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SEPTEMBER 2019

COLOURFUL MAISONETTE k ELEGANT EDWARDIAN HOUSE k FUNKY FAMILY HOME

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Liven up lunchtimes with our fun recipes

How to...

3 Choose your perfect smart TV package 3 Fit new skirting boards like a pro 3 Make a back to school meal plan

Design inspiration & advice for small spaces

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20% OFF Creative projects to add colour to your home

BEKO small appliances* *T&Cs apply

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Affordable decorating ideas...

3 Discover this autumn’s latest home trends 3 Tricks to make your rental feel like home 3 Create a serene Scandi-style bathroom 3 Make your tiny kitchen feel much bigger

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Love them.

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Welcome

EDITOR’S LETTER

September is a funny old month.

The kids go back to school, the days are getting shorter and there’s a feeling of change in the air. But here in the Your Home office, there’s also a frisson of excitement as it heralds the launch of the new autumn homeware collections from all our favourite stores. To find out what’s hot for Our Style Editor, Emma, has been having a sneak peek at this autumn’s high street interiors for the months ahead, turn homeware trends. See her faves on p.36. to page 36 to see our round-up of the latest trends.

Agate is one look we’ve fallen for this season and, on page 20, we’ll show you how to make this luxurious colour scheme work in your home for winter.

Meanwhile, for our bathrooms feature this month, we’ve gone all Nordic and been inspired by the sleek, streamlined Scandi look that is so on-trend at the moment (p.46).

If, like me, your kitchen is woefully small, then you’re sure to find plenty of great ideas to help maximise your space with our brilliant compact kitchens feature on page 52. We’ve packed it with lots of ign at I Want Alex Whitecroft, Head of Des us for keeping fantastic space-saving ideas and Wallpaper, shares her tips with re on p.68. wallpaper clean. Find out mo clever storage tricks to make even a postage stamp kitchen feel palatial!

Treat yourself or a loved one With the return to school, packed lunch season starts all over again. with our fantastic subscriber So, if you’re looking for some new ideas to make your kids’ offer. See page 92 for details. lunchboxes more fun, then take a look at our quick and nutritious recipes on page 96. The sushi rice www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk pandas are the cutest things ever! facebook.com/yourhomemag Finally, check out our exclusive @Your_Home reader discount with Beko instagram.com/yourhomemagazine to get 20 per cent off your pinterest.com/yourhomemag next purchase (p.103).

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Editor-in-Chief Anna-Lisa De’Ath Associate Editor Lisa Hibberd Executive Editor Lara Berry Lifestyle Editor Laura Higgins Features Editor Alice Butler Craft Editor Sophie Tarrant Style Editor Emma Thompson Editorial Assistant Matilda Bourne Designers Jo Higgs, Amanda Botragyi Advertising Manager Simon Daniel Classified Sales Executive Natasha Jackson Production Director Reg French Marketing and Circulation Rachel Hicks Back issues Hilary King Financial Controller Lesley Shard Managing Director Luke Patten Contact Your Home at Hubert Burda Media UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex CO4 9HU. Tel: 01206 851117; Fax: 01206 849078 Subscriptions Tel: 01206 849077; Editorial email: yourhome@burdamagazines.co.uk Advertising Sales Tel: 01206 851117; Classified Sales Tel: 01206 851117 Burda Community Network Germany Julia Mund T. +49 89 92 50 31 97 Julia.Mund@burda.com, Michael Neuwirth T. +49 89 9250 3629 michael.neuwirth@ burda.com Switzerland Goran Vukota T. +41 44 81 02 146 goran.vukota@burda.com France/Luxembourg Marion Badolle-Feick T. +33 1 72 71 25 24 marion. badolle-feick@burda.com Austria Christina Bresler T. +43 1 230 60 30 50 Christina.Bresler@burda.com USA/Canada/Mexico Salvatore Zammuto T. +1 212 884 48 24 salvatore.zammuto@burda.com Prices and availability were checked at time of going to press, but we cannot be held responsible for any changes. No part of Your Home may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part, without the prior permission of the publisher. The publisher, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. We can’t guarantee that colours reproduced will be an accurate representation due to the printing process. Neither the Editor nor publishing company accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. Competition rules apply to all competitions/giveaways in Your Home. Employees of Hubert Burda Media UK and associated companies are not eligible. There is no cash alternative to prizes. Should the prize become unavailable Your Home has the right to offer an alternative prize. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Your Home is distributed by Marketforce Tel: (020) 3148 3300.

Contents

36

20

Autumn’s hot new looks

24

Harriet and Ryan created a cosy family den

Up your jewel cool with the agate trend

42

Our rent-friendly décor tips

100 Zing into autumn

September at home 5

Pg 5

This month we love Our favourite things to buy, see and do

11 Household hints Follow our helpful tips and see our best buys this month

Makeovers

Pg 24

24 We created a cosy space to cuddle our newborn Harriet and Ryan opted for colourful jewel tones to welcome their new arrival

52 Big ideas for compact spaces Super-size your cosy kitchen with our savvy solutions

Reader homes

Pg 73

15 Be a smarter shopper We focus on smart TVs, plus budget ways to stock up your craft kit

28 We went from bland to bright Colour and pattern fan Kat transformed her living room into a cosy space for all the family

74 I didn’t want a bland and safe colour scheme Lucy Webb stepped out of her neutrals comfort zone and braved colour in her maisonette

56 Dry laundry indoors with less hassle The appliances that’ll make light work of wet clothing and linen

32 Now we have a modern, warm and inviting space Gemma turned her lounge into a welcoming space

80 We were desperate to move before the baby Nikita finished her dream home with only a few months to go before the birth of her son

Kitchens & bathrooms Pg45

86 I didn’t want my home to look boring Taking a laid-back approach, Jules layered pattern and brights against a backdrop of neutrals in her Brighton family home

Decorating

Pg 19

20 Trend alert: agate Fill your home with rich colour and metallics 36 Cosy looks for autumn Update your scheme for the changing season with three of our favourite AW19 trends 42 Here today, gone tomorrow Quick fixes and landlord-approved updates to make rentals feel like home

46 Simply Scandi Give your bathroom a nod to the Nordics with clean lines, neutral tones and natural texture 50 We took out an awkward wall to double the space Find out how Sarah and Matt created a sociable, light-filled kitchen diner

Have you missed an issue?

Call 01206 851117 to order back copies

PLUASGE!

12-P PULL-OUT GUIDE

Make it easy!

Pg 59

Our practical guide is full of easy step-by-step projects to help you learn new skills Make colourful desk accessories

60 62

Transform an old console table

Food & entertaining

Pg 95

96 Little lunches Send your kids off to school with a packed lunch to be proud of 100 Holiday favourites Keep summer going with dishes from our most memorable destinations

Home improvement Pg 105 106 Think about your roof for a future-proof home If you’re considering replacing or altering your roof, we’ve got you covered

Gardening

Pg 113

114 In your garden this month…

As summer begins to slip away, autumn brings its own abundance of colour and fruitfulness

Don’t miss out!

10 Your letters We take a look at some of your news, views and photographs

64

Stitch a rainbow quilt

92 Subscribe to Your Home Take out a subscription this month for your chance to win a copy of the gorgeous RHS Botanical Illustration: The Gold Medal Winners by Charlotte Brooks 103 Exclusive 20% off Beko small appliances This month we’re offering a great discount so that you can give your kitchen a new look for less 118 Giveaways This month’s amazing prizes include a Flymo gardening package, a £200 Posterlounge voucher and a Halls Qube greenhouse 120 Shopping guide Find out where to buy everything in this issue 128 Eco news Delicious dips, sustainable straws and colourful lunch containers

Plus, check out...

66 DIY masterclass Fit new skirting boards with a professional finish 68 Ask the experts We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the pros 70 Craft stash must-haves The latest creative buys and workshops

New lower price on solar and electric blinds!

Get a better nights sleep The extensive range of VELUX blinds and awnings will help you control temperature and light this summer.

Your VELUX roof windows deserve genuine VELUX blinds. Whichever type of blind you choose, you can rest assured of unrivalled design, quality and functionality. Choose from manual, electric or solar operation for ultimate convenience. VELUX blinds are available in an extensive range of fabrics and colours, so you’re spoilt for choice. Thanks to our Pick&Click!TM system, all VELUX blinds can be fitted in minutes.

Visit veluxblindsdirect.co.uk to explore our range of blinds – it’s easy to order using the code from your VELUX roof window.

Put the kettle on!

Feature Matilda Bourne

The world’s biggest coffee morning is back this September, all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Raising over £26 million in 2018, Macmillan’s coffee mornings are a vital fundraiser for the nationwide charity. To join in with raising money to fund Macmillan’s outstanding work, all you have to do is head to the website www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk and download your Coffee Morning kit; you’ll find tonnes of material inside which will get you ready to host the best coffee morning at your workplace, house, or an abundance of other locations. What are you waiting for? Get your brew on!

