO World Heritage site O Admire Palermo’s gorgeous medieval and Baroque centre O Explore the stylish hilltop town of Taormina O Take a guided tour of the Roman villa in Piazza Armerina and see some of the best preserved mosaics and frescoes from antiquity O Experience the majesty of Mount Etna O View the gold and glass medieval mosaics in Monreale cathedral O Visit Siracusa, one of the Greek empire’s richest cities O Enjoy authentic Sicilian food at a rural agriturismo O Return flights from a selection of airports, plus all hotel transfers O Seven nights in four star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner O The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

LAKE GARDA, VENICE & VERONA

POMPEII, CAPRI & THE BAY OF NAPLES

EIGHT DAYS HALF-BOARD FROM ONLY £599PP DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2019

EIGHT DAYS HALF-BOARD FROM ONLY 699PP DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO NOVEMBER 2019

PRICES INCLUDE O Take a guided tour of unique Venice with a local guide choose our classic tour or an ‘undiscovered’ tour of the less explored highlights O Entire day exploring beautiful Lake Garda, both on land and by boat O Tour medieval Verona with a local guide and see its classic sights or choose our ‘undiscovered’ tour to delve into its lesser known gems O Spend the day in the breathtaking Dolomites seeing some of the finest alpine scenery in the world O Two free days to further explore or relax and soak up the scenery O Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers O Seven nights in a choice of conveniently located accommodation rated three star to four star superior, with breakfast and dinner O The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

PRICES INCLUDE O Explore the amazingly preserved Roman town of Herculaneum O Take a boat trip to the stunning island of Capri, with the opportunity to visit the Blue Grotto O Discover the mysteries of Pompeii on a guided tour and visit the Naples Archaeological Museum O Spend a full day touring the breathtaking Amalfi coast, with a visit to charming hilltop Ravello O Stay in elegant Sorrento and enjoy a walking tour of this stylish resort O Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers O Seven nights in a choice of conveniently located accommodation rated three to four star superior, plus breakfast and dinner** O The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

CALL 01283 744319 TO BOOK OR FOR A FREE BROCHURE, OR VISIT IDERIVIERA.CO.UK TERMS & CONDITIONS: *Stays at the Grand Hotel Menaggio are on a bed and breakfast basis, with dining options available. Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Ideal Home, published by TI Media Limited. Prices correct at time of print. *Stays at the Grand Hotel Menaggio are on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with dining options available. ** Stays at the Hotel Mediterraneo are on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

REAL HOME Work and play

PAINTED SURROUND Brightens a black iron fireplace

A simple shelf functions as a desk and a vintage string unit provides storage

Bold bunks

The custom-made bunk beds have floating ceilings and recessed lighting

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Fine tune your eBay searches by using brackets and separating search terms with commas, for example: ‘(wall lights, swing lamp, sconce)’. It gives you a filtered search without irrelevant items

”

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REAL HOME

DON’T MISS THE DETAILS...

FEATURE SARAH MABER, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

Clockwise from top left: Classic Tomado shelving gives an instant Scandi update to the living room; Neena painted the woodwork mint green in the main bedroom for a vintage look; abstract decals add interest to plain white tiles for a unique splashback in the kitchen; black tiled flooring and accents give the basic white bathroom a simple, but smart, edge.

MAY 2019

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Inspired by Ideal Home?

Shop with Ownable.

12:08

Rockett St George Velvet Cushion - Mustard

£32.00 Upholstered in a luxuriously soft velvet, the Glorious Velvet Cushion will stand out on your statement armchair, bed, chaise lounge, sofa and bar stools.

Visit product website

Order now

Ideal Home March 2019 – Page 61

Ownable is the quick, slick and simple way to connect with what you see in the pages of Ideal Home - and a host of other titles.

Look out for thumbprint icons at the top of the page and download the app. Whether you want to place an order or explore a product further, shopping this magazine is now as easy as flicking to the next page.

If it’s in a magazine, it’s Ownable.

REAL HOME

Make it work for you NEENA’S STYLE: RETRO SCANDI MY GO-TO STORES… EBAY Hunt out pre-loved pieces from brands like Ercol and G Plan.

O

Mid-century shapes are mixed with a mono palette to create a unique take on Scandi style Neena’s love of Nordic design has created a relaxed vibe

IKEA Source low-cost pieces for upcycling projects.

O

HOMEBASE Has a great selection of house plants and stands.

O

GET KNOTTED Hanging lily pad macramé pot, £29.50, Marks & Spencer

MONO PRINT Diamond knit throw, £60, Very RETRO CALENDAR Karlsson mini flip wall clock in white, £125, Red Candy

SIMPLE STORAGE Bloomingville North shelf in black, £39, Amara

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH JAMES FRENCH

MID-CENTURY STYLE Hoxton two-seater sofa in Mink, £899, DFS TROPICAL TOUCH Gold pineapple trinket pot, £15, JD Williams

STYLIST’S NOTE

“

Mix favourite pre-loved finds and contemporary pieces together to create a curated look that doesn’t cost the earth

”

BOLD PATTERN Nirvana rug, from £35, Dunelm

STEPHANIE DURRANT, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR MAY 2019

103

The Ideal Home Guide to TIMELESS STYLE

Scandi boho CREATE A LAID-BACK SCHEME WITH NEW FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES FROM THE IDEAL HOME RANGE AT VERY.CO.UK

IDEAL HOME

loves

Berber-style rugs Soft underfoot, deep pile is a real treat for your toes, and the simple geo pattern is ultra-versatile

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MAY 2019

WHERE TO BUY Porter sofa, £749; folding side tables, £39 each; Bailey floor lamp, £69.99; Calandre rug, from £59.99, all Ideal Home range at Very. Cushions (on sofa, from left), Aztec pom-pom, £17.99; Nomad tassel bolster, £15.99; Genoa, £16.99; (on floor) Aztec tassel, £17.99; Tikal, £19.99, all Ideal Home range at Very

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE IDEAL HOME LOVES…

Boho buys at Very.co.uk SLEEK LIGHT Bailey pendant lightshade, £24.99

FRAMED Black window mirror, £129.99 SOFT TOUCH Genoa cushion in Olive, £16.99

PRETTY PAIR Scratch vases, £21.99 for set of two

NATURAL WOOD

PHOTOGRAPHS DOMINIC BLACKMORE STYLING SARITA SHARMA

Mid-tones of wood add warmth to a neutral room scheme – team with white floors for a contemporary edge.

Parquet compact oak sideboard, £249; macramé wall hangings, £16.99 each; tasselled belly baskets, £34.99 for set of two, all Ideal Home range at Very

ACCENT CHAIR

A grey button-back chair has a smart, tailored look.

Isla fabric occasional chair in grey, £279; Nomad cushion, £15.99; folding side table in black/walnut, £39; glazed faceted black vase, £17.99; Bailey floor lamp, £69.99; Echota rug, from £59.99, all Ideal Home range at Very

“

Warm up a monochrome scheme with pops of sunny yellow and plenty of lush, green house plants VANESSA RICHMOND , EDITOR

”

MAY 2019

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READER OFFER Duck Egg 100% linen bedding, from £119 for a double duvet cover and £15 for a pillowcase

Coastal Stripe bedding in Pebble Grey, from £79 for a double duvet cover and £12 for a pillowcase

Laundered Blush Pink cushion cover, £15

20% OFF AT SECRET LINEN STORE Refresh your bedroom in time for summer with beautiful bedding, throws and cushions

G

etting a good night’s sleep is essential, but slipping between good-quality cotton sheets is one of life’s simple pleasures that everyone should be able to enjoy. It’s this belief that Secret Linen Store weaves into all of its delectable bedlinen sets.

Founded in 2013 by sisters Molly and Harriet, Secret Line Store works closely with carefully selected factories in Portugal to produce all of its luxury bedding.

And, with no marketing costs or high store costs, it’s able to pass on the savings to its customers. As

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MAY 2019

well as bedding, you can also find a variety of cushions and throws, plus bathroom towels and curtains – all set to get your home feeling fresh in time for summer!

Inspired to try a new linen look?

Then enjoy an exclusive 20% off Secret Linen Store’s wide range of bedlinen this month, including dreamy 100% linen sets available in on-trend pebble grey and blush pink shades, as well as an eclectic selection of striped and patterned sets. After all, you spend a third of your life in bed – so why not make it a beautiful place to be?

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR 20% DISCOUNT To redeem this exclusive 20% discount at secretlinenstore.com, simply enter the code IDEAL20 at the online checkout.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Offer is valid from 2 April to 2 May 2019.

Valid only on full-price items and excludes products within the Cotton Percale range, and sale or clearance stock. Strictly one use of discount per customer.

Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

40 Easy style updates

From best buys and clever tricks to mini decor projects… this is our round-up of the simplest, quickest ways to make a child’s room more stylish now

Wilton bunk bed, £299; Wilton bedside table, £150 for two; shark ceiling pendant shade, £25, all John Lewis & Partners

1

Stack up the beds

Whether your kids share a bedroom, or just have frequent friends to stay, consider investing in bunk beds rather than twin beds. They will take up a much smaller footprint so the room will seem more spacious and the space will be more flexible.

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2

APPLY WALL STICKERS A quick way to add interest to a plain wall is with wall decals.

They immediately make bland walls more stimulating.

3

GO FOR BOLD BRIGHTS

A kid’s room is the perfect place to choose the most colourful option for everyday items. Prop your little one’s door open at night with this soft rainbow doorstop.

5

Go for a bold feature wallpaper

Create a fun and inspiring space for your kids to play and learn, by decorating with plenty of colour and pattern to keep them engaged. Make a feature of a chimney breast with patterned wallpaper and colourful shelves, then use playful furniture and rugs to liven up the rest of the space.

Alfie two seat sofa in Caterpillar Tutti Frutti, £390, Sofa.com

Novelty doorstop, £6, Neon Sheep

4

Upcycle storage

Give an old or boring chest of drawers a new look for your child’s room, by upcycling it using paint and washi tape.

First, sand the whole thing and add a coat of primer, if needed.

Then, use the washi tape to mask off different shapes, and paint.

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6

PERSONALISE WALLS Give a tot’s room a mini makeover with cute posters and prints.

Circus Go for a mix of framed raccoon A3 print, £15, and unframed options, Bobby stuck up with washi tape. Rabbit

STYLE & DECOR

7

CREATE A QUIET, CHILL-OUT CORNER

After a busy day at nursery or school, give your child a place where they can sit quietly and relax. A teepee in the corner of their room or in the garden is a stylish choice, but Children’s a sheet thrown mini teepee over a couple play tent in pink, £41.95, of chairs or Cuckooland a washing line will work just as well.

Decorative wall balloons, £20 each, Nordic House

8

Add magical wall art

If you rent your home and can’t paint the walls, then pick some accessories and wall art that will add personality without causing damage. These poly-resin wall balloons will add a playful vibe.

9

PAINT A CHALKBOARD WALL Cover one wall of your child’s bedroom in black chalkboard paint and hang a pot of chalk from a low rail. Then, let them draw and doodle to their heart’s content.

Isra Roman blind with blackout lining in Dove Grey, from £180, Hillarys

10

Double up on blinds

Blinds are ideal as they can be adjusted to any level to block out daylight for naptime, and don’t take up too much space around the window. Go for a simple opaque blind to stop direct sunlight during the day, layered with a heavier, blackout blind for night.

Louise Dear YUM YUM - £1750

SYRETT Alexander - £595

Alexandra Gallagher Flamingo Flowers - £250

Olly Howe Mother Nature - £185

Original Art & Limited Edition Prints w w w . r u n w a y - g a l l e r y. c o m in association with

STYLE & DECOR

11

Pick a whimsical wallpaper

Add some personality with pretty wallpaper that encourages sleep and rest. Go for something fairly muted with a design that your child won’t outgrow too quickly, and paper just one wall if you’re worried it will make the room look too busy.

12

CHOOSE A CUTE CHARACTER

This foxy-faced night light will not only brighten up your little one’s bedroom, but it also has a handy timer, so you can set it to switch off once they’ve drifted off into slumber.

Mr Fox children’s battery wall light, £14.99, Lights4Fun

Starry sky wallpaper, £59.95 a roll, Hibou Home

14

FRAME THEIR PICTURES Remove the glass and backs from a few secondhand picture frames and spray them all a bright colour. Hang them up gallery wall-style and let your child tape up their own drawings inside them.

13

TRY A PAINT EFFECT

Give their bedroom a fun refresh with a lick of paint in two complementary colours. Use a spirit level and masking tape to divide the wall in half and then get painting!

15

MAKE TIDYING EASY

Pop a pretty lidded basket in every room of the house so that you (and hopefully the kids, too!) can quickly hide toys, games and dressing up clothes away, at a moment’s notice.

Visiting guests will never know that your stylish and chic baskets actually hide away hundreds of Lego pieces and all the characters from Paw Patrol.

Kaisa sari round Berber basket, £39, Myakka MAY 2019

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Bucolique light pink one-drawer hanging rail, £156, Maisons du Monde

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ZONE A PLAY AREA

Animal motif bedlinen, from £19.99 for a single; round motif rug, £24.99; cushion cover, £3.99, all H&M Home

Use a rug to mark out an area of your living space where the kids can play with their toys, to try and stop them taking over the whole house.

Go for a clothes rail

Give the kids the independence to pick out their own outfits, by hanging their clothes on a freestanding rail instead of hidden away in drawers or a wardrobe. Or, turn a rail into a dressing-up station and keep all their costumes and fancy dress clothes in one place.

18

Cactus rug, from £499, Ted Baker at Arighi Bianchi

CREATE A READING CORNER Turn a cosy spot into a reading nook, by hanging a couple of low shelves to house kids’ books. Get a beanbag or pile up some cushions for them to snuggle into and encourage them away from screens.

Hippo Hooray and Daisy Chain claypaint, both £43 for 2.5L, Earthborn

19

Draw the line with paint

Add a pop of colour with a two-tone feature wall. Choose a bright, sunny shade for the bottom half and the skirting board. Then, paint the top section in a more neutral shade, such as a mid-grey or a mint green.

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STYLE & DECOR

22

PICK STORAGE THEY CAN REACH

Encourage kids to tidy away toys after playtime, with storage that’s at their height. Fill cubbies with fabric storage cubes in a colour and pattern that matches their room – these are perfect for shoes, clothes or books, too.

Abbeville storage shelf unit in Cloud Grey, £195, Great Little Trading Company

23

ADAPT A WARDROBE

Make the most of hanging space by installing a second half-height rail inside a child’s wardrobe – one that they can reach. It can be adapted or removed as your child grows.

20

Choose a bed that will last

When buying furniture for a child’s room, go for a design that they’ll love into their teens and will work as a guest-room bed, too.

Personalise the space with easyto-swap bedding and wall art.

21

MAKE A SCRIBBLE ROLL Attach a roll of paper to a shelf with a dowelling rod or a kitchen roll holder, then let it drape down onto a table, so the kids can doodle away and simply pull down more paper when they need it.

24

Use the corners

Make clever use of a corner with a stack of floating shelves to keep your child’s most prized toys and books out on display. Use lower shelves for younger children.

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IDEAL HOME PARTNERSHIP

CHOOSE ART WITH IMPACT Lisbon-based Duma Arantes’ oil paintings exude feminine glamour and mystery on the new online Runway Gallery

P

art of the 14-strong Runway group, Duma Arantes blends tradition and technology to produce art that celebrates feminine strength and softness. Here she talks about her passion for painting, her influences and her creative practice.

How did you become an artist?

I grew up in a village near Lisbon and, as I’m an only daughter, I spent hours in my bedroom, playing alone, drawing and painting. I’d draw my dolls and design new types of flowers. One day, someone gave me a box of oil paints and it was love at first sight.

Mushi Mushi limited I later studied advertising, edition giclée print, but my love for painting £170, Duma Arantes was stronger, and, as soon as I graduated, I went on to study painting Do you have a favourite colour palette? and drawing at the National Society of I use lots of neutral colours, but with one Fine Arts in Lisbon. I started to exhibit or two strong colours for contrast and my work when I was 20, and I’ve been strength. I like black and some red in my painting and exhibiting ever since. paintings. They give me the sensation of power and protection, like the samurai in How would you describe your style?

