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S WA DL I NGBR A S S WA R E .C O.U K

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome STYLING LAURA SABOGAL PHOTOGRAPH DOMINIC BLACKMORE

Vanessa Vanessa Richmond, Editor

Much as I love wallowing among home comforts all winter, it does turn me into a bit of a sluggard. It’s almost a relief when Ma Richmond presents me with the List of Spring Jobs – a baton passed to me from Pa Richmond (along with his well-worn boiler suits, which I’ve taken to wearing turned up at the ankle, teamed with a headscarf to guard against paint spatter, much to the amusement of the bloke in Jewsons whenever I pop in for a tube of sealant). However hands-on or -off you are, this issue is packed with ideas for refreshing your home, from solutions for the dull-but-essential stuff to the sexier style projects to keep your home looking and functioning at its best. PS Please take a few moments to complete and return the reader survey on page 59 – your feedback helps us to improve the magazine.

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

APRIL 2020

114

148

What’s new

Real homes

24 Looking for New England

13 15 16 19 23

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

ALL S T

SPOT THE LOGO FOR EASY SWAPS AND WAYS TO ENJOY A MORE SUSTAINABLE HOME AND LIFESTYLE

Set the scene for… Easter lunch with the family The style editor News from our favourite shops Surprise in store… Smart folding chairs The design edit High-end looks on a high-street budget The shortlist Neutral artwork The wallpaper edit Timeless trends Ideal vs Great Deal Tactile fabrics and rustic materials

British architecture meets a classic American interior 44 Colour therapy Room by room, white walls have been painted over in favour of bold brights and calming hues 71 The element of surprise Each space has its own unexpected wow factor 94 Let there be light Two extensions later, this house is ready for modern family living

Style & decor 38 Interior design advice

How to use bold fabrics 62 Add character with panelling Create wow 83 Easy style updates Smart tricks and clever buys

106 Interior design advice

New looks for hard flooring 113 Upcycle a… Simple chair 121 What’s new in kitchens Our roundup of the latest innovations for the heart of the home 131 What’s new in bathrooms Design must-haves in the world of baths, showers and loos

Before & after 114 ‘This kitchen is all about

family’ A hard-working layout means this room can be enjoyed for many activities 124 ‘We wanted it to be classic – but different’ It’s worth investing in quality basics 135 ‘I’ve made this little Victorian terraced house ultra-modern’ Sustainable design know-how has brought this property bang up to date

CONTENTS

44 124

TO FIND ALL THE STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE TURN TO PAGE 164 Simple solutions

Regulars

138 Genius problem solvers 140 143 145 147

for a smooth-running life The latest home innovations Your utility space, sorted How to keep it clutter-free Spring-cleaning saviours Give yourself a helping hand Video calling know-how Enjoy glitch-free calls Air purifiers The best in the business

Simple pleasures 148 Food with friends

Easter lunch is served… 154 Staycations For foodies

Visit facebook. com/ideal home.co.uk

3 Editor’s letter 6 100 years of Ideal Home

We’ve been delving into the archives to find out what we were looking at in the April issues of the last century 37 The big question Is an upholstered bed the height of luxury? 93 Subscribe to Ideal Home 118 Reader offer Visit the Ideal Home Show

142 Reader offer Save 20% at The Dormy House

166 Style throwback We update a look from 1946

See our latest snaps @idealhomeuk

Be inspired at pinterest.com/ idealhomemag

Subscribe! A subscription makes a great gift or a lovely treat for yourself from just £6 for six issues! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote 59AL or visit idealhome. co.uk/IHAPR2020

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

THE HOME OF GOOD IDEAS

100 YEARS OF APRIL ISSUES

Group Chief Sub-editor Sarah Farley picks her highlights from Ideal Home through the decades…

In 1968 we were… CONSIDERING FUTURE ANTIQUES

Few pieces yell ‘Swinging Sixties!’ louder than Eero Aarnio’s fibreglass Ball chair. Costing £270 five years after it first appeared, new ones are still available from the Finnish company that bought the rights to Aarnio’s designs in 2016. The price in 2020? Just over £5,000.

In 1953 we were... TREATING OURSELVES A bar of Lilac Blossom scented soap from Cussons must have seemed a heavenly luxury at a time when many items were rationed. Cussons was founded in 1938 and is still based in Salford.

In 1968 we were... ADDING A VIVID SPLASH OF COLOUR Colourfast fabric dyes made the late 1960s a very bright place to be. Although, as ever in Ideal Home, practicality had a place, too – among these ‘glowing’ tangerine and hot pink towels and bath mats is one that ‘looks like a dog towel but does an excellent job of drying’. In 2002 we were… GETTING ONLINE Were you on the ’net in 2002? Girobank offered to donate to national Wildlife Trusts when customers signed up to its bill payment service, avoiding the environmental impact of the average 450 miles a cheque would travel.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

In 1957 we were… MIXING NEW WITH OLD ‘The Spice of Harmonious Contrasts’ could be a feature heading from 2020 because we’re still putting modern and antique furniture together and enjoying the results. These delicate line drawings show a Regency desk with a wirework chair and a Finmar chair next to a Hepplewhite sofa; the Formica-topped coffee tables are the only pieces that now seem jarring.

B R AT

CEL

ING

100

In 1995 YEARS we were… PAINTING THE BATHROOM FLOOR

In 1980 we were… GETTING INTO CRAFT ‘It’s a rewarding way to relax, cheaper than a psychiatrist and healthier than smoking,’ Ideal Home informed its readers. The giant of colour and pattern Kaffe Fassett was getting started and cosying up with one of his needlepoint kits was mindfulness ’80s style (and, you know, less likely to kill you than smoking).

In sky blue and yellow – surely the colour combo of the 1990s – you can only admire the intricacy of this floor, especially when you know it was intended for two teenage boys…

In 1939 we were… CONSIDERING AN AGA COOKER No need to light it every morning and no soot-covered kitchen – that’s the joy of a clean, efficient Aga, invented in Sweden in 1922 and on sale in the UK since 1929. Not long after this the British government ordered Agas for hospitals, munitions works and feeding centres.

In 1975 we were... GOING METRIC The ad below, showing the vital statistics of an ‘average’ family, was issued by the Metrication Board to ease the population into parting with inches and pounds in favour of centimetres and kilos, mainly to help with industrial exports. Unlike with decimalisation four years earlier (when we ‘changed the money round’, as Max Bygraves sang), some imperial units are still in use, most obviously the miles on our road signs.

In 1957 we were… BUYING FABRIC AT HEAL’S The furnishing company was hitting its mid-century stride with abstract fabric designs. On the left is Daffodil by Mary Moran, now part of the V&A’s textile collection, while Paule Vézelay, designer of the fabric on the right, is better known as an artist whose works are in the Tate.

In 1947 we were… ADMIRING CELEBS’ HOMES Ideal Home visited the peaceful Sussex retreat of Miss Deborah Kerr, just before the May 1947 release of Powell & Pressburger’s extraordinary Black Narcissus. IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Enigma Collection

www.prestigious.co.uk

WHAT’S NEW WHERE TO BUY Claydon bud vase, £6; ceramic candlestick, £25; Portobello scalloped bowl, £20 for two; Bruton 24-piece cutlery set, £140; Émelie White/Navy napkin, £25 for four; Émelie White/ Navy place mat, £16 for two; Orford wine glass, £32 for four; Orford tumbler, £28 for four; White blossom spray, £15; mini glass heart, £15 for six, all The White Company

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

Set the scene for…

EASTER LUNCH WITH THE FAMILY

Do it properly this year with pretty linens, tableware and glasses, plus simple decorative touches that make it feel like a special occasion. Who needs an excuse to lay on a feast for the people you love? Nobody needs to know it came ready-made from M&S!

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

WALL & FLOOR TILES / BATHROOMS / PAINT / DESIGN SERVICE To find out more visit our London Studio or claybrookstudio.co.uk

WHAT’S NEW

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATIONAL TRUST!

Nymans Foliage cushions, £25 each; Sissinghurst Wetland Grass throw, £35; Nymans Foliage vases, from £8 each, all National Trust Shop

It’s 125 years since the National Trust, the largest conservation charity in Europe, was first founded. Its mission this year is reviving the health and wildlife of Britain’s riverlands. Using the grasslands at Sissinghurst in Kent and verdant banks at Nymans in West Sussex as inspiration, its new garden and homeware collection features painterly, leafy prints.

The STYLE EDITOR Michela Colling, Ideal Home’s tastemaker-in-chief, shares her top news from the high street ROSY RIBS Pink vase, £6.99, TK Maxx

LINEAR LAMP Wall light, from £60, Houseof

SM ALL

We keep seeing...

RIBBED FINISHES It’s a ripple effect – whether it’s reeded or ribbed, fine lines are earning their stripes on homeware this season

LIGHT LINES Gio Line storage container, £36, LSA International

SCULPTED SHAPE Vuelta lamp, €199, Ferm Living

Plastic bedding at Sainsbury’s It’s not as mad as it sounds – we’ve felt the new Sleep More Sustainably bedlinen and you’d never know it’s made with recycled plastic bottles. Created in a blend of responsibly sourced cotton and recycled polyester, a double duvet cover saves around 48 bottles from becoming landfill. Sleep More Sustainably pillowcase in Grey plain, £8 for two; double duvet set in Pink floral, £23; double fitted sheet in Blush plain, £12, all Sainsbury’s Home IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

We’re in love!

New beautility range at Ikea

Borstad range, from £1.75, Ikea

Sometimes the little things spark joy –especially when they come with Ikea’s price tags. The new Borstad range of everyday essentials has gone beautifully back to basics – think wooden brushes and glass spray bottles for chemical-free cleaning, plus wooden airers, a trad tub and rug beater. All will bring utilitarian flair to the big spring clean.

The Hero Piece Scrubbing brush, £3.50

Rinsing tub, £12.75 Drying rack, £29

More rattan, I hear you say? But their sustainable credentials means materials like rattan, wicker, jute and bamboo are fast becoming the finish of choice for designers. It’s not only lightweight, but the natural material is also both renewable and biodegradable, so expect to see this trend sticking around. And when it’s spun into such an elegant showstopper like this jet blackfinish headboard, we think it’s a keeper anyway. Shigeko headboard, H141xL180cm, £425, La Redoute

MASTER THE ART OF QUIET PATTERN WITH VILLA NOVA

Kishi mural, price on request, Villa Nova

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Fresh and serene, the Scene wallpapers, weaves, prints and embroideries are an abstract take on the landscapes and colourful horizons of the British countryside. Photography and detailed sketches have been transformed into creative and organic designs that will bring texture and pattern to a neutral space. The standout star of the collection is Kishi, an abstract, wild grasses mural.

WHAT’S NEW

Surprise in store...

SMART FOLDING CHAIRS AT H&M Folding chairs used to evoke draughty church halls for us, until we saw H&M Home’s lush cane-clad seats. A practical solution for extra seating, they’re stylish enough to leave at the table full-time, too. And, with their adjustable back rests, they also earn points for comfort.

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Hang me on the wall to save space!

Folding chairs, £79.99 each, H&M Home

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Smart shades that simplify your life. PowerView® Motorisation from Luxaﬂex® Perfect lighting, energy eﬃciency, everyday convenience - it’s all delivered automatically with PowerView® Motorisation. Just program PowerView® to move your window coverings to the exact position you want and then control and schedule them using the intuitive PowerView® App on your smartphone or tablet.

Find out more at luxaflex.co.uk

The Art of Window Styling

WHAT’S NEW

2 7 1

6 3

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

THE DESIGN EDIT

Now and then, the high street comes up with something so utterly fabulous, it looks as if it’s come from a designer boutique. Here are seven of our latest discoveries that will make your home look expensive without the big spend… WHERE TO BUY 1 Terracotta vase, £8, Arket 2 Art Deco glass chandelier, £199, M&S 3 Croft Collection Morning Light cushion in Slate, £40, John Lewis & Partners 4 California side table, £142, Maisons Du Monde 5 Eloise pleated storage ottoman in Champagne, £99, Dunelm 6 Neptune chenille rug, £125, French Connection Home 7 Candleholder, £12.99, H&M Home IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

THE SHORTLIST

NEUTRAL ARTWORK

Whether you go for one stand-out print, a pair, a trio, or a full gallery to create a feature on your wall, this selection of Scandi-inspired neutral art will all make a subtle statement in your home

« You can buy me as a set!

IN THE FRAME Fine Black gallery wall frame set, from £220; Faro woven bench, £275; large curly sheepskin beanbag, £1,895; medium Tibetan sheepskin rug, £225, all The White Company

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WHAT’S NEW

PHOTO FINISH Autumn allium poster, from £7.95 unframed, Desenio

FIGURATIVE FACE Serious Dreamer print, £45 unframed, Urban Coo

FRENCH MASTER The Plain Tree 1951 by Henri Matisse framed print, £200, John Lewis & Partners

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

I’ll add texture to a plain wall

MONOCHROME MINIMALISM Into The Light by Michelle Collins framed print, £120, King & McGaw at Heal’s

PRETTY PAPERS Framed artwork, £23.99, Homesense

FIELDS OF GOLD Calm field print, from £11.95 unframed, Desenio

FLORA AND FAUNA The Botanist No.2 watercolour print, from £245 unframed, The Shop Floor Project

DANISH DESIGN Paper Collective Layers 01, from £44 unframed, Nest

BACK TO NATURE Cocoon framed art print, £24, Littlewoods

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

WHAT’S NEW

The wallpaper edit

BEST NEW TRENDS

Your new feature wall starts here! These are the most important styles to choose from now, to keep your look current

NEW BOTANICALS

SOFT IKATS

MODERN TAPESTRIES

NATURAL CORK

INKY BLUES

Panels of lush green leaves and bold tropical blooms give a scheme an uplifting, exotic ambience. Llenya, £45 a roll, Harlequin at Style Library

Bring the beauty of traditional textile dyeing techniques in neutral hues to walls, for a subtly global feel. ES31114 Escape, £35.95 a roll, Galerie Wallcoverings

Heritage prints and archive designs are brought back to life in sophisticated, rich tones. 33013 Apelviken, £64.95 a roll, Galerie Wallcoverings

Embrace the sustainable trend with a textured cork backdrop, featuring contemporary metallic accents. Light cork and metallic wallpaper, £350 a roll, Limelace

Use simple, graphic repeats of natural forms, and tonal shades of blue to bring depth and tranquillity to your living space. Bloom in Ink, £74 a roll, MissPrint

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

SAFARI STYLE

WOVEN RATTAN

UPDATED CHINTZ

ANIMAL PRINTS

BOLD BLOCK DESIGNS

Take inspiration from the wild, with hand-drawn repeats depicting leaping gazelles, stalking tigers and grazing zebras. Protea in Pink, £55 a roll, Clarke & Clarke

Create an exotic vibe in your space, using digital prints of natural woven textures such as golden rattan. Terra 391563, £265 for a 1.5x3m piece, Eijffinger

Swap traditional floral prints for bouquets of romantic, painterly blooms in vibrant, statement shades. Carmen 392571, £530sq m, Eijffinger

Make a subtle nod to the animal print trend by sourcing simple, small-scale patterns in neutral colourways. Ocelli in Stone/ Charcoal, £47 a roll, Sanderson at Style Library

Classic block prints receive a contemporary update with stylised, organic motifs and pops of warm colour. Flamenco 112215, £39 a roll, Scion at Style Library

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

WHAT’S NEW

IDEAL VS GREAT DEAL Boost wellbeing in your living space by teaming tactile fabrics and natural forms with organic shades and rustic materials BAMBOO BEAUTY Rattan gaze pendant light, £229, Modish Living

DIAMOND DESIGN Woven easy fit shade, £20, JD Williams SUSTAINABLE ACCESSORY Recycled glass decorative pot, from £49.99, Zara Home

ECO CHOICE Teardrop recycled glass vase, £25, Garden Trading

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES Toba rattan spoke mirror, £91, Artisanti

SMOOTH CURVES Yuma rattan mirror, £25, Habitat

LUSH LEAVES Cheese plant in pot, £10, Primark

FAUX FINISH Artificial plant in pot, £30, Next Home

SLEEK SCANDI Arkin chair in Moss Green, £249, Dunelm

TACTILE VELVET Aron chair in Fern, £419, Swoon

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

STITCHED DETAIL Eli patchwork embroidered cushion, £25, M&S

ORGANIC COTTON Cushion cover, £6.99, H&M Home

BANANA FIBRE Alseda stool, £25, Ikea

EXTRA SEAT Jute pouffe, £79, John Lewis & Partners

CALMING SCENT Maison Sarah Lavoine Bac candle in Blackcurrant Wood, £52, Smallable

NATURAL WAX Bergamot and sandalwood scented soy candle, £16, Anthropologie

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Looking for New England Sally and Greg Hobden were inspired by classic American interior design when doing up their typically Edwardian south London terrace – and it works…

DOG SOFA More stylish than the average pet bed

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

DOWNLIGHTERS Give a subtle wash of light on walls

Hallway ‘I’m obsessed with panelling!’ says Sally. ‘I’m drawn to New England decor, which uses a lot of wood on the walls. When American houses are done well, they look amazing and that’s the look I wanted. This house lent itself so well to it.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar, Stockholm sofa, £1,117, Scumble Goosie. Pewter dome pendant, from £94, Holloways of Ludlow

Welcome to my home

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian villa in Streatham, south London, bought in 2015.

Sally Hobden, a teacher, and her husband Greg, a film producer, live here with their sons Otto, 14, and Ivo, 13.

C Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

KITCHENDINER/ LIVING AREA

EN SUITE

HALLWAY BEDROOM

GROUND FLOOR

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

MAIN BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

“

There’s a sense of serenity in the architecture of this house that we tried to retain as we made it our own

”

lad wall-to-wall in panelling, from the hallway up to the bedrooms, and painted in soothing shades of off-white, the interior of Sally and Greg Hobden’s Edwardian terrace is more Cape Cod than south London. The house was built in 1906 as part of an estate in the capital. ‘We have the original sales brochure, which gave buyers a choice of features,’ says Greg. ‘We were fortunate, because the first owners chose some pretty fancy architraves and stained glass.’ More than 100 years later, the property’s spacious hallway (described in the original patter as ‘large enough to take tea in’) was still a unique selling point. ‘We both fell in love with it because it’s such a change from the usual narrow hallways typical of these properties,’ says Sally. The floorplan had barely changed since the house was built. ‘There was a reception room at the front, plus another at the rear, with a dated kitchen and a bathroom in the middle. Instead of extending into the side return, we knocked down the wall between the kitchen and front room to create a dualaspect kitchen-diner, with a bay window on to the street and doors to the garden. The downstairs bathroom become a utility room.’ Upstairs, the couple turned the fifth bedroom into an en suite for the main bedroom. But it’s the acres of panelling, painted in a palette of creamy off-whites, putty and taupe that has been the passion project for Sally. ‘The trend for deep grey walls isn’t for me, but I do love that Farrow & Ball palette of cool neutrals, like Cornforth White and Purbeck Stone, mixed with the inky navy of Railings, which I’ve used on the staircase. A neighbour walked in the other day and commented that our house always seems so calm. I assure you, with two kids and a dog, it’s not!’

REAL HOME

Living room ‘I thought it would look too austere to have a white painted floor in here, so I chose chunky oak floorboards,’ says Sally. A squashy sofa and rustic bench look relaxed and informal against the lines of the panelling and bespoke bookshelf. BUY THE KEY PIECES Otto sofa, from £1,240, Sofa.com. The Sanna glass table lamp, £95, Cox & Cox is a match. The Clockhouse stool, £95, Garden Trading is similar

MATCHING WOODWORK Creates a subtle, seamless backdrop

Kitchen-diner

TRIPLE SPOTLIGHT Boosts light levels for food prep

Love

SALLY’S STYLE? Turn to page 35 to shop the look

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Greg designed the extractor above the range cooker himself. ‘I wanted the feel of a classic American kitchen, with a dinerstyle extractor. I was determined that it wouldn’t look dated in three years’ time,’ says Sally. BUY THE KEY PIECES Kitchen units, from £8,000, British Standard; in Purbeck Stone estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Victor cast iron kitchen scales, £79, Artisanti are similar

REAL HOME

Dining area A wall between the kitchen and an unloved reception room was removed to create the spacious kitchen-diner. ‘The kids tend to monopolise the living room, so this is where Greg and I spend a lot of our time,’ says Sally. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Ercol Originals stacking chairs, £390 each, Barker and Stonehouse are similar. The Timothy pendant, £142, Pooky is a match. Alderney armchair, from £640, Sofa.com

“

We could have just painted this house white throughout and it would have looked amazing… but I wanted to put my own ideas and inspiration into it

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

Dining area Shelving built into the alcove creates a neat area that’s perfect for homework or paperwork. The horizontal panelling creates the illusion of width to visually stretch narrow spaces. BUY THE KEY PIECES Try the Vintage swivel stool, £89.99, Atlantic Shopping. Similar, Buprestis beetle print, £20 unframed, V&A Shop

POLISHED CONCRETE Looks subtle and natural in both contemporary and period homes

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Dining area bay The bay window frames a sofa and chairs at one end of the kitchen. ‘I’ve used a lot of linen upholstery around the house – it softens the scheme and adds a hint of colour and texture,’ explains Sally. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Isla sofa, from £740, Sofa.com is similar. The Grey velvet floor cushion, £125, Cox & Cox would work here. Find similar cafe-style shutters, from £52 at The Shutter Store

HALF-HEIGHT SHUTTERS Give privacy but don’t block light or cover-up the stained glass window panels

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Bedroom Ivo checks out the drum kit in his brother Otto’s bedroom. Vertical tongue-and-groove panelling takes on a Scandi feel, accented by the typically Gustavian sleigh bed and painted floorboards. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Gustavian bed, £750, Tasha Interiors at Notonthehighstreet.com is similar. Titan pendant, £439, Original BTC. The Noah desk, £295, Feather & Black is a match

PAINTED FLOORBOARDS Hard-wearing and easy to repaint when scuffed

En-suite bathroom Two bedrooms were linked to create Greg and Sally’s room and en-suite bathroom. ‘The connecting Crittall doors came from a bungalow in Bury St Edmunds; they were painted white and chipped but came with the door frame, so I knew a coat of paint would sort them out,’ says Sally. The bath was also an eBay find, originally painted an ‘unappealing terracotta’. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Chatsworth double ended roll-top bath, £499.95; and Victoria mixer taps, £89.95, Victorian Plumbing are a match

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Don’t assume you have to extend. We resisted the urge to build into the side return and turn the room at the back of the house into a wide kitchen with doors leading into the garden; it just didn’t seem the right decision for this house

”

REAL HOME

Main bedroom ‘There are so many different types of panelling that I like, I just went for it. Each style works brilliantly in whatever room it’s in, from the traditional hallway to the more contemporary horizontal planks in here.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Rose bed frame, from £625, Button & Sprung is similar. Pewter swingarm wall light, £106.52, Holloways of Ludlow. Try the chunky knit Breckon Grey throw, £25, Dunelm

FEATURE ANDREA CHILDS, LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

BEDSIDE WALL LIGHT Saves space and keeps surfaces clear

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

NEW COLOURCARD - AVAILABLE NOW A NUANCED PALETTE OF TWELVE BLACK AND WHITE SHADES. FREE COLOUR CARD | PAINT TO ORDER Nationwide Stockists | paintandpaperlibrary.com | +44 (0) 161 230 0882 | info@paintandpaperlibrary.com Find a stockist at paintandpaperlibrary.com

REAL HOME

Make it work for you SALLY’S STYLE: NEW ENGLAND SCANDI

A gentle colour scheme with touches of brass and bold black accents make up this smart, yet laid-back, look TIME TELLER Putney wall clock, £100, John Lewis & Partners

IDEAL

NUMBERS GAME Newgate wall clock, £45, Amara

GREAT DEAL

PEWTER PENDANT Industrial factory light, £74, The Den & Now

FACTORY STYLE Raw steel pendant light, £59.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

SCALE UP Brass kitchen scales, £74.99, Wayfair

WEIGH IN Brass scales, £59.99, Homesense

DISTRESSED DESIGN Carson console table, £1,628, Sweetpea & Willow

RUSTIC REVIVAL Grey Dorchester console table, £795, The Farthing

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

GET IN LINE Evan stripe cushion, £70, Soho Home

PARISIAN CHIC Flore bistro dining chair, £125, La Residence Interiors

NORDIC STRIPE Cushion, £14, Dunelm

MINIMAL BEAUTY Elegant oversized vase, £40, Cox & Cox

HANDBLOWN Broadwell glass vase, £16, Garden Trading

PERFECTLY FORMED Rattan and birch bistro chair, £97.50, Maisons du Monde

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

YOU R SHA PE | YOU R SIZE | YOU R ST Y L E

L O N D O N • G U I L D F O R D • B AT H • N O T T I N G H A M • G L A S G O W • E D I N B U R G H PLUS SELECTED HOUSE OF FR ASER STORES

THE BIG QUESTION

Is an upholstered bed the height of luxury? Some think a padded headboard is the dream indulgence, for others it’s a nightmare dust magnet. Meet two homeowners with different views…

Yes

It makes a bold and beautiful statement

It’s unhygienic and soon looks out of date

“

”

Tanya Taylor, 49, lives with her husband Phil in a five-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house in south London. Tanya and Phil are founders of personalised gift company Harrow & Green (harrowandgreen.com). ‘What I love most about an upholstered bed is the fact that it’s so luxurious. It’s very “boutique hotel”. When I see a plush, padded headboard, I instantly look forward to climbing between the sheets. It might look high-end, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It’s a good way to update your room. You can add buttons in a different colour to the fabric, for example. And it’s so versatile: if you get bored you can easily redress the headboard without having to splash out on a completely new bed. My favourite look is an oversized padded headboard that reaches almost to the ceiling. That’s what we’ve got in our bedroom – it’s covered in gold fabric and it’s lasted for more than 10 years. Yes, upholstered beds do need to be kept clean, but the secret is to do it little and often. I just wear a pair of rubber gloves and run my fingers over the headboard and inside the buttonholes to remove dust. I add a big pile of cushions to make the bed extra-luxe and inviting, too, which helps to protect the headboard. But, ultimately, an upholstered bed simply looks and feels special.’