This month we love...

For stockists see page 120

Make the most of September with the best things to do, see and buy this month

Hidden gem:

Scarthin Books, Cromford Hidden just outside the Peak District in the Derbyshire village of Cromford, Scarthin Books is the epitome of an old-fashioned bookshop. With the slogan ‘A bookshop for the majority of minorities,’ the store invests its time in providing a memorable experience for visitors through its mountains of new, second-hand and antique tomes – truly living up to its destination bookshop title. As well as cosy book rooms, this 45-year-old shop has a selection of gifts, plus a quaint café where it runs regular Café Philosophique meetings, when visitors can have a bite to eat and discuss certain titles and topics. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a tech-filled day.

Find Scarthin Books at The Promenade, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3QF or at www.scarthinbooks.com.

The bee’s knees The bees are back, and this time they’re coming to the Joules AW19 collection.

Featuring a sweet embroidered design, the new collection includes bedding, stationery, socks and even umbrellas!

Framed against a delicate colour palette of soft blue, mustard yellow and dark navy, the new designs bring a fresh vibe to autumn’s traditional earthy tones, all based around Britain’s humble bee. Prices start from £5.99; to see the full range, head to www.joules.com.

Bee notebook in navy, £5.99; Brilliant bamboo bee socks, £6.95 per pair, both Joules

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

5

GREAT IDEAS FOR...

University Essentials Everything you need for the big move t

Those meals aren’t going to cook themselves!

Stainless steel five-piece saucepan set, £22, Wilko

A Kim-Joy to behold Our much-loved Great British Bake Off 2018 contestant Kim-Joy is back! Earning the affection of the TV-viewing public through her iconic space turtle choux buns, Kim-Joy is launching her debut cookbook Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile on 22nd August. Including cakes such as ginger, pecan and salted caramel and her quirky Cat Paradise, this book is essential for fellow Kim-Joy fans and lovers of her weird and wonderful treats. Priced at just £13.40, pre-order your copy with Amazon and other good book retailers today.

To find out more, head to www.hardiegrant.com.

A night at the opera There’s no such thing as having too many highlighters

t

A4 slogan notebook, £10; mini neon highlighters, £3.50 for a set of six, all Paperchase

If like us, you too love the magic of theatrical costumes, then the Royal Opera House has got just the present for you! Costume buttons are the historical site’s latest offering. Each bundle is priced at £12 and contains six bespoke buttons which have graced the famous Covent Garden stage and cannot be bought anywhere else; no two packs will be the same, plus each set will include a tag with the details of which production the buttons were included in. If that wasn’t enough, you can also get your hands on fat eighths of fabric from the company’s productions for £18 per pack of six.

Find out more at shop.roh.org.uk.

No halls of residence is complete without fairy lights

t

10 battery-powered geo string lights, £17.50, Red Candy

Fit for a queen

t

From finding accommodation to budget recipes, this manual has it all

t

Haynes Student Manual, £12.99, Prezzybox

This washable duvet is perfect for easy cleaning Printed duvet, from £32.50, Marks & Spencer

6

Commemorative tea towel, £10; mug, £16; V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria book, £6.99, all V&A Shop

September 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

In celebration of the official bicentenary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the V&A museum has released a new range of special homeware and gifts dedicated to the royal couple.

Including a magnet, tea towel and mug, each design features a romantic illustration by Beatriz Lostalé of a young Victoria and Albert dancing, surrounded by a few celebratory items – including Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet. To get your hands on the new Bicentenary collection, head to www.vam.ac.uk/shop.

YOUR HOME NEEDS YOU!

GET IN TOUCH

H

We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so send your letters, tips, projects and photos and this month you could win a free 12-month or six-month subscription to Your Home.

H

H LETTER OF H THE MONTH H H

Space ace “Our bathroom was a very small space, but with some clever planning, including sourcing a special bath, it all came together beautifully. For comfort the bath is full length, but it tapers at one end to give us more floor space. My partner did all the tiling himself and also designed and made the joinery. Finally, I made the blind using a fabric piece that cost just £5 from a bargain bin! We’re both really proud of the result.”

Julie Haines and Adrian Brown, via email Your Home says Small bathrooms are always tricky to update, but it looks like you’ve both done a fantastic job. The fabric you used for the blind is a great find! Keep up the good work.

Pretty perfect

Front runner Pot to trot “I thought you might like to see the potting bench that my husband made for me from a couple of pallets and some leftover tiles. We painted it green to match our summer house and it sits in a corner of the garden that was otherwise unused. I absolutely love it and, as well as looking lovely, it will be so useful for planting my pots – plus, we plan to use it as a bar when we have barbecues.”

Ann Hollis, via email Your Home says Pallets are such a versatile upcycling material and it looks like your husband did a fantastic job with your potting bench project; the bottom shelf makes for a handy storage space as well. Congratulations on a great make!

H This month’s letter of the month winner will receive a free 12-month subscription to Your Home! Send us photos of your latest projects and you could be next month’s winner.

“I recently renovated an old Victorian house on a tight budget, and towards the end of our project we still had to buy a carpet runner for our staircase.

Wanting to stay both traditional and on a budget, we decided to use table runners from Next as a Scandi-style alternative to carpet. It saved us a lot of money and still looks fab!”

Mikele Fry, via email Your Home says This is a great moneysaving hack, Mikele! Though it may not be the most hard-wearing material, it’s a great idea for an affordable, easy and stylish staircase. Well done from the team.

Your Home says This table and chair makeover is fantastic! We love your bright fabric seats, they add a lovely pop of colour. Keep us posted with your future projects.

Get online Tweet us your pictures and comments @your_home or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/yourhomemag

SEND YOUR TIPS, PHOTOS AND LETTERS TO: Letters Editor, Your Home, Hubert Burda Media UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex CO4 9HU or email yourhome@burdamagazines.co.uk l Letters

“We just bought our first house and couldn’t afford to buy a new dining table and chairs just yet. Thanks to all the inspiration and tips in your magazine, I decided to complete a little upcycle project of my own. I sanded down this set before painting it with two layers of primer and three layers of paint to give it a completely new look. For the chair seats I chose a beautiful flamingo fabric and am very pleased with the results. Thank you so much for all the inspiration!”

Aleksandra Drzazga, via email

may have to be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be returned

This month’s prizes include four free subscriptions to Your Home.

The letter of the month will receive one complimentary 12-month subscription, including 12 fantastic issues full of the latest trends and interiors news. Plus, three runners-up will each receive a six-month subscription. To stay updated with all the latest Your Home news, head to www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk.

Stay organised this September with our helpful advice and top buys

HOW TO... meal plan for back to school September is the perfect time to make new school-year resolutions – so start the term as you mean to go on with some clever meal planning Making a plan may seem like a time-consuming task, but the advantages outweigh the time it takes. It will save you money, reduce waste, prevent mealtime boredom, provide leftovers for lunch the following day and give you the opportunity to batch cook portions for the freezer.

Draw up a chart that you can write the week’s meals on. You could print a few copies to fill in each week, or have a wipeable board to reuse. There are many free printables to be found online if you’re stuck for inspiration, as well as apps to download to your mobile or tablet to help keep you organised.

When thinking ahead, consider recipes you can cook in bulk and freeze, or just make an extra portion of to have cold the following day for lunch. Pasta, noodle and rice dishes often work just as well without reheating. Also, think about ingredients that you can use again – such as leftover roast chicken from Sunday lunch to throw into a stir-fry on Monday.

Don’t forget to plan kids’ lunch boxes as well. It helps to consider that around one third of the main meal should be a starchy food such as bread, pasta or potatoes, choosing wholegrain where you can. You should include a portion of protein, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, cheese or beans and pulses, and two portions of vegetables or fruit. You could also include a portion of dairy or a dairy-alternative such as a yogurt. And a drink, if frozen, can help keep lunch cool throughout the morning.

✓

✓

✓

Feature Laura Higgins Main image iStock Q&A image DFS

✓

Laura’s choice ‘Perfect for quickly picking up crumbs thanks to the textured pockets, the Marigold Wiper Upper multi-purpose cloth, £1.29 for two, is an essential when it comes to clearing the table after messy mealtimes in my house. Plus, it’s really absorbent – ideal for mopping up spills – and durable, so can be washed time and time again.’

Q&A What should I do to keep my new sofa looking brand-new?

Leather sofas will benefit with a weekly wipe over with a dry duster; upholstery will look better after a vacuum once a week, while velvet can be brushed with a soft brush. Fabric can sometimes pill, so use a lint roller to help keep this at bay. Rotate and plump up cushions regularly for even wear and tear. And remember that sunlight and heat can cause fabric to fade, so try and position your furniture away from windows and radiators.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk Month 2019

11

Great buy

What to look out for

Save on drawer space with these new multi-tasking Tasty+ tools from Brabantia. Designed with more than one task in mind, each tool doubles up as something else, such as a spaghetti spoon with integrated measuring tool; a skimmer that is also a ladle, or a potato masher that can be used as a spoon. This nesting mixing bowl set is a must-have for a compact kitchen with 1.5l and 3.2l mixing bowls, colander, juicer and measuring jug. They will streamline your kitchen and save on the washing up, too! Prices start from £5.50.