Japan who used black clothes to protect It’s very clean and precise, like a digital themselves from negative forces. illustration. I love graphic design and photography, so I decided to incorporate Where do you get your inspiration? that feeling into my work. I paint I believe artists are like sponges, traditionally, but the look is more digital. absorbing their surroundings. My style is a combination of who I am and the Why are you drawn to the female baggage I carry. My inspiration comes face – and why do you never show from so many things: a conversation, the whole face? a gesture, a movie, a book, advertising, I’ve always liked to draw people, but I fashion, graphic design, photography, don’t like to represent someone specific. the Victorian era, Oriental aesthetics and Each character is only part-revealed botany. Life is the biggest inspiration. because I want to leave room for interpretation. I think my art possesses Has any artist been an influence? more life when the viewer is given space Many. Since I started to paint, I’ve had to create some of the story – the artwork a range of artists influencing my work is completed in the mind of the spectator. — or my vision of art — including I also like to put aspect-ratio black bars Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalí, on my paintings to give the feeling of it Tamara de Lempicka, Georgia being a paused scene from a movie.

O’Keeffe, HR Giger and Mark Ryden.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m having a rest after 10 months of intense work! I spent 2018 preparing my solo show, ‘The Golden Age’, where I presented 37 new works.

I’m going to prepare another show to open this summer in Portugal, and I’m also starting new works for Runway Gallery, which makes me very happy as it’s my first gallery in London.

What advice would you give to anyone who is buying art for their home?

The only thing I can say is to buy with your heart. Buy what connects with you, because you will live with that piece for many years.

Duma Arantes’ work is available to purchase from runway-gallery.com

BECOME A COLLECTOR

Looking for a statement piece to give your home the wow factor? Check out Runway Gallery, a new online venture showcasing affordable art that can be bought at the click of a mouse. Visit runway-gallery.com for more details, and to browse and buy.

NEXT MONTH

Don’t miss our June issue in which artist and founder of Runway Gallery SYRETT discusses his thinking behind the new online platform and tells us about his favourite artists and their work.

STYLE & DECOR

25

Try a high shelf

In place of a picture or dado rail, hang a shelf high up the wall. Paper a simple design below the shelf and paint the wall above in a co-ordinating colour. Then, arrange toys, plants or keepsakes along the shelf so they can be seen but not damaged, and are kept out of harm’s way.

Walls, in Swish Ocean, £55 a roll; Blinds in Tiny Turtles, £29.50m; Tiny Turtles rug, £180, all Villa Nova

26

PUT A MINI KITCHEN IN THE KITCHEN This play design is so smart, it will sit nicely in your own kitchen, without creating an eyesore. Plus, the sink is watertight, so they can help wash up!

Chelsea kitchen, £499, Pottery Barn Kids

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29

Add a wall hanging

Bring pattern to a plain wall with a custom-made wall hanging. All you need is a length of fabric, some pretty hooks and a wooden dowel.

30

SORT TOYS INTO BUCKETS

Hang this industrialstyle wall storage low for kids to keep all their stationery essentials in. The boxes can easily be unhooked and then hung back up when it’s time to tidy away again.

Hoxton wooden wall storage boxes, £55, Ollie & Leila at Room to Grow

Wall hanging, made in Jungle Jumble, £29.50m, Villa Nova

27

HANG UP A FEW DECS Honeycomb paper decorations make a fun feature above a bed that can be enjoyed all year round.

They’re an inexpensive way to brighten up a plain room and are easy to take down if you move.

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DOWN-SCALE ON FURNITURE

With its mini dimensions perfect for a small person to sit atop, the look of this adorable armchair has been loosely inspired by mid-century design, but with round tapered legs for a more child-friendly shape. Great for bedrooms and playrooms alike, child-size furniture doesn’t take up too much space.

Airplanes bedlinen, £59 for a single, Nubie

UPDATE BEDDING

Give your child’s room an instant, low-cost refresh in minutes with a new bedlinen set. Where possible, choose a reversible print, so you get two looks for the price of one.

Alfie mini chair in Dotty Tutti Frutti, £290, Sofa.com

STYLE & DECOR Animal hangers, £6.99 each, H&M Home

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Hang hooks in the bathroom at a height where they can easily reach their own towel.

Hooks with their initial or favourite animal on will help them learn which is theirs.

Go for a feature mural

A whimsical design like this one will help spark their imagination during playtime and beyond. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, try creating your own scene for little ones, or let them help and get creative together.

GIVE EVERYTHING A HOME

Coco house bed frame, £259.97, Furniture123

Walls, in Busy Buzzy mural, £175 a roll; teepee, made in Duck Pond, £29.50m; dotty rug, from £280, all Villa Nova

33

MAKE TIDYING UP MORE FUN

Turn tidying toys or doing laundry into a game, with this shark storage basket. Ten points for the child that puts all their dirty clothes into the sharks mouth before bath time first!

35

Shark storage basket, £18, Stackers

Go for a special bed

This bed doubles as a playhouse.

The frame is easy to assemble and with a sheet over the top, it transforms into a den.

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STYLE & DECOR

36

Scandi bear duvet set, from £25 for a single; cloud mirror, £25; cloud cushion, £15; grey faux Mongolian cushion, £28, all Debenhams

Stick with a theme

For a cohesive look, extend the wall theme to the bedding, accessories, wall art and rugs. Animal designs, stars and simple shapes in monochrome shades remain fairly unisex and should last them from tiny babies to toddler years and beyond.

37

MAKE A DISPLAY OF BOOKS

Attach several picture ledges to the wall in a row and prop up their favourite books on them. They create a pleasing display and make it easy to pick out a story to read at bedtime.

38

UPDATE DRAWER HANDLES

Jazz up a plain chest of drawers by replacing each knob with an animal figure instead. Use superglue to stick them down, or screw them in tight.

39

DEDICATE A SPOT FOR CRAFTING

Slot this grown-up desk into your child’s bedroom and let their imagination run wild!

There’s even a storage shelf to help keep things nice and tidy.

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40

HANG UP FAIRY LIGHTS Wind string lights around their bed, on window frames and doors, or across a mantel to create a cosy glow when it gets dark. Go for a warm white set to resemble a starry sky.

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Kids desk and chair set, £299, Bobby Rabbit

COPPER STATEMENT TAP Adds character and a focal point to simple, white kitchen cabinets

‘Glass is pricey, but money well spent’ An extension with bifold doors and a large roof light gave the Pembertons a big living space that’s full of light even in winter

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KITCHEN PROJECT

BEFORE

Welcome to my home Hannah Pemberton, lives here with her husband Mathew and their son Felix, three.

THE PROPERTY

A three-bedroom Victorian end-of-terrace in southeast London, bought in May 2014.

WHAT IT COST

Love

HANNAH’S STYLE? Turn to page 125 to shop the look

Kitchen units......£14,000 Appliances...........£2,704 Sink..........................£254 Tap...........................£353 Worktops.............£3,750 Flooring....................£416 Lighting...................£989 Wall tiles..................£560 Bifold doors.........£4,000 TOTAL................£27,026

“

‘The existing kitchen needed to be significantly extended. We pushed the back wall 4m into the garden to create a practical open-plan layout which is now the hub of our home. Making the space bright was a top priority’ Speed premium white kitchen with stainless steel bar handles, from £9,000 including laminate worktops and appliances, Kutchenhaus. Nobili single-lever Charlie sink mixer tap in copper, £353, FAB Appliances

This room is full of unusual things and pieces I’ve collected on my travels over the years (@wandalust_), which all add different textures and colours to bring the room together. They make it feel loved and lived in

”

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HOW HANNAH AND MATHEW DID IT ‘The existing space had a cheap and cheerful green fitted kitchen with a brown tiled floor which, although usable, wasn’t to our taste. It was too small for the open-plan way of living we envisaged. Food is a big thing in our home – both in terms of bringing people together and for my work as a food writer and stylist – so creating a space that got the balance right for both worlds was essential. I had my heart

set on a modern-eclectic look with sleek, white gloss units and resin worktops for a contemporary feel. The project took around two and a half months to complete and cost around £50,000 in total including all structural and building work. The hard work and months of planning has certainly paid off and the kitchen is now the heart of the house, both for my work and for the family.’

BELOW ‘I chose bold floor tiles to stop the kitchen looking stark. The largescale chevron design works with its clean lines and the large-format tiles make the space feel bigger. It also draws the eye out towards the garden.’

Porcelain colour block oak-white blend tiles, £69.30sq m, Mandarin Stone.

For a similar extractor, try the Neff D85IBE1S0B angled black glass chimney hood, £649, Donaghy Bros

WRAPAROUND STORAGE Builds in appliances for a sleek and streamlined look

IDEAL HOME

loves

Exposed steel beams Don’t box them in – just paint them black (Hannah’s is in Farrow & Ball’s Railings) to add an industrial edge

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KITCHEN PROJECT

FEATURE CASSIE PRYCE, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

CEILING WINDOW The roof light helps daylight reach the back of the kitchen in the darker months

ABOVE A copper sink and matching mixer tap add a bespoke edge to the contemporary units and lend warmth to the cooltoned worksurface.

Smeg undermounted single bowl kitchen sink in copper, £254.15; Nobili single-lever Charlie sink mixer tap in copper, £352.75, both FAB Appliances. Apollo Slab Tech 20mm worktops in Marmo Crema, £496lin m, Sheridan

ABOVE Hannah picked up the solid mahogany dining table for just £60 on eBay and upcycled it to fit in with the new scheme. ‘The wood was too dark for the room, so I sanded and painted the legs to add a splash of yellow,’ she says.

Hector small wall lights, £115 each; Drop One six-pendant light, £759, both Original BTC

RIGHT ‘The dresser is one of my favourite pieces in the new kitchen’, says Hannah.

‘I sourced it for the bargain price of £80 on eBay and revamped it with a lick of paint. It now suits the nautical feel of the woodclad wall behind.’

Pajaki chandelier, £119, Wandalust. Now wall clock in white/copper, £43, Monoqi

WHAT I LEARNED

“

Have the vision for your project 80% decided before you begin, and let the last part unfold organically, so you can tweak the final scheme

”

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KITCHEN PROJECT

Make it work for you

HANNAH’S STYLE: CONTEMPORARY CONTRASTS Sleek white cabinets and glossy tiles, teamed with splashes of colour and copper accents give a bright, fresh look

2

1

3

4

5 Use white tones and touches of greenery for a fresh feel

IDEAL

GREAT DEAL

A COPPER TAP ADDS A VINTAGE TOUCH

6 7

£849

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

INDUSTRIAL EDGE

Abode Pronteau Prostream 3-in-1 tap in Urban copper, £849, Sinks-taps.com

£160

ELEGANT LINES

Rangemaster Intense brushed copper dual-lever kitchen tap, £159.95, Victorian Plumbing

WHERE TO BUY 1 Corina easy to fit ceiling shade, £55, John Lewis & Partners 2 Abstract 176 A3 print, £35 (unframed), Abstract House 3 Ralph compact dining table in Mustard Yellow, £349, Made.com 4 Classic copper effect clock, £6, Wilko 5 Drury Lane chop board long, £12, Sainsbury’s Home 6 Avignon display cabinet, £703, Maisons du Monde 7 Finn dining chair, £55, Danetti MAY 2019

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‘It works hard for us’ Beef farmers Alison and Rob Snook needed a kitchen that could keep up with their long-hours lifestyle

‘The kitchen was gloomy, with dark blue tiles and units from the Eighties,’ says Alison. ‘We knocked into the big, adjoining utility and hallway to gain space and light.’

Shaker-style units, £420 for a 600mm base unit, LacyHulbert Interiors

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MAY 2019

KITCHEN PROJECT

BEFORE

IDEAL HOME

loves

Shaker-style cabinets Still the most timeless and flexible choice – and easy to update with a new paint colour

Welcome to my home Alison Snook lives here with her husband Rob.

THE PROPERTY

A four-bedroom 300-year-old thatched farmhouse cottage in Devizes, Wiltshire.

WHAT IT COST

HOW ALISON AND ROB DID IT ‘The room was far too small, especially as I use it as my office, and the light was poor. Removing walls gave us a larger space and room for the island I’d always wanted.

Lacy-Hulbert Interiors came up with a new design. It took three months and the building work cost £20,000. We used a builder who works on the farm. The kitchen fitting came in at £2,400. Now it’s complete, the kitchen is at the heart of our working day, although I do make Rob leave his welly boots at the front door!’

Units....................£12,000 Bespoke dresser.................£3,900 Worktops.............£3,800 Sink..........................£750 Tap...........................£253 Appliances...........£2,215 Flooring................£1,944 TOTAL...............£24,862

“

As a working farm’s kitchen, it had to cope with the realities of our lifestyle – including muddy wellington boots and wet dogs!

”

MAY 2019

127

Love

ALISON’S RANGE COOKER? Turn to page 129 to shop the look

LIMESTONE TILES The tumbled finish hides muddy paw prints

ABOVE The second-hand range cooker inspired the makeover: ‘Once it was in, it made the kitchen feel even smaller and there was no space to sit,’ says Alison.

Limestone Stoneworth Villiers floor tiles, £54sq m, Artisans of Devizes. Similar range, from £12,110, Aga

RIGHT A bespoke dresser is a classic country piece, but also performs a vital function: ‘The farm paperwork and filing cabinets are hidden inside, keeping the kitchen and office work separate.’

Bespoke Shaker-style dresser, £3,900, Lacy-Hulbert Interiors

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Expect the unexpected! We discovered a bricked up cellar and had to build support pillars to stop the kitchen f loor collapsing when we removed the walls

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MAY 2019

”

FEATURE CAROLINE FOSTER, VANESSA RICHMOND STYLING DILLY ORME PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID PARMITER

ABOVE A bare wood plate rack adds to the rustic feel of the kitchen. ‘We decided on a white overmount cast-iron sink, which is a contemporary alternative to ceramic,’ Alison says.

Executive Chef double cast-iron sink, £750, Kohler.

Etruscan tap in pewter finish, £253, Perrin & Rowe

KITCHEN PROJECT

Make it work for you ALISON’S CHOICE: A PRE-OWNED RANGE

Cast-iron ranges are built to last but can be pricey. Check out the roaring trade in reconditioned range cookers…

There is something about a range cooker that gives a kitchen personality. The only problem? They’re not cheap, which is why many people buy second-hand. Here, we explain how to find the range of your dreams for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Q

Where do I start?

First off, you’ll need to consider what type of cooker you require. Will it be electric or gas or oil powered? An Aga or an Esse? The most popular tend to be electric models like the Dual or Total Control Aga, where you’re able to turn the hobs or ovens on and off separately, reducing running costs. Gas or oil-fired cookers can be cheap to run, too, but require a flue system and annual servicing.

Q

FEATURE AMY CUTMORE PHOTOGRAPH DAVID PARMITER

Do second-hand cookers come with a warranty?

Buy a pre-owned or fully reconditioned Aga cooker from a business, and you should expect at least a statutory guarantee – not something you’ll get if you buy privately.

Q

How much will I save?

Potentially, thousands of pounds. Classy Cookers recently offered a three-oven, electric Aga for £5,499. A starting price for this model new is £11,040.

Q

How do I collect and install a second-hand range?

While a freestanding range is easy to remove, a cast-iron range or Aga will need to be dismantled, transported and refitted by an expert. Not only is it extremely heavy, but if anything is lost or damaged in the move, it could be rendered worthless. ‘Trying to move an Aga as a whole is not a good idea – the way in which the cooker is built means moving it as a whole can easily break internal seals or at worst stress fracture the cast iron,’ says Anthony Harrison of Classy Cookers.

A second-hand range can save you a lot of money

“

Buying from an Aga-registered dealer will guarantee that you will get a purpose-built Aga and not parts of different Aga cookers put together ROSE NORMAN, TWYFORD COOKERS

”

ALL MOD CONS Get cooking faster with the near instant heat of the induction hob.

Elise 110 induction hob range cooker, £2,738, Rangemaster

INSTALLATION Classy Cookers has a huge stock of pre-owned ranges.

Once the sale goes through, it will dismantle the range in its current home and reassemble it in your kitchen.

PEACE OF MIND Twyford Cookers is an authorised Aga specialist that has a limited stock of reconditioned models which come with a five-year warranty.