“

When I see a plush, padded headboard, I look forward to climbing between the sheets

FEATURE JANE MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

”

“

”

Harriet Briant, 30, lives with her partner William Weston and 18-month-old daughter Florence in a five-bed Victorian terraced house in Newquay, Cornwall. Harriet is the owner of fashion and interiors store Bon Bon Fistral (bonbonfistral.com). ‘Upholstered beds can be very unhygienic and a lot of people just don’t seem to understand this. The dust and dirt gets stuck in every nook and cranny, so you have to clean them regularly and well – and even then, they can soon look very worn. As well as cleaning the entire headboard, you have to remember to clean the wall behind it to remove any cobwebs and allow the air to circulate properly. So it can be very time-consuming. Another issue is that an upholstered bed takes up so much room, which is obviously more of an issue in smaller spaces. Yes, a huge fabric-covered headboard makes a big style statement – but why would you want to make everything about the bed? It can feel very overpowering and oppressive. I’ve never had an upholstered bed, but my parents had one when I was growing up and I always hated it. We’ve currently got a rattan headboard, which looks lovely, didn’t cost a fortune – and is also very easy to keep clean. And unlike an upholstered bed, it’s incredibly hard-wearing and won’t suddenly go out of fashion. So if we do fancy something new in the future, it should be pretty easy to sell on. Really, though, I don’t think you necessarily need a headboard at all. If you want to read or have breakfast in bed, you can lean big square pillows against the wall and it feels just as comfortable – plus pillowcases are much, much easier to clean.’ IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

STYLE SECRETS

HOW TO USE BOLD FABRICS The days of matching curtains and cushions are long gone – the new way is eclectic and this is how designers do it…

Think in layers ‘The joyous thing about pattern is you can layer it to create an eclectic, maximalist look. Choose a fabric that works with a wallpaper and a rug for a cohesive look.’ Emma Deterding, founder, Kelling Designs

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Zig Zag tablecloth, £75, Wicklewood. Bamboo-style dining chairs, £150 each, Birdie Fortescue. For similar rug, try Zanzibar Kilim rug, £329, Myakka. Jaipur stencil, £46, The Stencil Library; painted in Arsenic, £4.50 for a tester pot, Farrow & Ball. Bamboo Boho pendant, £98, Design Vintage. For similar glasses, try wine goblet set, £45, Polkra; similar tumblers, £7 each, Dunelm. Placemats, £50 each; Galeano oil and vinegar set, £195; Mirandola napkins, £150 for four, all Cabana. Marble dinner plates, £24 each, Designers Guild.

STYLE & DECOR

“

Offset large-scale patterns with smallerscale prints, limiting bold colours to two or three shades, to avoid overwhelming the room

”

MARTIN WALLER, FOUNDER, ANDREW MARTIN

Balance with block colour ‘Mix patterns, but take a colour from the main one and use it on walls or upholstery, like the green taken from the blind here that’s been repeated in the paint and footstool.’ Rebecca Craig, Sanderson Design Studio

Blind, made with Daula 236886, £79m; sofa upholstered in Khira 236907, £58.99m; footstool upholstered in Omega 440186, £29m; cushions made from Daula 236886, £79m; Anaar 226626, £39m; Indra Flower 226641, £59m; Mossi 236890, £58.99m; Meru 236912, £49m; walls painted in Sanderson Window Blue, £45 for 2.5ltr; all Sanderson range, The Style Library

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Start with a neutral room… ‘If there’s a neutral sofa, my go-to trick is layering an array of patterns and colours on cushions, lampshades, and so on, as this transforms the space quickly and easily.’ Emma Deterding, creative director, Kelling Designs

Walls painted in Mole’s Breath, £47.95 for 2.5ltr estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball. Kai sofa in Malabar Snow, £1,950, Lombok. Stella armchair in Rick Rack Hot Pink, £2,150, Arlo & Jacob. Keswick coffee table, £785, Neptune. Woud Arc side table, £399, Heal’s. Rug in sisal small boucle limestone, £51sq m, edged in Cotton Fuchsia, £17sq m, Crucial Trading. Curtains made in BW1012, £64m, edged in Java Hot Pink, £17m, Clarke & Clarke. Pink cushions made in Brenna Fuchsia, £48m; orange cushion,Tahoma, £73m, is similar, all Clarke & Clarke. Pelham Peacock cushion, £49, Andrew Martin. Stucco table lamp, £120; 40cm Ikat shade, £93, both Pooky. Zion lidded urns, £65 set of two, Oka

STYLE & DECOR

Headboard art ‘With the rise of the boutique hotel, the headboard has become a brilliant focal point in bedroom decor. The more outlandish the style, the more character it adds. See it as art above your bed. Use brave colour and pattern, and have fun co-ordinating it with wallpaper or accessories.’ Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin

“

The headboard is a key place to add pattern. Choose a bright colour for a fresh look, or opt for darker, tonal patterns for a more romantic feel

”

EMMA DETERDING, FOUNDER, KELLING DESIGNS

KDLoves X Bethie Tricks Alice 6ft headboard, £1,800; KDLoves Simon lamp base in Teal, £195; KDLoves X Bethie Tricks Isla lampshade, £275; Toby studded side table, £975; The Kelling throw in Fuchsia with Marmalade trim, £275; The Kelling throw in Teal with Teal and calico trim, £275; KDLoves X Bethie Tricks Frederick cushion, £150; KDLoves X Bethie Tricks Saffron cushion, £150; all KDLoves

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

STYLE & DECOR Lounge chair, in Ampana print, £499; Galeries Maeght Hantai poster, £125; Berber Ikat rug, £525; Ultra Alcove shelving unit, £599; Poole Pottery Maya Purse vase, £98; Sultans Garden teapot, £75; Blue coral sculpture, £50; side table, £199; tumbler in Amaranth Pink, £5, all John Lewis & Partners

THE BEST

Clash, don’t match ‘Instead of using matching colours, choose shades that complement each other to create a sense of cohesiveness.’ David Harris, design director, Andrew Martin

Aztec designs

HOT SPOTS Dilbar in Indigo/Chartreuse, £53m, Clarke & Clarke

SOFT CHEVRON Takumi in Willow, £42m, Scion range, Style Library

COLOUR SPLASH Patola, £109m, Mind The Gap

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY... Designers and colour professionals share their views ■ ‘Nothing adds personality to a space more than a bold fabric. They work in any and every living space and I always make sure there’s a key fabric running through a scheme,’ says Emma.

■ ‘My go-to is patterned drapes or blinds,’ says Rebecca, ‘but also upholstery – particularly on the outside of chairs and sofas.’ ■ ‘Cushions are a great way to introduce pattern,’ says David. ‘Mix different patterns to make a statement, but put a large-scale one with smaller scales to avoid overwhelming the room.’ ■ ‘Making double-sided cushions is a good tip,’ continues David. ‘You can flip them depending on your

mood. Framing vintage fabrics and using them as artwork also works well.’ ■ ‘Complementing cushions with bold fabric lampshades really works,’ says Emma. ‘Adding a bold print armchair makes it even more stylish.’ ■ ‘I would put patterned fabrics into a room with patterned walls,’ says Rebecca, ‘but not with matching scale. With a soft wallpaper design I’d have a large-print pattern on a sofa, and vice versa.’

■ ‘Normally, you’d use three patterns in a room,’ says Rebecca, ‘but now it feels like there are no rules – breaking the rules is in fact the trend.’ ■ ‘I’d just pick a colour from the fabric pattern you’re using,’ says Emma, ‘and run this throughout the room in the form of accents to create a cohesive look.’ ■ ‘Aztec fabrics are easy to use,’ says David, ‘because they’re bold, but have a faded look that’s easier to tie in with the things around them.’

NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? HEAD TO OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING PHOTOGRAPHS DOMINIC BLACKMORE STYLING SARITA SHARMA

BOLD MOVE Volcano in Paradise, £34m, Andrew Martin

Find out more at amtico.com

Dining room Lene chose a wall colour that works with the bare wood flooring. ‘It’s important to consider a home’s existing features when choosing your palette, and the floor can be a deciding factor,’ she says. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Canterbury oak cabinet, £459.99, Oak Furnitureland has this look

COLOUR POP A yellow-painted interior turns a vintage piece into a focal point

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

Colour therapy When Lene Kesselhahn moved into this city apartment, she instantly painted every wall white. Since then, she’s been unable to resist adding bolder hues that make her happy… IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom apartment in Aarhus, Denmark, bought in 2014.

“ Lene Kesselhahn, an interior designer, (lenekesselhahn.dk) lives here.

W Take a quick tour...

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

It started as a single wall here and there, then a whole room, until, gradually, colour took over the whole apartment!

”

hen Lene Kesselhahn moved into her garishly painted lavender blue apartment 15 years ago, she did what we all do – she hastily bought some white emulsion and painted every room. ‘I probably wouldn’t do that now,’ she says. ‘I’ve become much bolder and more adventurous in my colour choices. Today, I would probably keep some of that lavender blue – it could have been beautiful with the right colours.’ Walking through Lene’s single-level apartment now, you’ll discover a joyous mix of colours, from soft greygreen and duck-egg, to cheery grass green and denim blue. ‘There was no grand plan,’ says Lene, ‘and I didn’t paint the apartment all at once. It has developed slowly, and the walls have had many different shades on them over the years. It started as a single wall here and there, then a whole room, until, gradually, colour took over the whole apartment! I go for colours that feel good and create the right mood for both body and soul.' Despite the spectrum of colours she has used, however, Lene has a clear favourite. ‘I love indigo,’ she says. ‘Each time I see something in that shade, I have to bring it home, whether it’s a teapot, a lamp, or the tiles I’ve used on my desk. But, in principle, all colours are welcome here! ‘I’m always curious to discover what various colours look like together, and I enjoy playing with different combinations. I’m also constantly inspired by what I see around me. Right now, for example, I’m looking out of my window and I can see an olive-green tile on the roof opposite. Another time, it might be the bluegrey tones in the morning haze over a green field. Whenever colours catch my eye like that, it sparks inspiration in me and I immediately start thinking, “where can I use those in my house?”’

REAL HOME

LOW-HUNG PENDANT Makes the table the central hub of the flat’s connected spaces

Dining room

Lene has painted the top of this vintage table a fresh turquoise blue colour, and gathered a mix of old and new chairs around it. BUY THE KEY PIECES Amani table in Blue, £249.99, Wayfair, is similar. Vitra Eames DSW chair, £318, John Lewis & Partners. Dahlia Grey upholstered chair, £89, Cult Furniture, looks like this. Hector pendant, £175, Original BTC

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

Dining room A glazed door between this space and the living room allows light to flow easily between the two areas. BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar wall colour, Mizzle estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Helmer drawer units, £29 each, Ikea

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

“

When you have three connected living spaces in different colours, as I have, it’s like walking around inside a large painting

”

WALL-HUNG WORK LIGHT Provides directional lighting and ensures a neat desktop

Living room This corner room enjoys plenty of light from three windows, so it can cope with cooler colours like the pale blue on the ceiling. ‘Painting the ceiling in a tall room defines the space in the most beautiful way,’ ways Lene. BUY THE KEY PIECES Flos 265 wall light, £785.36, Ambiente Direct. For a similar white chair, try the Treviso, £69, Dwell

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Living room ‘The cool blue ceiling acts as a contrast to the warmer-toned accessories in here,’ says Lene. BUY THE KEY PIECES Try the Ritchie Pearl Grey two-seater sofa, £499, Made. Tux Red suede pouffe, £195, Habitat, has this look. Warm Nordic Compose coffee table, £412, Funktionalley. Cotton velvet cushion covers, £6.99 each, H&M Home

STACKED BOOKS Give height to arrangements and shelf displays

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

Living room Lene also uses colour as an accent against white walls and furniture – such as these simple chests from Ikea that serve as a sideboard. BUY THE KEY PIECES The Trysil chest, £70, Ikea, looks like these. The Greta wool herringbone blanket, £48, Woolroom, is similar

Love

LENE’S STYLE? Turn to page 57 to shop the look

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

BINDER CLIPS A simpler way to hang pictures than heavy wood and glass frames

Bedroom ‘After I painted the bedroom this dark, denim blue, I chose the dusty green for the dining room, and then the soft brown for the living room wall. It’s essential that the colours you choose gel from space to space.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar, Dreaming of Space poster, £11.95 unframed, Desenio

Bedroom ‘Always consider the function of a room when you choose a wall colour. Dark shades give a more enveloping, secure feel than lighter shades, which is why they work well for bedrooms.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar wall colour, Mazarine absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Rigga clothes rack, £15; Tingby side table, £29, both Ikea

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Colour can be a real mood changer. When you have rooms that flow together, it’s important to get a happy mix. I love to create contrasts when it comes to using colours at home, but they shouldn’t be too bold or monotonous to look at

”

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

DON’T MISS THE DETAILS...

FEATURE PIA OLSEN/LIVING STORIE, LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS ANITTA BEHRENDT/LIVING INSIDE PLANS AGENCY SERVICE

Clockwise from top left: A local blacksmith made the frame for Lene’s desk and she tiled the top herself; multiple cube units pushed together across one wall of the living room form a bank of shelving for Lene’s book collection; in the small kitchen, a rail for pots and pans frees up shelf space; Lene built a low bench in the dining room that serves as a storage hub for hiding clutter.

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME The Isbjerget apartments are modelled on icebergs breaking up

Aarhus cathedral dates back to the 12th century

Enjoy fascinating architecture along the canal

Love the location AARHUS, DENMARK Lene Kesselhahn lives in Denmark’s second largest city, where stunning architecture makes it the ideal city break

WHERE TO STAY Comwell Aarhus (comwellaarhus.dk) Occupies the first 12 floors of Aarhus’s tallest building and has a cool Scandi vibe. Double rooms from £144.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

The rainbow skywalk at the ARoS Museum offers 360° views of the city

FEATURE RUTH CORBETT

HOW TO GET THERE From London fly Ryanair direct to Aarhus, from around £80 return. THE LOCAL AREA Stroll from the 12th-century cathedral to the impressive, contemporary Isbjerget apartment complex, while the Latin Quarter with its cobbles, 14th-century architecture and buzzy vibe, backs onto residential streets with multicoloured terraced houses. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Walk the rainbow at the ARoS Museum, a panoramic circular skywalk above the city – and don’t miss the Viking Museum.

...starts with a Moduleo floor Inspired by natural textures, each beautiful design offers the ultimate in luxury and comfort; being so warm and soft underfoot. At the same time, our floors are extremely hardwearing and exceptionally easy to maintain - making a longer lasting impression.

Discover a retailer near you at moduleo.co.uk

THE WAY YOU LIVE INSPIRES US TO CREATE

Transform Blackjack Oak 22937

Comforting

REAL HOME

Make it work for you LENE’S STYLE: FRESH SCANDI

Combining uplifting shades, artisan textures and simple, elegant shapes results in a modern Scandinavian scheme ECO BAMBOO Muuto Grain pendant light in White, £109, Nest

GREAT DEAL

IDEAL DESIGN ICON DSW chair in Golden Maple, £375, The Conran Shop

NATURAL TEXTURE Cannas linen cushion, £95, Loom & Last

MODERN EDGE Moda plastic dining chair, £79, Cult Furniture

COASTAL CHARACTER Lobster print by Suren Nersisyan, £35.99 unframed, Wayfair

IN A PINCH Lobster silk screen print, £25 unframed, Sarah May Art at Etsy

SOFT GREYS Strudel medium sofa in Cobble house fabric, £1,395, Loaf

ELEGANT ADDITION Nude Pink linen cushion, £35, Idyll Home

SLIM SCANDI Clara medium sofa in Marble house weave, £1,155, Arlo & Jacob

DEEP INDIGO Appia Indigo lamp base, £450, Amara

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

SLEEK STYLE Visby White pendant, £79.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

COTTON CORD Knot Yellow knitted pouffe, £110, Habitat

GOLDEN TOUCH Conti coffee table, £436, Artisanti

COBALT CURVES Fogarty table lamp base, £84, Pooky

SPHERICAL SEAT Braided rope pouffe, £79.99, Homesense

SMOKED GLASS Gallery Torrance coffee table, £299.97, Furniture 123

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

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“When moving home we were kept in the picture, not in the dark.” Moving home doesn’t have to be so stressful. Slater and Gordon let you know exactly where you are in the moving process, so you can be calm, in control and free to get on with your life.

For all life’s legal needs and with offices throughout the UK.

0330 107 2442 slatergordon.co.uk Family Law Employment Law Conveyancing Defence Wills Disputes Personal Injury Medical Negligence

WIN A SHARE OF £500  WIN A SHARE OF £500  WIN A SHARE OF £500

CUT ALONG THIS LINE AND POST YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY TO THE ADDRESS OVERLEAF

✁

IDEAL HOME READER SURVEY 2020 Complete our quick survey by 22 March 2020 and we’ll use your feedback to improve what we do. You could win £250 or one of 10 runner-up prizes of £25 as a ‘thank you’ PS You can take part online by going to idealhome.co.uk/readersurvey2020 A. YOU & YOUR HOME

1. How old is your current home? Modern/new build/ less than 10 years old (2010s) ☐1 Between 10 and 30 years old (1980s/1990s/2000s) ☐2 Around mid-century (1940s/1950s/1960s/1970s) ☐3 2. Is your home: Rented Owned with a mortgage Owned outright

Early 20th-century/Edwardian (1900s/1910s/1920s/1930s) Victorian (1800s) Georgian (1700s) Earlier than Georgian (pre-1700s) Don’t know

☐4 ☐5 ☐6 ☐7 ☐8

9. Which of the following best describes your decor taste? Choose as many as apply and feel free to add more, if you feel we haven’t captured your look. Contemporary ☐1 Other (please specify) ☐7 Country/rustic ☐2 Traditional ☐3 Retro/mid-century ☐4 Vintage ☐5 Eclectic ☐6 B. SOURCES OF HOME INSPIRATION & INFORMATION

☐1 ☐2 ☐3

10. How important are each of the following sources to you, when it comes to improving your home? Very Nice Essential 1

3. How many homes have you owned so far? None ☐1 1 only (this is my first home) ☐2 2-3 ☐3

☐4 ☐5

4-5 6 or more

4. In the past five years have you undertaken any of the following major projects? 5. Do you intend to carry out any of the following projects in the next two years? Q4. Carried out in past 5 years

Q5. Planned for next 2 years

☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5 ☐6

Installed a new kitchen Had an extension built Had a loft conversion Had a new garden landscaped Installed a new bathroom House purchase/move

☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5 ☐6

None 1 2-3 4-5 6 or more

☐ ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5

to redecorate in next year or so 1

☐1

I really struggle decorating my home. I’m just not that confident in how to put things together nicely or how I’d like them. I often need a lot of help and ☐2 advice to reassure me that I am doing the right things. I have some of my own ideas when it comes to decorating my home. However, I often need quite a bit of reassurance that my ideas are on trend and that I am doing things correctly.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

13. And how many home magazines have you bought so far in connection with this project? This is my first purchase ☐1 4-5 ☐3 6 or more ☐4 2-3 ☐2 14. How often do you buy Ideal Home? Always – I am a subscriber ☐1 Every issue but don’t subscribe ☐ 2 6 times a year ☐3

3-4 times a year ☐4 Less than 3 times a year ☐ 5 This is my first copy ☐6

☐3

I have lots of my own ideas about how to decorate my home however I’m not always happy with them. I often like to have some reassurance that what I am doing looks good and is on trend.

☐4

I have loads of ideas about how to decorate my home and am quite confident putting things together by myself. Occasionally I will need some advice or help to get a look or trend exactly as I want it.

☐5

I don’t follow trends at all and come up with my own ideas when it comes to decorating my home. I don’t need any help and just do what I like.

Could do without 4

12. Are you currently involved in/planning any home improvement or decorating projects? Yes, planning a project ☐1 Yes, just started work on a project ☐2 Yes, in the middle of a project ☐3 Not involved in any projects at the moment ☐ 4 Skip to question 14

☐ ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5

8. Please read the following statements carefully and tick the one that best describes you: I don’t really think too much about the decoration in my home – I buy things I need for the house without worrying how it will look.

to have 3

11. To what extent is your purchase of home magazines influenced by whether you have a project on the go? I only buy home magazines if I’m involved in a project ☐1 I mainly buy home magazines if I’m involved in a project ☐2 I buy home magazines regardless of whether I’m involved in a project or not ☐3

6. Aside from these major projects how many rooms have you redecorated in the last year or so? 7. And how many rooms do you plan to redecorate in the next year or so? Q6. Number Q7. Number planned of rooms redecorated 1

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

Pinterest Facebook Instagram YouTube Other social media Home interest magazines Friends and family TV programmes Bloggers/vloggers/influencers Websites Shops Shows/exhibitions Books

important 2

☐6

15. And would you describe Ideal Home as: Your favourite home magazine One of your favourites Not usually one of your first choices

☐1 ☐2 ☐3

16. Have you visited the Ideal Home website (idealhome.co.uk) in the past 12 months? Yes, I visit it regularly Yes, I have visited but not within the past couple of weeks Yes, I have visited but not within the past month or so No, I haven’t visited the Ideal Home website

☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

WIN A SHARE OF £500  WIN A SHARE OF £500  WIN A SHARE OF £500 22. How satisfied are you with the amount of coverage of each of the following subjects in Ideal Home? Would like About Would like

17. Do you follow Ideal Home on any of the following social media channels? Instagram ☐1 I don’t follow Ideal Home Facebook ☐2 on any social media channel Pinterest ☐3 Twitter ☐4

☐5

C. ATTITUDES TO IDEAL HOME

18. What are your three main reasons for buying Ideal Home? Tick 3 only For decorating inspiration ☐1 To dream/escape ☐2 To keep up to date with trends ☐3 To look at other people’s homes ☐4 To find practical advice ☐5 To be informed ☐6 To be entertained ☐7

improvement 3

No opinion 4

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

25. Are you:

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐ ☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐ ☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

Female ☐ 1

Male ☐ 2

Prefer not to say ☐ 3

26. Which age group are you in? Under 25 ☐ 1 56-65 ☐5 26-35 ☐2 66-75 ☐6 36-45 ☐3 75+ ☐7 46-55 ☐4 27. Do you live: On your own With partner only (no children) With partner and children

☐1 ☐2 ☐3

With children only (no partner) ☐ 4 Other ☐5

28. What is your working status? Employed full-time ☐1 Not working Employed part-time ☐ 2 Retired Self-employed ☐3 29. How would you describe your financial status? Very comfortable ☐1 Struggling a bit Comfortable ☐2 Struggling a lot Managing ☐3 Not sure

☐4 ☐5

Please be honest

☐4 ☐5 ☐6

30. What is your combined household income? Under £30,000 ☐1 £100,000-£149,999 £30,000-£49,999 ☐2 £150,000-£199,999 £50,000-£74,999 ☐3 £200,000+ £75,000-£99,999 ☐4 Prefer not to say

☐5 ☐6 ☐7 ☐8

31. Do you live in the UK?

Yes

☐1

32. How would you describe the area you live in? Countryside ☐1 Suburban Village ☐2 Urban

☐2

☐3 ☐4

33. Please write in your postcode

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! If you wish to be entered into our free prize draw, please fill in your name, email address (or your phone number if you don’t have email) below. This contact data will only be used for the administration of the prize draw. Name: Email address: Phone number: Please place your completed questionnaire in an envelope, affix the correct postage and return to us by 22 March 2020 to: Ideal Home Reader Survey, Box 113, 20 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2LY

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

CUT ALONG THIS LINE AND POST YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY TO THE ADDRESS ON THE LEFT

Not at all interesting

Not very interesting

Quite interesting

Very interesting

Did not read

Page No.

21. How much did you enjoy this issue of Ideal Home? Very much ☐1 Not very much ☐3 Quite a lot ☐2 Not at all ☐4

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

News/shopping Decorating ideas Real homes Trends Outdoor living/gardening Food Practical advice Reader offers Before and after makeovers

D. ABOUT YOU

20. Listed below, in page order, are all the articles which appear in this issue of Ideal Home. For each item please tick the column that comes closest to your opinion.

3 Editor’s letter 6 100 years of April issues 9 Set the scene for… Easter lunch with the family 11 The style editor 13 Surprise in store… Smart folding chairs at H&M 15 The design edit 16 The shortlist: neutral artwork 19 The wallpaper edit: best new trends 23 Ideal vs great deal 24 Looking for New England (Real home) 37 Is an upholstered bed the height of luxury? 38 How to use bold fabrics 44 Colour therapy (Real home) 62 Add character with panelling 71 The element of surprise (Real home) 83 Easy style updates 94 Let there be light (Real home) 106 Interior design advice: New looks for hard flooring 113 Upcycle a... simple chair 114 ‘This kitchen is all about family’ (Kitchen project) 121 What’s new in kitchens 124 ‘We wanted it to be classic – but different’ (Bathroom project) 131 What’s new in bathrooms 135 ‘I’ve made this little Victorian terraced house ultra-modern’ (Real home) 138 Genius problem solvers for a smooth running life 140 Your utility space sorted 143 Speed up spring cleaning with a specialist machine 145 Enjoy glitch-free video calling 147 Clean the air for a healthier home 148 Food with friends: Easter lunch is served… 154 Staycation heaven for foodies 166 Then... and now 1946

less 3

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For decorating inspiration To dream/escape To keep up to date with trends To look at other people’s homes To find practical advice To be informed To be entertained

Quite well 2

right 2

23. Have you noticed any changes to Ideal Home in the last year or so? Has improved considerably ☐1 Has improved a little I have noticed some changes but preferred it the way it was ☐2 I haven’t noticed any changes ☐3 ☐4 24. Please tell us what changes you have noticed:

19. In your opinion, how well does Ideal Home satisfy each of these needs? Room for Very well 1

more 1

uniquely yours...

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BEDROOMS

LOUNGES

LIBRARIES

ADD CHARACTER WITH PANELLING An ideal way to introduce architectural interest and wow factor, panelling can provide additional insulation, cover uneven walls, and even hide radiators or fireplaces Build it out to create a display ledge or bookshelf

Strips of 4in MDF, butted up to make rectangles, and pinned to the wall before painting

Simple Shaker Ideal for small rooms, this classic, unfussy design will subtly smarten up any space. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for making white rooms look less bland and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t steal the limelight away from any statement furniture.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

STYLE & DECOR

Jacobean style This large-scale grid adds impact and grandeur when used over the full height of a wall. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a historic style, but simple enough for modern spaces, too. Paint it in a flat eggshell, continued onto the skirting, and match it to your flooring for an immersive effect.

Adding beading onto the inner edge of panelling creates an elegant feel

6x1in panel framing with inset quadrant of around 40x40cm

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

STYLE & DECOR Panels measuring around 50x50cm, created by attaching strips of 2x1in timber. Dado shelf in 2x1in timber with small moulding attached. Below dado, 2x1in timber with 2in gaps

Continue the lower panels on either side for a seamless look

Structural feature Clad an unused chimney breast by building out a frame, and covering it in two styles of panelling. Dividing the panels at dado height will provide a small ledge for display.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Dado height This style is practical in hallways, where the walls can get knocked in passing, and in dining spaces, where pushedback chairs hit the wall. Plus, as it only covers the lower third of the wall, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dominate.