▲ Give hard-working hands some TLC with these beautifully-scented treats from National Trust, all made in the UK Mandarin & rosemary leaf hand and body lotion, £14; rosemary leaf & orange hand wash, £10; rosemary leaf & orange hand scrub, £12, all National Trust

Dust away the cobwebs with a traditional feather duster for a good old-fashioned clean Eddingtons Valet ostrich feather duster, £12; Eddingtons Valet lambswool duster, £13.50, both Amara

Shoeshine box in Carbon, £30, Garden Trading

Tapered paper rope basket, £18; monochrome paper basket, £15, both Dunelm

THINGS WE CONSIDERED l Was it leakproof? l How long did it keep liquids hot for? l How long did it keep liquids cold for?

We test... flasks We tried out a selection, here’s what we found LAKELAND STAINLESS STEEL THERMAL VACUUM FLASK 500ML, £12.99 We felt that this was a very reasonably priced flask. It kept tea hot enough to drink for around eight hours, and cold drinks cool for up to 12 hours. It didn’t leak and poured well without having to remove the stopper all the way.

We liked the handy, compact size and the chevron design.

Whether you use these stylish baskets to keep cloths and sprays tucked away; or as a handy waste-paper basket, they’ll keep counters and floors looking tidy

▲

Store all of your shoe shining essentials in this handy caddy. It has a removable shelf for stowing polish, laces and brushes, and room beneath for holding sprays and other cleaning tools.

Available in Carbon or Chalk

▲

▲

THIS MONTH

THERMOS KING GREY SMALL FLASK 470ML, £20.99, LAKELAND We were very impressed with this design which lived up to its claims of keeping liquids hot for 18 hours and cold for 24 hours. There were no signs of leaking, even when tipped upside-down, and the twist and pour stopper allowed easy pouring without removing it completely.

SIGG HOT & COLD ONE 500ML, £22.99 We loved the zesty colour of this yellow model and the matte finish made it easy to grip. It didn’t leak at all, even after falling over in a bag. The lip made it easy to pour from without any spills. It kept water hot for longer than it promised – even after 11 hours – and kept cold water cool for much longer.

ION8 LEAKPROOF BOTTLE 450ML, £22.99 This eye-catching flask held a good amount of liquid without leaks and fulfilled its promise to keep them either cold or hot. We were able to make a tasty cup of tea with warm water that had been held in the flask for eight hours, and chilled water was kept refreshing and cool during an entire day out.

8/ 10 8/ 10

10/ 10 10/ 10

12

September 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

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THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Image The Makery

xxxxxx

Savvy ways to...

stock up your craft kit

FACT FILE Over half of the nation watches electronic devices in bed and 15% admit it’s their worst bed habit.

n Look out for fabric remnants at your local haberdashery – you’ll often find discontinued designs or roll ends for knock-down prices – ideal if you tend to make smaller sewing projects that don’t use metres of fabric. n Ask friends to collect scraps of ribbon, pretty boxes and other crafty paraphernalia and you’ll soon build up a good collection of bits and pieces. Just make sure you keep your craft cupboard or cabinet well-organised, or you could end up in a crafty muddle! n Sign up to Freecycle and Gumtree – you’re sure to come across some gems in your local area.

If you’re into upcycling furniture, there’s nothing more satisfying than picking up an unloved chest of drawers for next to nothing and transforming it into a showstopping piece of furniture. n Repurposing materials is not only kinder to your pocket, but will help the environment too, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. Why not give that old pair of curtains a new lease of life as a set of stunning cushions? n Charity shops are a treasure trove for crafters – with such an eclectic mix, it’s hard to resist picking up a few treats, such as a vintage blazer According to the which could be embellished with your own Energy Saving Trust, trimmings, or even turned into a handbag! if you have a shower n Do you have a shed full of half-used tins that takes hot water of paint? Instead of letting them go to waste, straight from the boiler see if you can use them in some furniture or tank then a household of revamp projects. If you have plenty of white four could save as much as £75 per paint but need a colour, try buying a coloured year on gas for heating water, plus tester pot and mixing some in to create your a further £120 on bills if you have a own individual shade. water meter, just by swapping to a n Keep an eye out for online bargains – The water-efficient shower head. Mira’s Makery’s website, for example, has a great Nectar Eco shower head is a great selection of fabric, buttons and trimmings, kits buy, priced at around £37. and other supplies, and includes a sale section.

Smart savings

Source: Nanu

YH fab find

Feature Lisa Hibberd

If you’re in the market for a new television, take a look at the new range from Polaroid, available exclusively at Asda.

Priced from £299 for a 43in screen size, this smart TV offers a 4K UHD resolution display, Netflix, Freeview Play, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video capabilities, and it’s also compatible with Alexa. With its central stand and bezel design, it’s the perfect high-tech addition to your living room.

tech news For those of us that use video and music streaming services on our smartphones, a new study by Mobile Phones Direct has revealed that many of these apps guzzle much more data than we think. The three video streaming apps that use the most data are Channel 5’s My5, BBC iPlayer and Mixer, while for music streaming it’s Tidal and Apple Music.

Top tips for minimising data usage on music apps include changing the default ’streaming quality’, which is often set to high. This option is usually found in the app’s individual settings, and reducing it to medium or low should reduce your data consumption significantly.

›› www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

15

Never miss out on your favourite TV shows or movies again with a smart TV streaming service

I

WHAT CAN A SMART TV DO?

f you’re thinking of investing in a new television, it’s definitely time to go smart with one of the latest internet-connected models. No more having to record your favourite shows to watch at a later date or renting a DVD for movie night. These high-tech designs offer a wide range of online features such as on-demand content from apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4 as well as access to streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Feature Hayley Gilbert Image iStock

NETFLIX So long as you have internet connection, you can watch TV shows and films without having to download them using Netflix’s popular subscription service: l For a monthly fee, you get access to everything from a huge library of movies to Netflix Originals films and TV series as well as box sets of all your favourites. l Use the one-month free trial to see if it’s for you – you can cancel afterwards. l There are three payment plans to choose from – for £5.99 a month you can watch on one device at a time in standard definition.

Pay £7.99 and you can watch in HD on two devices at a time. Or for £9.99 you can watch in Ultra HD where available on four devices at once. l The Netflix app should already be installed on your smart TV so all you need to do once you’ve subscribed is open up the app and sign in. l Once you’ve signed up, you can also watch Netflix on a computer, laptop, tablet or games console.

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September 2019

n Working like a tablet or smartphone, a smart TV enables you to browse the internet, watch YouTube and catch up on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. n They can also be used to watch free catch-up television from all the main channels as well as paid-for subscriptions from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. n You won’t necessarily need an aerial unless you want to watch live TV but you will need a good broadband connection to stream online content and apps – go for an unlimited broadband deal with your network provider for the best price. n Smart TVs can be used for online gaming and some even offer access to compatible media content stored on your computer, such as saved photos.

TV STICKS

Upgrade a standard television into a smart version with a TV stick, which is a cheaper and quicker option: l Use a spare HDMI port on the side of the television for a Fire TV Stick from Amazon, a Now TV Smart Stick or Google Chromecast and you’ll have instant access to TV shows, movies, subscription services, music, photos and games. l To make the Amazon version work, you’ll need an Amazon account registered with your device. The latest Fire TV Sticks come with Alexa Voice Remote and cost £39.99 l With Chromecast, which costs £30, you can stream from your Android device or iPhone straight to the TV. l Now TV smart sticks are only £14.99 but you’ll need to sign up for one If your smart TV is HD of its Now TV passes ready, take a few seconds to access to go into the display content. settings to make sure the There display is configured for are some the right TV size. This will great deals currently enhance your viewing available. even more.

Top tip

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Like Netflix, Amazon offers a similar service with the addition of rentable movies: 3Get 30 days free to see if Amazon has the sort of programmes and movies you’d like to watch.

3It works in the same way as Netflix but you can also pay extra to rent or buy a movie 3As well as the online streaming, you’ll also benefit from unlimited one-day (and for some areas, same-day) delivery on millions of eligible Amazon orders in the UK at no extra cost.

3There’s also access to Prime Live Events, with tickets to exclusive gigs.

3The cost is £79 per year or £7.99 per month for Prime, or £5.99 per month for Prime Video.