IDEAL HOME LOVES… WHITE RANGES

HANDY FEATURES Catalytic oven liners make this range easy to keep clean.

1000 Deluxe dual-fuel range cooker, £3,545, Falcon

BEST FOR…

HEATS YOUR HOME This stove combines an electric cooker with a wood stove.

990 Hybrid with a companion, £11,825, ESSE

THE PERFECT COLOUR Blake & Bull converts, re-enamels and refurbishes Aga range cookers.

Choose from more than 30 colours.

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‘We needed a teen-friendly bathroom’ Squeezing in a shower and lots of extra storage for their twins’ hoard of toiletries was the challenge facing Caryn and Simon Coyle

IDEAL HOME

loves

Pops of pattern For similar monochrome tiles, try Vibe patterned wall and floor tiles, £26.19sq m, Victorian Plumbing

PATCHWORK FLOOR TILES Add style to a light, neutral bathroom

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MAY 2019

BATHROOM PROJECT

BEFORE

‘The angled shape of the bathroom didn’t leave much room for manoeuvre, but we squeezed in a shower by removing the freestanding bath and fitting a smaller, built-in one under the window.’

Saneux Stetson doubleended bath, £202.78; thermostatic shower valve 1000, £196.87, both EC1 Bathrooms.

HOW CARYN AND SIMON DID IT ‘Our twins share this bathroom, as Simon and I have our own en suite. They needed a shower in here, as did our constant stream of house guests, plus the roll-top’s taps leaked and the decor just felt outdated. The builders ripped everything out, then prepared the floor and new plumbing for the shower. There was only one place to fit it, and the bath, but we chose the positions of the loo and basin to maximise floor space. I did lots of research to find the right fittings, although Erin chose the floor tiles!’

Welcome to my home Caryn Coyle lives here with her husband, Simon, and their twins, Erin and Daniel, 16.

THE PROPERTY

A four-bedroom terrace in northwest London, built in 1915.

WHAT IT COST

Bath..........................£793 Basin........................£509 Loo...........................£222 Shower....................£982 Wall tiles..................£250 Floor tiles.................£180 Shutters...................£400 TOTAL.................£3,336

“

The room looks great, everything works perfectly and there’s plenty of storage… I just hope the twins keep it tidy!

”

MAY 2019

131

BATHROOM PROJECT

Love

CARYN’S SHUTTERS? Turn to page 135 to shop the look

FEATURE RENÉE GREEN/LISA FAZZANI STYLING RENÉE GREEN PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

ABOVE ‘The wall was built out to conceal the loo cistern, which gave us space for a cupboard, made from moisture-resistant MDF. We left a small recess open to act as a shelf for Erin’s essentials.’

Primo Dolce wall-hung loo, £221.87, EC1 Bathrooms.

Metro white matt wall tiles, £12.50sq m, Tons of Tiles

ABOVE ‘I looked all over for a basin with a surface for a soap dish and toothbrush holder, and a mirror to fit between the windows. I had the cupboard made from a sheet of pine I stained.’

Zero Domino basin, £372; monobloc mixer, £124.37, both EC1 Bathrooms. Oval mirror, £60, John Lewis & Partners

RIGHT ‘The shower door was bespoke – I just sent off the measurements once the space had been completed, which was the best way to ensure a perfect fit.’

Bespoke shower screen, £607.69, The Shower Lab. Pevensey chrome electric towel radiator, £262.36, EC1 Bathrooms

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

While I saved money where I could, I did invest in good-quality taps and fittings – and they’re worth it. Our old suite had cheap ones that were always dripping and leaking

”

STACKING CRATES Moveable storage for a wasted space

MAY 2019

133

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BATHROOM PROJECT

Make it work for you CARYN’S CHOICE: WINDOW SHUTTERS

If you’re looking for something timeless and elegant, shutters are a stylish option for a bathroom Make your bathroom a haven of tranquillity and privacy by fitting classic window shutters. Here, we help you choose what type to invest in…

Q

Are shutters practical in a bathroom?

Unlike fabric blinds which can get damp and mildewed in steamy bathrooms, shutters allow extra ventilation with their louvred slats, so they’ll dry more quickly. They’re also easier to wipe down and keep clean.

Q

Won’t moisture damage the shutters?

While painted wood or MDF shutters are fine in well-ventilated bathrooms, for rooms with high humidity, moisture-resistant shutters are more practical.

Made of ABS plastic, polymer or polyvinyl, they are waterproof, so the slats won’t rot or warp.

Q FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

What about privacy and light levels?

The easy-to-adjust slats allow greater control than with a regular blind. By tilting the slats up or down you can vary how

much light comes in, with the angle of the slats obscuring the view in from outside. Shutting slats completely will give total privacy or they can be opened fully to let maximum light in.

Choose the right shutters for your bathroom

Q

Which style should I go for?

Full-height shutters cover the whole window and open as one unit. Tier-on-tier shutters look similar, but the top and bottom open independently. Café-style shutters cover just the lower portion of the window, which maximises daylight.

Q

Aren’t shutters expensive to have installed?

Professionally installed shutters can be pricey – cut costs by opting for DIY shutters that are made to size and delivered pre-drilled, premitred and ready to fit yourself.

BEST FOR…

“

In upstairs bathrooms, angle slats downwards so that those looking up can’t see in. In downstairs windows, slant them upwards for total privacy RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR

”

IDEAL HOME LOVES… DIY BUDGET SHUTTERS

STEAM SAFE Daytona cool white plantation shutters in polymer, from £73.75 for H51xW30cm shutters, 247 Blinds

WATERPROOF OPTION Pure white café-style shutters in polyvinyl, from £166sq m, California Shutters range at B&Q

SPLASH RESISTANT San Jose pure white shutters in polymer, from £73.15 for H40xW40cm shutters, Blinds 2go

DIY ADVICE The Shutter Store offers online advice, plus useful videos on measuring up and installation, handy if you’re going down the DIY route.

COLOUR MATCH Shutterly Fabulous offers affordable fitted shutters in a range of styles and finishes, plus a colour matching service so you can find the perfect shade.

FULL WORKS Expert measuring and fitting are all part of the service with Hillarys – its range includes shaped and solid shutters as well as standard styles.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It has something for each one of usâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; With spaces for eating, socialising, alone time and hobbies, Tracey James and Paul Roye have created a garden specially designed to suit every member of their family

IDEAL HOME

Loves

Alliums They add height to borders with their structural stems and pom-pom heads, and attract bees, too

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MAY 2019

GARDEN PROJECT

Welcome to my home Tracey James lives here with her partner Paul Roye and their three grown-up children.

THE GARDEN

A plot belonging to a four-bedroom Victorian house in north London.

“

It was definitely money well spent, as well as an enjoyable project.

Everyone loves the garden now and we’re out here all day in summer

INSET LIGHTS For a gentle glow in the evenings

”

Tracey makes her own cushions, which add to the sense of a comfy, outdoor room.

Full view The garden has three sections – the top patio, which is bathed in morning sunshine, the central seating area and the bottom deck with a water feature, and Tracey’s ‘she shed’ for her crafting activities.

MAY 2019

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T

racey James’s previous garden consisted of a patio, lawn, path and a tumbledown shed. ‘I wanted more interest, and a crisp, architectural feel,’ says Tracey, ‘As our grown-up children live at home, it was about creating a relaxing, lowmaintenance, adult space for everyone.

Another must-have was a shed for me to keep my sewing machine and fabrics.’

Acting on a recommendation, Tracey and her partner Paul contacted Sakura Garden Design. ‘Paul and I already had ideas about the planting and other things we wanted, like the water feature,’ says Tracey. ‘Sakura’s designers pretty much hit the brief first time, with just a few small tweaks needed here and there.’

The movement of the sun, from the patio to the far end of the garden, helped

Love

TRACEY’S STYLE? Turn to page 141 to shop the look

138

MAY 2019

dictate the new layout. The seating was placed centrally, where it would enjoy almost all-day sunshine. Its linear design was carefully measured to give the illusion of regular, straight lines, as the garden is not quite a perfect rectangle.

The seating also contains the majority of the planting, which was chosen for its height, movement and structural shapes.

‘We’ve planted white flowers, like alliums and lilies, but it’s mostly about textures and greens. I love the palms and grasses we chose, especially the variegated and blue-toned ones,’ says Tracey.

‘In all, we spent £30,000 on the garden, including the shed. The work was an investment, but it’s made the outdoor space much more usable and enjoyable, as well as improving the flow and the feeling of space in the ground floor of our house.’

TALL PLANTERS Add height and privacy

Seating area Benches have been built into the concrete planting troughs to make them look as if they’re floating above the ground. White gravel underneath them emphasises the effect.

GARDEN PROJECT

FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS AND STYLING COLIN POOLE

SLATTED FENCING Gives the garden a contemporary look

Mini waterfall The water feature is built into the deck at the end of the garden. A twice-yearly treatment with protective teak oil keeps the yellow balau hardwood looking smart and glossy.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

When planning your planting and design, set up a Pinterest board and a WhatsApp group, so everyone can share ideas and images

”

Dining space A round dining table maximises space on the raised patio, which has a full view of the whole garden. Steps lead down to the stepping-stone path.

‘We discussed using artificial grass,’ says Tracey, ‘but I’m glad we went for the real thing – it’s authentic and natural.’

IDEAL HOME LOVES… GRASSES FOR FILLING GAPS

SWITCHGRASS A stiff, upright grass that grows to about 1.5m in height, with blue green leaves that gradually turn yellow in autumn. Plant in clumps for maximum impact.

JAPANESE FOREST GRASS A compact, easy to grow grass with eye catching yellow leaves, striped with bright green. Cut it back in late winter to encourage new spring growth.

EULALIA GRASS This bushy grass has narrow green leaves through spring and summer, and develops feathery, creamy brown flower heads for autumn interest and texture.

MAY 2019

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GARDEN PROJECT

Make it work for you TRACEY’S STYLE: TROPICAL GLAMOUR

Laid-back rattan, chic metallic accents and lush palm prints combine to evoke an exotic boutique hideaway

GREAT DEAL

IDEAL

HOT SPOT Randa adjustable one light outdoor spotlight, £33.99, Wayfair

SMART SIDE LIGHT LED outdoor wall light, £50, John Lewis & Partners

CLEAR WINNER Jelly acrylic chair, £179 for two, Made.com

DESIGN CLASSIC Louis Ghost armchair, £260, Nest

SLEEK STATEMENT Zinc galvanised flared square planter in copper, £29.99, Primrose

PERFECT FOR PALMS Marrakech metal flare planter, £3, Homebase

HANG LOOSE Hanging chair, £295, Design Vintage

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

BE COCOONED Indoor/outdoor hanging chair, £375, Cox & Cox

EVENING GLOW Floor lantern, £32, B&Q

BOLD PRINTS Green banana leaves fabric square cushion, £21, Gisela Graham

TROPICAL VIBES Leaves print outdoor cushion, £12, JD Williams

NATURAL ADDITION Toba rattan coffee table, £270, Artisanti

BOHO BEAUTY Baril coffee table, £192, Made In Design

RUSTIC FINISH St Austell battery lantern, £24.99, Lights4Fun MAY 2019

141

BEFORE & AFTER

BE FOR E

‘We knocked out an old conservatory’ Stephen and Laura Hill lost an old lean-to, but gained a far bigger, family friendly kitchen-diner

AFTER

A lean-to conservatory and cramped kitchen didn’t use space well

S

tephen and Laura stumbled across Wanstead Park when they got lost while out on a walk and set their hearts on living there. ‘This house had a great footprint and lots of natural light, so we saw its potential,’ says Stephen.

PLANNING CHANGES ‘The kitchen

space was awful – dark and gloomy because it was boxed in by the conservatory. We planned to replace it with a new extension, which we wanted to look more modern than the Edwardian style of the house.

We shared a Pinterest board and our wish list with our architects, Harp & Harp (020 8401 2613; harpandharp.co.uk), who helped us through the planning process.’

THE NEW SPACE The rear kitchen

and playroom were knocked through and the conservatory replaced with a full-width extension, giving the family a kitchen-diner, utility and pantry. ‘The new layout has made us far more organised,’ says Stephen. ‘The extension is now a family space. We are more likely to sit down and eat together and the large windows make us feel more connected to the garden. The project took around nine months, largely because the Crittall doors took 21 weeks to manufacture.’

The new extension houses a spacious kitchen-diner that’s flooded with light

Welcome to our home THE PROPERTY

A four-bed Edwardian house in east London.

THE VALUE Bought

for £580,000 in 2010; now worth £1,050,000.

Stephen Hill lives here with his wife Laura and their children Oscar, seven, and Hazel, four.

WHAT IT COST

Electrics.............£6,504 Extension.........£60,205 Floors, walls and ceilings.............£13,992

Fittings............£39,880 Plumbing and heating..............£14,184 Fees.................£23,044 TOTAL............£157,809

We used to eat “with the tumble dryer next to the dining table, but now we have a utility room!

”

MAY 2019

143

BEFORE & AFTER DECORATIVE PANELS Made from carved MDF, painted to match the kitchen

‘The steel frames are a natural fit with the house,’ says Stephen

The kitchen units are a mix of oak and panels sprayed in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT…

Crittall windows Kayleigh Harp from Harp & Harp Architects has the info

1

THEY’RE MADE TO ORDER Be aware of the long lead time – they could take months to arrive, so need to be ordered early in a renovation to prevent hold-ups.

2

THEY CAN BE EXPENSIVE Priced at about £2,700sq m, authentic steel Crittall doors such as those featured in the Hills’ home are costly, but stunning.

3

THERE ARE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES Aluminium replicas of Crittall doors do exist and, although they are not the same quality, they are much more cost-effective and have quicker lead times, which impacts less on the building schedule.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Go to pre-planning meetings with the council to get an idea of whether they are likely to approve your project before you submit an application

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MAY 2019

”

4

5

THEY CAN BE INTERNAL DOORS, TOO By using Crittall doors and windows internally as well as externally like the Hills, you can unify an existing period property with a contemporary extension.

They also allow a space to be filled with light. Fire-rated Crittall internal doors are also available.

FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS ADAM SCOTT

‘We wanted lots of storage and to be able to hide away things like the washing machine,’ says Stephen

THEY CAN BE DOUBLE GLAZED Because of their association with Art Deco, there’s a misconception that Crittall windows and doors are only single-glazed, which isn’t true.

Hurry, .+ $ ' *ศ -

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Genius problem solvers

FOR A SMOOTH-RUNNING LIFE Our pick of the latest home innovations, solutions and stuff you never knew you needed…

STYLISH HOMES FOR FLYING FAUNA

SMALL SPACE LIVING

Make a box room function better The box room – either the cramped domain of the youngest child, or a guest room, office and junk room in one. The space-efficient Tippy bed flips up to reveal a desk and comes in three heights, with a wide array of extras, such as a bunk bed or cupboards, or a set of drawers, making a box room work better on many levels.

Nidi Design Tippy bed, from £2,725, Nubie

BEST FOR BEES Pop this pretty house near a bee-attracting plant.

Bee house, £13.75, The Farthing

SMALL-BIRD BOX This neat triangular box keeps small birds safe from harm.

Blue tit box, £9.99, Waitrose

Get out of sticky situations Stepped in gum? Stuck with sticky stripes after taping up the kids’ artwork? You need Sticky Stuff residue and oil remover, £3.99 for 250ml, Lakeland Unlock the front door with your phone Nuki smart lock 2.0, £200, Nuki

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MAY 2019

Nuki is the future of key-free door unlocking. Easily attached to the inside of a door in less than three minutes, it turns your phone into a smart key, unlocking and locking the door when you enter and leave.

BUTTERFLY HOUSE Place an orange segment on the lid to attract butterflies.

Butterfly house, £32, Laura Ashley

Plant a sustainable indoor garden Don’t have a garden? This clever plant holder with built-in LED bulb helps grow plants and herbs in low-light rooms.

Bittergurka plant holder with LED cultivation bulb, £35, Ikea

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS Fit a new blind in seconds

3 ROOM SCREENS FOR HIDING OR DIVIDING

Bloc Blinds has just introduced a brilliant new blind design, perfect for people who fancy a new look in a flash. The clever new Fabric Changer allows you to swap the material part of your blind without having to remove the entire roller bar from your window frame. A hook-on-hook fixture lets you unroll the blind fully, unhook the existing fabric and affix a new one.