Create the perfect backdrop by painting the walls, shutters, panelling and architrave the same colour

Battens measuring 2x1in, pinned to the wall, equidistant from each other, finished with an ornate picture rail

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Cabin cladding Swap a headboard for the Scandi-style simplicity of paint-washed pine planks, fixed vertically behind the bed. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look great paired with a modern platform bed and linen bedding.

Raw pine 6x1in tongue-and-groove, nailed to wall battens

Sand any rough knots in the wood and protect with matt varnish

STYLE & DECOR

Decadently detailed Mixing ornate ribbed and portrait panels makes the walls stand out. Perfect for spaces where you literally want the walls to feel as if they’re closing in on you, for a cosy, cocooning feel.

Paint it dark grey, emerald green or navy

Dado shelf in 6x1in, 3x1in and 2x1in timber. Panels in 40x100cm timber, framed with 1x½in timber. Lower ribs in 1x½in timber on edge, with 1in gap between each

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Simple Shaker

Structural feature

Cabin cladding

Panelling in Brilliant White matt, £16.66 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Depot desk, £229, Made. Wire Eiffel-style chair, £73.50, Only Home. The Twin Malta rug, from £75, Modern Rugs is similar. (On desk) Design Project task lamp, £75, John Lewis & Partners. Small Black bowl, from a selection, Fez London. Small Black stoneware vase, £8.99, H&M Home. Antigone carafe, £52, La Redoute. (On shelf) Ribba frame, from £4, Ikea. Balance 2 print, £65 unframed, Tom Pigeon. Pink plant pot, pink and grey vase, and camera, all stylist’s own

Panelling in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Mabel daybed in Charcoal linen cotton, £765, Sofa.com. Anton side table, £49, John Lewis & Partners. Pill Pink rug, £1,650, Floor Story. Julius round cushions in Antique Gold and Soft Pink, £19 each, Made. Serious Dreamer print, £45; I Think Not 02 print, £25; oak frames, from £30 each, all Heal’s. (On shelves, from top) Green angled vase, £35, John Lewis & Partners. Rose terrazzo vase, £35, The Modern Botanist. Bottle in Vert De Terre estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

Wood washed in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Weize platform bed, £168.60, Wayfair. Side table, £280, Design Vintage. Vilborg curtains, £29, Ikea. Camden runner, £89, Made. Luna king-size duvet cover, £170; Luna pillowcases, £40 for two, all Piglet. Olivia Silver Grey cushions, £65 each, Also Home. Linange Teal bedspread, £75, La Redoute. Breckon throw, £25, Dunelm. Nude cushion, £45, HK Living at Trouva. Lines cushion, £69, Heal’s. Ochre lamp, £124, Smallable. Pot, £4.99, H&M Home. Hexagonal vase, £28, Ferm Living at Nunido

Jacobean style

Dado height

Decadently detailed

Walls in Black Heron premium blend for walls and ceilings, £29 for 2.5ltr, Valspar. Morten armchair, £649; Clifton side table, £199, both Heal’s. Mo floor lamp, £310, Pooky. No.1 Pink cushion, £64, Stoff Studios at An Artful Life. Husk Roman planter, £15, National Trust Shop. Dinera espresso cup and saucer, £1.70, Ikea

Walls in Mole’s Breath estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Blind in Zamarra Saffron, £59m, Harlequin. Corso table, £1,450; Lara chairs, £295 each; Verso sideboard, £1,895, all Ercol. (On table) Vase, £45, Design Vintage. Kinta bowls, from £12 each, Heal’s. Citrine napkins, £26 for four, Also Home. Teapot, £100, Nordic House. Mug, £5.50, Rose & Grey. (On sideboard) Strom jug, £94, Heal’s. Lamp, €174.95; Faces shade, €74.95, both HK Living

Walls in Down Pipe modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. St Ives Harbour light, £55, Garden Trading. Basket, £60; stool, £40, both Design Vintage. Hammam towels, £36 each, Bohemia Design. Bath rack, £10, Dunelm. Wild Mint candle, £24, The White Company. (On shelf) Mother by Peytil print, £25 unframed, Heal’s. Folia vase, £70, Wedgwood is a match. Bird, £22.95, Design by Timber. Bowl, from a selection, Iona Gallery

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS STYLIST SARITA SHARMA ASSISTANT LAURA SABOGAL PHOTOGRAPHS DOMINIC BLACKMORE

STYLE & DECOR

SPIRI T ED

style

wallpaperdirect.com Make your home your own.

Â¨

UNSAME YOUR HOME Find the paint that reflects you at craigandrose.com

REAL HOME

The element of surprise Nia Morris and Paul Baines bought a historic mill house and transformed every space with a flavour of the unexpectedÉ

Living room Inky blue walls make this room a cosy space in the evenings. A row of candles on the restored mantelpiece adds a dramatic touch. BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls in Squid Ink pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. The Louis de Poortere Hadschlu rug, John Lewis & Partners, has this look

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom 17thcentury former mill in Gloucestershire, bought in 2014.

“ Nia Morris, an interior designer (niamorris.co.uk) lives here with her husband Paul Baines, an intensive care consultant.

N Take a quick tour...

BEDROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

SITTING ROOM

STUDY

KITCHEN-DINER LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

The mill house has been extended over the years. I wanted to preserve its heritage, but in a way that felt contemporary

”

ia Morris has clear opinions on interior design. ‘Too much taupe and tastefulness is bland,’ she says. ‘I think interiors should be a bit daring – that’s what gives a home energy.’ It’s a philosophy she has certainly put into practice in her Gloucestershire property. What began as ‘an unwieldy cottage with low ceilings, dark corridors and too few windows’, is now a modern, super-sized family home that feels bold and contemporary, and strikes a balance between rustic and refined. While it wasn’t love at first sight for Nia, the house was in a beautiful location, with space for the couple’s extended family, so it had plenty of potential. The first design decision taken was to create a doubleheight front entrance to replace the low-ceilinged, gloomy hallway. While the exterior – with its gabled roof line – feels traditional, an oak-and-steel staircase and airy space waits beyond the front door. ‘The entrance to a home is so important – if it looks miserable, it’s hard to shrug off that negative first impression,’ says Nia. The next move was to extend the kitchen and fit large glass and metal picture windows. The simple layout, with an island and practical breakfast bar, was determined by the needs of the couple’s large family. ‘We have seven children between us and everyone likes to cook, so it made sense.' Nia’s taste for bold, clear colour is evident throughout, from the flash of deep green in the utility room to the black doors and trims. Moody blue envelops the living room, with walls, ceilings and joinery in the same inky tone. It’s a daring choice, but one that makes the room feel formal yet cosy. ‘I don’t think there is one right way to do things,’ says Nia. ‘There are many approaches that work. The key is to take one idea and follow it through.’

REAL HOME

“

I don’t think there is one right way to do things. The key is to take one idea and follow it through

”

Love

NIA’S STYLE? Turn to page 81 to shop the look

SHEEPSKIN FLEECE Great for softening hard, contemporary architecture

Dining area In this once-dark space, glass walls now bring views of the garden inside. When it was extended, this part of the house needed to be large enough to fit the whole family together. ‘The space was determined by the length of the table,’ says Nia. BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar, Henry table, from £950, John Lewis & Partners. Heerenhuis chairs, £295 each, Different Like a Zoo. Il Fanale pendants, £589 each, Viadurini

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

Kitchen-diner Nia made this simple, neutral space interesting by mixing grainy oak units and shiny stainless-steel worktops, and painting the doorways black. The adjoining utility room’s green cabinetry provides a pop of colour when the door is ajar. BUY THE KEY PIECES Voxtorp walnut-effect kitchen cabinets, from £16 for a 40x20cm drawer front, Ikea, are similar

Wall art in earthy yellows brings the kitchen’s neutral scheme to life

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

CHALKBOARD PANEL For quick shopping lists and memos

Hallway

Kitchen-diner

The oak and steel staircase looks like a piece of modern sculpture. ‘As it’s viewed side-on, we wanted it to be beautiful in profile,’ says Nia. ‘We’d considered concrete, but thought it would be too contemporary, so we chose oak, cutting it to look like concrete. I like the way you can see the grain of the wood in each tread.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES The Modi reclaimed wood bench, £245, Barker and Stonehouse, has this look

The cooking area was designed to suit the needs of a large family who all like to cook. ‘Instead of wall units, we went for open shelving made from scaffolding planks, so that essential items are all within easy reach,’ explains Nia. BUY THE KEY PIECES Everhot 100 range cooker, from £7,925, Everhot. Find similar scaffold shelves at Garden Trading. Johnstone’s matt blackboard paint, £19.99 for 2.5ltr, Screwfix

“

I like to have unexpected elements in a room – things that confound preconceptions and catch the eye

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

Main bedroom A deep blue-green painted half wall behind the bed screens a bank of wardrobes. ‘As there are no straight walls, this was a practical way to create a dressing room,’ says Nia. BUY THE KEY PIECES Wall in Squid Ink pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Find a similar black and white cross blanket, £165, at Nordic Nest

WALL LAMP Frees up space on a small bedside table

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Cloakroom In the downstairs cloakroom, Nia used pale pink gloss walls and rustic encaustic floor tiles to mix smooth and matt textures. The wooden countertop was cut to fit.

BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls in Calamine full gloss, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Green Alalpardo floor tiles, £140sq m, Bert & May. Felix Original bone china shell pendant light, £228, Felix Lighting

The room is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Wevet White. ‘It’s not cold, as it has the right hint of a pinky undertone.’

Built-in wardrobes made from simple panelling add modern rustic character to this simple dressing area

Every room should have “something surprising – an object that’s underscaled or over-scaled, a bright colour or a piece that doesn’t match

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

A complementary palette of soft colours makes the mix of antique and mid-century pieces, and the contemporary rug and traditional wallpaper sit happily together. BUY THE KEY PIECES Find a similar Ercol Shalstone bed frame, £899, at John Lewis & Partners. Charcoal washed cotton double duvet cover, £49; white Oxford pillowcases, from £17 each, both Secret Linen Store, have this look

Bathroom Moroccan meets rustic in the upstairs bathroom, with pink encaustic tiles and bespoke panelling that gives the bath and vanity unit contemporary lines. BUY THE KEY PIECES Pink Pradena tiles, £140sq m, Bert & May. The Premier Tide countertop basin, £69.95, Victorian Plumbing, looks like this. Compton nickel and glass bathroom wall light, £197.75, Jim Lawrence, is similar

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Be prepared to make compromises. We removed part of the first floor to create the dramatic, double-height entrance, but what we lost in space upstairs was more than made up for downstairs in the end

”

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

DEEP DRAWERS Space-efficient storage for loose toiletries

FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER/LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM PLANS AGENCY SERVICE

Bedroom

THE BIRDS BEGIN TO SING You know how you can change the spirit of the room by changing the wallpaper. You know how the busy room can be made restful and how a sad room can be made to sing - just by a different paper on the wall. But did you know that a wallpaper can seem to

change the size and structure of a room as well? Did you know that it can often make a low room seem lofty and a little room seem larger than it really is? You will find paper after paper in the Sanderson Wallpaper Book which will work a miracle like this!

stylelibrary.com/sanderson @sanderson1860 Reproduced from a Sanderson Wallpapers advert, 1930

From the makers oF Britain’s Bestselling homes magazine

visit us today!

● Style IdeaS & decoratIng tIpS ● gorgeouS real HomeS ● practIcal project advIce

REAL HOME

Make it work for you

NIA’S STYLE: CONTEMPORARY MEETS COUNTRY

MY GO-TO STORES…

Bright, open spaces are easily warmed up with textured raw materials, striking graphic patterns and statement lighting PLUS POINT Cross blanket, £65, Pia Wallén at Nordic Nest

●

TWENTY TWENTYONE Great for lighting and furniture – both classics and inspirational new brands.

Mirrored furniture opens up the space further by reflecting the room

●

BERT & MAY Its encaustic floor tiles are a spot-on combination of soft rustic style with a modern edge.

●

DM LIGHTS Stocks interesting, hard-to-find brands such as Il Fanale (for industrial lights to go above a kitchen table) and Ay Illuminate.

MINIMAL FLAIR Zuiver glazed side table, £149, Cuckooland

BURNISHED GLOW Long arm dome wall light in copper, £169, Industville

DEVIL IN THE DETAIL Quadruple toggle switch, £35.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

WEAVE IN NATURALS Detsi market basket, £55, The Basket Room VINTAGE BEAUTY Fringed flower footstool, £695, Soho Home

STYLIST’S NOTE

“

Using a deep, rich paint colour behind or around the bed will help create a cocooning place to relax in a large, open bedroom STYLE EDITOR, MICHELA COLLING

”

CONTRASTING CURVES Antoinette chest of drawers, £449.99, My Furniture

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

STYLE & DECOR

EASY STYLE UPDATES

From best buys and clever tricks to mini decor projects… this is our roundup of the simplest, quickest ways to make your home more beautiful now

High Street Bond Street threeseater sofa in Lottie Rose Dark, £699; Madrid lamp table, £189; Royal nomadic rug, £69, all Furniture Village

1 PAINT A SCALLOP EDGE FEATURE WALL It’s more interesting than block colour;

softer than a hard halfway line. Using a stencil for a crisp finish (or go freehand if you fancy a more organic feel), create a scallop edge where the two colours meet for a stylish touch.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

2 RAISE THE ROOF WITH COLOUR Highlight high ceilings or add interest to walls

without a picture rail or coving, by painting a chunky band of colour around the top of your dining room wall. Keep the look fresh with hits of pure white on woodwork and frames.

STYLE & DECOR

3 CHOOSE A BLIND WITH A BORDER FOR A SMART LOOK For an elegant way to dress windows, go for a plain blind so the room doesn’t feel too busy, but opt for a contrasting border to add a hint of colour and interest.

4 SMARTEN A BED WITH STRIPES

Affinity Warm Blush Roman blind, from £34.84, Blinds 2go

Give your bedroom a seasonal refresh with classic stripes. This set from Next Home has a contrasting design on either side – cosy navy for winter, and fresh white for spring.

Cotton sateen stripe duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £50 for a double, Next Home

5 SWITCH UP YOUR BRASSWARE

A new bathroom suite can be pricey, so why not update your scheme by swapping out rusty, limescale-covered taps and radiators and replace them with some smart matt black options. Victorian Plumbing has a great range. IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

Artisan hammered metal coffee table, £179, JD Williams

BRING A TOUCH OF BOHO GLAM TO YOUR LIVING ROOM

Selection of prints, from £7.95 each, all Desenio

This hammered metal coffee table will instantly lift a tired space and bring a little artisan luxe that will work with a number of different schemes. Style up a collection of candles on top to make the most of its reflective surface for a cosy glow in your room.

THEME A GALLERY WALL If your prints aren’t working together, choose a selection with the same colourway or subject for a cohesive look.

HANG A SLIM SHELF Choose a narrow design that runs along the width of your wall and paint the area above a different colour to highlight your fave prints and plants.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Blake dining chairs, £240 for two, Next Home

STYLE & DECOR

9 FRAME DOORS WITH FULL LENGTH CURTAINS Floor to ceiling curtains hung over French or patio doors will add warmth and softness to a room, while blocking out direct sunlight during the summer.

Ombré Sunset full length curtains, from £45.55, Clarissa Hulse range, Curtains 2go

10 ADD AN ACCENT COLOUR TO AN ARCHWAY Using spot colour is a quick and simple way

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

to add style, and a great way to define areas in a knock-through. If you have two connecting rooms painted in the same shade, why not pick out the archway in an accent colour for a vibrant statement?

STYLE & DECOR

A million miles artwork, by Ben Lowe, £375, Loaf

GO FOR OVERSIZED ARTWORK As an alternative to a gallery wall, or a trio of prints, choose a single oversized piece of artwork to make a statement. Pick a frame that works in the space too, as black can sometimes jar in a more neutral setting.

12 UPDATE YOUR BATH TOWELS Grubby, threadbare towels can ruin a serene and spa-like bathroom, so reserve those for muddy dogs and cleaning the house and treat yourself to a new set of plush patterned ones in a gorgeous colourway. Ella towels in Sky Blue and Cloud Grey, from £12 for a hand towel, Murmur at Bedeck

Cushions, from £7 each; cow print rug, £20; tufted throw, £20, all George Home

SWITCH UP YOUR CUSHIONS FOR SPRING

New cushions will help give your space a seasonal refresh, plus they don’t need to cost the earth. These textured designs from George Home start at just £7. Or, update existing ones with tassels or pom-poms. IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

14 MAKE A DISPLAY ON OPEN WALL SHELVES If you have any offcuts from your worktop, use them to make shelves or choose a finish that matches as best you can. Display favourite jars and quirky bottles.

15 BRING A TRADITIONAL TOUCH TO YOUR LIVING ROOM A pair of curtains in an elegant heritage print will look just as good in a period home as a modern one. With a busy pattern like this, choose blinds in a plain fabric, but add colour with a pom-pom trim. Compton China Blue curtains, from £45.55, V&A William Morris range, Curtains 2go. Quintessence Linen and Henley trimmed Roman blinds, from £27.89, Blinds 2go

Rattan dressing table and mirror in Black, £399, John Lewis & Partners

16 INVEST IN A DRESSING TABLE Forget doing your make-up in a steamy bathroom each morning and pop a dressing table and mirror in a dedicated corner of your bedroom, so you can start the day looking good and feeling fabulous. Choose a design with drawers so you keep the top clutter free.

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

STYLE & DECOR

17 MIX UP BOTANICAL PRINTS The botanical trend is not going anywhere

and is a great way to breathe life into your home. But it doesn’t all have to resemble the tropics. Instead, pair simple leaf prints and oversized florals with jungle motifs and real or faux house plants.

Cushions, £29 each; Ashton large sofa in plush chenille, £1,199; opal globe table lamp, £49, all M&S

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

STYLE & DECOR

18 ADD IMPACT WITH A FEATURE WALL Bring a bright and bold hit of colour into your scheme by painting one wall of your room a vibrant shade. A sunny yellow is great for a room that gets plenty of light, but be sure to keep the rest of the scheme pared back for balance.

19 CHOOSE AN OMBRE EFFECT FOR CURTAINS AND BLINDS

Dill Ochre full length curtains, from £45.55, Clarissa Hulse range, Curtains 2go. Ombré Ochre Roman blinds, from £31.15, Clarissa Hulse range, Blinds 2go

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

TILE STAIR RISERS TO ADD PATTERN

Cheaper than carpet or a runner, tiling or painting your stair risers is a great way to add interest. Give your stairs a coat of hard-wearing paint first, before adding tiles or your painted design.

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Add a subtle hit of colour to your bedroom with curtains and blinds in an elegant ombré style. Hang blackout curtains for a luxurious feel, but choose blinds in a light linen so you can easily alter light levels.

SPRING OFFER 6 ISSUES * FOR ONLY £6! “

Immerse yourself in tours of gorgeous real homes, beautiful decorating projects, the latest interiors news and special features for our centenary year with this affordable treat, delivered to your door

Vanessa

”

VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITOR

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS ■ Never miss an issue ■ Risk-free trial ■ Enjoy the luxury of home delivery every month ■ Packed with the best reader homes, home improvement ideas, decorating and shopping tips

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1. ONLINE Subscribe online at idealhome.co.uk/IHAPR2020 2. PHONE 0330 333 1113 QUOTE CODE 59AL Offer closes Thursday 30 April 2020. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. *After your first 6 issues, your subscription will continue at £18.49 every 6 months by Direct Debit, saving 31% on the full subscription price of £27. This price is guaranteed for the first 12 months and we will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). The full subscription rate is for 12 months (12 issues) and includes postage and packaging. If the magazine ordered changes frequency per annum, we will honour the number of issues paid for, not the term of the subscription. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm UK time or email help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.

Let there be light Jane and Pete Evans fell for the faded grandeur of an unmodernised house and, more than five years and two extensions later, have revived it for family life

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

Kitchen-diner ‘We extended out and across the width of the house to create a room with lots of light and space,’ says Jane. ‘I had a vision of a huge chandelier over a large wooden table. I love the contrast of luxe and rustic – it’s one of my favourite looks.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES French-style reclaimed refectory table is similar, £883, Nicky Cornell. Chandelier, £800, Opera Chandeliers

Welcome to my home

Jane Evans lives here with her husband Pete and their children Jude, 10, Estella, eight and Delilah, three. Jane is a part-time teacher and Pete runs a property company.

THE PROPERTY A detached sixbedroom Edwardian house in Nottingham, which the family moved into in 2015.

Take a quick tour...

THE VALUE Similar properties in the area are worth around £1m.

KITCHENDINER

“

Renovating this house has been such a rewarding experience and the end result feels really personal to us

”

BATHROOM

UTILITY ROOM BOOT ROOM

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

BEDROOM/ STUDY

PLAYROOM

BEDROOM

HALLWAY

GARAGE SITTING ROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

SNUG

GROUND FLOOR

hen Jane and Pete were given the chance to renovate a period property that had been in Jane’s family since the 1920s, they were over the moon. The couple had been renting while waiting for their ‘forever home’ to come along – and this fitted the bill. ‘The house was special to me,’ says Jane. ‘My grandmother and her eight siblings lived here and I’d visited it since I was a little girl. Pete and I are from the area and the location was a dream. It’s on the edge of a village, close to our families, Pete’s work and the kids’ school. It felt serendipitous.’ The house is on a big plot, with views in all directions. It was habitable, but little had changed in 50 years. The couple loved the period features and big reception rooms, but weren’t as keen on the poky rooms at the back. ‘A big

DRESSING ROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

kitchen was the dream,’ says Jane. ‘We wanted to bring the grandeur back and improve the light and flow.’ The couple added a 6m extension, turning the rear rooms into a playroom, cloakroom and utility. ‘It was overwhelming when it was finished,’ says Jane. ‘We also added a side extension for a garage, boot room and guest suite above. It was less stressful to view it as a series of small projects rather than one big one that was taking a long time.’ Over three and a half years, every room was stripped back and redecorated. ‘I made mood boards and looked for a theme I loved – like the pink sofa, chandeliers and brass taps. I switched between warm and cool pinks and greens, and picked out a blind, wall or piece of furniture, creating a look that’s personal to us. Now, you know you’re in our house, whichever room you’re in!’

REAL HOME

Living area ‘I wanted the kitchen-diner to feel uncluttered, but not empty, so I chose a few large-scale items, like the sofa. A velvet sofa in a kitchen seems insane, but it’s a special, scrubbable fabric.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Souffle sofa in Dusty Rose clever velvet, £1,845, Loaf. Poppy Field rug, £125, French Connection Home

I love this shade of “ pink against the white walls and limestone floor. It looks so warm and inviting

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

ARCHED DOORS These fit the house’s period architecture better than modern bifolds

Pete made the rustic hall bench himself

Kitchen-diner ‘We wanted a modern but classic scheme that would last. I was drawn to grey Shaker-style units with marble worktops and brass handles and taps for a touch of grandeur. I like mixing textiles, and warm wood, stone and brass instantly added character.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Real Shaker cabinets, £600 for a 600mm base unit; Bum stools, £440 each, both deVOL

Utility room ‘We turned the old kitchen into a pantry and laundry room. I love catching a glimpse of the floor tiles through the doorway.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Devonstyle Grey tiles, £17.99sq m, Tons of Tiles

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

REAL HOME

Kitchen-diner ‘Some project decisions were difficult, but the kitchen layout was surprisingly easy,’ says Jane. ‘I had parallel lines in mind, with the units along one wall, the island opposite and the dining table behind it.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Dove Grey tumbled limestone floor tiles, £56.70sq m, Floors of Stone. Crackle pendant, £200, deVOL

The kitchen was “ our biggest ambition for this house. It has given us so much space and light, and transformed our family life

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

REAL HOME

Snug

Love

JANEÕS BLINDS? Turn to page 104 to find out more

‘This is our cosy evening refuge, so I’ve gone for darker tones that are richer than anywhere else. The painted black floorboards and muted green walls really draw out the pink accents.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls in Card Room Green estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Tom Tailor zigzag Kelim rug in Berry is similar, from £141, Modern Rugs

TAN LEATHER Gives a relaxed look in an instant

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Pete hired tradespeople he knew and trusted, which took longer than using a single building contractor, but meant no costly mistakes. Living here throughout was frustrating, but we weren’t under time pressure so were able to save for the things we wanted

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”

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The colours in the attic landing rug reflect the whole house. I love the mix of pink and green against black, grey and white.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Painting the newel post black highlights the grandeur of the original staircase.

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Bathroom ‘The eye-catching shower tiles were my starting point, says Jane. ‘I love the softness of pale pink with the drama of the black pattern. Pink can be warm and

cosy, like the velvet blinds in the snug, or sophisticated and feminine like this.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Lily Pad Off Black tiles, £69sq m, Ca’Pietra. Walls in Calamine estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

BRUSHED GOLD TAPS Give a warm, textural touch

‘The chest of drawers was for sale for £20 on a grass verge. I painted it in Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground.’

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FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH

‘I painted the stairs and landing walls in a mid grey that looks light but still has depth.’

REAL HOME

FEATHER SHADE Simple, but so luxurious

Bedroom ‘The guest suite is on the upper floor of the new side extension and has a loft-style look. I asked my builder to lay new pine floorboards with little gaps between them to make them look original.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Umage Eos feather pendant, from £79, Black by Design. Afaw rug, from £99, La Redoute. Marina throw, £185, Soho Home. Cushion, £70, River Island

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REAL HOME

Make it work for you JANE’S CHOICE: BLINDS

Choosing a window treatment can be more complicated than you’d think. Get it right, though, and it will unify your room…

What are the main types of blinds? Rollers are usually the least expensive and, because they roll tight to the top of the window, afford the best views outside. Romans offer a more upmarket look, and as you see more of the fabric, they are more decorative. Venetian blinds are affordable and can be wiped clean. They are designed to be left down, and the slats are twisted via a cord to adjust light levels and privacy.

Should I get them made-to-measure? If your window isn’t a standard size a custom blind will provide the best fit. Roller blinds are easy to cut to size with a hacksaw and scissors. Ditto Venetians. The benefit of made-to-measure is you’ll get a wider choice of fabrics.

How do I measure for new blinds? Stockists provide detailed measuring instructions – many have online tools to help. Decide whether you want the blind to fit inside or outside the window recess. Inside requires a more precise fit but can look neater. To get a good inside fit, measure the window in three places, for both width and drop, and use the smallest measurements.

Go for blinds in a contrasting shade for maximum impact

What features are worth having? Blackout lining, which shuts out the light, is definitely worth the extra pennies, especially in bedrooms. Windows account for 20% of heat loss in homes, so thermal lining will help keep your home warm. If your window is hard to reach, consider an electric blind.