Useful contacts l Sign up for streaming services at www.netlix.com or www.amazon.co.uk. l Buy TV Sticks online at www.amazon.co.uk, www.store. google.com, www.nowtv.com or www.currys.co.uk. l For advice and information about online safety, visit www.getsafeonline.org.

blinds-2go.co.uk curtains-2go.co.uk Roman Blinds Kentia Linen Leaf

THE A-Z OF DECORATING FROM

Anaglypta to Zoffany A N D E V E RY T H I N G I N B E T W E E N

DECORATING HOMES since 1904 Visit brewers.co.uk to ямБnd your local store

Decorating Fall stylishly into autumn with the season’s new trends Feature Wall paint in Dance Fever, from £13 for 1.25l, Crown Paints

Hugo plug-in or hardwire wall light in brushed brass, £85, Mink Interiors

In the spotlight With stunning contemporary designs and traditional styles to suit any décor, wall lights add so much to the ambience and style of any room. If you don’t already have them installed in your home, now’s your chance!

Feature Emma Thompson

Hebden black side wall light, £44.99, Dowsing and Reynolds

Stanley wall light In military green, from £78, Pooky

Mini trend: spice up your life

Cheetah table lamp, £35, George Home Jasper Conran orange velvet linen cushion, £40, Debenhams

Lorena Canals Azteca 1.4m x 2m washable rug in natural terracotta, £165, Amara

Tiny but mighty Whether it’s a boxy guest room or a whole cramped house, designing and decorating matchbox-sized spaces can be tricky both practically and visually. Small Space Style by Sara Emslie (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small) explores design and style solutions to the practical issues of living with limited space. It’s jam-packed with clever design and planning details plus storage, furniture and display ideas for a compact interior, all beautifully demonstrated through photographs of real-life small spaces, from a terraced worker’s cottage to a tiny studio apartment and miniscule Parisian pied-à-terre.

Photography Rachel Whiting © Ryland Peters & Small

From terracotta to burnt sienna, we’re cosying up with rich, deep hues of orange paired with warm woods and 70s-style accessories. This bold choice can be intimidating at first, so try dipping into it with an accent wall or soft furnishings within a largely neutral scheme.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DECORATING PAGES AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

19

TREND ALERT...

Pink and lilac make a harmonious scheme, perfect for a boudoir-style feel Sandbanks double bed, £399; Sandford marble round nest of tables, £199; Beatrix rug in pink, from £159; Mila II Chandelier, £299; Leopard print bed set, £22; Amelia Floral bed set, £49.50; Faux silk cushion, £15; Ophelia tumbler, £5; Ridged glass bud vase, £4; Mercury dinner candle holder, £9.50; Gigi throw, £39.50, all Marks & Spencer

Fill your home with rich colour and metallic sheen Rich, vibrant and eye-catching, or subtle and shimmery, this look encapsulates the beauty and variety of semiprecious stone and can be adapted to suit your taste. Whichever you choose, it’s incredibly glamorous and feminine. Be inspired by slices of agate – ombré layers, pearlescent sheen and array of colours – and layer up rich fabrics in varying tones for a similar feel. Whether you opt for gorgeous jewel-coloured hues or mineral-inspired pastels, they should always be accentuated with coppery, bronze or golden metallic hints and finished with agate accessories.

Lifestyle editor

Watercolour prints provide a variation of tones, reflecting the coloured bands seen in agate

Feature Laura Higgins

Watercolour lines cushion, £20; Rush lined baskets, £29 for two; octopus cushion, £22; navy bouclé throw, £30; Havana rug, from £55; Halo grey speckle two-piece mug set, £28; Anglepoise desk lamp, £35; navy Florence curved bedstead, from £299, JD Williams

Martello blush velvet, and Martello denim velvet, £25 per m, both Clarke & Clarke.

Aqueous geo quartz wallpaper, £40 per roll, Graham & Brown. Amethyst Valley matt emulsion, £28 for 2.5l, Valspar. Addiction feature wall paint, £14 for 1.25l, Crown

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

STYLE FILE Choose mineral-inspired hues of shimmery pinks, rich purple and velvety blues MW by Matthew Williamson turquoise embroidery cushion, £26; teal cushion, £40; Carrera cushion, £40; Raja cushion, £45; tiger cushion, £40; zig-zag rug, £45; colour woven rug, £55; woven throw, £40; tiger candle stick holder, £25; tassel hanging pink light, £75; Swoon armchair in velvet rose, £849; Swoon armchair in velvet indigo, £729; purple lidded basket, £25; tiger trinket pot, £20; gold mirror, £50; blue zigzag pouf, £70, all Debenhams

Expert tip ‘Introduce serenity into a bedroom by using calm, natural shades inspired by agate. Use a design such as our duvet set (overleaf) which features a cooling colour palette of soft blues and pinks to create the perfect sanctuary.’

George Home design team

Shimmery mineral shades will revamp hard floors A by Amara spiral hand-tufted rug 140cm x 200cm, £199, Amara

Inject colour by scattering brightly hued agate-inspired cushions A by Amara Amethyst cushion, £40, Amara

Add finishing touches in metallic hues to accentuate a dark colour scheme Fabrics from Avalon collection, all £39 per m, Clarke & Clarke

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

September 2019

21

STYLE FILE Add depth by building up colours and textures Cheat clever paint effects with this framed canvas, ready to pop on your wall

Show-Wood upholstered bed frame in Topaz Pink, £699 for a double; Mongolian soft teal cushion, £45; Hotel silk soft teal quilt, £280; Boutique Hotel linear bedspread in Frost; £100; Egyptian cotton duvet cover in Rosa, £80 for a double; Egyptian cotton standard pillowcase in Rosa, £15; Egyptian Cotton Oxford pillowcase in Mulberry, £12; Malachite hand knotted rug, £1,800; Belle marble side table, £199; Helix chandelier in gold, £350, all John Lewis & Partners

Graham & Brown Abstract framed canvas, £129, JD Williams

Spend vs save It’s the finishing touches that can really make or break a scheme Star by Julien Macdonald white bookend, £20, Debenhams

Bookend, £15, Marks & Spencer

Consider a paint effect to give the appearance of multi-toned, layered agate Addiction feature wall paint, £14 for 1.25l; Rose Gold metallic emulsion, £14 for 1.25l, both Crown

22

September 2019

In association with

Laminar fabric 440567, £45 per m, Harlequin.

Peppermint Candy matt emulsion, £29.16 per 2.5l, Dulux.

Deflect fabric 440439, £45 per m, Harlequin.

Mica Blue matt emulsion, £28 for 2.5l, Valspar.

Holden Decor Azurite abstract wallpaper, £27.99 per roll, I Want Wallpaper

www.hillarys.co.uk

STYLE FILE The muted, layered print on this bed linen is cool, calm and tranquil

Precious paints

Marble side table £59; concrete and gold lamp, £25; Serene Swan duvet set, from £10; agate duvet set, from £10; pompom knitted throw, £20; ombré tassel cushion, £14; quilted tassel cushion, £7; frayed cushion, £6, all George Home

Jewel-inspired hues for walls

The gorgeous swirls, vibrant pinks and coppery hints will draw the eye to this photo frame

Rosy Pashmina matt emulsion, £28 for 2.5l, Valspar

A by Amara agate photo frame, £60, Amara

Add drama to your dining table with this impressive serving board

Rose Gold metallic emulsion, £14 for 1.25l, Crown

Zaire agate cheese board, £68, Anthropologie

Rich earthy tones and rusty metallic hints create a sophisticated scheme

Lavender Quartz matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5l, Dulux

Marble cushion, £24; velvet fringe cushion, £22; Gaia footstool, £299; Caitlin floor lamp, £49; trellis chain satin cushion, £24; fold pompom velvet cushion, £22; Palace three-seater sofa, £749; pink throw, £18; natural luxe faux fur rug, from £29; Ayla antique nickel mirrored side table, £129; blush glass vase, £16, all JD Williams Stolen Sapphire matt emulsion, £28 for 2.5l, Valspar

Add a pretty touch to your dressing table Star by Julien Macdonald pink and gold small box, £12, Debenhams

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

Mischief Absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5l, Little Greene

September 2019

23

We created a cosy space to cuddle our newborn With their first baby on the way, Harriet and Ryan started nesting and decorated the living room to welcome their new arrival

Total Cost

£2,076

T

hey say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but for Harriet and Ryan Wicks, it’s the living room that holds extra-special significance. ‘As soon as we were given the keys to our house when we bought it two years ago, we went over to take a look,’ recalls Harriet.

‘Suddenly, Ryan bent down on one knee and proposed to me right there in the middle of our new living room! We knew we were going to redecorate the entire house anyway, so we painted our “Save the

Before 24

September 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

date” on to the fireplace, photographed it and used the image on our cards to friends and family. It was a lovely way to share the excitement of moving into our new house and getting engaged at the same time. Wedding planning got in the way of house decoration and we ended up looking at that writing on the wall for a lot longer than planned!’ The house had a really lovely atmosphere but the décor was neutral, being magnolia throughout, and it was definitely in need of some TLC. ‘The

LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER Despite a lack of windowsills the plant table from IKEA allows foliage to catch natural light at different heights

night we moved in, Ryan pulled up the carpet in the bathroom,’ recalls Harriet.