Designer Collection Ivy Green blackout blind with Fabric Changer, from £38 for H130xW101cm, Bloc Blinds

1 Rattan pet cocoon, £95, Cox & Cox

Pick a posh pet bed

2

3 1 Sjalvstandig room divider, £35, Ikea 2 Ferm Living Unfold room divider, £1,029, Nest.co.uk 3 Cosy Living Queen rattan screen, £240, Cuckooland

Want to upgrade your pet’s perch? Check out Cox & Cox’s new range of stylish rattan beds for both pooch and puss, with washable pads.

Smarten up an old barbecue Spruce up rusted and scratched finishes with RustOleum’s Stove and BBQ paint (£9 for 400ml, B&Q).

Make light work of watering the garden The new Bosch Fontus cordless pressure cleaner has 12 settings that cover a wide variety of light and heavy-duty cleaning jobs in your garden. It boasts a built-in 15L water tank and rechargeable battery, making it easier to clean windows, wash garden furniture and water plants.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

Boost your home’s kerb appeal Great for cheering up your home’s exterior, Bay & Box’s window boxes come in four neutral shades (black, white, light and dark grey) and in two lengths (40cm and 80cm). Made from clay fibre so they don’t discolour or rust, their simple, neat design works for both traditional and contemporary homes and there’s even a range of matching planters if you want to carry the look through to the rest of your garden.

Hampstead Lead large window box, £85; Hampstead Lead small window box, £40, both Bay and Box

Fontus, £269.99, Bosch

Spend less time doing the dishes If you’re a three-loads-a-day household, Beko’s new wi-fi-connected AutoDose machine is a game-changer.

Fill it with detergent once a month and it adds a little to every wash. You can operate it remotely via Alexa, plus it’ll order more detergent via Amazon.

Beko AutoDose connected dishwasher, £399, AO.com

MAY 2019

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Monthly extras, exclusive to subscribers

2 for 1 tickets for Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions*

£4 off tickets to the Creative Craft Shows

6 free** tasty tomato plants worth £15.96

20% off all bouquets at Appleyard London Save £7.50

Discounted cinema vouchers, up to 38% off ticket prices

50% off an annual subscription with Daysout.co.uk

Join Rewards today and get even more from your magazine subscription at no extra cost.

Enjoy exclusive handpicked offers and unique giveaways every month.

Join today and view your rewards at:

rewards.idealhomemagazine.co.uk *Valid for up to 4 people. **Pay £3.35 postage. Appleyard, Thompson & Morgan and Wookey Hole offers end 20 May 2019. Creative Craft Shows offer ends on the last day of the various craft shows. Days Out offer ends 18 November 2019. ODEON offer ends 31 December 2019. The Rewards scheme is available for all active print subscribers of magazines published by TI Media Limited, free of charge. Digital subscribers also get access, as long as the subscription has been purchased directly through the publishers at magazinesdirect.com. Full terms and conditions are available at mymagazinerewards.co.uk. For enquiries, contact help@magazinesdirect.com or call 0330 333 1113 (Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm UK time)

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS Super all-rounder

Pet hair blaster

Cyclone V10 Absolute, £449, Dyson Despite weighing just 2.68kg, the V10 (H124.9x25.6xD25cm) offers the same suction as a full-size vacuum. It can clean for up to one hour and with three power levels, three power brush heads, four brush tools and a full-length hose, all corners are covered.

FX9, £499, AEG Undeniably expensive, but the AEG (H84.4xW21.5xD24.9cm) is a pet owner’s dream, offering three speeds and a turbocharged nozzle with rubber bristles that lift off hair better than anything else. There’s an integrated hose, the main body lifts out for portability and it has a 60min battery life.

THE BEST BIT You’ll fit lots of dirt in the 0.76L bin, but luckily the simple opening means you won’t get messy.

THE BEST BIT You can get under furniture by sliding the motor unit from the base to the top of the handle, greatly extending its reach.

Full power

Blade 2 Max 40V, £249, Vax While it may be a little heavier than most (3.1kg), the Blade 2 Max (H129xW26xD24cm) features a 40min battery life so you could easily get around the house on one charge. The multiple powered brushes and attachments boast the sort of performance you’d typically pay an extra £100 for.

THE BEST BIT The innovative brush bar spins at 4200rpm helping to leave no dust behind.

EXPERT TIP

‘Before you buy, test out a few models.

Make sure you turn it on (John Lewis & Partners are happy to do this) to hear how noisy it is, feel the weight and lay it flat to check it’ll fit under furniture.’

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Versatile choice

Clean faster with a cordless vacuum

FEATURE CHRIS HASLAM

“

Look for models that maintain consistent power to the end of their battery charge. Power settings on some vacuums can drastically deplete the run-time, so look for at least 40 minutes standard run-time and you can confidently complete a good clean.

RICHARD WATERS, NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, VAX

”

Pro K9, £249.99, Gtech Based on a professional handheld cleaner, this 1.5L capacity bagged design (H110xW29xD14cm) offers 16 cleaning options including powered fulllength brush bar, powered upholstery brush, extendable hose and a 40min battery life. Replacement bags cost £12.99 for 10.

THE BEST BIT It comes with a lavender-scented cartridge (£9.95 for five) for a fresh-smelling home.

Neat & petite

Kobold VC100, £129, Vorwerk Weighing in at a mere 650g, this stylish wand design (L41.7xDia82cm) is the perfect option for quick clear-ups.

It has a 20min battery life (13min in high power) and 65W of power, so it’s great for effectively cleaning the car, too.

THE BEST BIT At 75dB it’s quiet and has better than expected suction performance.

MAY 2019

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BEAUTIFULLY COLOURED FLOWERS Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’

Y

ou’ll love the beautifully coloured flowers of Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ set against unique rich, bronze foliage.

These hardy Peruvian Lilies are compact with an upright habit, ensuring that stems are still a good length for cutting. The perfect perennial for borders and patio containers where it will flower continuously from June to November.

Height: 75cm (30in). Spread: 60cm (24in).

SAVE £15.98*

Buy 1 for £11.99 Buy 3 for £35.97 £19.99 - saving £15.98 Garden Work Gloves Keep your hands protected from thorns, dirt and abrasions with these premium garden work gloves from Garden Gear.

Only £7.99 Large Patio Pot & Saucer Perfect for your patio displays. 24 litre.

Diameter: 39cm (15in).

From £9.99 incredicompost® A professional grade compost with the amazing plant-boosting qualities of incredibloom® fertiliser (included).

From Only £9.99 TERMS AND CONDITIONS This offer is available to readers on the UK mainland only. This offer is subject to availability. Cardholders can call direct on 0844 573 1686, quoting TM_XIH8. Order lines open seven days a week, 9am-8pm (weekdays) & 9am-6pm (weekends), with voicemail at other times. *Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone provider’s access charge. Alternatively, complete the coupon below in BLOCK CAPITALS. Remittance may be made by MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, postal order or cheque (name, address and TM_XIH8 on the back of cheque, please), crossed and made payable to T&M. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: Ideal Home Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ offer, Dept TM_XIH9, PO Box 162, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BX. Please note your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan. Terms and conditions available on request. *Savings are based on the equivalent of multiples of the cheapest pack size. All orders will be acknowledged by letter or email, advising you of the expected despatch date. The closing date is 29 April 2019. Alstroemeria despatched from April onwards.

HOW TO ORDER TO ORDER BY PHONE: Call 0844 573 1686* and quote TM_XIH9.

Lines are open 7 days a week 9am-8pm (weekdays) & 9am-6pm (weekends) TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit thompson-morgan.com/ TM_XIH9

TO ORDER BY POST: Fill in the coupon on the right

ORDER FORM COMPLETE THIS FORM AND SEND TO: Ideal Home Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ Offer, Dept TM_XIH9, PO Box 162, Ipswich, IP8 3BX I enclose a cheque made payable to T&M (no cash, please) for the sum of £ (Write your name, address and TM_XIH9 on the back of cheque, no cash please) Title Surname Address

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12317

1 Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ jumbo plug plant

£11.99

£

12318

3 Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ jumbo plug plants

£19.99

£

T56850P

1 Patio pot + saucer

£9.99

£

T56956P

3 Patio pots + saucers

58600

QTY

TOTAL

£24.99

£

®

£9.99

£

®

25 litres incredicompost + 100g incredibloom fertiliser

56335

70 litres incredicompost + 210g incredibloom fertiliser

£14.99

£

D9732

3 Pack Garden Work Gloves Small

£7.99

£

D9733

3 Pack Garden Work Gloves Medium

£7.99

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D9734

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£4.95 £

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS Pro’s choice

Spirit II S-210 GBS, £569, Weber This new two-burner design (H113x W122xD69cm) is made to last. The stainless-steel lid and cast-iron cooking surface can hold very high temperatures for top-quality searing, all backed by a 10-year warranty.

THE BEST BIT A grill section that you can swap for a wok (£79.99), pizza stone or griddle (£49.99 each).

A gas barbecue lets you start cooking right away, and it’s more precise

EXPERT TIP

‘Spray 50:50 washing-up liquid and water on the open gas bottle valve, hose and regulator. No bubbles means no leaks and the grill is safe.’

KAREN CLARK, CHAR-BROIL

We’re cooking on gas!

Traditionalists may tut, but gas barbecues are quick, convenient and easy to control – perfect for cooking alfresco but without the faff of charcoal. Their versatility makes it easy to grill burgers and sausages, as well as slow-cook meats and even bake pizzas

Best of both

Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill 330, £429, Dobbies This ingenious design (H120.7x W134.4x D62.5cm) has a removable charcoal tray on three gas burners, so it’s easy to ignite, and burns evenly.

Comes with heavy-duty cast-iron grill plates and a handy side burner.

THE BEST BIT Food benefits from added flavour as the fat drips on the charcoal and smokes.

Portable pick

Calor Mini-BBQ, £139.99, Waitrose This dinky design (H29xW33.5x D42.5cm) runs off the small gas canister in its base, or a larger 5kg canister for home use. It has a stainless-steel burner with cast aluminium cooking grill and a handy carry handle and shoulder strap.

THE BEST BIT The wood top doubles as a chopping board or serving plate.

FEATURE CHRIS HASLAM

Small but mighty

Everdure FORCE 2, £599, John Lewis Heston Blumenthal’s slim but powerful two-burner (H106.7xW117.5x D74.3cm) comes in five colours: Orange, Mint, Stone, Red and Charcoal. Made of rustproof diecast aluminium, its high hood means it roasts with convection heat (it’ll fit a 6kg turkey!) as easily as it grills burgers.

THE BEST BIT It can reach exceptionally high temperatures, but the high-quality control dials mean that you can adjust the heat precisely.

Designer style

Fuego Element F21C, £300, Amazon This award-winning pedestal-style (H117xDia54cm) design can reach 250°C in five minutes, and up to 350°C for expert searing. The circular ring burner and 7.7kg cast-iron grate heat evenly to avoid hot or cool spots.

THE BEST BIT It can be awkward to find somewhere to store the hot lid on a kettle barbecue, but the Fuego has a handy slot to stow it safely.

MAY 2019

151

FOOD WITH FRIENDS

Lunch with the girls

Because we all have that one friend whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on a health kick, enjoy these healthy-but-delicious recipes that all use antioxidant-packed matcha Matcha lime & lemonade Takes 15min, plus chilling Makes about 1L INGREDIENTS 800ml water 60g coconut sugar (or caster sugar) 2tsp matcha powder 100ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained 100ml freshly squeezed lime juice, strained Handful of mint leaves

1 In a saucepan, combine 200ml

of the water with the sugar and place over a low heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

2 Add the matcha powder to a bowl

with a little of the hot sugar water, whisking to mix. Add this to the remaining hot sugar water, mix well.

3 Pour the lemon and lime juice and

remaining cold water into a sterilised jar or bottle, then add the matcha sugar water and give it a really good shake. Chill for at least 30min.

4 To serve, pour the matcha

lemonade over ice and muddle in a few mint leaves with a cocktail stick.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

IDEAL HOME TIP Try adding different vegetables that you fancy, tofu or meats like pork or chicken

Ramen See page 157 for recipe

MAY 2019

153

SIMPLE PLEASURES

IDEAL HOME TIP Make the matcha crisps in advance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the rest of the salad only takes minutes to assemble

Bacon, lettuce & matcha salad See page 157 for recipe

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MAY 2019

Matcha lollipops Takes 15min, plus freezing Makes 6 INGREDIENTS 500g Greek yogurt with honey 2tsp matcha powder ½tsp vanilla extract 100g white chocolate, broken into pieces 2tsp cacao nibs 2tsp hazelnuts, crushed

1 Whisk together the Greek yogurt, matcha powder and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.

2 Divide the mixture between 6 lolly moulds. Insert a wooden lolly stick into the centre of each mould and freeze for at least 6hr.

3 Before serving, melt the chocolate

by putting it in a heatproof bowl and setting over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until melted and then set aside.

4 Take the lolly moulds out of the

freezer and hold under the cold tap for a few seconds until you can release the lollies from the moulds.

Dip into the melted chocolate or, using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate over the sides. Sprinkle over the cacao nibs and hazelnuts. Serve as soon as the chocolate sets.

Spiced watercress & matcha soup See opposite for recipe

READER OFFER The Matcha Cookbook (RRP £10, Aster) is available to Ideal Home readers for £7, plus free UK P&P. To order, call 01235 759555, quoting 9952100019. Offer subject to availability, please allow seven days for delivery.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Ramen

Takes 35min Serves 2

Bacon, lettuce & matcha salad

Takes 2hr, plus resting Serves 4

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI RECIPES THE MATCHA COOKBOOK, PUBLISHED BY ASTER PHOTOGRAPHS ISSY CROKER

INGREDIENTS 100g matcha noodles (or any soba noodles) 2 eggs 350ml chicken or vegetable stock 1tsp matcha powder 1tsp green curry paste 4 dried or fresh kaffir lime leaves 1tbsp fish sauce 250ml water 100g raw king prawns, de-veined 200g poached salmon, flaked 50g mangetout, sliced in half 1 spring onion, sliced 50g beansprouts Mixed fresh herbs, to serve

1 Cook the noodles in a pan of

boiling water following the instructions on the packet.

Refresh in cold water and drain.

2 Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of

water to the boil, add the eggs and boil for 6min (or longer if you prefer hard-boiled). Cool under running cold water before peeling and slicing into halves. Set aside.

3 Put the stock into a large pan and

stir in the matcha powder, curry paste, lime leaves, fish sauce and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15min to infuse the flavours. Add the raw prawns and leave to simmer for another 5min until they turn pink. Remove from the heat and add the flaked salmon.

4 Divide the drained noodles between 2 deep bowls and pour over the broth, dividing the prawns and salmon evenly between the two. Garnish with the egg halves, mangetout, spring onion, beansprouts and mixed herb leaves, if using.

INGREDIENTS 4 slices of streaky bacon, cut into 2.5cm slices 1tsp unsalted butter 100g matcha lime yogurt (recipe, right) 1tsp ume shiso seasoning (or cider vinegar) 2 baby gem lettuces, leaves separated 1 ripe avocado, peeled, stoned and cut into small pieces 3 eggs, hard-boiled and halved Handful of Parmesan shavings Handful of pea shoots 2 spring onions, sliced FOR THE MATCHA CRISPS 1 potato, thinly sliced 2tbsp olive oil 1tsp matcha salt (see recipe, right)

1 First, make the matcha crisps.

Preheat the oven to 120°C/Fan 100°C/Gas ½.

2 Pat dry the potato slices with

kitchen paper and then toss in the olive oil and matcha salt. Tip on to a baking tray and bake for 2hr, turning over halfway through, until golden.

Remove from the oven and rest for 10min to continue crisping up.

3 Meanwhile, heat a frying pan and

fry the bacon in the butter until crispy.

4 Combine the matcha lime yogurt

with the ume shiso seasoning to loosen. Put the lettuce into a large bowl and combine with the yogurt dressing until evenly coated. Place in a serving dish, then add the avocado, bacon, egg and matcha crisps.