BEST FOR…

“

Layering blinds with voiles or curtains in a toning or contrasting shade will make a greater impact at the window than a single recessed blind

”

YVONNE KEAL, SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER, HILLARYS

IDEAL HOME LOVES… READY-MADE ROMAN BLINDS

EASY FIT All you’ll need is a lightweight curtain pole. Damasco blackout, H170xW80cm, £99.99, Wayfair

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BORDER CONTROL Contrasting panels lend a designer edge. Shawford blackout, H140xW60cm, £40, John Lewis & Partners

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

COTTAGE CHARM Pretty monochrome blooms add a country feel. Vintage floral 812-214, H140xW60cm, £45, Next Home

TOP BRANDS Fashion Interiors makes rollers and Romans using fabrics from companies such as Sanderson, Scion and Designers Guild. Delivery is super-quick and sewing is faultless. HOME CALL Hillarys takes all the hassle out of measuring and fitting as expert advisers will come to your home and recommend the best designs. PRETTY TEXTILES Vanessa Arbuthnott blinds are pricey, but skilfully handmade using beautiful sustainable textiles.

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

The best blinds should offer privacy, practicality and personal style. They are particularly effective where you’d like to keep the sills or space either side of the window clear – such as a kitchen or bathroom window.

Inspired by Ideal Home? Shop with Ownable. 12:08

Bloomingville Vase 109 - Brass

£19.00 Made from iron, this slim sculptural vase features unusual handles. Style with a few stems of ﬂowers and sprigs of green to personalise, freshen and bring the look to life!

Buy

Fast Track

Ideal Home – Jan 2020 – Page 43

When inspiration strikes, Ownable is the quick, slick and simple new way to shop directly from 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.

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INTERIOR DESIGN ADVICE

NEW LOOKS FOR HARD FLOORING Get the floor covering right in a room and the design work’s half done. Here, we’ve asked the experts to share what they know…

SMOKED WOOD This is a popular choice, ‘due to its variety, deepness and tone,’ says Roger Hemmings, marketing manager at Havwoods. Bergen Rustic herringbone engineered European oak flooring, from £47.94sq m, Havwoods

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STYLE & DECOR TIMBER AND TILE Lattice Pear Tree Green vinyl tiles, £46.80sq m; reclaimed pine wood effect flooring, £34.90sq m, both Harvey Maria

looring is an investment – whether that’s the amount of money spent, the time and upheaval of having it fitted or even the value it can add to your home life and property’s value, as our experts know only too well. With exciting developments in hard flooring, there’s so much choice, too, with design and practical benefits to weigh up. We asked three experts – an interior designer, a flooring buyer and a wood flooring specialist – to share their insider knowledge… WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING HARD FLOOR YOU’VE SEEN LATELY? ‘Rigid luxury vinyl is set to advance the quality and durability of vinyl,’ says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright. ‘It has the

ON-TREND GEO Dovetail in Oxford Blue luxury vinyl tiles, £46.80sq m, Neisha Crosland range, Harvey Maria

softer feel of LVT (luxury vinyl tiles), but the strength and versatility of laminate – and can even be installed over an uneven floor.’ ‘While in wood flooring, we’re seeing lots more creative patterns, such as mansion weave and stretched hexagon designs,’ says Roger Hemmings, marketing manager at Havwoods. ‘Choose a single wood finish or mix and match contrasting colours for a statement aesthetic.’ Josie Lywood, creative director at Q Design House agrees about pattern: ‘I’m always snapping photos of patterned floors – last week I took one of the tiled floor at Tate Britain. Our clients want to add pattern and colour, so I look for inspiration in hotels and museums.’ WHAT’S TRENDING NOW? ‘We’ve seen a demand in textured wood surfaces,’ says Roger, while David has noticed woods getting lighter and paler. ‘Vinyl is also becoming bolder as design

CONCRETE INSIDE AND OUT MicroCrete microcement in 20% black polished flooring, £144sq m, The Resin Floor Co

“

A real wooden floor should show just that, with blemishes and all

”

ROGER HEMMINGS, HAVWOODS

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PATTERN AND PLAIN Amtico Signature Collection luxury vinyl tiles in Diffusion Lux, Diffusion Chambray, Stucco Flax in Passo in small laying pattern with Diffusion Lux Random Stone, from £70sq m, Amtico

enthusiasts are getting more confident in their choices – homeowners are looking for Insta-worthy interiors, and we are seeing more geometrics and pattern.’ Josie adds, ‘There’s been an upturn in traditional-style wood floors, such as basketweave and slim herringbone-laid planks. Think of the flooring in old pubs.’ WHAT’S MOST POPULAR THESE DAYS? ‘Traditional styles in muted colours always sell well,’ says David, ‘although we are seeing interest in modern designs and bolder schemes.’ Smoked products are still very popular, according to Roger, ‘due to the variety, deepness and tone, along with patterned flooring – think plank, chevron and herringbone designs.’ ANY UNSUNG HEROES I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? ‘Vinyl is my unsung hero,’ says David. ‘It’s a high-quality product

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that offers a wealth of styles and designs. It’s also one of the more affordable flooring options – so you can get the look for less – while being durable, hardwearing and practical.’ Josie suggests, ‘How about polished concrete? It’s low-maintenance and can be used inside and out, helping create that seamless look throughout your home. I also love resin, or even a timber floor with resin inlay border.’ I’M COMMITTED TO WOOD, BUT WHAT’S THE NEW WAY TO DO IT? ‘Try straight planks laid throughout a house,’ says Josie, ‘introducing patterns such as herringbone or basketweave for key reception rooms. Or try mixing timber and tiles in your hallway, with a timber border and tiled centre.’ Consider engineered, says David: ‘It’s a quality alternative to solid wood as each plank is finished with a layer of natural wood, plus it’s hard-wearing and durable.’

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WOOD PATTERN AND RECLAIMED TEXTURE Woven sand wood effect porcelain tiles, £39.95sq m, Walls & Floors

“

I’d hesitate to tile floors throughout unless you have the budget to fit underfloor heating. You’ll save in the short term, but your heating bills might be higher

”

JOSIE LYWOOD, Q DESIGN HOUSE

STYLE & DECOR

SOFT RUBBER Ice Grey rubber flooring, £49.95sq m, Harvey Maria

EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE RIPPING UP LAMINATE. WHY? IS IT OVER? ‘There is a demand developing for luxury vinyl tiles that match real wood flooring, which appears more realistic than laminate,’ says Roger. ‘Laminate is far from over though,’ believes David. ‘We’re seeing lots of new design and technical developments, which means it may become a favoured choice again – super new matt finishes, waterproofing and versatility.’ WHAT ARE THE MOST SUSTAINABLE CHOICES? ‘Opt for FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified timber boards,’

3 OF THE BEST… ULTIMATE LUXURIES

LEATHER Bull Hex tiles, £360sq m, Ed Tanner

MARBLE MARQUETRY Valentina honed marble tiles, from Napoli II art mosaic panel, £166.30sq m, Mandarin Stone £432sq m, Luxury Wood Flooring

says David, ‘or look for the Cradle to Cradle logo (a transformative pathway for design and making products with a positive impact on people and the planet) and the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), for good environment choices.’ WHAT’S BEST TO LINK AN OLD PART OF A HOUSE WITH A NEW EXTENSION? ‘The condition of the sub-floor will dictate flooring options,’ says David. ‘Generally, an older house has more flaws, so I’d recommend a laminate or engineered wood to help ensure a good finish.’ Roger recommends textured surface: ‘Although the construction of the board will be modern, the finish appears weathered, making it fit cohesively.’ Josie thinks differently: ‘I’d go for contrast, as a newer floor will never match the original, such as faux concrete tiles alongside a period timber floor.’ WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE? ‘I prefer the original thing rather than a replica,’ says Josie. ‘I would

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3 OF THE BEST… ECO FLOORINGS

RECLAIMED Creek Rustic reclaimed engineered flooring, from £98.34sq m, Havwoods ON

SM ALL S T

ULTRA GREEN Okofloor in Leni, made from organic castor and rapeseed oil, £62sq m, The Colour Flooring Company

SUSTAINABLE CHOICE Wicanders Wise cork in Lane Antique White, £59.94sq m, Natural Wood Flooring

always choose timber over faux tile timber-effect as while faux may look similar, it doesn’t have the softness or warmth underfoot.’ David is a laminate fan: ‘I would choose a high-quality yet affordable design as, with its authentic embossing and matt finish, it’s hard to differentiate from real wood. Plus, many are now waterproof – perfect for whatever my son throws at it!’ Roger would go for real wood: ‘Something that truly shows it is actually wood – genuine grain, colour, blemishes and features of it being a natural product.’ I’M ON A BUDGET, BUT IS THERE A FALSE ECONOMY? ‘Don’t compromise on quality,’ says David. ‘Cheaper options are a quick fix; it’s more cost-effective to see it as an investment that will last for years.’ Josie adds: ‘I’d hesitate to tile floors throughout unless you have the budget to install underfloor heating – you’ll save in the short-term on the cost of the floor, but your heating bills may be higher.’ Roger suggests thinking about the length of boards, too: ‘We recommend long-length, high-grade boards.’ WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF GOOD QUALITY? ‘When buying timber, check the overall construction of the product RIGID LUXURY VINYL TILE ‘Vinyl is becoming bolder,’ says Carpetright’s David Snazel. Starfloor Tile Cube 3D luxury vinyl tiles in Grey, £29.99sq m, Carpetright

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“

I’m a fan of laminate. Many are waterproof now – perfect for whatever my son throws at it!

”

DAVID SNAZEL, CARPETRIGHT

STYLE & DECOR NEW-GEN LAMINATE Camden Wriggle monochrome laminate flooring, £24.45sq m, Lifestyle Floors

CORK IN DISGUISE Bacana Grey Corka 100% waterproof flooring, £49sq m, The Colour Flooring Company

and ask the store to provide a detailed specification sheet, including grade, species and construction,’ says Roger. Josie suggests that you visit the showroom to see the floor in a large area: ‘And don’t assume that your whole order will match a small sample in colour.’ David advises not to be fooled into thinking that the thicker the floor, the better the quality: ‘When you get a sample of laminate or vinyl, look at the surface finish and how authentic it looks.’

WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU ASKED MOST OFTEN? ‘I’m often asked about porcelain marble-effect tiles over real marble ones,’ says Josie. ‘In terms of cost and durability, porcelain marble tiles are great – just choose a design with similar veining to the real thing.’ Choices often come down to style versus function, as David explains: ‘We are often asked how a product will perform in a pet-friendly house or busy family home and it’s important that customers walk away with a floor that’s fit for purpose.’

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS... Josie worked for interior design and architectural practices across London before setting up Q Design House, a property design management company, specialising in luxury and bespoke solutions for residential and commercial clients, with Michelle Katz. DAVID SNAZEL, BUYER HARD FLOORING, CARPETRIGHT (CARPETRIGHT.CO.UK)

David worked up through the

company and has been a buyer at Carpetright for more than 10 years. He develops and maintains the hard flooring category to offer a diverse, high-quality selection of competitively-priced solutions. ROGER HEMMINGS, MARKETING MANAGER, HAVWOODS (HAVWOODS.COM)

Roger has worked at Havwoods since 2003 and has seen real wood products develop from a necessity to a desirable commodity – from a floor covering to a room enhancer. IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

FEATURE JENNIFER MORGAN

JOSIE LYWOOD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT Q DESIGN HOUSE (QDESIGNHOUSE.COM)

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE SUNDAY LUNCH

HOP TO IT

Bring your Easter table to life.

Make cute bunnythemed place settings.

Ceramic moss bunnies 647365; hanging ceramic eggs 647359; ceramic tea light holders 647693, all Hobbycraft

The rabbit napkin rings were made with a Cricut machine, available from Hobbycraft

Seen something you like? Type the unique product code featured into the search bar on the Hobbycraft website

IN THE DETAIL

Use paints to create personalised gifts for guests. Hanging ceramic bunny 647695; dual tip markers 639664, both Hobbycraft

CREATE A HANDMADE EASTER TABLE

Make it an Easter celebration to remember with crafty ideas and spring-ready decorations, all from Hobbycraft

SPRING INTO ACTION Whether you’re a seasoned maker or it’s your first venture into crafting, thanks to Hobbycraft you don’t need to be an expert to make your own bespoke decs this spring. You’ll discover plenty of ideas for personalising your Easter table, with

great-value supplies at every turn. Make a table centrepiece the star of the show with an Easter tree full of hand-painted decorations, or create a striking fabric banner with pom-poms and tassels. When it comes to Easter lunch, pretty place settings are easy – place linen napkins in handmade bunny napkin rings, created using a Cricut machine, and display with garlands of delicate paper flowers on embroidered mats. Young guests (and older ones too!) won’t be able to resist cute treat boxes filled with sweets to take home. Whatever your decor style and crafting ability, Hobbycraft is the place to go for a beautiful handmade celebration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Shop in store or online at hobbycraft.co.uk/easter or for more crafting inspiration for all occasions, you can visit hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

aster is a time for welcoming friends and family into your home to celebrate the joys of spring, and what better way to give guests a blossoming reception than with beautiful handmade decorations? Hop on over to Hobbycraft to find everything you need for an extra-special handcrafted Easter.

STYLE & DECOR

UPCYCLE A...

SIMPLE CHAIR Revamp a plain wooden dining chair with paint and panels of pretty wallpaper

Pretty panels

PROFESSIONAL FINISH Use a squeegee to smooth out air bubbles

EP FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

ALL S T

Make templates for the seat and seat back using newspaper. Place the templates on a sheet of wallpaper, draw round and cut out. Fix to the chair using dÃ©coupage glue and seal with several coats of varnish.

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‘This kitchen is all about family’ Elaine and James Boucher extended to create a hard-working space for cooking, eating, homework and hanging out

‘We tend to congregate in this space, even outside mealtimes, so we needed it to be more than just a cooking area. The island seating is sociable, the living area means the kids can watch TV, and there’s a family workstation in the corner. It truly caters for all of us.’ Cabinetry, £15,000, Eclectic Interiors

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KITCHEN PROJECT

PENDANT TRIO Puts the focus on the social space

BEFORE

Welcome to my home Elaine Boucher lives here with her husband James and children Mischa, 13, Chloe, 11 and Saskia, six.

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Edwardian terrace in southwest London.

WHAT IT COST Kitchen units...£15,000 Worktops..........£3,000 Sinks.....................£835 Taps....................£1,008 Appliances........£4,034 Flooring.............£3,500 Lighting................£309 TOTAL.............£27,686

“

Even on the dullest of winter days, this kitchen-diner is bright and welcoming

”

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OUTWARDFACING FRIDGE Easy to grab a bottle when sat at the dining table

HOW ELAINE AND JAMES DID IT ‘When we were looking for a property, top of our wish list was an open-plan kitchen and family dining area that could also function as sociable space for our three daughters. When we found this Edwardian house in 2018, it clearly had scope to be extended, meaning we could realise our dream. The existing kitchen was usable, but very dated, with a tiny lean-to laundry room. I knew what my must-haves were and had a picture in my mind of how the space could be used. Instead of an architect, I took

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my ideas to a draughtsman, who produced drawings we could submit to the planning authorities. We extended at the side and rear, fitting several roof lights and glazed doors leading out to the garden. The renovation took five months to complete and cost around £180,000, including all the structural and building work, which was carried out by the efficient team at Troughton & Kluk Residential. This room has been totally transformed, to give us the feeling of light and space that we wanted.’

ABOVE ‘I favoured pale painted units while James preferred a darker, more masculine look. We struck a happy compromise with the blue island, and it works really well. The idea is that the units recede into the walls but the bolder island anchors the whole room.’ Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Engineered oak flooring, £3,500, Jordan’s Woodfloor Warehouse. Built-in wine cooler, £335, Caple

KITCHEN PROJECT

Love ELAINE’S LARDER?

Turn to page 119 to find out more

FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHS VERONICA RODRIGUEZ

ABOVE ‘Having instant hot water is amazing – I could never go back to using a kettle! The larger sink was positioned on the back wall as it tends to get the most use, so can be messier.’ Hot water tap, £879, InSinkErator. Carrara marble worktops, £3,000, Asper Marble & Granite

LEFT ‘For me, it was important not to have the bar stools positioned in a straight line – I felt that an L-shaped seating area would be more conducive to socialising together.’ Welles bar stools, £119 each, Swoon. Abode bronze tap, £229, John Lewis & Partners

ABOVE A built-in larder cupboard houses a breakfast station that makes weekday mornings run more efficiently and hides all the everyday tea and coffee-making clutter. Fridge-freezer, £1,475, Samsung. Nautical pendant shades, £103 each, Beautifulhalo.com

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Dare I say it, but there’s perhaps too much light in here in summer! I’m now looking at fitting blinds to give us more control when it comes to sunlight

”

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

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READER OFFER See ideas come to life in an array of roomsets

Browse the stands to find plenty of inspiration

Find those special elements that make a home

TICKETS TO THE IDEAL HOME SHOW

Get two tickets for £20* so you can step into a world of inspiration for your home projects – from extensions and eco builds to updates and upcyling

he Ideal Home Show, sponsored by NatWest, will offer everything you need to make your house a home. Whether you have a big home project or just want to add those finishing touches, you’ll discover fresh ideas at the UK’s biggest home event, from 27 March to 13 April 2020 at Olympia London. From accessories for the living room to space-maximising ideas for the office, garden overhauls and the latest in kitchen and bathroom design, the Ideal Home Show is a hotbed of inspiration. You can shop from over 600 exhibitors split across six show areas, including big-name brands and independent retailers.

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See ideas come to life in the beautifully designed, ever-changing roomsets, the Show Garden, curated by expert horticulturalists and the Future-Living Home, a show house brimming with tech innovations. The show is supported by ITV and you can catch some of your favourite TV faces including experts from Love Your Garden and more, with hundreds of talks and demos from celebrities and specialists across three stages. Discover great tips on reviving tired furniture and how living spaces are evolving, as well as ways we can all live more sustainably. Your ticket also gives you free access to the Eat & Drink Festival.

HOW TO REDEEM Get two tickets to the Ideal Home Show for £20 (£22 weekend) when you use code IHAPR. Visit idealhomeshow.co.uk to find out more or call 0844 858 6763. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Book before

13 April 2020 to claim ticket offer of two tickets for £20 weekday/£22 weekend. Normal single on the door price is £20 weekday/£22 weekend. £1.70 transaction fee applies. Calls to the ticket hotline cost 7p per minute plus your company’s access charge. Children aged 15 and under go free (two per adult). Includes entry to the Eat & Drink Festival

KITCHEN PROJECT

Make it work for you ELAINE’S CHOICE: A LARDER CUPBOARD

Perfectly stacked shelves, supplies at your fingertips – a kitchen larder is the ultimate in organisation

WHEELY CLEVER In rough sawn timber with an aged, upcycled finish and castors for easy movement. Farmers solid mango wood larder, H183x W98xD50cm, £1,289, Maisons du Monde

TOP-NOTCH Luxe finishing touches include the Carrera marble worktop and interior light. Montrose Grey larder, H207xW120x D60cm, £2,500, John Lewis & Partners

SIMPLY STATED Woven seagrass baskets give fruit and veg plenty of ventilation in this country classic. Wilby Cream larder unit, H185xW95xD50cm, £599, Dunelm

If you can make “ room for a beautifully

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

TRUE BLUE A slimline style that still packs a punch with its drawers, bottle rack, shelves and cubbies. Westcote Blue narrow larder, H186.5xW74.5x D59.5cm, £799, The Cotswold Company

PICK A COLOUR Choose your shade in this hand painted range with its door racks for spices and jars. Suffolk larder, H216xW110xD56cm, £3,315, Neptune

designed larder cabinet, it’s a worthy investment. Choose one that makes the most of the space

”

CONNIE WARD, KITCHEN DESIGNER, NEPTUNE

FRENCH CHIC Reclaimed timber, shuttered doors and a weathered finish for a French country vibe. Super Sucre larder, H185xW108xD50cm, £1,145, Loaf

TOUCH WOOD This clever design features drawers, shelves racks and hooks to cover your storage needs. Padstow larder in putty, H209xW127.5x D64cm, £1,799, M&S

DECORATIVE DETAIL Decorative woven panels make this beauty stand out from the crowd Newbury oak larder, H175xW110xD45cm, £749, Made

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

CLASSIC ELEMENTS Choose framed doors and a chic paint finish along with wooden worktops for a relaxed vibe. Timber Shaker kitchen in Grey, Homebase

TWO TONE Contrasting colours and copper-style handles set this kitchen apart. Classic Shaker kitchen in Navy and Grey, Homebase

DESIGN YOUR PERFECT KITCHEN

Prepare to fall in love with the latest Homebase kitchens, cleverly designed to make home life a breeze

EXCLUSIVE LOOKS At Homebase there are more than 50 kitchens to choose from, including Shaker designs in the latest paint shades, while the Copperbridge range has textured woodgrain finishes to lend a home a country look. You’ll also find handleless designs with an urban vibe. They’re all

customisable with a selection of colours, handles and finishes for a unique look. On a practical note, Homebase kitchens have high-quality internal storage fittings that come with soft-close drawers and hinges to keep the kitchen smooth-running.

EXPERTISE GUARANTEED Make Homebase your first stop, shopping in store to get a true feel for the kitchens or go to homebase.co.uk where you can put together cabinetry, worktops and wall colours using the online visualiser. Our experts will help you design a stunning kitchen, whatever your style and budget. All kitchens are covered by a guarantee of up to 15 years, and it’s easy to spread the cost with 0% APR interest-free credit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

To bring your design to life, book a free design and planning appointment at homebase.co.uk. A City & Guilds accredited kitchen expert will talk you through everything from planning the layout to adding those all-important finishing touches.

FEATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES

eciding on a new kitchen is a passport to a whole new lifestyle. Now you can improve the layout to cope with the demands of busy family life, create space for simply chilling and up the storage options for an effortlessly efficient work space. And of course you’ll need to find that one exceptional design that captures the essence of your home.

KITCHEN PROJECT

WHAT’S NEW IN KITCHENS

Whether you’re redoing your kitchen this year or just want to know what the next big thing is, here’s our round-up of the latest innovationsÉ Porcelain, everywhere Most often seen as flooring, porcelain is working its way onto other kitchen surfaces, too. Hard wearing, lightweight, scratch- and stain-proof porcelain worktops and cupboard door fronts are a great-value alternative to marble or stone, minus the maintenance. Coliseum Statuario Venato porcelain marble-effect worktop, from £144sq m, Stone and Ceramic Warehouse

HANDS-FREE TAPS With handleless units still in vogue, we knew it wouldn’t be long before the trend trickled down to other areas of the kitchen. The Grohe SmartTap is simply operated by hand, wrist or elbow via a push-andturn button located at the end of the spout, which is a big help if your hands are full or dirty, or if you have reduced mobility in your hands. Want to alter the flow? Just turn the button to adjust between water-saving eco mode or full flow. Temperature is adjusted via a mixing valve on the body. Essence SmartControl tap in Chrome, from £434.40, Grohe

Soap dispensers Keeping the sink area clutter free is easier these days with the help of three- and four-in-one boiling water and filter taps. Now, InSinkErator has developed a neat, 80mm built-in soap dispenser to sit with its whole range. Easily retro fitted, it comes in six finishes, with a 300ml tank. Soap dispenser in brushed steel, from £99, InSinkErator

EXTRACTION HOBS The trend for pairing sleek induction hobs with an extractor built into the centre of the cooking surface keeps sight lines clear and space optimised. This 80cm hob features four cooking zones and a venting extractor with an extraction rate of 680m3/H. Prima+ 80cm venting induction hob, £921, Prima

Food-preserving ovens If you like to pre-prepare meals in batches but don’t want to freeze them, the Wizard app-controlled oven from Hoover features ingenious new functions that may help. After cooking, portion into vacuum packs or reusable containers and store in the oven at Keepheat mode – between 63C and 70C – for up to two weeks. When you’re ready, open and eat – no reheating required. H-Keepheat 700 oven, from £649, Hoover

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KITCHEN PROJECT Multi-tasking sinks More a compact workstation than a sink, the innovative Box Centre is the perfect solution to a kitchen short on space. The stainless steel double-bowl sink fits into a 900mm cabinet and has a main bowl, plus a smaller one that incorporates a range of accessories, including chef-quality knives and knife holder, stainless steel strainer, prep platter, chopping board and rack. Box Centre double sink, 850x510mm, £1,400, Franke

CARBON PANS The Ultimate Carbon range from cookware specialist Samuel Groves is designed to improve with age. Unlike cast-iron pans, they are pressure-formed, then undergo a process that creates a sealed, lowmaintenance surface that will never rust. They’re an investment, with prices starting at £132, but are just as at home in the oven, or under a grill, as on the hob.

Strip lights, reinvented No, not the fluorescent kind…While many kitchen wish lists have an island right at the top, it’s easy to leave the lighting of it until last. Pendants are an excellent choice – however, pick ones that are too bold or large and you might find they literally outshine the kitchen centrepiece. We love the Quintet pendant light, £280, from Pooky. The beautifully understated single bar features five small directional LED lights and a brushed aluminium finish.

Vinyl flooring

FEATURE YSANNE BROOKS

Shaking off its 1970s image, vinyl is having a revival. While encaustic floor tiles are hot right now, they can be cold and pretty unforgiving if anything’s dropped on them. The latest vinyl range at Harvey Maria is inspired by Moorish and Victorian designs. Available in six colourways, the tiles are durable, easy to maintain and water- and slip-proof, too. Northmore Collection vinyl tiles in Pembroke Slate, £46.80sq m, Harvey Maria

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Love CATHERINE’S SHUTTERS? Turn to page 129 to shop the look

‘We wanted it to be classic –but different’ Catherine and Matt Williams invested in great bathroom basics, then added characterful touches

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BATHROOM PROJECT

BEFORE HANGING PLANTER Adds colour and interest without filling floor space

Welcome to my home Catherine Williams lives here with her husband Matt and their children Hugh, 13, Alfred, 11 and Hattie, eight.

THE PROPERTY A seven-bed Victorian semi in Bedford.