‘From then on, we have been gradually making changes, but since we found out I was pregnant we have had to focus on some serious nesting.’

Ryan put his photography skills to good use creating a very personal portrait of their dog Winnie, making a great focal point above the fireplace Opting for dramatic walls gives the living room a cosy feel, offset by contrasting white shuttered windows

STEP ONE The starting point for the makeover was to create a cosy, encompassing atmosphere. After some deliberation, Harriet and Ryan took the plunge and opted for dramatic, dark green walls. ‘We looked for the darkest green we could find, Studio Green from Farrow & Ball,’ recalls Harriet.

‘We painted the room without even trying out a sample! It’s not a big space, so we were nervous about making it feel even smaller – but actually, the result is quite the opposite. The dark paint tricks the eye and almost pushes the walls out. It also adds a bit of grandeur with the white ceiling seeming higher than it is and the fireplace making more of a statement with the white trim.’ To break up the dark walls and dress the windows, Harriet and Ryan chose a simple shutter design from ShuttersUp, dressed with a Roman blind from Hillarys to soften the look and add more colour.

STEP TWO ‘We decided to keep the existing neutral wooden floorboards, but added a favourite rug which has brought the whole room alive with colour,’ says Harriet.

With the abundance of pattern brought in via the rug, the couple opted to go for a plain sofa. ‘They can be quite an investment,

Good idea!

Layer the look with a plant table which allows you to display foliage on different levels for a lush effect.

The sumptuous velvet footstool creates a lovely centrepiece to the room – ideal for display, keeping drinks to hand, and putting your feet up

A well-loved leather chair helps create a cosy corner layered with a sheepskin and throw

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

25

ROOMPLAN The top left picture is an original 1960s print of ‘Balinese Girl’

by Tretchikoff, with the others coming from eBay and All Posters

3.6m

Good idea!

3.5m

A dark backdrop helps colourful paintings to really pop out.

THE DETAILS Shutters Blind

Plants have been used to accessorise the room throughout, creating a lush finish

£46.50 £990 £193.50

Large sofa

£449

Velvet pouffe

£199

Lighting

£198

TOTAL

£2,076

Shopping list so we wanted to go for a design that we felt would have l o n g e v i t y, ’ she adds. ‘We chose a simple, classic shape in a gorgeous m u s t a r d velvet for a decadent finish. We looked everywhere on the high street, and found the perfect choice at DFS.’ The sofa was finished

with cushions in a clashing mix of patterns and textures, that tie together the colours in the rug and featured in the artwork displayed on the wall above.

STEP THREE

With a shared passion for treasure hunting at car-boot sales and charity shops, Harriet and Ryan managed to find a great selection of vintage pieces which could be shown off to full affect against the dark walls. ‘We built up our collection over time, including some lovely old cameras which had belonged to Ryan’s granddad,’ says Harriet. ‘Once the jewel

Studio Green estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball. Antigua shutters, £990, ShuttersUp. Roman Blinds in Folia Acacia, £193.50, Hillarys. Laze large sofa, from £449, DFS. Blue velvet Hampton square pouffe, £199; Tangle chandelier three pendant light, £99, both Made. Aurora brown feather pendant shade, £99, Graham and Green.

Cushions, from a selection, John Lewis. Dog print, made to order by Ryan Wicks

colour scheme fell into place, we began to look for specific tones to accent the room, such as the bright-orange books.’

The finished effect is a gorgeous blend of colours in a cosy living room, packed with personality, and perfect for snuggling up in with their new baby. YH

3 of the best... dog-inspired accessories £15 from Cath Kidston Introduce foliage to your scheme in a cute and quirky planter like this one.

£15

£33

£17 from Hurn & Hurn Keep knick-knacks in order with this friendly bulldog desk tidy.

£33 from Sophie Allport Set the tone for your scheme as soon as you enter the room with this cute dachshund doorstop.

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September 2019

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£17

Feature and styling Dilly Orme Photos Ryan Wicks

Paint

BEMPTON TICKING STRIPES

www.studiog.uk.com

Total Cost

£3,118

We went from bland to bright Kat Rodd transformed her living room into a colour-filled, cosy space for all the family

W

hen Kat Rodd, 36, moved into her three-bedroom house in Walthamstow, East London, with partner Ian and their two children Dylan and Felix, the living room was lacking in personality and felt extremely dark and dingy. ‘We love colour and pattern,’ says Kat, ‘So we were excited to put our own stamp on the room as

28

September 2019

soon as we could.’ The family already had some old Habitat sofas that they wanted to keep, and Kat was eager to incorporate them into a new scheme.

‘My taste is very eclectic,’ she smiles, ‘and it’s really important to me that our home feels cosy and welcoming. I’m certainly not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination!’

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Before STEP ONE First of all, Kat wanted to brighten up the room – starting with the imposing stained floorboards. ‘The room felt very dark, despite the big bay window,’ she explains. ‘I was desperate to sand down the floor and bring out the natural pale shade of the wooden boards.’

After hiring a sander, Ian got to work and as the wood became paler, the room

LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER Kat wanted to freshen up the room and reflect the family’s personality using lots of colour and patterned fabrics

began to transform before their eyes.

‘Sanding floorboards is hard going, but totally worth the effort,’ says Kat. A patterned rug was added, making the floor feel cosy underfoot. Next up, the couple brought in a pair of old sofas from their previous house – these fitted perfectly into the space but needed some attention. ‘The fabric had started to look a little worn,’ Kat explains, ‘So we decided to cover the cushions in colourful fabric.’ Fortunately, Kat is a dab hand with a sewing machine, so gave it a go herself. After searching through a mixture of green and blue fabric swatches, she chose a selection to create a cohesive mix of shades and patterns. ‘It’s great to add some pattern in the room,’ she smiles. ‘It creates another dimension!’

STEP TWO The walls were also in need of a freshen up, so Kat decided to give the main areas a coat of off-white paint. The two alcoves were treated to some lemon yellow, and finally the fireplace was freshened up with a splash of lime green. ‘I wanted the walls to reflect as much light into the room as possible, to keep it looking bright,’ Kat explains.

‘I think I was a bit overwhelmed by the darkness of the room before. Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to put any curtains in the window!’ Instead, Kat opted to keep it simple and applied a panel of frosted film to the glass to give some privacy from the street while allowing the light to filter through. This was complemented by Kat’s collection of hanging and potted plants, which provide a fresh link to outside.

Good idea!

If your old sofas are looking tired but your budget doesn’t stretch to buying a new one, cover the seat cushions for a quick update that’ll add a splash of colour and pattern into the room.

Purchased from a local furniture designer, Kat positions this handy coffee table in the middle of the room to display seasonal flowers. The patterned rug from Wayfair keeps the room warm underfoot and adds a further splash of colour

Storage units organise the kids’ toys and provide the perfect spot for plants and framed prints to be displayed www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

29

STEP THREE

Next up, Kat wanted to get some shelving installed. A local carpenter came over to take some measurements, and together they came up with a custom storage solution. Laminated plywood storage units were fitted in the alcoves and bespoke shelving was fitted along one wall for Kat to display her favourite trinkets. A modular shelving unit (another piece custom-created by a local craftsman) was added to another wall, allowing even more of Kat’s accessories to

brighten up the room. Extra seat cushions were purchased on Gumtree and Kat got to work making more covers to turn one of the storage units into a comfy additional seating area. ‘It makes a great little spot to listen to music and read a book,’ she says. Finally, collections of framed prints and tapestries were hung from the walls, to personalise the space. ‘It feels so much cosier now,’ smiles Kat. ‘I feel like we’ve finally added our own personality to the room. We love it!’ YH The cosy spot in the alcove wall received a splash of yellow paint while bespoke shelving organises the space

ROOMPLAN

3.9m

4.2m

Paint

THE DETAILS

£91.16

Rug

£164.99

Fabric

Good idea!

Add window film instead of curtains to provide privacy from the street outside while still allowing sunlight to flood the room.

£674

Seat cushions

£40

Coffee table

£250

Shelving

£98

Storage units TOTAL

£1,800

£3,118.15

Crown Period Colours Aged White Breatheasy matt emulsion, £23 for 2.5l; Dulux Kiwi Crush silk emulsion, £16 for 2.5l; Dulux Spring Breeze 2 matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5l, all Homebase.