5 To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan,

Matcha lime yogurt Serves 4 400g

Greek yogurt 1tsp matcha powder Zest and juice of ½ lime Mix together the yogurt, matcha and lime zest and juice, adjusting to taste.

For the matcha salt Makes 1½tbsp 1tbsp

sea salt flakes ½tsp matcha powder Combine the salt and matcha.

Spiced watercress & matcha soup

Takes 30min Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 1tbsp olive oil 1 leek, sliced 2tsp matcha powder Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼tsp ground ginger ⅛tsp ground cloves ¼tsp ground coriander ¼tsp ground cardamom ½tsp grated nutmeg 350g spinach 150g watercress (plus extra to serve) 600ml hot vegetable stock Handful of hazelnuts, chopped (to serve)

1 Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and

add the leek. Sauté over a medium heat for 10min until soft. Add the matcha powder and all the ground spices, stirring and cooking for another 5min. .

Add the spinach and watercress, season well and stir through, then add the hot stock and stir just until the leaves have wilted. Use a hand-held blender to blitz as soon as possible.

2

3 Garnish with extra watercress and

a sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts.

pea shoots and spring onions.

MAY 2019

157

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XIH CODE: 26AY

Enjoy Britain’s nature hotspots

Learn about native wildlife and take in the stunning landscape at these well-kept secrets you’ll want to return to, year after year…

For… meadows & waterways ISLE OF SHEPPEY, KENT WHAT TO SPOT Elmley

WHERE TO STAY Enjoy

nature reserve combines 3,200 acres of peaceful meadows, marshes and waterways which are a wildlife haven. It has the highest concentration of breeding waders such as avocet, oystercatchers, redshank and lapwing in lowland UK. There are four hides; one with an open-air screen on the sea wall, overlooking wildfowl and waders on the Swale, the channel between Sheppey and the mainland; the others overlook shallow ponds where you’ll see thousands of wading birds.

upmarket glamping in one of six stylish shepherd’s huts on the reserve, all with en-suite bathrooms and fully fitted kitchens. Painted in Farrow & Ball shades, and equipped with stylish furnishings, they have great views. You might even spot barn owls, hares or wildfowl from your bed.

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MAY 2019

BOOK IT One night in a

shepherd’s hut costs from £105.

To book, visit hostunusual.com or email hello@hostunusual.com

Take in the view from a shepherd’s hut in Kent

SIMPLE PLEASURES

For… forests & whirlpools OBAN, SCOTLAND WHAT TO SPOT The handsome

harbour town of Oban, in the region of Argyll, is full of rugged beauty, from the lush Arduaine Garden, to the Gulf of Corryvreckan between the islands of Jura and Islay, home to seals and sea eagles. Close by is the Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve, whose landscape includes saltmarsh, peat bog and woodland.

See beavers at Knapdale Forest, reintroduced to the area in 2016, and experience the whirlpool in the Gulf of Corryvreckan. The islands are home to red deer, wild goats and seals, and in late summer you might see whales and porpoises.

WHERE TO STAY The Loch

Melfort Hotel is on the coast, set See the in 17 acres of sun set over gardens. There the sea are 20 sea view rooms, and 10 rooms in the main house.

BOOK IT The three-night Wildlife

Break at the Loch Melfort Hotel costs from £680, based on two sharing, including breakfast and dinner. To book, visit lochmelfort. co.uk or call 01852 200233

Gaze out over Kielder Water

For… lakes & starry skies KIELDER WATER, NORTHUMBERLAND WHAT TO SPOT Beautiful,

WHERE TO STAY There are

award-winning Kielder Water & Forest Park is a natural habitat for many rare native species; it is home to England’s largest red squirrel population, and ospreys have bred here since 2009. There’s a bird of prey centre, home to falcons, hawks, vultures and more, and a salmon hatchery. The park also has England’s darkest skies, perfect for star-gazing.

19 waterside lodges, sleeping four to six, and many accept dogs. Some have barbecues, others have hot tubs, and all have full bathroom and kitchen facilities.

BOOK IT Lodges start from

£312 per week. To book, visit kielderwaterside.com or call 0845 155 0236

For… marshes & trails DUNWICH, SUFFOLK WHAT TO SPOT Dunwich

adjoins the RSPB Dingle Marshes Nature Reserve and Dunwich Heath. Thousands of ducks, geese and swans use Dingle Marshes, and you’re also likely to see avocets, bitterns, marsh harriers, stonechats and wigeons. The National Trust’s Dunwich Heath has a host of hiking trails,or you could try geocaching. RSPB Minsmere is three miles away and offers wildlife and bird walks.

WHERE TO STAY School

House sleeps up to six, with unbroken views over the marshes to the sea – perfect for birdwatching.

BOOK IT A three-night break at

School House costs from £585.

To book, visit suffolk-secrets. co.uk or call 01502 722717

Set out on a heather-lined hike in Suffolk

MAY 2019

161

For… wetlands & mountains CORS DYFI, POWYS WHAT TO SPOT Explore this

wildlife-rich wetland reserve in the Welsh mountains, where you’ll find smaller mammals, like dormice and otters, and birds including nightjars, reed and sedge warblers, among beautiful flowers and plants, from yellow irises to round-leaved sundews. The reserve bred ospreys, which come here between April and September, for the first time in 2011. You’ll also see barnacle geese and hen harriers.

WHERE TO STAY Get up among the treetops in a comfortable treehouse. On top

of a spiral staircase you’ll find a futuristic curved pod, housing a sumptuous double bed and bunk beds. Each treehouse has a living space, kitchen and small outdoor terrace with a hot spring water shower; at night, as there’s no electricity, illumination comes from lanterns, lamps and tea lights, adding a romantic element.

BOOK IT Two-night stays in a

Living Room Treehouse cost from £379 for two. To book, visit living-room.co or call 01650 511900

Fun in the water.

Below: stay on the Lady Avenel

Take to the trees in Powys

For… islands & lochs ISLE OF SKYE WHAT TO SPOT Board a tall

ship sailing around Skye and you’ll be able to enjoy a sea and freshwater loch swimming expedition around some of Scotland’s most beautiful islands, including Skye, Rum, Eigg and Muck, with a seal’seye view of the local wildlife, swimming around 3.5km a day. Rum boasts one of the largest Manx Shearwater colonies in the world, and

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MAY 2019

it’s also home to eider ducks, golden and white-tailed eagles, and even basking sharks.

Minke whales and shortbeaked dolphins are also seen around Skye in summer, and you’re likely to spot common and grey seals.

WHERE TO STAY You’ll stay aboard the majestic, multisailed Lady of Avenel, which will explore the coves, sounds and lochs of the Inner

Hebrides. Lady of Avenel is equipped with six comfortable guest cabins, and meals are prepared by the on-board chef.

There is very limited wi-fi and mobile phone reception, so you can really get back to nature.

BOOK IT A seven-day

expedition on the Lady of Avenel, including accommodation, all meals and guided swims, costs from £1,380 per person. To book, visit swimtrek.com or call 01273 739713

Explore the Dales from your base at Hipping Hall

SIMPLE PLEASURES

For… rocky shores SKOMER, PEMBROKESHIRE WHAT TO SPOT Skomer

island, a mile off the coast, is best known for puffins and, thanks to The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales, their numbers are growing every year. They’re best spotted from May to July after they’ve returned to their nesting sites.

But Skomer is also home to Atlantic grey seals, plus dolphins, porpoises, gannets, and fulmars. The island is perfect for a day trip (check boat

times on 01646 636800).

WHERE TO STAY Base yourself at Roch Castle, with scenic views across St Bride’s Bay to Skomer. This small, luxury hotel’s location, service and food have won it several awards over the past 10 years.

BOOK IT Rooms at Roch

Castle cost from £160 per night.

To book visit rochcastle.com or call 01437 557254

For… waterfalls & rare plants YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK WHAT TO SPOT It’s the

breathtaking scenery you’ll admire first, starting with the Ingleton Waterfalls, which you can view on a trail that takes in the Twiss and Doe rivers (one of its falls, Thornton Force, was sketched by artist JMW Turner).

The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest thanks to its rare plants and wildlife such as red squirrels, great crested newts, black grouse and buzzards. Nearby is the Foulshaw

Moss Nature Reserve, which has an osprey conservation project.

WHERE TO STAY Set in the National Park, Hipping Hall was formerly home to 18thcentury gentry, and it has luxurious rooms in the house, converted stables, and cottages.

In 2010, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan stayed – and dined – here in foodie comedy, The Trip.

BOOK IT A Cosy double room

at Hipping Hall costs from £179 per night, including breakfast.

To book visit hippinghall.com or call 015242 71187 MAY 2019

WORDS LAURA MILLAR PHOTOGRAPHS (LIVING ROOM TREEHOUSE) LIVING-ROOM.CO, (ROCH CASTLE) ROCH CASTLE PEMBROKESHIRE, VISITWALES.COM

Stay in spectacular 12th-century Roch Castle

163

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Marketplace oo g y some g r your home? You’ll find it in our easy-to-follow guide

MARKETPLACE CATEGORIES 171

Antiques

167

Hot Tubs

171

Bathrooms

171

Lighting

170

Beds & Bedding

166/7

Sofas

157

Verandas

168/169 Furniture

157

Garden Studios

Why not visit our online interiors directory at idealhome. co.uk

To advertise here or on our online directory, please call the team on 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassiďŹ ed@ti-media.com 167

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BEDS & BEDDING

170

To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassiďŹ ed@ti-media.com

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassiямБed@ti-media.com 171

Shopping directory A

A New Tribe 07815 534545 anewtribe.co.uk Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com Abstract House abstracthouse.com Addis 0800 515 300 addis.co.uk AEG 0344 561 1611 aeg.co.uk Aga 0800 111 6477 agaliving.com Aldi 0800 042 0800 aldi.co.uk Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Alternative Flooring 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AluSplash alusplash.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Anglian 0808 115 1275 anglianhome.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com AO.com 0344 324 9222 ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Arighi Bianchi 01625 613333 arighibianchi.co.uk Artfinder 0800 133 7434 artfinder.com Artisans of Devizes 01380 735888 artisansofdevizes.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Asos asos.com Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Bay and Box 07484 662126 bayandbox.com Bedeck 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com Benchmarx 01372 385915 benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Blake & Bull 01225 309347 blakeandbull.co.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Bloc Blinds 0800 107 5535 blocblinds.co.uk Bloombox Club bloomboxclub.com Bobby Rabbit 01143 217000 bobbyrabbit.co.uk Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Burgon & Ball 0114 233 8262 burgonandball.com

By Bella Designs bybelladesigns.com 247 Blinds 01484 443790 247blinds.co.uk California Shutters 0800 195 0196 californiashutters.co.uk

B

C

Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Casadeco 0844 369 0102 casadeco.com Christy 0845 758 5252 christy.co.uk Clarissa Hulse 020 7226 7055 clarissahulse.com Classy Cookers 07837 641893 classycookers.co.uk Clippings 020 3808 9449 clippings.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Crittall 01376 530800 crittall-windows.co.uk Crown 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Danetti 020 3588 1380 danetti.com David Hunt Lighting 01295 672628 davidhuntlighting.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Design Vintage 01243 573852 designvintage.co.uk Dobbies Garden Centres 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com Donaghy Bros 028 2954 0001 donaghybros.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Dwell 0845 675 9090 dwell.co.uk Dyson 0800 298 0298 dyson.co.uk Earthborn 01928 734171 earthbornpaints.co.uk Ebay ebay.co.uk Ercol 01844 271800 ercol.com Esse 01282 813235 esse.com Etsy etsy.com Express Bi-folding Doors 0800 121 4809 expressbifolds.co.uk FAB Appliances fabappliances.com Fabco 01903 718808 fabcosanctuary.com Falcon 0800 804 6261 rangemaster.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Ferm Living fermliving.com French Connection Home 0333 400 3285 frenchconnection.com Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 furniturevillage.co.uk Furniture123 0871 984 1924 furniture123.co.uk Galerie Wallcoverings 01892 700730 galeriehome.co.uk Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk

D

E F

G

George Home 0800 952 0101 george.com Gilbert & Rose gilbertrose.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 4956 giselagraham.co.uk Graham & Brown 0800 168 3795 grahambrown.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Graham Sanderson Interiors 01423 568628 grahamsandersoninteriors.com Grand Design London grand-design.london Great Little Trading Company 0844 848 6000 gltc.co.uk Gtech 01905 345891 gtechonline.co.uk H&M Home 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Harvey Maria 0845 680 1231 harveymaria.co.uk Harveys 0844 847 2626 harveysfurniture.co.uk Heal’s 0333 212 1915 heals.co.uk Hibou Home 01580 243188 hibouhome.com Hillarys 0800 916 6524 hillarys.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk HomeSense 01923 473561 homesense.com Hurn & Hurn 01603 559 250 hurnandhurn.com Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk Jane Clayton & Company 01761 404505 janeclayton.co.uk JD Williams 0871 231 2000 jdwilliams.co.uk Jennyfields Ltd 01252 757610 jennyfields.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com Juniqe 033 0777 1297 juniqe.co.uk Kaleidoscope 0333 200 8018 kaleidoscope.co.uk KDLoves 01328 830449 kdloves.com Kohler 0800 0014 466 kohler.co.uk Kutchenhaus kutchenhaus.co.uk La Redoute 0800 096 6888 laredoute.co.uk Lacy-Hulbert Interiors lacy-hulbert.com Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com Lights4Fun 01423 816040 lights4fun.co.uk

H

IJ

K L

Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Loaf 0345 468 0697 loaf.com Made in Design 020 7692 4001 madeindesign.co.uk Made.com 0344 257 1888 made.com Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com Mandarin Stone 01600 715444 mandarinstone.com Margo Selby 01227 282758 margoselby.com Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk Mini Moderns 020 7737 6767 minimoderns.com MissPrint 01277 350581 missprint.co.uk Modish Living 01273 499057 modishliving.co.uk Monoqi 020 3808 9032 monoqi.co.uk Morrisons 0845 611 6111 morrisons.co.uk Mud Australia 020 7706 4903 mudaustralia.com My Furniture 0800 092 1636 my-furniture.com Myakka 0345 460 3122 myakka.co.uk Mylands 020 8670 9161 mylands.co.uk Neon Sheep neon-sheep.com Neptune 01793 427300 neptune.com Nest 0114 243 3000 nest.co.uk Next Home 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Noa & Nani 01303 872957 noaandnani.co.uk Nordic House 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk Notonthehighstreet.com 020 3318 5115 Notonthehighstreet.com Nubie 01825 724160 nubie.co.uk Nuki nuki.io Oka 03330 042042 oka.com Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Original BTC 020 7351 2130 originalbtc.com Paint & Paper Library 0845 880 5844 paintandpaperlibrary.com Paper Parlour thepaperparlour.co.uk Paul Frampton 07902 208 476 paulframpton.co.uk Perrin & Rowe 01708 526361 perrinandrowe.com Pottery Barn Kids 0808 234 0445 potterybarnkids.co.uk

M

N

O P

SUBSCRIPTIONS All prices are for 12 issues and include p&p. Delivery times for overseas services are shown in brackets. UK: £52.80. USA (direct entry, five to 12 days): $152. Europe (priority; three to five days): €167. Rest of the world (priority, five to seven days): £122. Credit card hotline: 0330 333 1113; or call from overseas on: +44 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday Saturday, 8am 6pm; UK time. Make cheques payable to TI Media Limited. For enquiries and orders, please email: help@magazinesdirect.com. Alternatively, call from the UK on: 0330 333 1113; or call from overseas on: +44 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday Saturday, 8am 6pm, UK time. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by Air Business Ltd; c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc; 156 15 146th Avenue, 2nd floor, Jamaica NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: send address changes to Ideal Home, Air Business Ltd; c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc; 156 15 146th Avenue, 2nd floor, Jamaica NY 11434, USA. Subscriptions records are maintained at TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England.

Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.

Ideal Home 0019 1361 is published monthly by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Distributed by MarketForce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 9AP (020 3787 9001). TI Media Limited regrets that it cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any unsolicited material. By submitting any material to TI Media Limited, you consent to TI Media Limited and/or its associated companies reusing the submitted material in any format or medium throughout the world in perpetuity.