WHAT IT COST

‘The fittings, tiles and paint are all white, so I brought the scheme to life with rustic details, vintage pieces and some greenery that can easily be changed.’ Try the small pine ladder, £44; black metal mirror, £110, both Maisons du Monde

Tiles.....................£1,155 Bath and tap.....£2,345 Console, basin and taps....................£1,095 Shower and screen................£1,865 Loo.........................£130 Radiator.................£190 Paint........................£80 TOTAL..............£6,860

“

The calm colour palette and textures make this a real sanctuary after a day at work

”

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HOW CATHERINE AND MATT DID IT ‘The room was spacious and functional, but it was damp, and not to our taste. Instead, we wanted something fresh and luxurious, as if we were staying in a boutique hotel. We fitted a large, walk-in shower and found a super-size white stone freestanding bath to take centre stage. We also replaced the tiles. I was close to buying pink and black ones for a riot of colour but, in the end, we decided on a more timeless look we wouldn’t tire of as

quickly. Because the look was so neutral, we added some hints of colour with towels, plants and a rustic bench and ladder. The work took three weeks and cost about £3,000. I love how calm and spacious it looks now, and we’re happy with the choices we made. Even though it’s an en suite, it functions more like a family bathroom and the kids often linger in here when we’re getting ready – even though we try to chase them away!’

FRAMELESS SCREEN Keeps the room feeling open and spacious

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BELOW ‘We used white metro tiles on the far wall and the wall behind the basin. The herringbone pattern caused the most hassle and delay, due to the amount of cutting the tiler had to do. He wasn’t happy!’ Cotton handcrafted metro tiles, £36.95sq m; Foundry Silver Chalice anti-slip concrete-effect floor tiles, £32.95sq m, both Walls and Floors. Ascend 120mm shower divider panel, £408; Flight rectangular shower tray, £179, both Mira Showers

FEATURE AND STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH

BATHROOM PROJECT ‘To give the room impact, I found a console with a marble top and brass legs and paired it with a countertop basin. Our builder needed a steady hand to drill through the marble for the waste pipe!’ Stellar console table, £399, Atkin and Thyme. Wallmounted taps in brass, £420, Bespoke Taps

ABOVE ‘These shelves are more decorative than practical. We deliberately included very little storage, to force us to keep the bathroom neat and tidy.’ The Serena marble shelf, £78, Anthropologie, is similar BELOW ‘Shutters are not only practical for controlling light and privacy, but they also look elegant and work perfectly with the period features of the house.’ Java waterproof shutters in Light Grey, £3,000, Cambridge Shutter Company

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

If I could change anything in our new bathroom, it would be the anti-slip floor tiles. They are a bit awkward to keep clean because of their rough texture – they tend to shred our mop

”

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AWARD-WINNING LUXURY RIVER CRUISES IN EUROPE

travel ................................................

OFFERS

Eight days from £1,099PP From the River Seine in Paris to the Iron Gates of the Danube, sail along Europe’s arresting waterways and discover bulbﬁelds, gorges, vineyards, monasteries, medieval towns, breathtaking Alsace and the Black Forest.

Up to €400 of on-board credit per cabin*

River Cruise

Duration

From

It’s all included in the price

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

8 days

£1,599pp

● Spacious and beautifully appointed suites or cabins with hotel-style beds and river views

Rhine & Moselle

8 days

£1,499pp

Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg

8 days

£1,649pp

The Blue Danube

8 days

£1,099pp

● Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout

Vienna, Bohemia & Treasures of the Danube

8 days

£1,549pp

● Extensive and inclusive touring programmes

Cruise the Heart of Europe

15 days

£2,499pp

● Return ﬂights from a choice of regional airports or standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras (supplements may apply)

Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence

8 days

£1,549pp

Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbﬁelds

5 days

£899pp

Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbﬁelds

8 days

£1,599pp

● Return rail connections on selected dates and cruises from over 50 regional stations (supplements may apply) ● The services of an experienced cruise director and concierge

The Seine, Paris & Normandy

8 days

£1,549pp

The Douro, Porto & Salamanca

8 days

£1,449pp

Medieval Germany

8 days

£1,749pp

Budapest to The Black Sea – Gems of Eastern Europe

15 days

£2,949pp

The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets

6 days

£649pp

Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets

5 days

£549pp

CALL 01283 744319 TO BOOK OR FOR A FREE BROCHURE, OR VISIT IDERIVIERA.CO.UK TERMS & CONDITIONS: *The €400 on board credit applies only to the departure dates specified and is based on two people sharing a cabin. Sole occupancy cabins will receive €100 on board credit. The on board credit can be redeemed against all on board purchases, including gratuities. 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 going to print.

ABTA No. V4744

BATHROOM PROJECT

Make it work for you CATHERINE’S CHOICE: WINDOW SHUTTERS Timeless, elegant and practical, shutters are a stylish and functional option for bathroom windows If you’re after more than a quick-fix window dressing solution, classic window shutters are durable and offer privacy, security and style.

allow greater control than with a regular blind. By tilting the slats up or down, you can vary how much light comes in and obscure the view from outside.

Are shutters practical in a bathroom? Unlike fabric blinds, which can get damp in steamy bathrooms, shutters allow extra ventilation with their louvred slats, so they’ll dry quicker. They’re also easier to wipe down and keep clean.

Won’t moisture in the air damage the shutters? While painted wood or MDF shutters will be all right in well-ventilated bathrooms, in high humidity, moistureresistant shutters are more practical. Made of ABS plastic, polymer or polyvinyl, they look like regular wooden shutters but are waterproof, so slats won’t rot or warp, and shutters will keep their shape and work smoothly.

What about privacy and light levels? One of the benefits of shutters is that their easy-to-adjust slats

Dress your windows in unobtrusive, chic style

What are the different styles on offer? Full-height shutters cover the whole window and open as one unit, although the slats operate independently. Tier-ontier shutters look similar, but the top and bottom work separately. Cafe-style shutters cover just the lower portion of the window, which maximises daylight, and are a more affordable option.

Aren’t shutters expensive? Professionally installed shutters can be pricey - cut costs with DIY shutters you can fit yourself.

BEST FOR…

“

For upstairs windows, shutter slats should be angled downwards so people looking up can’t see in. For downstairs shutters, slant them upwards RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR

”

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

IDEAL HOME LOVES… MOISTURE-RESISTANT DESIGNS

SPLASH RESISTANT No warping, cracking or peeling. San Jose Pure White shutters in polymer, from £75.21 for 40x40cm, Blinds 2go

WATERPROOF OPTION Available in four shades. Pure White cafe-style shutters in polyvinyl, from £16sq m, California Shutters at B&Q

STEAM SAFE Hard wearing, faux wood styles. Daytona Cool White plantation shutters in polymer, from £72.59 for 30x51cm, 247 Blinds

DIY ADVICE The Shutter Store offers online advice plus useful videos on measuring up and installation. COLOUR MATCH Shutterly Fabulous offers affordable fitted shutters in a range of styles and finishes, including a colour-matching service, so you can find the right shade. FULL INSTALLATION Expert measuring and fitting are all part of the service with Hillarys – its made-to-measure range includes shaped and solid shutters as well as standard styles.

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“Apparently brushing only cleans about 60% of my teeth.TePe helps me reach up to 100%” – Gabby Logan Research shows oral health is related to overall health. TePe interdental brushes help clean the 40% of your teeth that toothbrushes can’t reach. No wonder 94% of hygienists recommend them*.

TePe.com/Gabby

BATHROOM PROJECT

WHAT’S NEW IN BATHROOMS

Whether you’re redoing your bathroom this year or just like to know what the next big thing is, this is our roundup of the latest innovationsÉ Shower spray menus Bathroom companies have been busy improving the shower ‘experience’. This latest matt white model has a selection of spray patterns to choose from, including micro-fine and ultra-quiet PowderRain. Rainfinity 250 3jet showerhead with wall connector, £1,267, Hansgrohe

HIGH-TECH, PAPERLESS LOOS Geberit’s AquaClean Sela shower loo with gloss chrome-plated panel uses warm water and an oscillating spray to leave you feeling shower-fresh after every use. It features four programmable settings for individual preferences, so users can customise everything from the temperature of the water to the water pressure itself, all through a handy remote control. You’ll never need to worry about running out of loo paper again! AquaClean Sela shower toilet with gloss chrome-plated panel, £3,480, Geberit

Speaker lights Much more than just a colour-changing light, the Rhythm LED ceiling light from HiB is suitable for bathrooms and features a built-in Bluetooth speaker so you can enjoy your favourite music or listen to a podcast or audiobook while you’re in the tub. Rhythm LED ceiling light and Bluetooth speaker, £249, HiB

INFRARED TAPS Designed to minimise the risk of scalding, the upper surface of this basin mixer has an LED temperature display to show the exact water temperature as it flows. You can also switch between spray settings by simply waving your hand. Plus M-size basin mixer, £815, Grohe

Creative tubs A free-standing bath makes an eye-catching feature in any bathing space. The latest colours and finishes are adding a fresh dimension to bathroom design – the new Wenlock acrylic tub from Heritage Bathrooms is a perfect example with its marble-effect exterior. Wenlock acrylic bathtub, £2,350, Heritage Bathrooms

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BATHROOM PROJECT Smart underfloor heating Control your bathroom’s underfloor heating from your smart phone with the Warmup 4iE smart Wi-Fi thermostat. It works with both electric and water underfloor heating systems and doesn’t require programming. Available in a choice of Bright Porcelain or Onyx Black finishes. Warmup 4iE Wi-Fi heating controller, £149, VictoriaPlum.com

SUPER-SKINNY TOWEL WARMERS With two swivel pegs and one fixed, the Simplicity II Round Tube does double duty as both an electric towel and robe warmer. The slender polished stainless steel pole is available in three heights and two shapes, so you can pick a style to suit your bathroom space.

Sheet surfaces If you’re worried about grout lines looking grubby, consider a ‘sheet’ material in place of tiles. One of a new generation of ultra-compact surfaces, Dekton is super-strong, non-porous and now available in a 4mm-depth Slim format, ideal for use on shower walls, bath surrounds and vanity units. Dekton Slim cladding in Opera and Kreta, from £75sq m, Cosentino

Simplicity II Round Tube electric towel and robe warmer, from £232.80, Vogue UK

Low-effort shower panels

WORDS: AMELIA THORPE

Inspired by the industrial look of black metal-framed windows, Matki has developed a new matt black finish for its enclosures. Using a marine-grade industrial coating more hard-wearing than standard powder coating, it features a minimalist design to make cleaning and maintenance much easier. Illusion hinged door and side panel, £2,009, Matki

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CRUISE THE ADRIATIC COAST BY YACHT

travel ................................................

OFFERS

Cruises from only £1,499pp

Recline under an azure sky as the ship’s deck moves almost imperceptibly to the rhythm of the Adriatic. These magniﬁcent four-star yacht cruisers carry up to just 40 guests, so you are sure to enjoy a more personal service on board and be treated to views normally inaccessible to larger cruise liners. Our itineraries include shore excursions and time at sea with swim stops in stunning spots along the Adriatic coast.

It’s all included in the price ● Sail between smaller islands and ports, enjoying spectacular coastal views normally inaccessible to larger cruise liners ● Daily breakfast and selected meals, plus the Captain’s Dinner ● Enjoy swim stops in some of the prettiest secluded bays and coves ● Fascinating walking tours of magniﬁcent cities with local guides ● A modest-sized yacht cruiser with dedicated crew ensures an atmosphere that is both intimate and relaxed ● Overnight moorings in quaint, picturesque harbours allowing evening strolls ashore and the chance to sample the local cuisine ● Return ﬂights from a selection of regional airports, plus all transfers ● Seven nights on the four-star MV Rhapsody, MV Riva, MV Corona, MS Il Mare or MS Adriatic Sun ● The services of our experienced tour manager throughout

Cruise

Duration

From

Dubrovnik, Split & Jewels of the Dalmatian Coast

8 days

£1,499pp

Split, Dubrovnik & the Splendours of Dalmatia

8 days

£1,499pp

Split, Rab & Undiscovered Islands of the North

8 days

£1,549pp

Dubrovnik, Mostar & Secrets of Dalmatia

8 days

£1,499pp

Split, Zadar & Secrets of the North

8 days

£1,499pp

CALL 01283 744319 TO BOOK OR FOR A FREE BROCHURE, OR VISIT IDERIVIERA.CO.UK TERMS & CONDITIONS: Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Additional entrance costs may apply. 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 going to print.

ABTA No. V4744

BEFORE & AFTER

‘I’ve made this little Victorian terraced house ultra-modern’ Philippe transformed his traditional period property with an architecturally striking rear extension and cutting-edge, eco-friendly features

AFTER

BEFORE

The cottage had a couple of lean-tos tagged onto the back

his property was long overdue an update, but Philippe needed a base in London and liked the location. ‘Although it didn’t have a big garden and was a bit cold, it just felt right,’ he says. SETTING PRIORITIES The house had a narrow kitchen at the back that had to go: ‘I wanted a bigger kitchen so that when people visited it would be easier to be in the same space while I was cooking. Having lived in Germany for many years, I’m used to good insulation and heating, so getting that updated was a priority, too.’

NEW IDEAS Architect Robin Sjoholm at Outpost says: ‘When it was originally built, this house had gas lighting and a fireplace in every room. I wanted to make it as cutting edge now as it was then.’ The house now has a state-of the-art system that pumps chilled water through pipes in the bedroom and kitchen ceilings to cool them, eco-friendly insulation and a grey-water harvesting system. ‘I also now have a big, open-plan space downstairs with a much better flow, which I’m so pleased with,’ says Philippe.

A full-width extension with a zigzagged zinc-clad facade has replaced the add-ons

Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY A two-bed Victorian terrace in east London.

THE VALUE Bought for £700,000 in 2013; now worth £1.2m. Philippe Hinchliffe, a scientist, lives here. He splits his time between this property and another in Munich.

WHAT IT COST Heat pump and solar heating.............£21,400 Underfloor heating and cooling................£6,525 Plumbing and electrics...........£22,000 External wall and

foundations....£20,900 Decorating.........£9,370 Kitchen.............£17,000 Flooring and insulation.........£12,950 Windows and doors.................£15,700 Zinc roof ............£9,400 TOTAL...........£135,245

“

What I’ve achieved here is a light-filled space with minimal heating loss

”

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BEFORE & AFTER Skylights keep the north-facing extension light and bright. ‘The zigzag roof produces a nice effect at different times of day’

Douglas fir window and door frames plus characterful furniture give the space a warmer feel

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT…

PITCHED ROOF FORMS Architect Robin Sjoholm from Outpost has the lowdownÉ

THEY’RE STRIKINGLY MODERN Pitched roof forms add a contemporary feel to a period property, creating a visually striking and dynamic form of architecture. THEY LOOK JUST AS GOOD INSIDE Roof forms offer a beautiful internal ceiling scape. Team them with shallow roof lights and this can also help avoid issues with possible overlooking. THEY CAN MAXIMISE LIGHT The spread of natural daylight through an array of narrow roof-light windows can make the most of the late afternoon sunlight. THEY ASSIST WITH HEATING AND VENTILATION The design of a pitched roof form aids with passive heating and cooling. USING THE RIGHT MATERIAL IS KEY Pre-weathered zinc (as used in Philippe’s house) is an ideal material to use due to its durability and flexibility.

A bright blue slab-door kitchen underlines the house’s contemporary design credentials

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

“

Old houses mean compromises. I couldn’t add external wall or cavity insulation, instead I was limited to adding 10cm to the interior walls

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”

4 5

FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI PHOTOGRAPHS FRENCH+TYE

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE RIPPLE EFFECT

Bring a neutral room to life with patterned Pleated blinds – made to measure for a perfect fit. Pleated blind in Ripple Blue, Hillarys

TOTAL CONTROL

STYLISH AND VERSATILE

Pleated blinds that combine two different fabrics can be a smart way to tackle glare and temperature. Transition Day & Night blinds in Crush Mint Green and Zen White sheer, Hillarys

Planning a makeover? The new Hillarys range of beautiful and practical Pleated blinds will suit any room in your home

ooking for a window treatment that’s stylish, functional and effortlessly contemporary? Hillarys has got you covered with its fresh new range of Pleated blinds. Not just a practical choice for conservatories, the trend-led prints, patterns, colours and textures will have you looking at them in a whole new light as they’re versatile enough to work in any room, from bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms to modern orangeries and glasshouses.

FEATURE TARA KING

DESIGNS TO INSPIRE Hillarys’ new collection of Pleated blinds features over 175 stylish fabrics, including standout patterns and bold shades, pretty plains and neutral greys, creams and whites, helping you to create the perfect

look for your home. They’re great for adding personality to a scheme; make a statement in a living room with a striking metallic print that draws the eye, or choose a subtle floral print on natural linen to give a little life to a pared-back bedroom.

DRESS TO IMPRESS Whichever room you’re planning to update, Pleated blinds from Hillarys are available in a range of performance fabrics and fitting solutions to suit your requirements, including sheers, blackout, ThermaShade™ and the innovative new transition system designed with bi-fold doors in mind – more than enough to inspire. To make a Pleated blind the star of your scheme, book a home appointment

with a local Hillarys expert advisor, who will help you to decide on a colour and style that’s right for your space. They’ll also professionally measure and fit the blinds, making the whole process enjoyable and stress-free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

See the full range of products at hillarys.co.uk or call 0800 587 6480 to book a free in-home appointment.

Genius problem solvers FOR A SMOOTH-RUNNING LIFE Our pick of the latest home innovations, storage solutions and stuff you never knew you needed… DRY LAUNDRY NATURALLY WITH A CLEVER AIRER

Switch to a more sustainable bed For a more eco-friendly choice, take a look at the new Origins collection from Hypnos. The mattresses are filled with naturally antibacterial 100% British wool from Red Tractor assured farms and are finished with a layer of unbleached cotton and viscose. Pair with a Hypnos bed of equal eco cred and you can sleep easy. Wool Origins 8 mattress, deep firm edge sprung divan base and tall Fiona Euro Slim headboard in Zenith 501 Palm fabric, from £3,267 for a king-size, Hypnos

SM EP

Addis slimline x wing airer, £21.49, Amazon.co.uk

CAMOUFLAGE CLASSIC Blends in nicely in the garden and adjusts from 129-187cm. Lift-O-Matic rotary dryer in Green, £105, Brabantia E

SM ALL S T

Use heated hair tools safely The Hot Tool styling mat, £12, from Oxo provides you with a safe spot to place your tongs or straighteners mid-styling, so you don’t burn yourself or your furniture. Track your pet Want to keep track of your cat or your dog when out on a walk? The new V-Pet Tracker from Vodafone fits snugly onto a collar and you can see where they are via the app. V-Pet Tracker (with 12 months service), £99, Vodafone

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COMPACT STYLE The design of this collapsible folding airer takes up very little floor space. Kleeneze three-tier clothes airer, £24.99, Robert Dyas

Squeeze in a sofa

Model 01 velvet two-seater sofa in Vine, £895, Swyft

If you long for a roomy new sofa, but it’ll never get through the door, Swyft has the answer. Its seating is delivered in a box and assembled with a simple click and lock system.

ALL S T

VERSATILE OPTION Perfect for indoors and out, and handily folds flat to store.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS CLEANING KIT THAT DOESN’T NEED HIDING

Blend in a home office Looking more like a sleek console, this smart and stylish desk from Furniture Village is ideal if you work from home and don’t want your living room or bedroom looking like an office 24-7. Featuring a neat lift-up lid, perfect for stashing away your laptop, the hidden cable management system at the back of the desk hides away any power leads, too. Lista storage desk, £399, Furniture Village

Spritz for sleep Scented with dreamy English lavender and musk, spray this new Jo Malone pillow mist on your bedding to help you drift happily off to sleep. Lavender & Musk pillow mist, £25 for 45ml, Jo Malone

1 Dustpan and brush, £14, Garden Trading 2 Borstad dustpan and broom, £17, Ikea 3 Eddingtons Valet extendable ostrich feather duster, £28, Amara

Make mash simpler Brabantia’s new potato masher plus spoon, £6.50, combines several utensils to drain, mash, scoop and serve… Genius! Art gets smart Perfect for art lovers, the Meural can display your photos plus more than 30,000 works of art from galleries and museums (via subscription) on a high definition 1080p screen. To change the image, wave your hand, or use the app or Alexa.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

Meural Canvas II Smart Art frame (H41.4xW61.7x D3.5cm), from £599.99, Amazon.co.uk

Save space with a two-in-one piece

Slip in a slimline laundry basket

Is your living room a little lacking in extra surfaces? Look no further than the multi-tasking Ashton storage stool from Next Home. Available in four colourways – Studio Texture Charcoal, Sumptuous Velour Silver and Opulent Velvet Navy (all above) and Opulent Velvet Steel – the top flips over to reveal a handy tray table – perfect as an extra seat or place to pop your cuppa. Ashton storage stool, £120 each, Next Home

If you’re lacking floor space, try this skinny design from H&M Home. Good looking and easy to tote, it’ll fit into the tightest of spaces. Handmade laundry basket, £24.99, H&M Home

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YOUR UTILITY SPACE SORTED

It can easily become a dumping ground, so stay organised and clutter-free with these ideas

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The products you need to store and order all your utility room essentials for an efficient, functional behind-the-scenes space

WHAT THE PROS KNOW.. Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn shares her utility-taming solutionsÉ

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

THE CUSTOMISABLE SHELVING This versatile system can fit any space as the shelves simply click into the wall uprights at any height. Build it around your appliances to provide open shelving to store laundry and cleaning products. Algot upright shelving system, from £45, Ikea

THE WALL ORGANISER Keep surfaces clear of clutter and the things you need within reach, rather than hidden at the back of a cupboard, with a pegboard of hooks and shelving

giving everything its own place should keep things sorted. Skadis pegboard combination, White, 56x56cm, £29, Ikea

THE FREE-STANDING UPRIGHT Turn a porch, hallway or corner of your kitchen into a space for cleaning essentials with a free standing unit, combining shelving cubbies and hooks. Arrange brushes and dusters into buckets and caddies, and hang peg bags and brooms from the hooks to maintain order. For similar, try Oak Furnitureland or The Cotswold Company

PLAN YOUR SPACE Make sure your utility area works efficiently. If you need shelves to store washed towels, go for slatted ones as they are best to let the air through. MEASURE UP Before hanging shelves or building cupboards, measure your appliances, so you know they will fit into the space. Think about stacking a washing machine and tumble dryer, and choose a laundry basket that will fit under the washer door, so you can open it with the basket below.

THE ‘HANG IT ANYWHERE’ RACK Make the most of the unused space on the back of a door with this adaptable rack. It simply hangs from one hook at the top and one at the bottom. Ideal for sorting bottles, pegs or towels. Elfa door and wall rack, laundry room 1, £95, Store

THE STACKABLE BASKETS Fill with cleaning products to easily transport around the house, then when not in use, neatly stack away. Smartstore basket with lid, shallow, £12 each, Store

ADAPT FURNITURE TO YOUR NEEDS Squeezing the vacuum cleaner or ironing board into cupboards can be tricky, so remove shelves if possible. Or leave a gap between the wall and the edge of a cupboard to slide them in there. Make use of wall space to rig up a wall dryer for hanging washing and put hooks on the inside of cupboard doors for dustpans. RESIST STOCKPILING It might be tempting to buy supplies that are on offer, but there’s no point in storing products for months – it just clutters up available space. Find out more at youneedavicky.com or on Instagram and Facebook @youneedavicky

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READER OFFER The French cupboard, from £476, is a real gem for small rooms

Make a tactile upholstered bed and headboard centre stage in your bedroom

Add little extras like these pretty storage ottomans, from £192 (plus fabric) each

SAVE 20% AT THE DORMY HOUSE Create the style you love – and save while you shop – by choosing customisable designs from The Dormy House

ring elegance to every room with beautiful bespoke furniture and soft furnishings from The Dormy House, thanks to a special Ideal Home reader discount of 20% off your next order. The family-run business, launched in 1983, custommakes every design offering you greater flexibility when you shop. Choose the perfect upholstery from an extensive range of the leading fabric

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houses, pick the ideal paint colours for your scheme and specify finishing touches such as handles and legs for a truly unique piece of furniture at an affordable price. From stylish yet clever storage options to comfortable and chic furniture choices, The Dormy House has something for every room. With elegant pieces that are made to last, enjoy the flexibility of a custom design for a new look that’s personal to you.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR IDEAL HOME DISCOUNT This exclusive offer allows readers of Ideal Home to enjoy a 20% discount on the entire range at The Dormy House. To order online visit thedormyhouse.com and use the code IHOFFER20 at the checkout; if you’re ordering by phone, call 01264 365808 and quote IHOFFER2020 before you place your order. TERMS AND CONDITIONS This discount is available from 25 February to 25 April 2020 across all products online. There is no cash alternative in whole or part. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Delivery charges are not included in the offer. Furniture made to a bespoke size is not eligible for any discount. Previous purchases are not eligible for this offer. The Dormy House will collect your personal information to process your order only.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS Window wonder Window Vac WV 2 Premium Plus, £39.99, Kärcher The cordless vac runs for up to 25 minutes, which is roughly the time you’d need to clean 55 windows (should you be so inclined). Using the spray bottle, microfibre cloth and detergent, you simply spritz the window, wipe it clear of dirt and vacuum up the residue. THE BEST BIT Not just for windows, this handy machine whips up worktop spills, too.

Steam machine EXPERT TIP

Most machines will have a filter or tank that needs cleaning regularly, and it’s important to keep these in tip-top condition. The cleaner your machine is, the more efficient it will be.

Black+Decker SteaMitt handheld steam cleaner, £49.99, Amazon This genius machine lets you get literally hands on with the steam, directing it right into the palm of your (glove-protected) hand. No detergents required, the handy model kills off 99.9% of germs and bacteria using nothing but tap water. THE BEST BIT There’s no slow warm-up – it’s ready for action in just 20 seconds.

Hard floor hero Glide all-in-one hard floor cleaner, £249.99, Vax Ideal for tackling stone, vinyl, engineered wood or wood laminate, the new Glide effortlessly vacuums, washes and dries the floor in one go. The multi-surface brush bar loosens dirt, while the twin tank system ensures you’re never cleaning with dirty water.

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

Speed up spring cleaning with a specialist machine From vacuums that can also wash to handheld tools that leave your windows sparkling, these are the cleaning machines we swear by to make banishing built-up dirt quicker, more effective and strangely satisfying…

THE BEST BIT The handy auto-clean mode will rinse the machine out for you after use.

Carpet washer Proheat 2xRevolution Pet Pro, £279.99, Bissell Featuring two brush rolls and a powerful 800 watt motor, this carpet cleaner weighs almost 8kg, but is relatively easy to manoeuvre and, while it’s billed as a cleaner for those with pets, it obviously tackles mud and food spills, too. THE BEST BIT The powerful suction in the Express clean mode will have carpets dry in just 30 minutes.

Mattress sanitiser CLEANmax handheld UV mattress vacuum SC04, £59.99, Lakeland Mattresses provide the perfect nesting place for dust, bacteria,

bed bugs and dust mites, so regular vacuuming is always advised, especially for allergy and asthma sufferers. This genius handheld vacuum takes that solution up a notch by using UV-C light to kill off mites and fungal spores, while pummelling the surface of the mattress to shake up any loose particles before they’re sucked up. THE BEST BIT The built-in HEPA filter traps miniscule particles, too, ensuring a complete deep clean.