PlySquared modular shelves, £98; coffee table, £250; small plywood plant stand, £18, all Plyconic. Bespoke shelving unit and storage units, £1,800, See What We Saw. Basanite indigo fabric, £66 per m; Struttura Kingfisher fabric, £27 per m, both Clarke & Clarke. Palm House fabric, £39 per m, Sanderson. Kateri Peacock fabric, £40 per m, Scion. My Jaipur Kilim rug, £164.99, Wayfair. Concrete pink ribbed table lamp, £30, House Of. Hanging planters, from £22, Urban Outfitters. Tillgiven blanket, £14; picture frames, from £4; Ullkaktus cushion, £2.50; Fado table lamp, £15; Sanela cushion cover, £6; Daggruta cushion cover, £4.50; Ormkaktus cushion cover, £3.50; Stilren vase, £8; Pepparkorn vase, £6; Stockholm 2017 vase, £4; Chiafron plant pot, £3, all IKEA. Kasha three-seater sofa, £795; Kasha fourseater sofa, £895.50, both Habitat (previously owned). Round tapestries, from £26, Never Perfect Studio. Lemony print, £20, Wolf Noodle.

Rainbow Circles print, from £3, The Little Jones.

Contemporary Features Mono print, from £15, Wonder & Rah. Tapestry, from a selection, Made Weave Love. Teal pompom cushion, £12; blue velvet tassel cushion, £12, both Next. Urban Paradise Palm print cushion, £12; green knit cushion, £12, both Sainsbury’s Home. Seat cushion pads, £30, Gumtree. Frosted window film, from £8, B&Q.

Kat adorned the window ledges with her collection of potted and hanging plants

3 of the best... coffee tables £161 from Perch & Parrow The Raleigh coffee table offers a contemporary twist on a classic design, combining a black metal base and a round timber top.

£161

£299 from Made The Fox coffee table features three key threads – dusky pink, marble, and brass – and has an understated elegance, perfect for any home.

£350 from Rose & Grey This stylish coffee table is made from gorgeous sungkai wood with webbed rattan panels on the legs, making it a classic design piece.

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September 2019

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£350 £299

Feature and styling Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

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Now we have a modern, warm and inviting space Introducing a bold colour scheme and a focal fireplace transformed Gemma Squires’ living room into a welcoming space that’s bursting with character

W

hen Gemma Squires and her husband Luke first bought their three-bedroom Victorian semi in Cheshire, they thought the large living room extension that had been added by a previous owner would be a great asset.

However, just over a year later they were struggling not only with the layout of the room but also a rather temperamental and badly fitted wood-burner. ‘The stove, which had been a big selling point for me, was sadly never used,’ explains Gemma.

‘We were desperate to make better use of the space and create a much cosier, more sociable area for entertaining.’

STEP

ONE Unsurprisingly, Gemma’s first objective was to replace the ageing inset stove with a more efficient model. This not only involved removing the old one (along with some of the surrounding brickwork), but also levelling the raised hearth in order to create a large enough opening for Gemma’s new freestanding model. ‘It was definitely a job for the professionals,’ she recalls. ‘Even though the existing chimney and flue were in good condition, at around £1,000 in labour costs, it wasn’t a cheap project.

For designer style on a budget, craft your own fabulous faux marble tables using secondhand finds and sticky-back plastic – Gemma’s pair of tables cost just £24 to create.

This innovative three-seater sofa which arrived in a box is an ideal solution for those with access issues. And, as Gemma found, takes minutes to assemble A stove will prove far more efficient and economical than an open fire, but must adhere to all current regulations. Gemma used a registered fitter to install her multifuel stove and also had her chimney and flue checked for damage or blockages September 2019

It was worth every penny though – you just can’t beat a real fire for adding that warming, welcoming touch.’

STEP TWO When it came to décor, Gemma was keen to ditch her usual neutrals in favour of something a little more daring. She was adamant that the large vaulted room, with its south-facing Velux windows, could take a stronger colour. ‘It often felt quite cavernous and cold,’ she explains. ‘So eventually I persuaded Luke to paint all the walls navy blue and the ceiling a soft white.’

Thankfully, her bold move paid off.

‘We’re delighted with the result, as the depth of colour really does help add cosy character to the room.’ Unfortunately, their plan to revamp the floorboards was not so successful. Due to historical damage, they were forced to source a substitute. ‘In the end we went for oak as I love the tactile nature of timber,’ says Gemma.

Good idea!

32

Before

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Total Cost

£4,059 A combination of deep, dark blue walls, on-trend blush pink accents, warm timber tones and a smattering of bright botanicals ensures the couple’s large living room now has a cosy yet contemporary feel

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

33

Good idea!

ROOMPLAN

Arranged side by side, a pair of chairs provides a less imposing addition than a traditional sofa, while practical timber flooring is both a tactile and hard-wearing option underfoot.

4m

5.1m

THE DETAILS Paint

£197

Wood-burner

£1,295

Flooring

£839.79

Seating

£1,488.98

Stools DIY tables

£24

Storage

£75

TOTAL

STEP THREE With access to the garden a priority, the couple opted to divide the room into two distinct zones, with the main seating area centred around the new stove and the ‘difficult’ area on the opposite side of the patio doors dedicated to an extensive book collection.

‘We already had a few IKEA bookcases so simply added to these in order to create a library wall – which I think works rather well,’ smiles Gemma. The remainder of the room was then furnished using a mix of existing pieces and online buys, including a smart new mid-century sofa. ‘We loved the look and colour,’ says Gemma. ‘But more importantly, as the sofa is specifically designed for those with access issues, it arrived in a box that could negotiate our narrow hallway!’ The couple then repainted their existing coffee table and added an alcove table, borrowed from the

bedroom, and then invested in a pair of accent chairs and a matching stool to complete the arrangement.

STEP FOUR Finally, Gemma turned to the high street for accessories in keeping with her emerging navy blue and blush pink scheme – an on-trend combination that was enhanced by a last minute decision to add fresh, bold botanical motifs. ‘They were inspired by my plant collection, and the cushions in particular have added a real vibrancy to the overall scheme,’ she smiles. However, it’s often the clever DIY faux marble tables that catch visitors’ eyes first – adding a luxe touch to what is now a well-planned and stylish living space. YH

£138.99

£4,058.76

Shopping list Walls and ceiling: Hicks Blue and Loft White absolute matt emulsion paints, £45 for 2.5l; shelves and coffee table: Hicks Blue Scree intelligent eggshell paints, £31 for 1l, all Little Greene. Three-seater sofa in a box, £899, Snug Shack. Mentosa armchairs, £294.99 each; Senio circular stool, £99.99, both My Furniture. Billy bookcases, £25 each; Fladis basket, £13, all IKEA. Contemporary 125SE multi-fuel stove, £1,295, Esse.

Galleria professional engineered European rustic oak flooring, from £38.99 per sq m, UK Flooring Direct. Rug, £34.99, HomeSense.

Trevarno mirror, £225, Oka. Clara cotton dusky pink cushions, £12 each; green leaf printed cushion covers, £8 each; Let The Love Grow cushion, £8; Zen ombré cushion, £12; Lulu pink crushed velvet light shade, from £15; heart canvases, £10 for two; bamboo copper leaf bowl, £8; palm leaf votives, £2 each; Ginko artificial leaf sprays, £4 each, all Dunelm. IvyLine Monza botanical palm planters, from £6.99, Grosvenor Garden Centre. Knitted pouffe, £39, George Home. Second-hand tables, £10 each, Roy Castle Foundation Charity Shop.

Original Marmi Deco self-adhesive film, from £4 per 2m roll, Wilko.

3 of the best... blush pink accessories £8, IKEA

£28

Use the Gradvis vase to display single stems or foliage to enhance your scheme.

£28, The French Bedroom Co This super cosy cushion is perfect for curling up with at the end of the day – the mix of textures adds a spot of interest too.

£149, Made The Hampton storage pouffe is perfect for popping your feet up as well as hiding away living room clutter.

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September 2019

£8

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£149

Feature Paula Woods Photos Lizzie Orme

Quirky inset shelving, created by a window recess left when the previous owner extended, provides the perfect place for collected treasures and luscious plants

Cosy looks

for autumn

Update your scheme for the new season with three of our favourite AW19 trends

Multi-purpose pieces like this chic industrial-style coffee table are a must-have wherever space is limited

SMALL SPACES, BIG IMPACT

Fulton lift-top coffee table, £199; Grayson three-seater sofa, £599; chunky jute rug, from £35, all Dunelm

With our homes shrinking while their purpose evolves, we’re demanding the most out of every square centimetre.

The high street is offering up compact and multipurpose furniture and accessories that look great and work even better.

Eye and lip cushions, £6 each, George Home

With this trend, don’t be afraid to make everything a statement item – there’s just no room for bland!

Choose items with curved lines, rather than blocky shapes, to give the illusion space Planter, £14; mustard and grey chunky knitted throw, £30; geo stripe cushion, £12; small blue vase, £3.50; ceramic candle, £8; table, £35; stacking baskets, £24 each, all Sainsbury’s Home

‘Making a small space stylish and functional is simple.

Our Apartment trend has a focus on space-saving and multifunctional products, such as the Fulton side table that can be used as additional seating or as a footstool with hidden storage inside. Our Fulton flip-top coffee table allows you to have a dining table at your sofa if you don’t have space for a larger one.’