TI Media Limited reserves the right to shorten or modify any submitted material at its own discretion. The contents of the magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted without permission. Printed by Walstead UK Limited in the UK. Repro by Rhapsody Media. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited in the UK. Ideal Home is sold subject to these conditions: that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first give, be lent; resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price on the cover; selling price in EU and Eire subject to VAT; and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or annexed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. All information and prices correct at time of going to press. While we try to answer any enquiries, we cannot guarantee a response.

172

MAY 2019

STOCKISTS

EDITORIAL

Precious Little One 0845 226 0754 preciouslittleone.com Primark primark.co.uk Primrose 0118 903 5210 primrose.co.uk QVC 0800 514131 qvcuk.com Rangemaster 0800 804 6261 rangemaster.co.uk Red Candy 0121 224 7728 redcandy.co.uk Rockett St George 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk Romo 01623 756699 romo.com Room to Grow 0333 006 3096 roomtogrow.co.uk Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Royal Design 0844 264 2070 royaldesign.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636262 sainsburyshome.co.uk Sakura Garden Design 01799 540185 sakuragardendesign.org.uk Sandberg Wallpaper 0046 321 53 16 60 sandbergwallpaper.com Sanderson 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/sanderson Sass & Belle 020 7346 0117 sassandbelle.co.uk Scion 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/scion Secret Linen Store 01243 822599 secretlinenstore.com Sheridan 0345 6182800 sheridan-uk.com Shutterly Fabulous 0800 970 0800 shutterlyfabulous.com Sinks-taps.com 01759 307262 Smallable 020 3318 3406 en.smallable.com Soak 0333 004 6333 soak.com Sofa Workshop 0808 256 3476 sofaworkshop.com Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Souk Collective 07393 542878 soukcollective.co.uk Stackers 01622 714 212 stackers.com Surface View 0118 922 1327 surfaceview.co.uk Sweetpea & Willow 0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com Swoon 020 3319 6332 swooneditions.com Tala 01728 635265 talacooking.com The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000 conranshop.co.uk The Farthing 0844 567 2400 thefarthing.co.uk The Linen Works 020 3744 1020 thelinenworks.co.uk The Posh Shed Company 01544 387101 theposhshedcompany.co.uk The Rug Seller 0845 634 3477 therugseller.co.uk The Shutter Store 0800 0747 321 shutters.co.uk The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Tile.Expert 020 3519 5113 tile.expert Twford Cookers 01432 355 924 twyford-cookers.com Urban Coo 07725 470033 urbancoo.co.uk Vax 0330 026 8455 vax.co.uk

QR

S

T

UV

Very 0844 822 2321 very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk Villa Nova 01623 756699 villanova.co.uk Vorwerk 0330 660 0834 kobold.vorwerk.co.uk Waitrose & Partners 0800 188884 waitrose.com Wallpaper Direct 01323 430886 wallpaperdirect.com Wandalust wandalust.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk Weber 020 3630 1500 weberbbq.co.uk West Elm 0800 404 9780 westelm.co.uk Wilko 0800 032 9329 wilko.com Wood and Beyond 020 3869 0900 woodandbeyond.com Woodchip & Magnolia 01204 856887 woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk Wooden Horse woodenhorselondon.com Woven 020 3176 8993 woven.co.uk Wyld Home 01743 588820 wyldhome.com Yoko Kloeden yokokloeden.com Zara Home 0800 026 0091 zarahome.com Zoffany 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/zoffany

W

YZ

BE CANDLE SAFE Enjoy the special touch that candles add to your home; but take care to use them safely: Always place lit candles well away from foliage, furniture, curtains and soft furnishings, and always out of draughts O Keep candles out of reach of children and pets O Never leave a burning candle unattended ● Keep candles away from hair and clothing ● Always place candles upright in suitable holders that can’t easily fall over ● Always be sure that candles are properly extinguished

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PRODUCTION

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Tillman 020 3148 7891 DEPUTY EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Clare Willetts 020 3148 7892 ART PRODUCTION DESIGNER Phil Dunk 020 3148 7893 ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Barry Skinner 020 3148 2538 PRODUCTION MANAGER John Botten 020 3148 5431 PRODUCTION OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Richard Hill 020 3148 5424 SYNDICATION Efi Mandrides 020 3148 5485 INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS Bianca Hamilton-Foster 020 3148 5490 PRESS OFFICE 020 3148 7682

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GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, LIFESTYLE Angela O’Farrell EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR Donna McConnell 020 3148 5651 GROUP CLIENT INVESTMENT DIRECTOR Rob Biagioni 01252 555371 Ownable is a partnership between TI Media Ltd and Seen in Print Ltd

MAY 2019

173

A SPACE OF MY OWN

‘Before I got my shed, disability defined me’

The compact 3.3sq m shed is a perfect fit

Living with chronic pain, Alison Rumbles finds the freedom and confidence to explore her creativity and enjoy crafting in her garden-shed studio

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MAY 2019

Alison now takes commissions for her felt animals and designs craft kits

“

I live within the boundaries of my pain, but from my shed I speak to other crafters around the world through Instagram

I can’t wait to come in here. I listen to detective stories while I work and my dog, Tilly, and cat, Sylvester, are in here with me. I lose track of the hours and have to set a timer to remind me to go back into the house, so Grant and Eilha won’t wonder where I am. Having the shed has given me the confidence to explore

”

my creativity and take opportunities I might once have turned down. I’ve just finished making a felt dog for Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist!

Before I had my shed, I was defined by disability. Now, I’m defined as an artist – not a mum or wife or someone who walks with a stick. If we move house, my shed is coming with me.’

FEATURE ANDREA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB ALISON’S SHED IS A POTTING SHED, FROM £2,500, THE POSH SHED COMPANY

A

lison, 47, is married to Grant, a telecoms engineer, and they have a 21-year-old daughter, Eilha. They live in a two-bedroom, end-of-terrace house in East Lothian, which they bought 13 years ago.

‘I damaged my back when I was pregnant and have been in chronic pain ever since. Sewing and crafting have been my escape and comfort, pastimes I love to do, but I had no space of my own to work in – until I got the shed. My mum was terminally ill in hospital when we saw a photograph of it in a magazine.

She pointed at it and said, “You need that shed and it has to be that colour”.

When she died two months later, in January 2017, I bought one. Grief is a very private thing and this shed has given me a quiet space to be alone, but it’s more than that. It’s like Mum was laying the foundations for me to move on and make more of my life.

The shed is just 10 steps from the house. Grant painted it white and there’s an electric stove inside. It’s the cheapest extension you could buy, decorated with the bright colours I love. There are none of the compromises you have to make in a shared home. It’s completely my space. I wake up every day and

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Plan your perfect

KITCHEN and BATHROOM Everything you need to know to create hard-working, family-proof and stylish rooms youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love for years

Welcome Embarking on a new kitchen or bathroom project? You’ve come to the right place. Think of this booklet as your ideal starting point for creating the perfect space to suit both your home and your family’s needs. We’ve covered all of the latest looks, from colourful kitchen cabinetry to sleek spa-style sanitaryware, in a wide variety of designs to suit every budget. Plus, there’s fail-safe guides to mapping the most efficient use of space for your project, along with plenty of handy expert tips to help you make your dreams a reality. So whether you’re planning a big overhaul or just want to update your space with a fresh new look, we’ve got all the advice and inspiration you need right here…

12

32

Ginevra GINEVRA BENEDETTI SUPPLEMENT EDITOR, IDEAL HOME PLAN YOUR PERFECT KITCHEN AND BATHROOM

Editorial Director, Ideal Home Vanessa Richmond Supplement Editor, Ideal Home Plan Your Perfect Kitchen and Bathroom Ginevra Benedetti Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers Group Creative Director Georgia Hibberdine Acting Art Editor Hannah Bennewitz Supplement Writer Ysanne Brooks Supplement Designer Rebecca Halverson Group Chief Sub-Editor Sarah Farley Supplement Sub-Editor Chloe Hay Editorial Production Manager Nicola Tillman Art Production Designer Phil Dunk Production Manager John Botten Publisher and Head of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara Advertisement Production Co-ordinator Barry Skinner Group Managing Director, Lifestyle Angela O’Farrell PA to Managing Director, Lifestyle Donna McConnell Ideal Home 0019-1361 is published monthly by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Distributed by MarketForce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 9AP (020 3787 9001). TI Media Limited regrets that it cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any unsolicited material.

By submitting any material to TI Media Limited, you consent to TI Media Limited and/or its associated companies reusing the submitted material in any format or medium throughout the world in perpetuity. TI Media Limited reserves the right to shorten or modify any submitted material at its own discretion. The contents of the magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted without permission. Printed by Walstead Southernprint UK. Repro by Rhapsody Media. Cover printed by Walstead Peterborough UK. Ideal Home is sold subject to these conditions: that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price on the cover; selling price in EU and Eire subject to VAT; and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or annexed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. All information and prices correct at time of going to press. While we try to answer any enquiries, we cannot guarantee a response.

2

MAY 2019

KITCHENS 4

Contemporary handleless Super sleek cabinetry for a truly modern-look kitchen

8

Painted Shaker Timeless elegance, perfect for both traditional and modern schemes

12 Metallic touches Rich gold, copper and brass detailing add a luxe look to kitchens 16 Surface texture Add visual variety and a touch of nature to your kitchen project 19 Planning & advice Choose a clever, hard-working layout for the heart of your home

28

16 BATHROOMS

20 Marvellous modular Clever floating, wall-hung furniture to maximise the feeling of space 24 Relaxing spa Create a Zen-like space, perfect for retreating to at the end of a long day 28 Go bold Brighten up your bathroom with plenty of colour and pattern 32 Timeless classic Stay traditional with fixtures and fittings that never go out of style 35 Planning & advice Make the most of the space you have with a smart new layout

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

A B

Alternative Bathrooms 020 3375 9009 alternativebathrooms.com Bathrooms to Love 01562 861754 bathroomstolove.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Burbidge 024 7667 1600 burbidge.co.uk Burlington 01322 473222 burlingtonbathrooms.com Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Caesarstone 01706 863600 caesarstone.co.uk CP Hart 0345 873 1121 cphart.co.uk Craig & Rose 01383 740010 craigandrose. com Crown 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Fired Earth 01295 812088 ďŹ redearth.com Fritz Fryer 01989 567416 fritzfryer.co.uk Geberit 01926 516 800 geberit.co.uk Gerald

Culliford 020 8390 4656 geraldculliford.co.uk Grohe 0871 200 3414 grohe.co.uk Harvey Jones 0800 389 6938 harveyjones.com Heritage Bathrooms 033 0026 8501 heritage bathrooms.com Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk Kaldewei 020 8337 1441 kaldewei.com Karndean 01386 820100 karndean.com Life Kitchens 020 3972 0150 life-kitchens.co.uk Magnet 01325 744093 magnet.co.uk Masterclass Kitchens 01443 449499 masterclass kitchens. co.uk Merlyn Showering merlynshowering.com Neil Lerner 020 7433 0705 neillerner.com Neptune 01793 427300 neptune.com Perrin & Rowe 01708 526361 perrinandrowe.com

H

R S

Roundhouse 020 7297 6220 roundhousedesign.com Searle & Taylor 01962 850 851 searle-taylor.co. uk Silestone 01256 761229 silestone.co.uk Smeg 0844 557 9907 smeguk.com Soak 0333 004 6333 soak.com Stone & Ceramic Warehouse 020 8993 5545 sacw.co.uk The Albion Bath Company 01255 831605 albionbathco.com The Main Company 01423 330451 maincompany.com The Natural Wood Floor Co 020 8871 9771 naturalwoodďŹ&#x201A;oor. co.uk Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk Victoria + Albert 020 7351 4378 vandabaths.com Water Baths of Ashbourne 01332 824166 watersbaths.co.uk Wickes 0330 123 4123 wickes. co.uk Wren Kitchens 0345 127 7008 wrenkitchens.com

I K L M

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C

MAY 2019

3

Rough it up

TREND #1

Juxtapose cream units with botanical prints and exposed brick for an industrial edge.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Intelliga Glencoe kitchen, from £2,278, Wickes

Contemporary handleless Integrated handles are perfect for those seeking a modern, pared-back kitchen design

W

ith a multitude of colours and finishes now available, glossy white is no longer the only go-to option for handle-free cabinetry. Although it’s still popular, tastes are expanding to include choices in a range of styles from painted Shaker to clean-lined finishes.

OPEN AND SHUT Handleless doors take one of two main forms: they either incorporate J- or U-shaped inserts along the sides or tops of the doors, or they have completely flat doors, featuring manual or electric push-to-open mechanisms.

KEEP IN LINE A design that’s too asymmetrical, uneven, or that simply doesn’t line up well, will be much more obvious in a flat-fronted, handleless style than in any other, so it’s wise to take extra care and time with the design and fitting. If you’re planning to have a floor-to-ceiling bank of cabinetry featuring several appliances, then be ultra careful when measuring up and consider buying all the appliances from one supplier

4

MAY 2019

so the look is consistent. Most manufacturers now have co-ordinated styles for handles and controls across their entire range of built-in appliances for exactly this reason.

KEEP IT SLEEK Investing in integrated appliances to sit behind cupboard doors will help to keep the look clean. But take care when choosing a fully integrated dishwasher, as the door might be difficult to open without a handle, so check with your supplier first.

Some companies, such as Miele, make appliances with push-open mechanisms.

FINISHING TOUCH While high-gloss cabinets are still as popular as ever, doors featuring matt finishes can provide an elegant, subtly textured appearance that will add interest, and the latest designs are even fingerprint-resistant to avoid grubby marks. An ultra-thin worktop or one with a shark-edge profile in the same colour as the units will keep the look seamless. Good lighting is also key and adding lights to plinths will help cabinetry – particularly islands – appear as if they are floating.

KITCHEN TREND Light and dark Including touches of dark-toned timber both inside cabinetry and in exposed shelving adds warmth to grey kitchens.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Linear Edge kitchen in Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon, from £18,000, Harvey Jones

“

Deeper shades are bang on trend, plus they make a stunning focal point and inject a little extra charisma into your kitchen

”

MELISSA CLINK, HEAD OF DESIGN, HARVEY JONES

MAY 2019

5

See clearly Getting the lighting right is key in good kitchen design – cover all bases with a mix of ceiling spotlights, under-cupboard LEDs and low pendants.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Integra Meteor Blue kitchen, from £2,882, Magnet

“

The worktops you choose will inform the overall feel of your kitchen. Marble or Corian are super modern, while wood has a softer, country-style vibe

”

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

6

MAY 2019

KITCHEN TREND

Back in black

IDEAL HOME

expert tip

Avoid fingerprint marks on your doors by investing in cabinetry with a clever print-free finish.

BUY THE KEY PIECES TouchFree black cabinetry with a lacquered finish, from £25,000, Neil Lerner

Worried about textured cabinets being too bold a statement? Go for a run of matt finish, too

Relief package Add interest to plain white doors with wall cabinets that feature a faceted, geometric pattern.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Herrestad faceted doors, from £49 each; Voxtorp doors, from £60 each; Pinnarp worktop, from £120, all Ikea

Top it off Terrazzo-style composites are right on trend and look stunning when paired with pale grey cabinetry.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Frozen Terra, from £410sq m, Caesarstone. Integra Meteor kitchen, from £2,790, Magnet, is a similar style

MAY 2019

7

Shine a light Brighten up a moody grey-green kitchen with worktops, lighting and accessories in cool, calming white.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Hand-painted Suffolk kitchen in Cactus, from £12,000, Neptune

TREND #2

Painted Shaker A classic choice, versatile Shaker kitchens look great in traditional and modern schemes

S

haker is such a popular choice that most kitchen companies will have their own take on it, so you can pick from a wide range of options – from simple off-the-shelf designs to something much more bespoke – depending on your taste and budget.

Another option is to commission a local carpenter to build cabinets to your specific design, and then save some cash by painting them yourself.

HARD-WEARING CHOICE One of the most important things about a painted Shaker kitchen is its durability – a few dints and dents here and there will simply add to its charm. But if you want it to look as perfect as the day it was installed, it’s easy to touch up. Tired of the colour completely? Then simply update with a new lick of paint.