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IDEAL HOME PARTNERSHIP

‘I CREATE COLOURFUL, ENERGY-RICH ART’ Bruce Atherton’s soulful artwork is now available at Runway Gallery From top: Magenta Rose, £12,400; Phoebe 7, £12,100, both by Bruce Atherton at Runway Gallery

Check, £12,800, by Bruce Atherton, available at Runway Gallery

IF I DON’T PAINT EVERY DAY, NOTHING MAKES SENSE It’s a form of meditation for me. I’ll spend at least half my day in my studio in Woolwich, London, listening to music while I work – anything from alternative punk to Buddhist chants. I’ve worked across a range of mediums including paint, photography and sculpture, but my true love is oil on canvas. I recently developed a new technique for airbrushing with oil. I FIND MYSELF DRAWN TO THE OLD MASTERS, LIKE CARAVAGGIO AND RODIN It led me to turn my back on the art school system in the 1980s and become an autodidact. The trend at the time was for abstract expressionism, but I wanted to focus on skills-based art. As an artist it takes guts to expose yourself creatively and I like to think there’s a little bit of my soul in every piece. I DON’T HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE Having said that, text often features in

my work. I use it as a way of expressing thoughts. I’m inspired by beauty. I search for perfection and truth, whether in a person, a landscape or an idea. I admire people who have the courage to follow their heart and do what they believe in. MY ART MAKES A WONDERFUL STATEMENT IN THE HOME My canvases are colourful and energy-rich, so they need breathing space on a wall. I’d advise anyone looking to invest in artwork to stay true to your individual taste and choose a piece you love.

“

I’m proud to be part of Runway Gallery and have my work sit alongside that of other talented artists. Buyers are guaranteed the highest-quality art

”

BECOME A COLLECTOR Looking for a statement piece to give your walls the wow factor? Runway Gallery is an online venture showcasing contemporary, affordable art from Bruce Atherton and other artists. Visit runway-gallery.com

NEXT MONTH Contemporary American artist Jeff Muhs is known for his innovative, abstract style. From his home built studio in Southampton, New York, he creates oil paintings and concrete sculptures inspired by his scenic surroundings.

FEATURE TARA KING ARTWORK, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP CHECK, £12,800; MAGENTA ROSE, £12,400; PHOEBE 7, £12,100 ALL BRUCE ATHERTON, AVAILABLE AT RUNWAY-GALLERY.COM

ttempting to satisfy his ‘inner Michelangelo’, Runway Gallery artist Bruce Atherton left his job as an advertising art director in his 20s to study advanced life painting in Italy. He has since received international acclaim – including commissions from the Vatican – for his contemporary approach to the traditional art of oil painting.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS How do I resolve screen-freeze and dropped conversations? A poor signal is hugely frustrating, so avoid walking around when chatting, especially if you’re using mobile data as the signal strength changes regularly. If you’re using a laptop, avoid having too many programs open. The same applies to tablets and even smartphones.

How can I get a better picture?

Facebook Portal in White, £169, portal. facebook.com

Enjoy glitch-free video calling From frozen screens to unflattering angles that highlight double chins, video calling can be disappointing in practice. Overcome the snags, though, and it could change your life… All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer with a webcam and microphone. Home Wi-Fi is also a must, though with a smartphone you can use your phone’s network if you have sufficient data. Next, download a video-calling app, such as Skype, FaceTime (for Apple users), WhatsApp (Apple or Windows Phone 8.1+), Facebook Messenger or Google Duo. The person you’re calling will need the same app, too.

What if I don’t want to use my phone? If you have a computer with a webcam, you’ll be able to video chat using Skype or FaceTime, but it needs to be on to receive calls. Or you can get yourself a Google Nest Hub (£69, store.google.com), Alexa Echo Show 8 (£59.99, Amazon.co.uk) or a Facebook Portal (from £129, portal.

facebook.com), all of which have a high-res screen and camera, as well as voice control so you can order it to call anyone from your contact’s list.

Can I chat with multiple people? On Facebook Messenger you can talk face to face with up to six people, and as many as 50 people in different locations can also join the chat just to talk – though it might get chaotic!

How do I get young children to take part? Caribu (iOS and Android, free with in-app purchases) is a smartphone app that lets you interact, rather than just talk. You can draw and play games together on the screen and read stories. Facebook Portal doesn’t need the kids to sit still as the camera tracks people around the room, and it also has a Story Time mode that animates your face and surroundings on screen (in real time) while you read one of its provided stories to the kids.

I always look terrible on video calls! Any tips? Avoid low back lighting to reduce shadows and make sure the camera is at eye level. Remember to look at the camera rather than the screen, so it gives the impression you’re making eye contact.

“

Lighting is very important with video calling, so make sure that the room is well lit. Place a direct light source behind the webcam, or natural light from an open window during daytime is just as good

”

JOHN JUNOD, GLOBAL BRAND MANAGER FOR WEBCAMS AT LOGITECH IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

FEATURE CHRIS HASLAM

How do I get started?

Image quality depends on the resolution of your – and the caller’s – camera. Logitech sells clip-on webcams for computers, from £25.

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COULD THE AIR INSIDE YOUR HOME BE MORE POLLUTED THAN OUTDOORS? Scientific research suggests that it could be1

PURESSENTIEL PURIFYING AIR SPRAY 100% PLANT-BASED PATENTED FORMULA PROVEN TO REDUCE HOUSEHOLD BACTERIA2 • GENTLE ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY3 • ALSO SUITABLE FOR ASTHMA SUFFERERS4 • ESSENTIAL OILS SIGNATURE BLEND WITH A LONG LASTING AND UPLIFTING FRAGRANCE • 99.4% USER SATISFACTION5

PURIFYING

uk.puressentiel.com Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. 1- Data on file. 2- Reduces bacteria on surfaces. Microbiological Environmental study, randomised, blind, controlled, May 18. 3- Suitable from 1 year. 4- Suitable for mild to moderate asthma sufferers. Journal Of Asthma 2018: Tolerance to essential oils exposure in patients with allergic asthma. 5- Study of 9,486 users, 31th October 2019.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS Affordable option DXAPV3N air purifier with HEPA filter and ioniser (H33.3xW24.8xD13.3cm), £59.99, Dimplex If you’re on a budget, this slim air purifier is for you. It’s a great choice for a bedroom because its two speeds create white noise to help you drop off to sleep. The HEPA and carbon filter lasts up to 2,000 hours, and is listed as being suitable for a room up to 28sq m, based on just under two air changes per hour. THE BEST BIT It’s around the size of a cookbook, so won’t take up much space.

Compact and stylish, the Dimplex air purifier is great for a bedroom

Clean the air for a healthier home

From the chemicals in cleaning products, fresh paint, new furniture, cooking fumes to dust and other allergens, an air purifier can be a good investment, and helpful for respiratory problems or allergies. We’ve chosen the best around

FEATURE CARAMEL QUIN

Stylish all-rounder Blue Pure 411 in Red (H42.4xDia20.3cm), £135, Blueair Hard to fault for the price, this compact purifier has a HEPASilent filter (Quiet Mark accreditation) and electrostatic and mechanical filtration to remove airborne contaminants down to the size of viruses. Activated carbon pellets remove odours, gases and VOCs. Designed for a room of up to 15sq m (with five air changes per hour). THE BEST BIT The coloured fabric cover is a washable pre-filter.

Personal purifier Pure Cool Me (H40.1xW25.4x D24.7cm), £299.99, Dyson Pitched as a personal fan that cleans the air in the space around you, rather than an air purifier, the Dyson has an activated carbon and glass HEPA filter and noise level of 44-61dB. Comes in three colourways. THE BEST BIT The small remote control attaches magnetically to the front when not in use.

High capacity model Series 3000i AC3829 (H80xW49xD39Dcm), £549.99, Philips Yes, it’s pricey, but this model is much more than a purifier. It’s Wi-Fi and app connected so you can control remotely and monitor air quality. There’s also a child lock and sleep timer of one to 12 hours, plus it doubles as a humidifier. Suitable for a room size of up to 80sq m. THE BEST BIT It’s on castors for ease of movement as it weighs over 8kg.

Living room hero MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47x5 (H40.9x W32.4xD16.2cm), £149.99, Meaco With three speeds and sleep timers, this is a neat floor-standing model. The filter features a dust pre-filter, HEPA, active charcoal, ioniser and more. Ideal for a room up to around 31sq m in size. THE BEST BIT Meaco’s website has charts to help you work out how often to change the air based on your room size.

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FOOD WITH FRIENDS

Easter lunch is servedÉ

Get everyone together and treat them to a proper roast – or something lighter and fresher – to celebrate good times and the arrival of spring

Roast crown of lamb with jewelled rice See page 153 for recipe

SIMPLE PLEASURES

IDEAL HOME TIP Praline can be made ahead, then stored in a resealable bag Beetroot, goatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheese and praline salad See page 153 for recipe

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

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SIMPLE PLEASURES

Criss-cross aubergines with nut cream TAKES 55 mins SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS ● 3 small aubergines (not miniature), rinsed and halved lengthways ● 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ● ½tsp mild chilli powder ● 3tsp olive oil ● 50g shelled pistachios ● 1tsp ground cumin ● 100g fresh mint ● 400g thick natural yogurt ● 100g rocket leaves ● 4 baby radishes, washed and thinly sliced ● 150g flat-leaf parsley ● 1tsp ground cinnamon ● Juice of ½ lemon ● Edible flowers, to garnish

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1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Gas

8 and put a baking tray on the top shelf. Make diagonal cuts in the aubergine slices, spacing them 2cm apart. Repeat in the opposite direction until you have a grid pattern – but don’t cut the slices all the way through. Rub the garlic, chilli powder and 2tsp of the oil into the cuts. Roast for 35 mins or until browning on top.

2 To make the nut cream,

whizz together the pistachios

and cumin with half of the mint and all of the yogurt in a food processor, until it forms a crunchy paste. Season with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.

3 Mix the rocket, radishes,

remaining mint, parsley and cinnamon with the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice. Serve the aubergine slices together with the salad and edible flowers, and the nut cream on the side.

Roasted whole salmon with tomato and fennel See page 153 for recipe

IDEAL HOME TIP Like it fiery? Serve with Tabasco and thin slices of red chilli

IDEAL HOME TIP For more squidge and less crunch, spread some ricotta on the base

Asparagus and cheese pu ff tart

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Roast crown of lamb with jewelled rice

Beetroot, goat’s cheese and praline salad

Roasted whole salmon with tomato and fennel

TAKES 30 mins, plus resting SERVES 6

TAKES 1 hr, plus cooling SERVES 4 as a starter or 6 as a side salad

TAKES 30 mins SERVES 6-8 (or more for a larger fish)

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

INGREDIENTS ● 1 lamb crown, about 2-2.5kg ● 2tsp za’atar FOR THE STUFFING: 50g butter ● Pinch saffron ● 1 cinnamon stick ● 4 cardamom pods, lightly bruised ● 1tsp dried chilli flakes ● Zest and juice of 1 orange ● 350g rice, cooked ● 100g almonds and pistachios ● Handful of fresh parsley, mint and dill, chopped ● Pea sprouts and gravy, to serve FOR THE DRESSING: ● 60ml olive oil ● 2tbsp sherry vinegar ● 2tbsp pomegranate molasses ● 3tbsp crispy onions ● 2tbsp black sesame seeds ● 125g pomegranate seeds

1 Preheat oven to 200C/Gas

INGREDIENTS ● 500g beetroot ● Olive oil ● 2tbsp sherry or balsamic vinegar ● 100g goat’s cheese ● 100g rocket or beet leaves FOR THE PRALINE: ● 100g blanched almonds ● 160g caster sugar FOR THE DRESSING: ● 40ml olive oil ● 2tbsp sherry vinegar ● 1tbsp maple syrup ● 2tsp pomegranate molasses

INGREDIENTS ● 1tsp wholegrain mustard ● 1tsp light brown sugar ● 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil ● 1 whole side of salmon, skin-on, grey fat trimmed ● 2 lemons, 1 very thinly sliced, 1 cut into wedges ● ½ fennel bulb, very thinly sliced, plus leaf sprigs ● 10 mixed-colour cherry tomatoes, halved ● Sprigs of dill and baby basil leaves

1 Boil beetroot for 15-25

1 Preheat oven to 190C/

mins until tender. Drain, then cool. Rub the skins off and slice into 5mm rounds.

2 Preheat oven to 200C/Gas

6. Rub lamb with za’atar and season. Cook for 20 mins for rare, 25 mins for medium).

6. Toss beetroot slices with a glug of olive oil and roast for 15-20 mins. Toss through the vinegar. Set aside.

2 For the stuffing, heat

3 For the praline, grease a

the butter with the saffron, cinnamon, cardamom pods, chilli, and orange zest. Cook for a few mins, stir in rice, nuts, herbs, orange juice and 3tsp pan juices. Mix the dressing ingredients together and toss through rice.

3 Remove lamb from oven,

allow to rest for 20 mins. Before serving, fill the crown cavity with the stuffing. Serve with pea sprouts, any remaining rice, and gravy.

baking tray with oil. Toast almonds for 5-8 mins in a pan. Heat sugar in a nonstick pan until it turns to caramel (don’t stir yet). Add almonds, swirl through the caramel. Pour onto the baking tray, leave to set.

4 Mix all the dressing

ingredients together. Layer the cheese, leaves and beetroot onto plates, pour over the dressing. Top with chopped praline.

Gas 5. Stir mustard, sugar and half the oil together. Place the salmon in a large, parchment-lined roasting tin, skin down. Season with salt and black pepper. Brush mustard and sugar mixture over the salmon and set aside.

2 Meanwhile, place the

sliced lemons, fennel and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss until everything is coated. Cover the salmon evenly with the vegetables.

3 Roast in the oven for

20 mins or until the vegetables are tender and the salmon is just cooked. Dress with the dill and basil to finish, and serve with the lemon wedges.

Asparagus and cheese pu ff tart TAKES 45 mins SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS ● 300g ready-rolled puff pastry ● Flour, to dust ● 1 egg yolk, for brushing ● 200g pack of asparagus tips ● 110g pack of fine asparagus ● Zest and juice of 1 lemon ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 60g Gruyère, grated ● 30g Pecorino, grated ● 30g toasted flaked almonds

1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas

4. Unroll the pastry onto a baking tray lined with lightly floured baking parchment. Score a 1.5cm border in the pastry, taking care not to cut all the way through. Prick the centre with a fork.

2 Beat together the egg

yolk and 1tbsp water and brush the pastry frame with it. Bake 10-12 mins or until light golden brown. Leave to cool. Blanch asparagus for 2 mins in boiling water, then refresh under cold water. Put in a bowl, season, then toss with 1tsp lemon zest, the oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

3 Sprinkle Gruyère and

three quarters of the Pecorino in the centre of the pastry. Top neatly with the asparagus and bake for 15 mins until starting to brown. Finish with remaining cheese, lemon zest and the almonds.

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STAYCATION HEAVEN for foodies From the Lake District and London to Sussex and Skye, we’ve scoured the land to find the best home-grown holidays for gourmets

e might not enjoy reliable rays, but what Britain lacks in sun worshipping opportunities, it more than makes up for in good grub. In every nook of our green and pleasant land, you’ll find fresh produce packed with flavour, and people devoted to getting the best out of it. We’ve eaten our way around the UK to find hotels favoured by foodies for gourmet adventures, be it wild foraging or dining in Michelin-star style.

The locally-sourced menu, created by chefs Tom Adams and April Bloomfield, is served in an unpretentious, honest setting

COOMBESHEAD FARM Cornwall This foodie-focused home from home in the Cornish countryside was conceived to be a return to simple hospitality and humble cooking. Occupying an old dairy farmstead dating back to the 18th century, it has transitioned into a rustic, unpretentious guest house that boasts one of southwest England’s most talked-about restaurants. Dinners here are guaranteed to titillate and delight those with even the most pedestrian of palates. One

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set menu is served in the beautiful converted barn, following aperitifs and nibbles in the main house. Expect a long, lazy evening of dishes drawn from the estate’s bounty. And although Coombeshead’s food credentials are its principal draw, guests also come to explore the 60 acres of rolling land and enchanted wooded walks. BOOK IT Double rooms from £125 a night (coombesheadfarm.co.uk)

Even the Black Swan’s cocktails are made from locally foraged ingredients

SIMPLE PLEASURES

THE GILPIN Lake District Oh, the lovely Lakes – England’s most majestic and magical of landscapes. A place of soaring peaks, cascading mounds and tranquil, placid water. There are many picture-perfect country house hotels on the route from Ambleside to Grasmere but, for something a little more contemporary with a dash of culinary flair, head to Gilpin Hotel and Lake House. It's a haven of countryside comfort in which to kick back and relax in anticipation of dinner time – when you’ll find yourself thoroughly spoilt. HRiSHi, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, draws inspiration from beyond our shores, looking east to India and Asia for ideas. Combining the best of Cumbria’s exceptional harvest with international cooking techniques, the chefs rustle up tempting tidbits such as scallop with tamarind chutney and tandoori marinated quail. After all, isn’t curry meant to be our national dish? The Banks family, the innkeepers of The Black Swan, have lived and farmed in the area for generations

BOOK IT Double rooms from £245 a night (thegilpin.co.uk)

THE BLACK SWAN AT OLDSTEAD Yorkshire This idyllic inn is in something of a backwater of rural Yorkshire. Oldstead, a small village in the north of the region, boasts stunning landscapes, but fewer tourist attractions. To account for this potential lack in passing trade, Tommy Banks knew his first job on joining the kitchens at the family

pub, The Black Swan, was to make the inn a destination in its own right. Today, The Black Swan holds a Michelin star and is rated among the world’s best restaurants. ‘Locally sourced’ is the order of the day, with nearly all the produce coming from a three-acre kitchen garden at the back of the pub. The rest is either foraged nearby, or comes from the Banks family’s farm down the road. There’s one thing on the menu – a multi-course tasting menu – which includes delicacies such as monkfish with celeriac, Oldstead deer and langoustines with caramelised whey. BOOK IT Double room, dinner and breakfast from £175 per person (blackswanoldstead.co.uk)

Sit down to fascinating fusion cuisine before retiring to your lake-view room – six even boast their own cedarwood hot tubs

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CLARIDGE’S London The capital’s finest hotel and an eternal flagship for excellence in British hospitality, Claridge’s is an Art Deco icon of the pursuit of living well. Its hallowed dining room, home to some of the biggest names in cooking, has recently welcomed chef Daniel Humm to take up the gauntlet. It may not be a name with which you are yet familiar but, across the pond, Humm couldn’t be more of a megastar, after claiming three Michelin stars for his New York restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. His ethereal new space, Davies and Brook, is stepping onto the scene,

serving up poached lobster with cardamom, aubergine with roasted garlic and other such delicacies to make the mouth water. Book now though – getting a table will require some serious work. BOOK IT Double rooms from around £600 a night (claridges.co.uk)

Whet your appetite with a seasonal cocktail at Davies and Brook’s bar

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

THE GROVE AT NARBERTH Pembrokeshire

The Grove is set among rolling hills, yet is only 12 miles away from sandy beaches

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This cream-coloured, chocolatebox of a country house hotel started out as a restaurant with accommodation, flying the flag for top-quality Welsh gastronomy. Despite the property now evolving into a traditional hotel, exquisite food has remained at the core of The Grove’s offering. A true fine-dining destination, its dishes are complex and well thought out, combining local produce with

masterful culinary technique. As many of the ingredients as possible are pulled from the 26 or so acres of grounds, which boast kitchen allotments, herb patches and walled gardens overflowing with inspiration for the chefs to whizz up into venison with blueberries and beet, or a raspberry and tarragon vacherin.

BOOK IT Double rooms from £120 a night (thegrove-narberth.co.uk)

SIMPLE PLEASURES Tillingham’s dining room is open to guests and non-guests alike

TILLINGHAM East Sussex 70 acres of meadows, pastures and woodland sets the scene for Tillingham, an East Sussex vineyard and farm that wine lovers will fall head over heels for. Though the site has considerable heritage, dating back to the 13th century, it is also a testament to the importance of progress. The winery is biodynamic and sustainable, and combines traditional knowledge with scientific technique. We’re most excited about the recent transformation of the farmstead into handsomely designed boutique lodgings, which join the already popular restaurant and wine shop.

The sumptuous surroundings of one of the Feature double rooms

BOOK IT Double rooms from £150 a night (tillingham.com)

The rooms are decorated to reflect the landscape of Skye

KINLOCH LODGE Isle of Skye Art, antiques and statement decor create a feel of immersive luxury at the Grove

Our final destination takes us up to bonny Scotland. Kinloch Lodge has stood proud since the 16th century, when it was first built as a grand hunting lodge. It later became a family home of the Macdonald clan, who still own and run it today. Set in spectacular seclusion on the Isle of Skye, the lodge has enviable views and a true sense of bucolic tranquillity. This is a place for culinary discovery. Lauded chef Marcello Tully oversees the destination restaurant, certainly the best in Skye. His inventive tasting menus draw from the island’s

abundant produce, with local seafood and wild vegetables both specialities. Gourmets can partake in guided foraging tours by local experts, who share their knowledge of the best places to scout out mushrooms, sorrel, samphire and mussels. Kinloch can also arrange cookery courses, fishing and wild walks.

BOOK IT Double rooms from £280 a night (kinloch-lodge.co.uk)

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45 MILLION MyPillows have been sold in the USA & Canada

...is the answer to getting a good night’s sleep...

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£59.95 inc.VAT RRP per Pillow

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45 Million American & Canadian consumers have found the answer to a good night’s sleep and it is called MyPillow, which is now available here in the UK.

It was invented by Mike Lindell from Minnesota. After years of not getting enough sleep, tossing and turning all night and waking up with a sore arm and painful neck, Mike started researching alternative pillows.

of your sleep position. The results are outstanding, it’s everything you would ever want in a pillow. • • • •

MyPillow doesn’t go ﬂat during the night MyPillow helps you stay cool all night MyPillow adjusts to your sleeping position MyPillow is washable and dryable

He couldn’t ﬁnd anything on the market, so he decided to invent his own and even obtained a US patent on the ﬁlling.

Millions of Americans and Canadians are sleeping soundly, isn’t it time the UK woke up feeling refreshed? Well, the good news is, MyPillow is now available in the UK, manufactured at our factory in Coventry.

Mike tried 94 diﬀerent designs over a 2 year period before he found the perfect formula for the best night’s sleep. The secret is in the unique ﬁll that adjusts to your exact individual needs regardless

They say, nothing in life is guaranteed, but with MyPillow you can be safe in the knowledge that there’s a 60 day Money Back Guarantee and it comes with a 10 year warranty.

Right now, you can get MyPillow at a SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER JUST £41.97 when you use the promo code: “Style2”. That’s a 30% DISCOUNT on the Recommended Retail Price.

0800 096 2182 Manufactured in the UK

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What our North American customers say... Kathryn S. wrote: “Both my son and I have been having problems getting neck comfort at night. When I ﬁrst felt the pillow I fell in love with it. We both now have a great night’s sleep with soft comfort for our necks all night long since we have had the MyPillows.”

“I personally guarantee MyPillow will be the most comfortable pillow you’ll ever own or your money back.” Mike Lindell Inventor & CEO of MyPillow Ltd.

Oﬀer valid for a limited time only. Must have promo code to receive discount. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other oﬀers. Full terms and conditions available at mypillow.co.uk/terms

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Agatha 3 seater sofa was £869 - Sale price £649

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com 159

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com

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VINTAGE INDUSTRIAL RECLAIMED DINING TABLES & FURNITURE HANDMADE IN THE UK

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Fireguards for stoves

www.tiddlerandfox.com verandas

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com 161

Market beds & bedding

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BED PICTURED IN ENGLISH GOLDENROD BEAUFORT VELVET FABRIC

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162

To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com

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Aegean bath - 2 s zes manufactured

23 YEARS AGO

Albion’s founders had a mission to create the ultimate bath tubs. After two years of development, Albion had it sorted. A new material was created from an amalgam of high technology resin and a special

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Aspen and Ash produces artisan, hand-crafted floors for those wishing to enhance the beauty of a space with a stunning wooden floor of genuine quality. Our designer floors use the finest quality Tregothan Oak and Olive Ash as well as 90-year-old reclaimed Douglas Fir, engineered using traditional methods to offer unparalleled stability and finish.