Debbie Drake, Head of Design, Dunelm

Create a cheerful coat station that doubles up as décor in your hallway Hello hooks, £8, Dunelm

DECORATING IDEAS Choosing half-open, half-covered storage allows you to clear away clutter without losing too much visual space Loft living 2 x 4 storage unit, £140; set of two shelves with metal surround, £25; Jackson threeseater orange velvet sofa, £649.99; Feliz 120cm x 160cm ombré rug, £35, all Argos Home

Free up limited surface space by installing a chic wall light like this contemporary teal design Clyde teal wall light, £18, Made

Pulling large furniture such as sofas away from the wall will give small rooms a better flow and make them look bigger House by John Lewis: Show Wood sofa bed, £699; Jax large pink side table, £69; Dice oak and grey shelving unit, £229; Pathways mauve cushion, £20; dusty green, navy and mauve stripe cushion, £15; velvet grid cushion, £20; Harry mustard floor lamp, £55; small contemporary vase, £30; easy-fit mustard ceiling shade, £70; Mark Rothko ‘Pink 1953’ framed print, £200, all John Lewis & Partners

Where space is at a premium, consider swapping bedside tables for larger storage units that maximise the space available Mini succulent, £4; ceramic candle, £8; ceramic planter with wooden legs, £18; yellow planter, £14; mustard and grey chunky knitted throw, £30; geo cushions, £12 each; double bedding, from £20, all Sainsbury’s Home

Stash away clutter and organise cupboards with fabric containers that will mould to small, awkward spaces Dot dash print ochre canvas storage pots, £22 for a set of three, Bohemia

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BETTER NATURE Our homes are an escape from busy life, so it’s no wonder this is one of the key looks this season. With strong influences from Scandinavian and Japanese design and a gorgeous melding of rough, natural materials with structural manmade ones, it’s a winner in our books!

This inviting scheme uses elegant, refined design utilising natural materials and the calming effects they bring

Look for the beauty in imperfect ’wabi sabi’ details such as this woodslice tabletop with differing tones

Mary Lamb Storm cane chair, £799; Ennis curved coffee table, £199; Mongolian clover rug, £80; Santino tan and oak bench, from £299; No.168 black arched floor lamp, £295; Mongolian sheepskin cushion, £60; vases, from £30; Kobina flatweave rug, £350; Abstraction plaster pink wallpaper, £40; Croft Collection Balta check throw, £100, all John Lewis & Partners

Woodland coffee table with wood-slice top and black metal legs, £89.99, HomeSense

Build a palette of soothing, cool tones with a mixture of shades for depth Matt emulsion paints in Pale Slate, Midnight and Eau de Nil Seaspray, £35 for 2.5l, Laura Ashley

‘The Cane chair is a contemporary take on a nostalgic design, ideal for modern living. With an emphasis on quality materials and craftsmanship in this trend, the clean lines and inviting cushions create a pared-back silhouette with sumptuous upholstery, offering the perfect place for relaxation and reflection.’

Aaron Dunkerton, Furniture Designer at John Lewis & Partners

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Artificial bonsai tree, £12, George Home

Don’t have the green fingers to nurture your own mini tree? Try this convincing faux bonsai!

Continue the gorgeous warmth of wood up your walls with hardwearing lookalike porcelain tiles

We love the contrast of the simple wooden stand with the opulent pearlescent curved glass

Woven wood-effect tiles in Sand, £39.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors

Lustre footed hurricane, £15, Marks & Spencer

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DECORATING IDEAS Andrea shade, £29.99, Very

This charming bedroom is pared back but definitely not clinical thanks to the layers of texture and nods to nature Danish Home linen-cotton blend duvet sets, £75 each; grey knitted throw, £60; velvet throw, £80; medium silver vase, £18; leaf cushion, £45; washed velvet blue cushion, £25; East End wall art, from £40 each; large rattan easy-fit light, £75; Swoon Pearl side table in brown marble, £149, all Debenhams

The soft white and warm wood in this pendant highlight the Scandinavian influences in this trend

This would make a striking wall decoration, or a luscious display if grouped in a stand Faux Swiss cheese leaf stem, £9, Gisela Graham

This compact coffee table combines the natural grain of marquetry-patterned oak veneers with the sleek welded metal for a chic rustic look Globe coffee table, £349; Maywood rug, £119, both Furniture Village

The smooth, gentle curves in these pieces will help build a soothing, tranquil scheme Highland lodge collection, items from £3.50, Sainsbury’s Home

Combine neutral tones, plenty of soft textures and structural, industrial elements for a soothing space with great personality Copenhagen navy cord sofa, £1,799; Maiko Bellevue Lilac chair, £549; Sandford coffee table, £349; Sandford side table, £129; Sandford bookcase, £499; Jones grey extending table, £249; Bradshaw white chairs, £129 for two; Loft floor lamp, £95; Toby pendant, £75; rugs, from £219 each; Millie throw, £19.50; cushions, from £15 each; Harrison trinket box, £17.50; vases, from £15 each; plants, from £15 each; cocktail shaker, £15; hi-balls, from £1.50 each; Artisan platter, £35; Albany medium mixing bowl, £17.50; Maxim jug, £19.50, all Marks & Spencer

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THE ROARING TWENTIES We love this nostalgic trend, revisiting the over-the-top luxury of Art Deco style and the glamorous materials that come with it. Whether you’re going for big and bold or soft and sumptuous, this retro look is one of sheer indulgence.

Love Art Deco style but prefer a more muted scheme? This geometric pattern gives a subtle nod to the trend Blue geo print vase, £8, George Home

This miniature metallic big cat is ready to pounce into your shelfies

Leopard ornament, £5, Primark

Dusky pink and muted gold is the perfect romantic combination to create a glamorous 1920s-style boudoir Perla mirrored two-drawer bedside table, £139; sheepskin rug, £59; hexagonal candle, £9; Kennford mirror, £250; Violetta velvet floorstanding headboard, £199; Caitlin floor lamp, £49; exposed bulb table lamp, £19; pink throw, £18; trellis duvet set, from £25; Bailey piped duvet set, from £15, all JD Williams

‘Our Glamour collection is a modern take on 1920s Hollywood glamour, featuring Art Deco designs and lots of stylish must-have pieces. Pink continues to be a key colour, joined by bursts of winter shades such as deep blue and plum.

Texture is also important with velvet, fur, smoked glass and brass adding to the luxurious feel.’

Homeware Team, Very

Don’t be afraid to go for a dark and dramatic colour scheme, with glimmering metallic hints adding light and interest Aquila dining table, £1,495; Aquila dining chairs, £429 for a pair; Lex ceiling light, £79; Mindfulness canvas, £169, all Furniture Village

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The key with this trend is to surround yourself with the over-the-top lavish glamour of the 1920s Chairs, £259 each; side table, £69; rug, £199.99; light, £49.99; cushion, £18.99; glassware, from £19.99, all Very

DECORATING IDEAS

Wide French gold metal wire pendant, £79, Barker and Stonehouse

Introduce contemporary elements such as this gold wire cage pendant – don’t forget the vintage-style bulb!

‘Wow’ your guests with colour-pop tables that have removable serving trays and folding stands

Woood Julez antique brass side tables, £85 for a set of two, Cuckooland

Mix deep plum shades with crystal and mirrored accessories for a scheme with plenty of drama and depth Shenice divan and headboard, from £369; Pinsonic plum bedding, from £10; gold tray, £29; framed pictures, £8 each; mirrors, £5 each; Keira console table, £229; Priscilla table lamp, £35; Keira side table, £179; flocked bulldog, £15; orchid bedding, from £8, all Dunelm

The Art Deco elements in this living room would make this the perfect setting for a glamorous cocktail evening Leopard metallic curtains, from £40; metal deco mirror, £20; Genoa LED bubble light fitting with shade, £125; leopard side table, £149; Fitzgerald coffee table, £279; sheepskin rugs, from £35; Hanna console table, £159; Rocco leopard print cocktail chair, £149, all Dunelm

Evelyn blossom pink velvet chair, £279, Cult Furniture

This plush velvet scalloped accent chair is the ideal statement piece for a feminine look

Make seating all the more inviting by adding a variety of textured and metallic accent cushions Michelle Keegan Midnight Rose cushion, £19.99, Very. Pink geo cushion, £7, George Home

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Metal tasselled eye pendant, £95, Rose & Grey

Quick fixes and landlord-approved updates that are sure to make rentals feel like home

Make your rented home unique by swapping boring light shades for a statement fitting such as this one, available 5th September

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enting a home usually comes with restrictions on what changes you are allowed to make, which can be especially frustrating if the décor isn’t to your taste. So what do you do when drilling is a big no-no, spending your own money seems silly, and even repainting is risky? You welcome the challenge to think outside the box, and take on board some of our favourite no-damage decorating tips of course!