BE CAREFUL WITH COLOUR The trend for bolder hues this year is great for those who love to add a bit of drama, but it is worth checking first that your room can take such a strong shade. Colour changes

8

MAY 2019

depending on the light and can vary from one corner of a room to another. So, paint colour swatches on different walls, or, if you can, get a door sample in your chosen finish and move it around the room to judge how it reacts in various lights. If your room is fairly dark or small, consider using a bolder shade on base cabinetry but a lighter colour on any wall cabinets.

CLASSIC OR CONTEMPORARY? Combining Shaker units with a flagstone floor, range cooker and wooden worktop will give you a classic farmhouse look, while pairing them with cool white composite, super sleek bar handles and a large format porcelain tiled floor will achieve a much more urban interpretation.

APPLIANCE OPTIONS A range cooker is often regarded as being at the heart of a traditional design. Go for one in a shade that tones with the cabinetry for a subtle look, or one in a bright colour for contrast. For the rest of your appliances, invest in integrated options to keep them out of sight.

KITCHEN TREND Go greige Beige doesn’t have to be boring. Use a grey shade for cabinets and walls, with deep blue touches for contrast.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Painted Shaker Hardwick kitchen in Oxford Blue and Farringdon Grey, from £7,500, Masterclass Kitchens

“

The trend for bold, dark kitchen themes continues, with rich green cabinetry set to be a new, key style for the year ahead

”

HAYLEY SIMMONS, HEAD OF MERCHANDISING, MAGNET

MAY 2019

9

Fabulous faux For a budget-friendly alternative to traditional parquet flooring, try a hard-wearing, attractive vinyl instead.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Art Select Mountain Oak, from £40sq m, Karndean

IDEAL HOME

expert tip Set cabinets and ovens into the wall, for a completely streamlined finish

Green dream

Cool curves

Ramp up the botanical indoor-outdoor vibe of your kitchen with a run of Shaker cabinetry in emerald green in front of a simple, oversized window.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Dunham kitchen in Forest Walk, from £3,624, Magnet

Fancy something a little more organic and country style? Then go for white corner units with gently curved fronts, with a few added timber elements.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke kitchen, from £25,000, The Main Company

“

Updating hardware can have a big impact.

Oak knobs are a classic choice, but if you’re aiming for a modern feel, consider metallic finishes DAN ALLEN, SENIOR DESIGNER, NEPTUNE

10

MAY 2019

”

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XIH CODE 26AY

Copper touch Give your kitchen a country house upgrade with a copper-trimmed La Cornue range cooker and matching handles.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Original kitchen in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, from £18,000, Harvey Jones

TREND #3

Metallic touches Chrome used to be king in the kitchen but now we’re after warmer, burnished metallic finishes

B

rass, copper and gold touches not only add a gentle, warming glow to a kitchen, but they also bring an element of glamour, too.

While stainless steel – particularly for appliances, sinks and taps – has been the go-to material for a long time, softer finishes are now making their mark.

STAND-OUT FEATURE If you’d like to experiment with metallic cabinetry but don’t want to go the whole hog, then a metallic or metallic-look island is a great place to start.

Plenty of manufacturers now have cabinetry ranges featuring solid doors that have been wrapped in a thin layer of metal and covered with a specialist finish. This provides a hard-wearing, elegant surface, perfect for a busy kitchen. Instead of an island, you could add drama by pairing plain base cabinetry with bronze or copper wall units.

ARTIST IMPRESSION If a painted finish is your preference, then go for a specialist paint that contains metal for a realistic surface. For an industrial,

12

MAY 2019

weathered appearance, use a patina solution such as Craig & Rose’s Copper Patina, £8 for 0.25L, over the top of its Artisan Copper Effect paint, £21.90 for 0.75L. Crown’s Metallic Emulsion colours in Copper and Rose Gold, from £19 for 1.25L, are another great option. But be careful, as some metallic paints don’t wear well in high-moisture areas.

SPECIALITY SURFACES Look for tiles, worktops and flooring that feature elegant touches of gold or bronze as an accent – Oparo Diamond Arabesque or Lampas ranges from Topps Tiles are both ideal choices for a splashback with real grandeur. Natural granite often features copper-hued veining and colouration, but to see those elements at their best, a highshine or burnished finish is preferable.

ELEGANT EXTRAS Small appliances are getting the metallic treatment, too, and they’re a great way to dress up a kitchen on a budget. It’s fine to mix different tones of the same shade, but try to avoid mixing brass, copper and gold to keep the look harmonious.

KITCHEN TREND It’s a wrap Place a brass island centre stage and pull together the look with co-ordinating metalframed shelving.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke kitchen in Farrow & Ball’s Mole’s Breath, with island in Brass metal wrap, from £35,000, Roundhouse

“

The simple but effective addition of a few fixtures and fittings in brass, gold or copper can change the look of your kitchen completely

”

MELISSA KLINK, HEAD OF DESIGN, HARVEY JONES

MAY 2019

13

KITCHEN TREND Glimmer of shine For a subtle metallic effect on cabinetry with integrated handles, use copper detailing on the edge of J-pull inserts.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Milano Contour kitchen in Castle Rock, from ÂŁ9,499, Wren Kitchens

IDEAL HOME

expert tip Give a super modern kitchen a dose of cosiness with a chaletstyle wooden ceiling

14

MAY 2019

Hot stu ff Gold trim on a banked wall of black glass appliances adds an extra layer of luxury in this kitchen.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Dolce Stil Novo oven collection, from £1,199, Smeg

On the wall Framed open shelving in an accent colour will create a sense of airiness and light in a timber- and bronze-toned design.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Otto kitchen in Brushed Bronze and Matt Anthracite, from £7,500, Burbidge

Flair on tap Liven up your sink area by adding a bit of bling in the shape of an elegant tap in a soft gold finish.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Essence Kitchen collection L-spout tap in Warm Sunset finish, £370, Grohe

“

Warm metallics can help create a cosy, welcoming vibe.

For a touch of luxury think rose gold, or for drama, go for brass

”

KELLY EVEREST, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, GROHE MAY 2019

15

Go deep

PHOTOGRAPH PAUL CRAIG

An accent of textured wood in the shape of a deep-profiled breakfast bar or island helps to give warmth to a modern, linear kitchen.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Intuo kitchen, from £30,000, Searle & Taylor

TREND #4

Surface texture Add depth to cabinetry, walls, floors and worktops with a textured finish

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ombining natural materials such as wood and stone with either a gloss, handleless design or a painted Shaker kitchen will create impact. Cabinets in plain shades with understated fronts will also allow concrete, distressed timber and roughhewn surfaces to shine.

THE DARK SIDE Think timber in shades of grey and black with vertical graining that helps to give the impression of height as well as depth. If an entirely dark kitchen seems too bold or oppressive, consider a mix of open or glassed cabinets, or pair a dark wood island with a run of white units.

ADD AN ACCENT If wooden cabinets aren’t to your taste, you can use textured timber as an accent instead. A rich-grained breakfast bar is a perfect counterpoint to a glossy island, while a Shaker larder with wooden interior is a stunning addition to a period kitchen. For smaller hits of nature, add wooden shelves or clad the backs of industrial-style open units for contrast.

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FABULOUS FLOORS Original wooden floorboards work as an attractive base for any kitchen design. But they will need caring for to keep them looking their best. Seal with oil regularly and use a specialist wood floor cleaner. If you’re installing a new floor, then it’s worth contemplating engineered boards as their layered structure makes them less susceptible to warping. For a country vibe, try rough-hewn, large format, natural stone tiles or go for geometric encaustic tiles for a modern spin on Victorian style.

GO FAUX Heavily veined marble is a key look for worksurfaces, but it’s naturally quite porous, so you either need to get it treated fairly regularly, or just embrace the staining that will come from spills and splashes.

Luckily, many makers of composite surfaces, including Silestone and Caesarstone, have developed ranges that realistically replicate the natural veining of marble but are much more hard wearing. Concrete is increasingly growing in popularity, too, but, similarly, a composite version is a much easier option.

KITCHEN TREND In line Embrace your dark side with black vertical grained cabinetry, and combine with glassfronted wall units and white tops for contrast.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Lerhyttan doors, from £32 each; Eneryda handles, from £5 for two; Ekbacken worktop, from £40; Raskog bar stools, £20 each, all Ikea

“

Timber finishes, in a variety of colours and textures, are having a big resurgence and add depth both visually and physically

”

DANIELA CONDO, DESIGNER, LIFE KITCHENS

MAY 2019

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KITCHEN TREND

IDEAL HOME

expert tip Run the worktop up the wall in the sink area to create a splashback in place of standard tiling

The right vein Introduce texture with an easy-clean, hard-wearing worktop that is designed to mimic the elegant veining of natural marble.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Radianz Cirrus Collection Rio worktop, from £280sq m, Gerald Culliford

Mix and match

Ace base

Be confident and use different textures, patterns and colours to give your scheme added depth and interest.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Matte graphite cabinetry with black fusion granite, from £25,000, Life Kitchens

Wood floors suit any style but go for an engineered rather than natural timber plank for a hard-wearing and durable surface.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Engineered oak lacquered plank, £63sq m, The Natural Wood Floor Company

“

Combine function with form in the kitchen by softening the look of contemporary, linear cabinetry with an accent of textured wood DARREN TAYLOR, MD, SEARLE & TAYLOR

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MAY 2019

”

EXPERT ADVICE

Plan the perfect KITCHEN LAYOUT Maximise your kitchen space with a hard-working design

G

etting your kitchen layout right is key. It may look fantastic, but if it fails to function as a workspace, it can be hugely disappointing.

Before you start work consider everything – from where to put your recycling bin, to how close your oven is to your food store. If you’re employing a kitchen designer, they will be able to advise on style and function.

MAKE IMPROVEMENTS Write a comprehensive list of the things you love and the things you don’t love about your existing kitchen. This will give you a good starting point.

FEATURE HEATHER YOUNG ILLUSTRATIONS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

GALLEY Sit a pair of long room units across both sides of a narrow space O Avoid adding wall units to prevent the room from feeling claustrophobic.

Instead, go for open shelving.

O Go modern with handleless units and integrated appliances where you can.

O Banish clutter by investing in internal storage solutions such as multi-layer drawers, pull-out racks and pan dividers.

ENSURE IT WORKS FOR YOU Think about how you intend to use the space. For instance, do you cook from scratch and entertain guests a lot? Will the room be used for tasks other than cooking – homework for example?

CONSIDER YOUR STORAGE NEEDS Now is the time to make sure you plan a place for everything. Measure your tallest mixers and biggest plates and take a good look at your appliances. Arranging everything according to its function will mean you won’t have to walk too far around the room when cooking and can keep traffic away from the hob.

L-SHAPED This layout offers lots of flexibility without feeling too enclosed O Keep an open feel in smaller spaces by placing wall cupboards on just one side.

O Ensure there’s plenty of worktop on either side of the sink and cooker for the most efficient use of space.

O Utilise the corners with special pull-out, kidney-shaped units or carousels.

O Supplement natural light with task lights.

U-SHAPED Allowing for units on

three walls offers plenty of workspace Reduce traffic in the heart of the kitchen, particularly if you have children, by placing the fridge near the entrance.

O Use just two sides of the room for your working triangle to keep it compact in larger spaces, or put the sink on an island.

O Maximise your storage by adding clever solutions in both corner cupboards.

O

W hat is the working triangle?

ISLAND Great for roomier designs, an

island provides extra workspace while also creating a tighter working triangle O Allow plenty of space around an island, at least 90cm, so you can open cabinets.

O Consider adding a prep sink and possibly a dishwasher or wine fridge, too.

O Add a worktop overhang to one side for a breakfast bar. Go for adjustable-height bar stools if you have small children.

OPEN-PLAN This layout is the most

sociable, with plenty of room for seating O Zone the space by using different, but cohesive, materials, colours or textures for each area of the room.

O Invest in quiet appliances. It can be very frustrating trying to have a conversation over the sound of a noisy extractor fan.

O Heat it efficiently. A large tiled space might be best suited to underfloor heating.

The working triangle dictates where the key kitchen elements (hob, fridge freezer and sink) sit in your kitchen, and is an important consideration to reduce the distance you have to walk when cooking. You move between these three features all the time when preparing meals, so they need to be in a practical arrangement and within easy reach of each other. Ideally, the sides of the triangle created by the three points will be between 1.2 and 2.7m long.

MAY 2019

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Noir know-how

Team black taps with rich woods and cleanlined washbasins for a sophisticated scheme.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Noir Craft basin unit, £572; Noir Veneto washbasin, £399; Noir twin-handle mixer tap, £332; Noir round mirror, £266, all Bathstore

TREND #1

Marvellous modular

Invest in freestanding or wall-hung furniture to create a contemporary, light and open scheme

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itting wall-hung furniture and ceramic ware or installing freestanding vanity units in the bathroom will help to give the illusion of space in even the most compact of rooms by exposing more of the floor. Perfect for both modern and traditional styles, it’s an ideal solution for family bathrooms where the need for hard-working storage is often high.

CHOOSE YOUR MATERIAL While much modular furniture is glossy and modern in style, there are plenty of natural timber tones to choose from, too, to help you create a more classic scheme. Oak has been the popular choice for a while, but darker woods are great for ramping up the drama in a space, particularly highly grained designs.

Exposure to water and steam on a regular basis means natural timbers will need to be treated and sealed – adding a stone top to a wooden vanity will give it extra durability.

SURFACE ATTRACTION Modular furniture will expose more of the floor so it’s

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worth thinking carefully about your flooring choices. For floor tiles, you’ll also want to check their anti-slip properties before you buy, particularly if children will be running about. Larger tiles with matching grout will work well with modern furniture, while wood or faux-wood floors will enhance a traditional painted or natural timber scheme.

FLEXIBLE FRIENDS The benefit of using freestanding furniture is that much of it can be moved around or added to as the needs of your family change. Most modular ranges feature a variety of shapes and sizes – from tall, skinny cabinets to wide, double basin vanity units – so if you’ve found a style you love, there are bound to be pieces that suit your needs. Internal storage is just as important as external design, so take this into consideration, too.

SUPPORTING CAST Adding a wallhung loo with boxed-in cistern will help to complete the free-floating feel, but it will require careful installation as the fittings need to be able to bear a person’s weight.

BATHROOM TREND In the frame

Add natural timber tones to baby blue cabinetry by choosing units encased in a boxed-frame design.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Senzo vanity unit with sit-in resin basin in Denim Blue and White Mountain Larch, £650; Senzo tall unit, £525; Senzo mirror, £250, all Bathrooms to Love

“

Storage is essential – use open shelves to keep things easily accessible, plus closed cabinets to keep surfaces clutter-free STELLA MONTEIRO, STORAGE SALES LEADER, IKEA

”

MAY 2019

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Make your surfaces shine

Create a stunning backdrop to your modular furniture with wall and floor tiles in bold shades and faux finishes, in a variety of shapes and sizes.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Ruzzini floor tiles, £74.20sq m; Lampas Peacock wall tiles, £59.56sq m, both Topps Tiles

“

Washbasins are highly visual, particularly when sitting on top of modular furniture so look for one that has an interesting aesthetic ANKE SALOMON, DESIGNER, KALDEWEI

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MAY 2019

”

BATHROOM TREND

Black magic

IDEAL HOME

expert tip

Furniture and ceramic ware suspended from the walls will help to make even the darkest of rooms feel spacious.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Acanto compact washbasin unit, £376.55; Acanto rimfree WC, £369.65, all Geberit

Paint walls and cabinetry in the same shade for a seamless and streamlined effect

Try traditional

Modular furniture doesn’t have to be just for modern schemes. A Georgian-style, freestanding cabinet with beading is the perfect match for a classic design.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Wall-hung 65 vanity unit with worktop and integrated basin, £1,188, Burlington

Rough with the smooth

For contrast, pair an elegantly curvaceous Miena washbasin, designed by Anke Salomon, with a rough timber vanity unit.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Miena washbasin bowl, from £510, Kaldewei

MAY 2019

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Feel at peace

PHOTOGRAPH SMITHARC ARCHITECTS/JASON ERIK SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Combine a timberclad entrance with a framed, freestanding bath and a ceiling lantern to achieve complete tranquillity.