Aspen and Ash is committed to preserving historic woodland with all flooring cut, kiln dried and finished in Cornwall, delivered to anywhere in the UK.

reinforced mineral. Manufactured in our Essex factory, this material was named Iso Enamel. To this day, our special process is unique and offers benefits that other materials cannot provide. So what’s so good? •

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Aspen & Ash, Cardrew Business Park, Redruth. TR15 1SQ www.aspenandash.co.uk / 07980 703760 / 01209 210753

ALBION BAT H C O M PA N Y HAND MADE IN ENGLAND

To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com 163

Shopping directory A

Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Ambiente Direct 0870 0052275 ambientedirect.com Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com An Artful Life anartfullife.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Arket arket.com Arlo & Jacob 03331 221 537 arloandjacob.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Asper Marble & Granite 020 3281 7014 aspermarble.co.uk Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644 atlanticshopping.co.uk 247 Blinds 01484 443790 247blinds.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk beautifulhalo.com beautifulhalo.com Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Bespoke taps 03332 024362 bespoketaps.com Birdie Fortescue 01328 851651 birdiefortescue.co.uk Bissell 0344 888 33 55 bisselldirect.co.uk Black by Design 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk Black+Decker blackanddecker.co.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Blueair Blueair.com Bohemia 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Brabantia 0845 602 4877 brabantia.com British Standard 020 7870 7688 britishstandardcupboards.co.uk Button & Sprung 03333 201801 buttonandsprung.com Cabana cabanamagazine.com Cambridge Shutter Company 01223 785729 thecambridgeshuttercompany.co.uk Ca’Pietra 01380 735886 capietra.com Caple 0117 938 1900 caple.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 clarke-clarke.com Claybrook 0207 0521 555 claybrookstudio.co.uk Cosentino cosentino.com/en-gb/ Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk

Cuckooland 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Desenio 020 3318 2047 desenio.co.uk Design By Timber 01380 860791 designbytimber.co.uk Design Vintage 01243 573852 designvintage.co.uk Designers Guild 020 7351 5775 designersguild.com deVOL 01509 261000 devolkitchens.co.uk Different Like a Zoo 020 7625 2705 differentlikeazoo.com Dimplex 0844 879 3588 dimplex.co.uk DM Lights 0800 056 7226 dmlights.co.uk Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 819 9985 dowsingandreynolds.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Dusk Lighting 01392 363200 dusklights.co.uk Dwell 0845 675 9090 dwell.co.uk Dyson 0800 298 0298 dyson.co.uk Eclectic Interiors 020 8673 0572 eclecticinteriors.co.uk Ed Tanner edtanner.co.uk Eijffinger eijffinger.com Ercol 01844 271800 ercol.com Etsy etsy.com Everhot 01453 890018 everhot.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Fashion Interiors 024 7601 1299 fashioninteriors.co.uk Feather & Black 01243 380600 featherandblack.com Felix Lighting 01225 315110 felixlightingspecialists.co.uk Ferm Living 0045 7022 7523 fermliving.com Fez London 020 8964 5573 Floor Story 020 7871 3013 floorstory.co.uk Floors of Stone 01509 234000 floorsofstone.com Franke 0161 436 6280 franke.com French Connection Home 0333 400 3285 frenchconnection.com Funktionalley 01924 466040 funktionalley.com Furniture 123 033 0041 2270 furniture123.co.uk Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 furniturevillage.co.uk Galerie Wallcoverings 01892 700730 galeriehome.co.uk Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk Geberit 01926 516 800 geberit.co.uk

George Home 0800 952 0101 george.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Grohe 0871 200 3414 grohe.co.uk H&M Home 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Hansgrohe 01372 472001 hansgrohe.co.uk Harlequin 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/harlequin Harvey Maria 0845 680 1231 harveymaria.co.uk Havwoods 01524 737000 havwoods.co.uk Heal’s 0333 212 1915 heals.co.uk Heritage Bathrooms 0330 026 8501 heritagebathrooms.com HiB 020 8441 0352 hib.co.uk Hillarys 0800 916 6524 hillarys. co.uk HK Living hkliving.nl Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 hobbycraft.co.uk Holloways of Ludlow 020 7602 5757 hollowaysofludlow.com Homesense 01923 473561 homesense.com Hoover 0344 499 5599 hoover.co.uk Houseof 0330 311 9530 houseof.com Hypnos 01844 348200 hypnosbeds.com Idyll Home 01270 812717 idyllhome.co.uk Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk InSinkErator 01923 297880 insinkerator.co.uk Iona Gallery 01681 700439 ionagallery.com JD Williams 0871 231 2000 jdwilliams.co.uk Jim Lawrence 01473 826685 jim-lawrence.co.uk Jo Malone 0800 054 2939 jomalone.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com Jordan’s Woodfloor Warehouse jordanwoodfloors.co.uk Juniqe 033 0777 1297 juniqe.co.uk Karcher 01295 752000 karcher.co.uk KDLoves 01328 830449 kdloves.com Kelling Designs 020 3866 4430 kellingdesigns.com La Redoute 0800 096 6888 laredoute.co.uk La Residence Interiors 01403 752245 laresidenceinteriors.co.uk

K L

Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com Lifestyle Floors 01675 433 519 lifestyle-floors.co.uk Limelace 0330 058 4158 limelace. co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Loaf 0345 468 0697 loaf.com Logitech 01753 870900 logitech.com Loom & Last loomandlast.com LSA International 01932 789721 lsa-international.com Luxury Wood Flooring 020 8458 0201 luxurywoodflooring.com M&S 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Made 0344 257 1888 made.com Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com Mandarin Stone 01600 715444 mandarinstone.com Marlborough Tiles 01672 512422 marlboroughtiles.com Matki 01454 322888 matki.co.uk MeacoClean meaco.com Mira Showers 0870 240 0020 mirashowers.com MissPrint 01277 350581 missprint.co.uk Modern Rugs 01388 663738 modern-rugs.co.uk Modish Living 01273 499057 modishliving.co.uk Murmur 0333 200 7331 murmur.co.uk My Furniture 0800 092 1636 my-furniture.com Myakka 0345 460 3122 myakka.co.uk National Trust Shop 0300 123 2025 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Natural Wood Flooring 01525 374744 naturalwoodfloors.co.uk Neptune 01793 427300 neptune.com Nest 0114 243 3000 nest.co.uk Next Home 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Nicky Cornell 0845 604 0244 nickycornell.com Nordic House 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk Nordic Nest 020 3002 1196 nordicnest.com Notonthehighstreet.com 020 3318 5115 Notonthehighstreet.com Nunido nunido.co.uk Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 oakfurnitureland.co.uk Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Only Home 020 3880 5645 onlyhome.co.uk Opera Chandeliers 07899 702771 Original BTC 020 7351 2130 originalbtc.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS All prices are for 12 issues and include p&p. Delivery times for overseas services are shown in brackets. UK: £54. USA (direct entry, five to 12 days): $155.45. Europe (priority; three to five days): €170.80. Rest of the world (priority, five to seven days): £124.77. Credit card hotline: 0330 333 1113; or call from overseas on: +44 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday to 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. Covers print at Walstead Peterborough and text at Walstead Bicester. 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. © TI Media Limited 2020

164

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

STOCKISTS

EDITORIAL Outpost outpostlondon.com Oxo 0114 290 1455 oxo.com Paint & Paper Library 0845 880 5844 paintandpaperlibrary.com Penny Morrison 020 7384 2975 pennymorrison.com Philips 020 7949 0240 philips.co.uk Piglet 07729 735729 pigletinbed.com Polkra polkra.com Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Prima prima-appliances.uk Primark primark.co.uk River Island 0344 576 6444 riverisland.com Robert Dyas 0800 707 6677 robertdyas.co.uk Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636262 sainsburyshome.co.uk Samsung 0330 726 7864 samsung.com/uk Samuel Groves 0121 764 6400 samuelgroves.com Sanderson 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/sanderson Scion 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary. com/scion Screwfix 0500 414141 screwfix.com Scumble Goosie 01453 731305 scumblegoosie.co.uk Secret Linen Store 01243 822599 secretlinenstore.com Shutterly Fabulous 0800 012 6615 shutterlyfabulous.com Smallable 020 3318 3406 en.smallable.com Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Soho Home 020 3819 8199 sohohome.com Stone and Ceramic Warehouse 020 8993 5545 stoneandceramicwarehouse.co.uk Store 01244 680501 aplaceforeverything.co.uk Style Library 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com Summerill & Bishop 020 7229 1337 summerillandbishop.com Sweetpea & Willow 0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com Swoon 020 3319 6332 swooneditions.com Swyft 0207 751 8633 swyfthome.com The Basket Room 01608 239482 thebasketroom.com The Colour Flooring Company 020 7254 3526 colourflooring.co.uk The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000 conranshop.co.uk The Cotswold Company 0333 200 1725 cotswoldco.com The Den & Now 01244 911 890 thedenandnow.co.uk The Farthing 0844 567 2400 thefarthing.co.uk The Modern Botanist 01732 810047 themodernbotanist.co.uk The Resin Floor Co 020 7096 8990 resinflooringcompany.com The Rug Seller 0845 634 3477 therugseller.co.uk The Shutter Shop 020 7751 0937 shuttershop.co.uk The Stencil Library 01661 844844 stencil-library.com The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com

R S

Tom Pigeon 01333 720796 tompigeon.com Tons of Tiles 01752 785623 tonsoftiles.co.uk Troughton & Kluk Residential 020 3633 5420 tkresidential.co.uk Trouva 020 7193 6444 trouva.com Twentytwentyone 020 7288 1996 twentytwentyone.com Urban Coo 07725 470033 urbancoo.co.uk V&A Shop 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk/shop Valspar 0344 736 9174 valsparpaint.co.uk Vanessa Arbuthnott 01285 831437 vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Vax 0330 026 8455 vax.co.uk Viadurini viadurini.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk Villa Nova 01623 756699 villanova. co.uk Vodafone 0870 070 0191 vodafone.co.uk Vogue UK 01902 387000 vogueuk.co.uk Walls & Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors. co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk Wedgwood 01782 204141 wedgwood.co.uk White Black Grey whiteblackgrey.co.uk Wicklewood 020 7460 6493 wicklewood.com Woolroom 01780 461217 thewoolroom.com Zara Home 0800 026 0091 zarahome.com

BE CANDLE SAFE Enjoy the special touch that candles add to your home; but take care to use them safely: Always place lit candles well away from foliage, furniture, curtains and soft furnishings, and always out of draughts l Keep candles out of reach of children and pets l Never leave a burning candle unattended l Keep candles away from hair and clothing l Always place candles upright in suitable holders that can’t easily fall over l Always be sure that candles are properly extinguished

EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work very hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at complaints@ti-media.com or write to Complaints Manager, TI Media Limited Legal Department, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

Editorial Director Vanessa Richmond 020 3148 7335 Group Creative Director Georgia Hibberdine 020 3148 7342 Executive Editor Heather Young 020 3148 7326 Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry 020 3148 7180 Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers 020 3148 7313 Associate Editor Ginevra Benedetti 020 3148 7347 Group Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor Sarah Farley 020 3148 7189 Decorating Editor Nicky Phillips 020 3148 7346 Style Editor Michela Colling 020 3148 7355 Houses Editor Ruth Corbett 020 3148 7330 Senior Features Editor Stephanie Durrant 020 3148 6218 Features Editor Holly Walsh 020 3148 7353 Travel & News Editor Patrick Hamilton Courtney Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke 020 3148 7136 Hub Chief Sub-Editor Amy Hodge 020 3148 7118 Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Jennie Filer Senior Sub-Editor Chloe Hay Senior Sub-Editor Linda Blakemore Head of Art Operations Alison Walter 020 3148 7113 Deputy Art Director Emma Jackson 020 3148 7338 Acting Art Editor Hannah Bennewitz 020 3148 7343 Senior Designer Christina McQuillan 020 3148 7899 Senior Designer Elizabeth Jones 020 3148 6536 Group Digital Director Sarah Rafati Digital Content Director Holly Boultwood Acting Digital Content Director Stephanie Wood Digital Editor – Homes Group Amy Cutmore Digital Shopping Editor Tamara Kelly

ADVERTISING Publisher and Head of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara 020 3148 7642 Advertisement Manager Sharon Goode 020 3148 7631 International/Luxury Account Manager Carol Bunce 020 3148 7620 London Sales Manager Ruth Roscorla 020 3148 7639 Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett 020 3148 2511 Inserts Canopy Media Sales and Management 0845 544 1857 Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720 Business Director Kim Milroy 0161 601 3737 Homes Digital Director Ellie Naber 020 3148 4253

MARKETING Head of Marketing Sian Cupid 020 3148 6487 Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms 020 3148 6239 Marketing and Events Manager Hannah Sherwood 020 3148 6482 Marketing Executive Sally Dominic 020 3148 6237

OFFERS Enquiries 020 3148 6340

CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Alan Edwards 020 3787 9161

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BACK ISSUES Senior Subscriptions Marketing Manager Anita Baghapour 020 3047 1985 Credit-card Hotline 0330 333 1113 For full details turn to page 93. For back issues visit mags-uk.com. You can order issues from as far back as 2003, subject to availability.

PRODUCTION Editorial Production Manager Nicola Tillman Deputy Editorial Production Manager Clare Willetts Art Production Designer Phil Dunk Advertisement Production Co-ordinator Nick Williams 020 3148 2676 Production Manager John Botten 020 3148 5431 Production Operations Director Richard Hill 020 3148 5424 Syndication Efi Mandrides 020 3148 5485 Head of Brand Partnerships David Abbott 020 3148 5474 Press Office 020 3148 7682

PUBLISHING Group Managing Director, Lifestyle Angela O’Farrell Executive Assistant to Group Managing Director Michelle Briant 020 3148 5571 Group Client Investment Director Rob Biagioni 01252 555371

IDEAL.HOME@TI-MEDIA.COM Ownable is a partnership between TI Media Ltd and Seen in Print Ltd

IDEALHOME.CO.UK | APRIL 2020

165

STYLE THROWBACK

THEN… AND NOW

1946

Every issue in our centenary year, we’re dipping into our archive to find an inspiring image and put a modern spin on the look THE ORIGINAL We never cease to be amazed by the timeless cycle of some interior styles. This grand space has been brought to life with rich colours, while an eclectic collection of handpainted ceramics and the decorative woven rug all nod towards a well-travelled owner with artistic flair. THE UPDATE We’ve kept the classic armchair and found colourful ceramics that only require a trip down the high street. While floor to ceiling windows aren’t the norm, the window pane mirror will reflect both the original style and the light, and a bold Ikat rug adds a vibrant finishing touch.

3 1 4

WHERE TO BUY 1 Simple window pane mirror, £129, M&S 2 Grayson armchair in Green velvet, £499, Atkin and Thyme 3 Jarra ceramic vase, £29.50, Oliver Bonas 4 Icon Ikat rug in Green/Pink, £160, John Lewis & Partners 5 Camila serve bowl, £39.50, Oliver Bonas 6 Mohair throw in Burnt Gold, £90, Arlo & Jacob 7 Aldwych coffee table, £430, Neptune

166

APRIL 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

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for our latest brochure

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FAVOURITE COLOUR SCHEMES All the inspiration, know-how and advice you need to add colour to your home

WELCOME We all react to colour in different ways – from instinctively loving certain shades to finding others a bit ‘meh’, the colours you use in your home can also have positive (or negative) impact on your general wellbeing. So if you’re surrounded by dull white walls or your life could do with being a bit less beige, we’ve gathered together 15 fabulous colour schemes, from subtle variations on one hue to elegant colour combos, as well as plenty of ‘how to’ advice and tips, so you can give your home – and yourself – a well-needed boost.

GINEVRA BENEDETTI SUPPLEMENT EDITOR, IDEAL HOME’S 15 FAVOURITE COLOUR SCHEMES

Shades of Teal Create a chic look with these blue hues

Chambray Blue Decorate with a hip mix of double denim

APRIL 2020

Peach & Blush This lush combo will add instant warmth

Grey & Yellow An effortlessly modern combination

Monochrome style Try this timeless pairing for a striking scheme

Mint & Grey Invigorate a space with a bracing duo

Rose Pink & Mustard Delicate pink with a zingy dose of spice

Timeless Neutrals Classic colours inspired by nature

Calming Eucalyptus For a subtle and soothing space

Contemporary Lilac Update with this modern take on pretty pastels

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Abode Living abodeliving.co.uk Also Home alsohome.com Amara amara.com Argos argos.co.uk Ashley Wilde ashleywildegroup.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Benjamin Moore benjamin moorepaint.co.uk Burbidge burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk Button & Sprung buttonand sprung.com California Shutters californiashutters.co.uk Casadeco casadeco.com Caselio caselio.fr Castlegate Lights castlegatelights.co.uk Claybrook claybrookstudio.co. uk Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Crown crownpaints.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Designer Paint designerpaint. com Dowsing & Reynolds dowsingandreynolds.com Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Fenwick & Tilbrook fenwickandtilbrook.com Fired Earth firedearth.com Fritz Fryer fritzfryer.co.uk Furniture Choice furniture choice.co.uk George Home george.com Gisela Graham giselagraham.co.uk Graham & Brown grahambrown.com H&M Home hm.com Habitat habitat.co.uk Harlequin stylelibrary.com/ harlequin Homesense homesense.com Ian Mankin ianmankin.co.uk Ikea ikea.co.uk Iliv i-liv.co.uk JD Williams jdwilliams.co.uk

John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com Kirkby Design kirkbydesign.com Kitchen Makers burbidge kitchenmakers.co.uk La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Laura Ashley lauraashley.com LinenMe linenme.com Little Greene littlegreene.com Loaf loaf.com M&S marksand spencer.com Made made.com Maisons du Monde maisons dumonde.com MissPrint missprint.co.uk Modish Living modishliving.co.uk Mood Collections moodcollections. co.uk Morfus morfusuk.com My Furniture my-furniture.com Mylands mylands.co.uk Neptune neptune.com Nest nest.co.uk Osborne & Little osborneandlittle.com Paint & Paper Library paintandpaperlibrary.com Romo romo.com Rowen & Wren rowenandwren.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home sainsburyshome.co.uk Sandberg sandbergwallpaper. com Sanderson stylelibrary.com/ sanderson Scion stylelibrary. com/scion Sofa.com sofa.com Swoon swooneditions.com Valspar valsparpaint.co.uk Vanessa Arbuthnott vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Very very.co.uk Villa Nova villanova. co.uk Wallpaper Direct wallpaperdirect.com West Elm westelm.co.uk Woodchip & Magnolia woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk Zoffany stylelibrary.com/ zoffany

NO P RS

The team editorial director, ideal home

Green & Pink Soft hues that ooze grown-up glamour

Apple Green Fresh and uplifting fruity hues

Winter Whites Go back to basics for a pared-back look

Rich Chocolate An oh-so-delicious, luxe colour combo

IN THIS MAGAZINE Colours may vary slightly from the original due to the printing process. Some material has been previously published in Ideal Home magazine

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 Bicester. Repro by Rhapsody Media. Cover printed by Walstead Peterborough. 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. Ownable is a partnership between TI Media Ltd and Seen in Print Ltd

APRIL 2020

PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Blush Pink & Navy Mixing light and dark for dramatic effect

Vanessa Richmond supplement editor, ideal home’s 15 favourite colour schemes Ginevra Benedetti commercial editorial operations director Jane Akers group creative director Georgia Hibberdine acting art editor Hannah Bennewitz supplement writer Lisa Fazzani supplement designer Mel Algar chief sub-editor/production editor Sarah Farley supplement sub-editors Chloe Hay, Seán O’Connell editorial production manager Nicola Tillman production manager John Botten publisher and head of homes network Joanne O’Hara advertisement production co-ordinator Nick Williams group managing director, lifestyle Angela O’Farrell

Units in Harley Green intelligent eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr; wall in Tea with Florence absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene

Shades of Teal The chameleon of the colour wheel, teal works like a dream in every room SET THE MOOD Sitting between blue and green on the spectrum, teal has the strength and quietness of both. Calming and restorative, it’s ideal for spaces where you want to unwind. KNOW YOUR LIGHT Teal shifts between warm and cocooning to invigorating and bright depending on the light. In sunny rooms, teal will balance sunlight without losing its freshness, or in rooms with a cooler aspect, team teal with warm shades like coral or mustard to counteract its coolness. COMPLEMENT WITH NEUTRALS Balance teal’s vibrancy with areas of neutral colour. Bright white will pop against teal or go for softer chalk, pearlescent grey or matt charcoal for a calmer, grown-up feel. Bring out teal’s warmer side by pairing it with earthier terracotta or with raw, rustic timbers. ADD SPARKLE AND SHINE Solid colour can envelop a room so work in metallic accents to add shine and movement. Contrast teal with rich copper and bronze or warm brass.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Be brave and go for a bold, immersive scheme using different shades of teal from mid to dark on door fronts, worktops, walls and shelving. Break up solid colour by bringing in lighter elements, from pale wood furniture to sparkling brassware.

TRY IT IN A DINING ROOM In a bright, south-facing room, teal can help to balance intense sunlight. Use soft, layered, bluegreen tones on walls, keeping the floor and ceiling pale, rather than wall-to-wall block colour, which might overwhelm.

Modern Petal upholstered dining chairs, £199 each, West Elm, are similar. Try Anderson oval dining table, £648.50, Maisons du Monde

TEAL

GET THE LOOK

“

Find your perfect shade – blue-based teals look classy paired with grey, white and black, while green-based teals work best with metallic tones HEATHER YOUNG, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Bokeh wallpaper in Tropics, £59.50 a roll; Corris fabric in Agave (on chairs), £30m; Sofia fabric in Conch (on stool), £37m, all Villa Nova

”

Choose a weave with variations of tone. Prismatic Weave fabric in Serpentine, £79m, Zoffany

Make a statement with a bold geometric. Plenitude wallpaper, £41.50 a roll, Caselio

Set the mood with a deep shade on walls. Teal Tension mixing matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

Add an accent POLISHED GOLD

This will glisten against a dark backdrop. Tabitha chair in Gold, £150, Habitat

APRIL 2020

Peach & Blush

Bring a flush of warmth and colour to any room with this super-pretty duo USE BLUSH AS A NEUTRAL Team barely-there blush with fruity peach to give light-starved spaces a cosy, natural glow. A shade or two away from being a true neutral, blush makes a versatile background colour, though can look bland on its own. Paired with peachy tones, it has extra sass. SPICE IT UP Forget the apricot and peachy pastels much loved in the 1980s, peach has ripened into a fruitier, more vibrant colour option that can hold its own against coral or burnt orange. Peach also looks striking against smart neutrals like grey, taupe or charcoal. THROW SOME SHAPES Avoid fussy, ornate furniture that will look outdated in this colour combination. Instead, embrace a sexier, more modern image with clean lines, simple shapes and bold sculptural pieces in pale wood, stone, ceramic, glass or metals. LAYER IN PATTERNS Give depth to the scheme by layering in extra pattern and texture using plush chenille, slubby silk, cut velvet and luxe devoré, with metallic accents.

Confiserie Blush triangle mosaic tiles, £79.88sq m; Solar round basin, £490, both Claybrook. Cooee Design Ball vase in Dusty Pink, £43, Nordic Nest

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Blush-toned shades work well in most lights, but are great for east- or west-facing rooms with their soft diffused light at sunrise or sunset that feels wonderfully warm to wake up or come home to. Start with blush stucco-effect walls as a backdrop, layering up the bed with sheets and throws in darker tones.

TRY IT IN A BATHROOM Go for a chic, grown-up look in the bathroom by pairing a soft blushtoned marble basin and countertop with luxe glass geometric tiles in a playful peach shade. On-trend brass taps and fittings make a stylish finishing touch.

Lennox bed, £349; Floral bedding, from £39.50 for a double set; hexagonal velvet cushion, £17.50; Harper throw, £19.50; waffle throw, £19.50; brassand-glass table, £199 for two; Emmet table lamp, £39.50; Beatrix rug, £169, all M&S

PEACH & BLUSH

“

Warm-toned metals look vibrant against soft peachy-blush tones – try a flash of bronze inside a lampshade, a copper drawer pull or a sleek brass-finish tap

GET THE LOOK

”

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, SUPPLEMENT EDITOR

Add texture with tone-on-tone textiles. Bakerloo fabric in Blossom, £89m, Kirkby Design

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Osborne & Little Fresco wallpaper, £63 a roll, John Lewis & Partners

Soften the mood with muted stripes. Stipa wallpaper in Blush, £85 a roll, Villa Nova

Go for fruity peach to lift a pale scheme. Film, Television and Theatre 009 marble matt emulsion, £44.50 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

Add an accent BRASS

Burnished brass will complement warmer colours. Selva lamp, £75, Very

APRIL 2020

Haddon kitchen in Charcoal and Burnished Bronze, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers

Monochrome style

The most dramatic of colour pairings – make a statement with classic black and white START GRADUALLY Technically, monochrome falls outside the colour wheel as black and white are defined as neutrals. This makes them the perfect foil for other colours and a versatile foundation for a room scheme. Start gradually with white as a base, introducing black in stages. ADD WOW WITH BOLD ACCENTS Keep to a strictly black-and-white scheme and the effect is guaranteed to look striking, or introduce a punchy accent colour or flashes of metallics to add contrast and sparkle. If full-on monochrome is too much for you, try working in shades of grey. TONE IT DOWN WITH NEUTRALS Bring balance with soft neutrals, such as linen and taupe on upholstery and flooring, together with warm timbers on furniture. SHOWCASE A COLLECTION Black and white makes a great backdrop for display – artwork, ceramics and glassware will all pop against plainly painted walls and panelling.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Period-style blackpainted panelling and cabinets sit comfortably in a traditional kitchen set-up, teamed with white-painted walls and marble worktops. Open shelving is less formal than wall units and gives display space for statement kitchenware.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Keep it classic with an elegant monochrome scheme. Balance black against white in equal amounts with white walls and flooring, punctuated with black furniture and block colour inside alcoves.

George large sofa in Harris Tweed Bilberry, from £2,315; Amelia chairs in Isla Swallow, from £730 each; try Carter mirror, £590, all Neptune

MONOCHROME THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Ink matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Neptune

GET THE LOOK

Keep it simple with a classic stripe. Ealing Stripe fabric in Charcoal, £39.50m, Ian Mankin

Add bold pattern in small doses. Bamboo wallpaper in Black, £101 a roll, Farrow & Ball

Paint alcoves in accent matt black. Charbone pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library

“

Create symmetry in a formal living room with sofa and chairs facing each other across a coffee table, arranged so the grand fireplace becomes the focus of the room

”

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, SUPPLEMENT EDITOR

Add an accent MUSTARD

Team this punchy stool with a black armchair. Velvet pleated yellow stool, £39.99, Homesense

APRIL 2020

Rose Pink & Mustard

This cheery colour combination is a guaranteed mood changer GET COLOUR HAPPY The key to success with this pairing is a crisp white backdrop. With plenty of calm space in between, bright blocks of colour and patterns mix quite happily, whereas without it, the combination of pink and mustard would be too intense. STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE Up the ratio of pink to mustard depending on the mood you want to create. Soft rose acts like a neutral and adds gentle colour that’s perfect for calm and relaxation. Or, for a more upbeat feel, introduce more mustard into the mix. OFFSET BRIGHTS Bold colours need a calming accent to tone them down a little. Shades of grey work well with pink and mustard. Use black sparingly on trims, picture frames and accessories. STYLE IT SIMPLY Keep it contemporary when it comes to furniture. Go for blonde, Scandi-style beech and pale oak, plywood and laminate in matt-white finishes. Shapes should be solid and structured, with sculptural forms and modular designs.

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Too much yellow can be overstimulating, so tone it down in a bedroom or you’ll find it hard to switch off. Try painting walls in half mustard and half white to add a sunny backdrop that won’t overpower the room. Bring in soft pink with linen and upholstery.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Start with clean white as the backdrop and make soft rose the neutral for a relaxing living room scheme. Try a colourblock effect with large areas of colour on walls, flooring and upholstery, bringing in touches of mustard with accessories.

Wall in Rose Mallow matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth. Benji sideboard, from £765, Morfus. Alyasa coffee table, £425, La Redoute. Chairs, £605 each, Loaf

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Circle Line marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

ROSE PINK & MUSTARD

GET THE LOOK

“

Warm mustard yellow is an upbeat colour to wake up to, and that then mellows into a relaxing golden glow in the evening light

Choose a jazzy print in complementary colours. Tetra fabric, £30m, Scion

”

HOLLY WALSH, FEATURES EDITOR

Mix and match with modern prints. Scandiscape Floral wallpaper, £10.99 a roll, Cult Furniture

Treat blush pink as a neutral. Pashmina Breatheasy coloured emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Add an accent GREY

Divan bed, from £190 for a double; Ivy carved bedside table, £89; Elements Blume duvet cover set, from £18 for a double set; Clara cotton dusky pink cushion, £12; chunky knit throw, £45; Yellow tray, £10; Leaf vase, £14, all Dunelm

Cool grey upholstery calms bold brights. Mentosa dining chair, £179.99, My Furniture

APRIL 2020

Cafe-style shutters in White, from £168sq m, California Shutters

Calming Eucalyptus

Soft, serene and soothing, this timeless grey-green shade is super versatile CREATE HARMONY A calm, quiet green with cool grey undertones, eucalyptus works well with the whole spectrum of neutrals, from whites and creams to greys and taupes. Used often in floral arrangements, eucalyptus has a natural ability to bring out the brightness and beauty of bolder colours. SET YOUR STYLE Restful and easy on the eye, eucalyptus is a great all-rounder that looks at home in any setting. Pull off period style with elegant wall-to-wall green panelling in a formal setting, or mix eucalyptus with raw timbers, burnished metals and industrial elements for a rustic, urban vibe. BRING OUT THE FINISH Soft greens like eucalyptus, sage and celadon are great partners for natural materials, bringing out the grain and colour of wood finishes. HIGHLIGHT TEXTURES Keep it subtle by working in textural elements to add interest, from plush weaves and damasks to cut velvets and tone-on-tone patterns.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A BATHROOM Calm green walls are a perfect stand-in for grey or beige in a bathroom and make a quiet backdrop for statement pieces, such as a free-standing bath in burnished metallic or a patterned floor in vintage encaustic tiles.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Use this timeless green as a neutral, making it the starting point for your colour scheme with walls painted in pale eucalyptus and upholstery and flooring in a coordinating shade. Add touches of coral or pale pink for contrast.

Iggy armchair in Ocean Diamond, £1,200; Iggy footstool in Buttermere Baylee, £470; scatter cushion in Dusty Rose, £45; Bengal rug, £149, all Sofa.com

EUCALYPTUS

“

This classic grey-green works in rooms big or small as it doesn’t advance or recede and can work as a soft, soothing backdrop to brighter key pieces

”

GET THE LOOK

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR A simple leaf-print weave adds a shot of pattern. Tallulah fabric in Aloe, £26m, Ashley Wilde

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Wythe Blue aura matt emulsion, £26.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

Try patterned wallpaper in an alcove. Cuba Habana Vert Fond Blanc wallpaper, £44.45 a roll, Casadeco

Choose a subtle shade for all-over colour. Windmill Lane intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

Add an accent CORAL

This vibrant colour will warm up cool green. Marie footstool in Coral, £69, Cult Furniture

APRIL 2020

Blush Pink & Navy Tone down playful pink by teaming it with ultra-smart navy blue STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE While blush pink can look girly on its own and navy can feel quite sombre, put the two together and they bring out the best in each other. SWITCH THE PROPORTIONS Rather than a 50-50 mix of pink and blue, decide which of the two shades you want to be more dominant and use the second shade purely as an accent colour. Add areas of off-white or grey-toned neutrals to offset the two. BRING IN WARM TONES ON FURNITURE For a modern take, swap dark-toned woods for blonde beech, pale oak or light ash in smooth, rounded shapes and sculptural forms. Go for low-sheen oiled or washed finishes rather than highly polished for a calming, Nordic edge. DOWNPLAY THE PATTERN Colour is key, so don’t complicate this colour combination with busy patterns. A subtle stripe, simple geometric, colour-block print or plain weave will add more impact than a clash of fussy patterns.

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Delicate blush pink paired with smart navy gives off a playful yet trustworthy vibe and is a great compromise in a his-and-hers scheme. Put the focus on the bed with a pink backdrop offset by a navy headboard and layered linens in navy, blush and off-white.

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Hansel and Gretel matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Navy creates a cosy, cocooning feel in winter and a cool, shady mood in summer. Soften dark tones by using pale pink as a secondary colour on an accent chair or statement sofa, with touches of bamboo, rope or wicker to add warmth.

Sandberg Hannes wallpaper, £62 a roll, Wallpaper Direct. Vedbo armchair in Pink, £150, Ikea. Cushion, £25, Made

Kristoff bed, from £749; Illias rug, £399; Krishna cushion, £25; Victoria cushions, £32 each, all Swoon

PINK & NAVY

“

A long-line shelf or ledge running behind the bed gives extra display space – tie in your colour theme with artwork, ceramics and glassware HOLLY WALSH, FEATURES EDITOR

GET THE LOOK

”

Go for plush jacquard velvet in an inky tone. Irradiant fabric in Ink, £55m, Harlequin

Have fun with a tropical print in palest pink. Crassula wallpaper, £45 a roll, Scion

Soft without feeling too sugary. Middleton Pink modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

Add an accent EMERALD GREEN

This green glass vase will add a glam touch. Green ribbed geo glass vase, £21, Gisela Graham

APRIL 2020

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Devon Green active emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson

Veranda Trellis wallpaper, £69 a roll, Zoffany. Suffolk glazed dresser, from £2,900, Neptune

Apple Green

Fresh and upbeat, this classic country green will lift your room and your spirits PICK YOUR APPLE A fresh, invigorating shade, apple green works as an instant room brightener. It can vary from warm cooking apple green with its yellow undertones that gives a cosy glow, to crisp Granny Smith green. FIND THE PERFECT PARTNER Fresh apple green partners well with pure white for a bright look that’s ideal in kitchens. In rooms where you want a mellower mood, go for warmer greens with off-white. Stick to two main colours for simplicity. PLAY WITH PATTERN The benefit of using just two colours is that you can mix in as many patterns as you like without it looking overly busy. Start with one mid-tolarge-scale pattern, then introduce smallscale prints one by one until you’re happy. SMARTEN IT UP Give this classic green more of a modern-country vibe by working in a dark accent, such as charcoal grey or matt black. Don’t overdo it, just a few subtle touches will add a sharper edge.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A DINING ROOM Pair crisp apple green and white in a kitchen or dining room for a modern-country scheme. Line a painted dresser with a dark, leafy wallpaper, which will make white china and kitchenware pop.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM With a calm, light shade like this, you can get away with using apple green over large areas without it making a room feel smaller. Take the colour up to picture rail height, with clean white paint above.

APPLE GREEN

GET THE LOOK

“

Apple green and off-white is the perfect colour combination for a living space that looks out over a garden, blurring the colours inside and out

”

Start your scheme with a leafy fabric. Calathea fabric, £59m, Sanderson

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

Simple trellis wallpaper sits easily with other patterns. Tessella wallpaper, £91 a roll, Farrow & Ball

A calm tone that will work over large areas. Earthborn Grasshopper claypaint, £43 for 2.5ltr, Designer Paint

Add an accent BLACK

Curtains in Tillandsia, £29m; sofa in Notion, £39m; cushions in Himmeli, £25m; Beton, £45m; Orto, £29m, all Scion

Gives apple green a grown-up edge. Diamond print throw, £60, Amara

APRIL 2020

Rich Chocolate

When neutrals aren’t cutting it, up your luxe levels with this indulgent shade CREATE A WARM WELCOME Rich, warm and decadent, shades of brown ooze luxury and class – from dark chocolate and cocoa, warm coffee and chestnut, to milkier truffle and cappuccino. Warm tones will cosy up chilly rooms, or in sunnier south-facing spaces, choose grey or blue-toned browns. MIX IN MILKY WHITE Though dark, chocolate brown makes a surprisingly soothing background that’s restful in bedrooms and welcoming in living rooms and hallways. Temper it with areas of matt white and cream on woodwork, shutters and panelling to relax its intensity. BRING SOME SHIMMER Warm metallics make the perfect foil for chocolate on mirrors, frames and fittings. Work in plenty of low-level lighting in darker schemes. KEEP IT SIMPLE BUT SUMPTUOUS Don’t overdo it with too much ornate detail, let rich colours and textures speak for themselves. Go for plush velvet and chenille on upholstery, curtains and soft furnishings.

Chimney Brick intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Dark chocolate and chestnut make a decadent combination that oozes hotel chic. With its rich, coppery tones, chestnut makes a warm background colour for a bedroom, with dark velvety chocolate upholstery and bedding giving it a smarter edge.

TRY IT IN A KITCHEN A brave choice for a kitchen, but used in key areas – such as inside an alcove – chocolate looks stunning. Whites and creams or soft rose and pale mint will pop against it, so showcase a collection of kitchenware or ceramics by displaying it against a backdrop of dark chocolate.

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Chestnut matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Neptune

CHOCOLATE

GET THE LOOK

“

Complement chocolate with cream – the contrasting creamy accents on paintwork, panelling and bedding cut through the darker tones to give this bedroom lightness and lift

”

GINEVRA BENEDETTI, SUPPLEMENT EDITOR

Add luxe with sumptuous textures in dark, chocolatey tones. Arboretum fabric in Bark, £58m, Iliv

Metallic finishes will add shimmer and shine. Atelier Geo Bronze wallpaper, £40 a roll, Graham & Brown

Go for mellow coffee or chocolate on walls and woodwork. Hot Chocolate matt emulsion, £26.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

Add an accent ROSE PINK

Charlie headboard in Isla Grouse, from £1,100; Carter side table, £315; Castleford lamp with Lucile shade, £185; Fleming round gilt mirror, £125, all Neptune

Softest rose pink will give dark colours a gentle lift. Pink table lamp, £15, George Home

APRIL 2020

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Parma Gray estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

Wall in Luna Landscape 3 matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Witham book rack (used as plate rack), £178, Rowen & Wren. Striped runner, £125, Cox & Cox, is similar

Chambray Blue

Make this relaxed, comfortable, easy-going blue your new go-to shade TAKE THE EASY OPTION Warmer than baby blue and more forgiving than denim or navy, chambray is a versatile shade that goes with just about anything. Team it with crisp white for a fail-safe combination or try soft neutrals like putty or taupe to cosy it up. LOOK AT LIGHT LEVELS FIRST Blues can vary depending on the light, so before you settle on a shade, work out which way the light falls in your room. Maximise the feeling of space in a bright room by choosing a paler tone or, in rooms with little natural light, embrace the darkness with moodier blues. ADD DEPTH WITH PATTERN Break up blocks of solid colour by bringing in hefty doses of pattern. Anything goes, as long as you keep to the same family of blues. Mix stripes and checks, toiles and denim twills, with accents of inky ikats and dusky ombres. WARM UP COOL BLUES Work in plenty of rustic, natural textures to offset flat blue tones and add richness and warmth.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Chambray and white is a timeless combination that looks comfortably at ease in a country kitchen. Warm timber tones sing out against this flat blue, so work plenty of wooden elements into your scheme, such as worktops and flooring.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Team chalky chambray walls with crisp white paintwork for a relaxed, coastal-inspired scheme. Worried about blue looking too cool? Then layer in lots of warm weaves, mixed patterns and darker tones.

Iggy armchair, £890, Sofa.com. Lucas flatware runner, £125, Habitat. Mottram Meadow cushion, £55, Rowen & Wren

CHAMBRAY

GET THE LOOK

Add coastal style with a nautical stripe. South Bay Stripe fabric in Mist, £49.50m, Ian Mankin

Mix in delicate florals in faded blues. Waxham Pale Seaspray wallpaper, £34 a roll, Laura Ashley

Go for soothing sea-blue shades. Cornwall Blue Blend 500 walls and ceilings emulsion, £24 for 2.5ltr, Valspar

Add an accent TAN

“

Take the chill off this pale blue tone by bringing in a warmer accent colour - try touches of burnt orange, warm caramel, tan or luxe copper

”

HEATHER YOUNG, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Add vintage charm with a tan leather ottoman. Leather footstool, from £399, Modish Living

APRIL 2020

10.

Grey & Yellow Team chic grey with cheery yellow for an upbeat colour combination

START WITH THE PERFECT GREY It can be a tricky shade to get right as it varies from blue-greys at the cool end of the spectrum, through green and yellow tints, to red-based greys at the warmer end. For rooms that could use a little extra warmth, light greys with a yellow undertone are a great option. BRING IN SUNNY YELLOW All-grey schemes can sometimes look a little dreary if you’re not careful, but introducing a cheery accent colour will act as an instant pick-meup. For yellow-toned greys, add warmth with accents of yellow, ochre, mustard or copper. PLAY WITH PATTERN Solid colour throughout would feel too flat with this colour pairing – it needs pattern to bring it to life. Vary the mix with mid-to-large-scale designs in lively retro-style graphics, relaxed stripes, country toiles or smart geometrics. WORK IN SOME BLACK Less is more, so don’t overdo it, simply add in a black side table, a dark pendant or a cushion or two for an ultra-smart and sophisticated look.

TRY IT IN A DINING ROOM Floor-length curtains or Roman blinds are a great way of showcasing pattern. Avoid anything too fussy when it comes to window treatments, though – simple blinds or pencil-pleat curtains show off larger-scale patterns best.

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Cheery yellow can lift grey spirits, so using this upbeat colour combo is sure to get the day off to a bright start. Achieve the right balance of patterns by starting with a mid-scale print on the wallpaper, then team it with large- and smallscale prints on textiles.

Rose divan bed in Yellow, from £875 for a double, Button & Sprung

Tablecloth in Plain linen in Scree and Saffron, both £52m; napkins in Paisley Ground in Hay, Charcoal and Clay, £52m; chair pads in Espalier Stripe in Charcoal, £54m, all Vanessa Arbuthnott

GREY & YELLOW

“

Try this warm colour combination to cosy up an east- or west-facing dining room – it’ll counteract the coolness of the daytime light

”

MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Apples and Pears fabric in Clay, Dark Buttercup and Charcoal, £54m, Vanessa Arbuthnott

GET THE LOOK

This retro print will add instant cheer. Foxglove fabric in Quince, £36m, MissPrint

Calm grey adds quiet background colour. Karin wallpaper in Wheat, £79 a roll, Sandberg

Paint walls and trims a coordinating grey. Turtledove active emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson

Add an accent COPPER

A metallic touch will lift a calm scheme. Dar woven pendant, £95, Castlegate Lights

APRIL 2020

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Botanical Extract Breatheasy coloured emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Charlie bar stools, £64.99 each; Skandi bar table, £120; Skandi grey light shade, £18, all Argos

Mint & Grey

11.

Calm the freshness of mint with the steeliness of grey for a winning pairing TRY MINT AS A BASE COLOUR Fresh, bright and cheerful, mint is a versatile shade that can brighten up a gloomy room or cool down a sunny one just as easily. Great for smaller spaces, too, it will add colour without making a room feel smaller or darker. TAME COOL TONES WITH GREY Mint mixes naturally with most colours. Team it with soft silver-grey to soothe mint’s natural energy if you’re using it in a room where you want to relax, or try pairing it with charcoal or black to give it a more grown-up feel. USE IT WITH CONFIDENCE Showcase this colour combination by using large blocks of colour rather than just small touches here and there. Don’t complicate it with an overload of pattern, stick with just one or two. ADD WARM ELEMENTS Mint and grey is a cool combination, so add warmth with wooden flooring and furniture. Go pale with beech, light oak, ash or elm, in low-sheen finishes and structured, streamlined shapes.

APRIL 2020

TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Go for a sharper look in a kitchen with darker spearmint teamed with slate grey and charcoal. Dark matt cabinets and white worktops are a failsafe combination, but a vibrant spearmint green splashback adds punch and personality.

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Don’t shy away from using mint green in a bedroom – if the room gets plenty of natural light, it won’t feel chilly at all. Avoid creamy neutrals and instead team mint with pure white and steely greys to keep the finished effect crisp and clean.

Elona double bed frame in Grey, £399, is this style; Penn multidrawer bedside table, £179, both Made. Bug knitted pouffe, £85, Loaf

MINT & GREY

GET THE LOOK

“

Warm up mint and grey in winter months by working in toastier shades of taupe or teal with subtle touches of ochre or coral to add extra heat

”

STEPHANIE DURRANT, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

Try an easy-to-use weave in a soft shade of grey. Dune fabric in Mist, £37.50m, Romo

Mint and grey meet in a retro leafy print. Copenhagen Leaf Floral wallpaper, £10.99 a roll, Cult Furniture

Calm it down with a soft, chalky shade. Eau de Nil matt emulsion, £35 for 2.5ltr, Laura Ashley

Add an accent MATT WHITE

Stick to low-sheen whites. Bodo pendant, £99.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

APRIL 2020

12.

Timeless Neutrals

Know your neutrals and put together an eclectic scheme that is anything but bland STAY NEUTRAL Calm, soothing and easy-on-the-eye, neutrals work with just about anything so are a go-to choice when it comes to interior design. Keeping to shades that are similar in tone is a good starting point for a neutral scheme, then just add in some lighter and darker tones for depth. LAYER FOR CONTRAST While pretty much a safe option, neutrals can merge into one and look flat if there’s not enough contrast. Remedy this by layering in lots of different textures and natural finishes. Go for warm woods like wenge, zebrano and teak, teamed with rattan, cane and bamboo for more of an eclectic vibe. TURN UP THE HEAT Create a cosier mood in neutral living rooms and bedrooms by introducing spicier accent colours. Go for earthy sun-baked tones, from dark sand and ochre to burnt orange, tan and terracotta. TRY A PATTERN MASH-UP A few lively patterns on textiles and wall art will give plain neutrals added lift.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Start with a calm, quiet background and build up from there. Cool walls, simple drapes and a pale floor create a neutral backdrop here, while shapely upholstery, showcase shelving and rustic textures give this scheme ‘wow’.

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Go for an ‘out of Africa’ vibe and create a cool, calm scheme that’s made for relaxation. Off-white walls and washed wooden floors create a neutral base, teamed with sand and sun-baked tones on upholstery and bedding plus accents of bamboo.

Kenley ottoman bed, from £379.99, Furniture Choice

NEUTRALS

GET THE LOOK

“

Work in natural elements and woven textures as an accent in a neutral scheme – think tactile seagrass mats, shapely bamboo furniture and rattan lampshades MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR

” Try a quirky print on cushions or curtains. Wild & Free fabric, £54m, Vanessa Arbuthnott

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends French Grey intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

This animal-print design is chic but subtle. Savannah wallpaper in Neutral, £30 a roll, Wallpaper Direct

Warm up the mood with soft, sandy tones. Egyptian Sand Breatheasy coloured emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Add an accent LUSH GREEN

Rug, £79.99; cushion covers, from £3.99 each; storage basket, £39.99; cream blanket, £34.99; black floor lamp, £69.99, all H&M Home

Plants and greenery will pop against neutrals. Loft faux floral in house, £12, Sainsbury’s Home

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THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Lilla resistance matt emulsion; Glass Heart resistance matt emulsion, both £44 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown

Finsbury units in Powder, from £11,000 for a kitchen, Kitchen Makers

13.

Contemporary Lilac Shake off the dated shabby chic image and switch up a gear for a smart new look

BRING IN GREY FOR BALANCE Lilac can be tricky to get right. Too much can be overpowering, but too little won’t have enough impact. Its muted-grey base tones make it the perfect partner for grey, which will bring depth and keep it from looking too girly. TONE IT DOWN Lilac reflects a lot of light so it can appear insipid or sickly if used in sunny rooms or overly large areas. Tone it down with cool, grey-toned whites, avoiding any too-creamy or yellow-based tones. LOSE THE SHINE Soft and soothing in a bedroom, lilac can look wishy-washy in other areas if you’re not careful. Give colour schemes some edge by working in sharp accents, from metallics to low-sheen marble and terrazzo or glass in frosted finishes. KEEP IT LOW-KEY Avoid an overload of patterns and high shine – subtle geometrics, smart checks or tailored stripes are plenty. Instead, look to self-weaves, soft-sheen silks, plush chenilles and cut velvets to add texture.

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TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Go for a grown-up look with a smart lilac and grey colour combination. Cabinets in low-sheen lilac complement the natural grey marble and bring out the variations of shade and tone. Accents of polished rose gold add a luxe touch.

TRY IT IN A HALLWAY Team lilac with off-white to tone down its sweetness. Keep to flat, chalky matt paint finishes and low-sheen wallpapers to avoid an overly shimmery, dated look. Make areas of white pop by bringing in a few subtle touches of polished or rose gold.

LILAC

GET THE LOOK

Muted mauve on grey adds a hint of pattern. Kershaw fabric in Mauve, £26m, Ashley Wilde

Subtle tones will add a hint of texture. Sapo wallpaper in Terrazzo, £95 a roll, Romo

“

Cosy up a high-ceilinged room by painting the top third of the wall and ceiling a darker shade. For a quirky look, take colour over doors, too

”

Ditch high-sheen for soft, chalky finishes. Mackintosh Mauve chalky emulsion, £37 for 2.5ltr, Craig & Rose

VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Add an accent SMOKY GLASS

Geo Damask wallpaper in Lilac, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown. Gertie pink velvet sofa, £399, Made

Tinted glass looks ultra chic. Hereford smoked wall light, £165, Fritz Fryer

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14.

Green & Pink Tranquil green and soothing pink make a calming yet chic partnership

BRING HARMONY As in nature, shades of green sit easily with other colours and lend any space a calming, tranquil feel. Partner it with soft, soothing pink and you’ve a dream combination that’s perfect for rooms where you want to relax or create a mellow vibe. LOSE THE SHINE Avoid high-definition florals and fabrics with a high sheen that will look chintzy and dated in this colour combination. Swap for mellow tones and muted prints and weaves that merge into each other, alongside matt-finish linens, washed cottons and faded velvets. WORK IN NATURAL ELEMENTS Mixed greens and blush pink sit well with both brown-based and grey neutrals. So when it comes to flooring and furniture, look to unfinished and weathered timbers, chalky paints and burnished, non-shiny metals. AID WELLBEING Green is considered the most restful colour for the eye and works pretty much in any room. For large areas, a mid grey-green shade won’t overpower. Axel bookcase, £529, Swoon, is similar. Try black towel ladder, £25, Argos

TRY IT IN A BEDROOM Painted panelling in a soft, muted green is the perfect base for a modern-country scheme. Style it up to be as rustic or as polished as you like – team pink velvets and buttoned upholstery with urban concrete and iron for an on-trend, rough-luxe look.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Pale green and pink create a serene decor that’s the perfect backdrop for display in a living room. Go for open shelving to showcase the colour and create a styled-up selection of ceramics, glassware and books.

THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Box Tree flat matt emulsion, £21.50 for 2.5ltr, Crown

GREEN & PINK

GET THE LOOK

“

Mix your greens – layer pale succulent green with mid-tone sage and fern, offset with darker accents of pine and forest green for definition

”

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

Mix a muted floral print into the scheme. Berea fabric in Aloe, £29.50m, Villa Nova

Simple circles in a barely-there blush. Garance wallpaper, £79 a roll, Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

Calming colours create a tranquil mood. Polkerris pure matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook

Add an accent NAVY

Madehurst bed, from £1,109, Mood Collections. Bellini chair in Sea Blue vintage velvet, £575, Loaf. Spa Green stone-washed bed linen, £178.99 for a double set, LinenMe

Dark navy sits easily with this colour pairing. Liberty round patterned rug, £325, JD Williams

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THE PERFECT MATCH Ideal Home recommends Stone I pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library

Alderley cabinetry in Bone, from £15,000 for a kitchen, Kitchen Makers

Winter Whites

15.

Find pristine white too clinical? Try this easier-to-live-with alternative

GET THE TONE RIGHT Neither too grey nor too creamy, winter white falls somewhere between the two. Avoid too-grey or yellowtoned whites, which can look dirty, as well as red- or blue-toned shades. LOSE THE HARSHNESS Unlike pure white, which can be sharp and feel quite stark, winter white has warmer undertones so is softer and more forgiving. Complement with darker accents, keeping to the same colour family in shades of taupe and soft grey. Then work in dark polished woods. CREATE LIGHT AND SHADE There’s a danger with all-white schemes of everything merging into one, so create areas of light and shade by using contrasting paint finishes, textures and sheens to emphasise a room’s architectural details, such as panelling. LAYER UPON LAYER Go big when it comes to natural textiles and contrast finishes as they’ll make a winter-white scheme cosy and help bring it to life.

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TRY IT IN A KITCHEN Use winter whites to create a simple backdrop in a kitchen, teaming flat matt-painted units with ceramic tiles in a highgloss finish. Add further contrast and colour with fittings and kitchenware – from vintage wooden boards and rustic pots to copper pans and lights.

TRY IT IN A LIVING ROOM Layered textures make up for a lack of colour in any winter white scheme. Stick to natural textures, cosy fleeces, wool and linen rugs in a living room with armchairs and sofas piled up with cosy cushions and throws.

Snowdrop armchair, from £540, Sofa.com. Hay Tulou coffee table in Black, £165, Nest, is similar. Andas throw, £85, Also Home. Etched stoneware lamp, £110, Barker and Stonehouse

WHITES

GET THE LOOK

“

Look to nature to complement a winter white scheme – display seasonal foliage and greenery alongside foraged finds, seed heads and leafy prints in frames

”

VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Work in a wintry weave on a cushion or trim. Juniper Pine fabric, £59m, Sanderson

Go faux with rustic wood-effect wallpaper. Worn painted wood wallpaper, £59 a roll, Woodchip & Magnolia

Choose whites with just a hint of warmth. Flake White matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth

Add an accent WALNUT

Dark-toned woods will complement off-whites. Walnut tray top table, £87, Abode Living

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THE COLOUR WHEEL

KNOW YOUR COLOUR WHEEL

The colour wheel explains how colours relate to each other, whether they’re side by side or diametrically opposite. Each of the 12 segments represents a colour. Those on the left are warm, those on the right are cool

TONAL SCHEME DIFFERENT SHADES OF ONE COLOUR

HARMONIOUS SCHEME

CONTRASTING SCHEME

Choosing adjacent colours on the wheel – blue and green, for instance – is a straightforward way of creating an easy-to-livewith scheme. These harmonious colours are the most widely used group in interior design.

Guaranteed to add drama to any room, these vibrant schemes are based on two colours that sit directly opposite each other on the wheel – purple and yellow, for example. They’re often referred to as complementary colours.

SHADES THAT SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE WHEEL

Also known as tone on tone, this type of scheme is the simplest of all the colour recipes you can use to decorate with, as it includes only different tones (both lighter and darker) of one particular colour – red, for example, as shown on the segment above. It’s a good place to start if you’re unsure.

SHADES THAT SIT OPPOSITE EACH OTHER ON THE WHEEL

HUE, TINT & SHADE These are the three key words often used to describe colour. Frequently confused, they’re actually three different things

HUE A hue is the purest form of any colour, whether it’s primary, secondary, tertiary or somewhere in between on the spectrum of colours in the wheel. Hues are very intense and probably too strong for most decorating schemes, so they are

usually lightened or darkened to create a tint or a shade. TINT & SHADE If you add some black to a hue, you create a shade and it becomes darker. If you add white, you create a tint and the colour gets lighter. It’s that simple.

TINT hue + white

HUE pure colour

SHADE hue + black

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