BUY THE KEY PIECES IOS freestanding bath, £2,885, Victoria + Albert

TREND #2

Relaxing spa Bring a touch of Zen to your bathroom with natural materials and a soft colour palette

T

he naturally warm and inviting textures and tones of materials such as timber and stone are the perfect building blocks for a spa-style bathroom. Follow the lead of boutique hotels and combine soft shades with luxury modern fixtures and fittings for a space that’s sure to soothe the soul as well as aching shoulders.

PUT THE BATH CENTRE STAGE For a truly indulgent look, make your tub the focus of the room. If it’s in the centre of the space, partner with floor-mounted taps so you’ve plenty of room to stretch out without encountering chilly chrome. Make sure you have a free surface nearby – a chair or stool will do – for holding your towel, toiletries and a glass of bubbly if you’re in the mood. Alternatively, if you prefer a simple panel bath, then consider placing it on a podium with a shelf inset into the wall to hold your bath-time bits and bobs.

SET THE TONE Ceramic or porcelain tiles in pale stone shades are the perfect way to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere.

Go for larger format tiles on both the walls and the floor so the effect isn’t compromised by lots of grouting lines. If you’re planning a

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wet room, then consider cladding in a natural, marble-look quartz composite, such as Caesarstone, to create an elegant shower cubicle. Accessorise with natural wicker baskets, timber duckboards and plenty of soft towels and snuggly bath robes.

LUXURY TOUCHES Fitting underfloor heating will keep things nice and warm in the winter, particularly if you’ve gone for porcelain, ceramic or composite floor tiles.

Add a wall-mounted heated towel rail and glossy, reflective surfaces such as gold or mirrored chrome for a little extra luxury.

Investing in a few high-end toiletries to keep out on show will also help to maintain that hotel chic feel – nothing says boutique spa more than a few bottles of quality body-wash and lotion on display beside the bath.

LIGHT IT RIGHT Add dimmer switches so you can easily control the atmosphere of the room. It may be a busy family bathroom by day, but being able to turn down the lights will help to generate the perfect warm glow for a peaceful night-time soak. Wow factor lighting, such as a Fritz Fryer pendant above the bath or LED spotlights around the base of a freestanding tub, will give your finished bathroom that extra-special edge.

BATHROOM TREND Timber tones

Adding warmth with wood and natural materials is a clever way to create a relaxing, spa-style scheme.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Arysto Six one-door offset quadrant shower, £1,018.80, Merlyn Showering. Arena bamboo shower mats, £67 each, Heal’s, are similar

“

Unlike real stone tiles, stone-effect porcelain tiles are almost indestructible and stain-proof, making them ideal for family homes

”

JO OLIVER, DIRECTOR, THE STONE & CERAMIC WAREHOUSE MAY 2019

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BATHROOM TREND

IDEAL HOME

expert tip For a super sleek look, choose a plain, unfrosted shower screen and a monochrome palette

Take a view

For a soothing space to soak, use timber-effect tiling and place your bath close to a window so you can enjoy the view.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Westmorland stone-effect porcelain, £71.88sq m, Stone & Ceramic Warehouse

Super soaker

Use cool marble to clad the walls of a walk-in shower and a large rain showerhead to create a sumptuous experience.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Wall-mounted rain shower Cosmopolitan 310 in Brushed Hard Graphite, £800, Grohe

Step up

Raise your bath-time game by sitting a drop-in bath within a stepped plinth. Complete the look with real or faux greenery and wicker accessories.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Hydra bath, from £1,795, Waters Baths of Ashbourne

“

Rain showerheads emulate the sensation of showering under a waterfall, covering a larger expanse and delivering a more revitalising experience KELLY EVEREST, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, GROHE UK

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Shades of clay

Coloured basins have come a long way since the avocado scheme of the Seventies!

BUY THE KEY PIECES Cielo basin unit, from £3,049; Marmo basin mixer, £809; Drench Frahm shower screen, £1,389, all CP Hart

TREND #3

Go bold Bring a little vibrance to your bathroom with pops of colour and geometric designs

T

ouches of vivid colour and pattern will give a real lift to plain white ceramics. Plus, depending on the shade you use, it can either help to energise you at the start of a busy day or soothe your mind at the end of one.

SUITE SENSATIONS Colourful sanitaryware is making a comeback, but this time it’s more about adding in a few pops of colour, rather than overwhelming the senses with an entire suite in the same shade. Think accent basins in metallic gold, or freestanding baths in soft pastel hues.

VERSATILE MONOCHROME Black and white is a timeless combination that works incredibly well as a base for bathroom schemes. Whether you’re looking at an Art Deco, boutique hotel-inspired scheme, a glossy modern design or even classic Shaker, monochrome can work for all styles. Use simple white cabinetry and dress with black tiles and accessories, or reverse the look by adding in black cabinetry, Crittal-style shower cubicles and the latest matt black taps for a truly sophisticated finish.

PERFECT PATTERNS Victorian encaustic tiles are still very much in vogue, with more and more designs becoming

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MAY 2019

available for both walls and floors. Their geometric nature means they can be laid to create a variety of repeating patterns and work well in both classic and modern schemes. Check out ranges from Topps Tiles if you’re looking for great value, or blow the budget with gorgeous geometric options from Fired Earth or Bert & May. QUICK FIXES If you’re not quite ready to invest in coloured ceramics or taps, then a quick lick of paint is the perfect way to jazz up a room. For best results use a bathroom range, such as Crown’s Breatheasy Bathroom paints or Dulux’s Easycare Bathroom range.

Choose your shade carefully, and if it’s very bold use it in a single block – on one wall for instance – rather than all over, to create a look that’s eye-catching but not overwhelming.

Pantone’s Living Coral is perfect for a colourful bathroom scheme, while Dulux’s Spiced Honey works well as a more subtle, almost neutral base, on which to build a colourful scheme. If you’re inspired by all of the botanical print wallpapers adorning bathrooms on Instagram, be sure to check that you have good ventilation in place first, otherwise you could see your exotic palms peeling off the walls in no time.

BATHROOM TREND Ocean scene

Create a stunning backdrop to a modern freestanding tub by painting a feature wall in Pantone’s colour of 2019, Living Coral.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Mya Pearl freestanding bath, £569.99; Niagra wall-mounted bath filler, £89.99; Iris round mirror, £241.99, all Soak

“

Brassware must be well considered to make a colourful look work. Coloured ceramics paired with brushed metallics is a popular choice

”

RACHEL MARTIN, MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR, CP HART MAY 2019

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BATHROOM TREND

IDEAL HOME

expert tip Paint your floorboards white to blend in with the walls and furniture for a cohesive look and feel

New arrangement

Switch up your metro tiles by choosing a bold hue rather than traditional white, and lay them in a different direction. Finish with a contrasting grout.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Metro tiles in Deep Blue, £29.50sq m, Topps Tiles

Role reversal

Change things up by painting the ceiling rather than the walls in a bright shade, then add accessories in complementary colours.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls in Pure Brilliant White bathroom paint; ceiling in Fuchsia Fizz bathroom paint, from £8.23 for 1L, Crown

Mellow yellow

Set to be a popular accent colour this summer, ochre works particularly well with denim blues and dark wood.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Zafferano Yellow Lume washbasin unit with integrated basin, £1,501; Zafferano Yellow tall storage unit, £460, both Alternative Bathrooms

“

With the trend for maximalism on the rise, now’s the time to let go of all the old rules and bring bold colours and patterns back together

”

SIAN O’NEILL, HEAD OF MARKETING, TOPPS TILES

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MAY 2019

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

BATHED IN STYLE

NEAT NICHES Cabinet, W134cm, £1,682.96; basin with shelf surface, W90cm, £583.20; mirror with lighting and lateral storage, W135cm, £981.74, all Citterio range, Geberit

Let Geberit create a soothing sanctuary where the stresses of your day simply float away…

STREAMLINED STORAGE Cabinet for 600mm basin with SoftClosing mechanism drawer, £739.78; 600mm basin, £366.72, both Citterio range, Geberit

LUXURY FINISHES Acanto black handrinse basin, W40cm, £102.20; Acanto black handrinse cabinet, W40cm, £322.76; AquaClean Tuma toilet, £2,358.01; Sigma 30 flush plate, £93.29, all Geberit

E

veryone needs time out from the bustle of day-to-day life – a moment to put down the smartphone and retreat from the world. Introducing spa-style luxury into your bathroom lets you create a zone to relax and recharge – but Geberit’s innovative Sensory Space approach takes the power of water to soothe or invigorate a step further.

WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES

FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

Geberit has reinvented the bathroom as a restful haven where organic shapes, carefully chosen materials, textures and colours all work in harmony. When you’re investing in a new bathroom, it’s reassuring to know that as much attention has been paid to function and durability as well as good looks, and Geberit’s furniture, fittings and ceramics

are ergonomically crafted with longevity in mind, as well as exquisite design.

INNOVATIVE DESIGN

The award-winning Acanto furniture range keeps things within easy reach in individual compartments, for seamless storage. The Citterio range focuses on natural, flowing shapes, such as layon basins with pebble-shaped waste drainage. They’re finished in KeraTect,

a smooth, easy-clean ceramic glaze that feels irresistible to the touch.

Up the comfort levels even further with toilets featuring air purifiers, heated seats, and inbuilt ambient lighting for night-time use, or experience the gentle cleaning of an AquaClean Mera showertoilet. Whichever fittings you choose, Geberit’s all-round approach to bathroom design transforms a functional room into a tranquil, welcoming space.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Your bathroom’s fresh new look is just a click away. Visit geberitcollection.co.uk, call 01926 516800, or find inspiration on

Instagram @geberituk or on facebook.com/geberit.co.uk

Light up

Invest in classic glass light fittings that are sympathetic to the period and that will disperse light in an atmospheric way.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Brooklyn glass funnel wall lights in Pewter, £79 each, Industville

TREND #4

Timeless classic Look to vintage fittings and Victorian glamour for a scheme that will never go out of style

P

acked full of character and quality, period bathrooms are enjoying a big revival. Our national obsession with the past, in particular English country homes, has seen costume dramas such as Downton Abbey influence our interior design choices like never before.

TOP TUBS The freestanding bath is very much at the heart of a traditional scheme, whether it’s a classic claw-footed model, a Japanese-style slipper bath or an ultraslimline composite alternative. But don’t despair if your bathroom is on the small side, as many manufacturers now have models that fit into even the tiniest of rooms. If simply having a freestanding bath isn’t enough of a statement for you, go for one with a grand metallic or painted exterior.

ORIGINAL STYLE While Victorian and Edwardian baths and basins are relatively easy to source from reclamation yards, their modern repro equivalents can look authentic and mean you don’t have to search for the right taps to fit, or go through the expensive

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process of re-enamelling. Deco-style basins on chrome stands are an elegant option, but if storage is key then closed cabinets are a more practical choice. Shaker-style furniture works well, as do Edwardian styles.

SURFACE DESIGN Affixing wood panelling to the walls is a great way to add character to a space, turning a plain box into a period home in a flash. Tongue-and-groove, available in most DIY stores, can be used halfway up the walls for a relaxed country look, while floor-to-ceiling box panelling gives a grander, Edwardian feel to a room.

Period colours generally tend to be more subtle, favouring classic neutrals, along with deeper shades of olive and occasionally duck-egg and royal blues.

ADD TEXTURE Create a tactile scheme by employing rough-hewn surfaces such as natural wood and stone, and pair with plenty of stylish metallic finishes. Chrome is a traditional favourite, but soft rose gold or brass taps and fittings are creeping into classic schemes, too.

BATHROOM TREND Class act

Add period-style fixtures and fittings in modern chrome to a centrally situated slipper bath for a classy, country home feel.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Salisbury acrylic and resin slipper bath with resin feet, from £499; Bensham floor-standing bath shower mixer, £399, both Bathstore

“

Roll-top, central baths with f loormounted bath fillers offer the ultimate indulgence and exude sophistication

”

DAVID COLE, SALES DIRECTOR, PERRIN & ROWE MAY 2019

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BATHROOM TREND

Mix it up

IDEAL HOME

expert tip Liven up a monochrome scheme with geometric patterned floor tiles for another layer of interest

Take two

If you don’t have space for both a bath and a shower, a showerhead above the bath is a tried-and-tested combo.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Granley standard washbasin, pedestal, close coupled pan and cistern lever, and fitted bath, from £1,161 for the set, Heritage Bathrooms

Titchy tub

Designed to add wow factor in the smallest of spaces, this dinky (L147xW67cm) doubleended freestanding bath can be finished in a wide range of colours.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Tubby Too, from £2,091, The Albion Bath Company

“

Incorporating a freestanding bath in a statement shade will ensure you achieve a luxurious bathroom with instant wow factor

”

PHIL ETHERDEN, MD, THE ALBION BATH COMPANY

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Combine old and new by pairing a classic chromeplated bath filler with a modern freestanding bath.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Floor-mounted bath-shower mixer, from £2,405.16, Perrin & Rowe. Edge bath, from £2,885, Victoria + Albert

EXPERT ADVICE

Plan the perfect BATHROOM LAYOUT Whatever the size and shape of your room, nail your ideal layout

W

hile it might seem a little daunting, if you get your bathroom layout right from the start it will make the difference between an adequate design and one that ticks all the boxes. First up, make sure your measurements are correct and then you can begin to experiment.

IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS Think about who will use the room – will it be an en-suite for two or a family space?

PLAN YOUR LAYOUT A scale plan of the room is a good place to start. Measure carefully as accurate dimensions

STATEMENT BATH Create a focal

FEATURE HEATHER YOUNG ILLUSTRATIONS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

point with a freestanding tub O If space is at a premium, go for a smaller slipper bath or a Japanese-style dunk bath.

O Determine whether your room will take the weight of a cast-iron bath as they are very heavy. If it won’t, then composite or acrylic versions are a good alternative.

O Use finishing touches such as luxe tiles or wall panelling, and striking flooring to add a touch of bath time glamour.

are key, and include architectural features that are likely to affect the design, such as windows, doors and boilers. Cut out to-scale shapes of everything you’d like to include – loo, basin, bath and shower enclosure for instance – and rearrange them until you find a layout that works best for you. Make sure you incorporate plenty of space between the elements.

ASK THE EXPERTS Bathroom designers are a great place to go for information and advice. They will also be able to tell you about the latest materials and tech and will have lots of solutions for compact or awkward bathroom spaces.

BATH AND SHOWER A bath and separate shower will give you the best of both worlds, if space allows O If your family prefer to shower rather than bath, then consider a shorter bath for occasional soaks, and use the extra room for a walk-in shower. Or, go for a spacesaving corner shower and a full-size fitted or freestanding tub if you prefer showers.

O Save space with a stud wall between the end of the bath and the shower cubicle.

OVER-BATH SHOWER Fitting a

shower over the bath will save space

O Invest in a dedicated shower bath that

bows out at the tap end, to give more room to manoeuvre while showering.

O Go for both a fixed-head shower above and a hand-held one on the taps below for bathing children and easy cleaning.

O Make it stylish with glamorous feature tiles, accessories and freestanding storage to hide away bathroom clutter.

KEEP IT LEGAL

SHOWER ROOM Don’t have space for a bath? A wet room is a modern alternative O Although a wet room is a big project, it’s a seriously stylish option. The whole room will need to be tanked (waterproofed). If your budget is tight, a sleek alternative is an almost invisible low-level tray with a screen.

O For a narrow room, section off one end with a screen or doors to create a walk-in shower. Bi-fold doors will save more space.

O Visit planningportal.gov.uk and

O Remember to think about

read their bathroom planning guidelines to make sure you don’t fall foul of any regulations.

O Don’t have a loo opening directly off a kitchen, dining or living room. Also, if you only have one loo, then it shouldn’t be accessible just from a bedroom.

O Contact the building control office at your local council planning department if your bathroom project will include changes to the soil stack or require alterations to your hot water system.

ventilation, particularly if the bathroom doesn’t have a window that opens to the outside. Installing an efficient extractor fan to remove steam and reduce condensation, so the room doesn’t become a sauna and you don’t end up with mould problems, is a good idea.

O Speak to an electrician or your bathroom designer about lighting before you buy fittings, to avoid costly mistakes. Any lights you fit must have the correct IP rating for the bathroom area they’re in.

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