Apartment Living round memo board, £10; mini succulent, £4, both Sainsbury’s Home

Brighten up dull magnolia walls by introducing a fun colour scheme through accessories

Top tip

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If you’re going to ask your landlord’s permission to decorate, it’s a good idea to have reference pictures. They may be more likely to say yes if they have a clear idea of what you’re going to do.

Feature Emma Thompson

Even when storage space is limited, make room on every open shelf for at least one decorative item. Trust us, it will make a world of difference Resin giraffe, £15, George Home

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Vinyl stick-ons give you ‘wow’-factor floors without the hassle or cost that comes with installing real tiles Monkey hook, £9 for a set of two; ‘Hello’ hook, £8; coat stand, £30; Nova easy-fit pendant, £45; hallway storage bench, £149; chunky jute runner, from £28; photo frames, from £1; mechanism clock, £20; Sienna self-adhesive floor tiles, £14 for 10, all Dunelm

DECORATING IDEAS If you suffer from a lack of storage but don’t want to splurge on shelving, use a tension rod and simple curtain for a chic hide-all Ivar pine shelving units, £76 each; Lejongap white curtains, £30 for a pair; Arkelstorp extendable black coffee table, £110, all IKEA

Replacing cupboard and drawer handles is a tried and true renter favourite. Just remember to keep the old ones safe and swap them back before you leave Elephant metal door knobs, £3.99 each, Ian Snow

s Cover old and worn radiators with a stylish casing that provides extra surface space and can be taken with you when you move Bellonna medium radiator cover in white, from £62, Wickes

Covering a whole wall in removable wallpaper can quickly become pricey.

This chalkboard version would be super effective in a small feature area

Self-adhesive blackboard film, from £15 for a 50cm x 122cm piece, Purlfrost

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Kitchens &BATHROOMS

This month, we’re going back to nature

Take a seat Take some inspiration from across the Channel this month with the new Harrington bar stool from Cult Furniture.

Based on Paris’ iconic café stools, these rustic chairs are great for modernising a country kitchen.

Featuring a solid ash wood structure and rattan seat, choose from either a natural or black wood finish, priced from £99 each; add a couple to your breakfast bar to create the perfect casual dining area.

Find out more at www.cultfurniture.com.

Into the woods

Sink-side chic

The days are getting shorter and the evenings are getting darker, which means we are well and truly ready to fall back into autumn. Deep greens, earthy browns and natural woods are ruling this season’s colour palette – all ready to give your interior a cosy, organic look. New to Magnet’s latest colour scheme is the Somerton Forest kitchen. Starting from just £4,216, pair these rich green Shaker-style cabinets with parquet flooring and a natural wood worktop for a rustic, enchanted forest feel.

To see the full collection, head to www.magnet.co.uk.

Feature Matilda Bourne

Store and order

Though doing the dishes might be a dull affair, your dish rack doesn’t have to be. Crafted from iron and finished with an antique brass effect, this vintage-inspired design from Not On The High Street is perfect for homeowners who like a polished, stripped-back look in their kitchen.

Plus, holding up to 21 plates, it’s practical, too! Priced £47; to find out more, head to www.notonthehighstreet.com.

If your bathroom is more petite-chic than open-plan, you’ll need to invest in some savvy storage. Underbasin cupboards are essential for bathrooms with limited floor space. Sitting neatly under almost all basin types, the cutaway middle section means this cupboard will sit flush against the pedestal to give you plenty of shelving space on both sides of the sink. We’re particularly loving VonHaus’s latest cunning cabinet; featuring a chic grey finish and solid ash top, it’s a sturdy choice for a quick storage solution. Priced at £49.99 including an extended two-year warranty, find out more at www.vonhaus.com.

VISIT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR MORE KITCHEN & BATHROOM INSPIRATION www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

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SIMPLY

SCANDI Nod to the timeless cool of the Nordics with clean lines, neutral tones and dashes of natural texture

Team a white scheme with simple porcelain accessories. This toothbrush holder is part of a range that includes a soap dispenser and pedal bin

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Toothbrush mug, £13, Nordic House

These pale bathroom-friendly paint colours have been specifically formulated to resist steam and condensation Bathroom paint in Snowdrop, Soft Duck Egg and Soft Steel, £20 per 2.5l, all Crown Paints

For a fresh and classic look, team white walls with a wooden parquet floor s

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Feature Alice Butler

Luxury Retreat bath sheet, from £62, Sheridan Australia

This lookalike parquet luxury vinyl tile is waterproof, hard-wearing and easy to install

An open washstand creates light and space while offering practical storage. This design comes in a smaller size and a choice of 28 colours

Landscape Wildwood Parquet LVT in Laurel and Hawthorn, £49.99 per sq m, both Distinctive Floors

Chichester washstand in Charcoal, £1,100; Stratton decorative oak ladder, £165; Keats single arm wall light, £110, all Neptune

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BATHROOM IDEAS Mix soft and rough textures with opulent accessories for an eclectic scheme

Sand vanity unit, £648.50; Corde woven baskets, £47.50 for three; Wild white metal and natural fibre wall lamp, £77; Marina gold mirrors, £153 for three, all Maisons du Monde

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Evolve free-standing bath, £2,295, Waters Baths of Ashbourne. For a similar bath, try the Verona free-standing modern bath, £449.95, Victorian Plumbing

Build up a natural, organic feel in your space with a wooden vanity unit offset with luxe gold ovoid mirrors

Made by a renowned Finnish weaving mill, this towel will give your scheme authentic Scandi credibility Ruusu small towel, £16, Lapuan Kankurit

Create a rustic brick-effect wall with faux wallpaper

Give a pared-back look a dash of glamour with a crystal chandelier s

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Top tip The key to a successful Scandi look is simplicity. Start with a neutral backdrop, then add hints of subtle colour and natural texture.

Perla two-drawer 900mm vanity unit with basin in Havana Oak, £640; Perla tall unit in Havana Oak, £300; Edmonton free-standing bath, £1,200; Primo floor-standing bath shower mixer, £350; five-light chandelier, £175, all Bathrooms to Love

Good Home Vulpin white brick wallpaper, £14, B&Q

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Stash your toothbrushes and jewellery in these on-trend accessories Mint green tumbler, £5; green small storage jar, £6, both Sainsbury’s Home

Combine a seat and storage in one with this chair Ragrund bamboo towel rack chair, £35, Ikea

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Top tip

For a traditional take, choose a roll-top bath and team with rustic floor tiles

A wooden floor is an easy way to achieve a Nordic look.

In the bathroom opt for practical lookalike materials, such as porcelain and luxury vinyl tile.

Appleby suite (basin, WC, bath and shower screen), £649.95, Victorian Plumbing

Create the look of a rustic reclaimed timber floor with these porcelain tiles which have a wood-grain textured non-slip surface, making them ideal for bathrooms Rustic reclaimed wood-effect tiles, £19.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors

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Towels are an easy way to inject a bolt of colour into a neutral palette

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Luxury Egyptian towel collection in Aqua, from £42 for a bath sheet, Sheridan Australia

This sturdy storage has a washable liner to prevent clothes from snagging and to keep the laundry basket smelling fresh Rattan laundry bin, £85, John Lewis & Partners

If you’re going for a contemporary look, pale grey tiles will create a warm but neutral backdrop Lounge light grey matt porcelain tiles, £22.95 per sq m, Tile Mountain

Patterned wall tiles – inspired by backgammon – add interest and a focal point in this minimalist scheme Beige Gammon encaustic cement tile, £5.76 per tile, Otto Tiles & Design

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BATHROOM IDEAS s

Add natural texture with a 3D bamboo mirror

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Round mirror with bamboo frame, £35, The Little House Shop

Add real or faux plants to give your scheme a fresh lift Faux plant, £16.99, HomeSense

Inspired by Scandinavian design, this unit (part of a collection) can be used as a basin top or wall-hung storage Eli modular Oak and Fjord wall-hung unit, £509, Wickes

Top tip For a quick and affordable update, snap up a few accessories such as seagrass baskets, a bath mat and fresh or faux greenery.

Textured luxury vinyl tile will mimic the look of stone while feeling warm underfoot Form luxury vinyl tile in Silt, from £55 per sq m, Amtico

This cosy geometric rug has a practical non-slip backing – perfect for the bathroom s

Textured patterned rug, 60cm x 90cm, £26, The Little House Shop

For a modern rustic scheme choose streamlined furniture in contrasting practical oak and stone-effect finishes Aquanatural collection: 750mm wall unit with solid-surface basin, £815; tall wall unit with solid-surface panels, £595; WC unit with solid-surface panels, £610, all Frontline Bathrooms

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KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM

We took out an awkward Sarah and Matt Haselwood removed an internal wall housing a bulky breakfast bar to

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Insider info WHO LIVES HERE? Sarah Haselwood, an aesthetics practitioner, her husband Matt, a branding director, and daughters, Olivia, seven, and Scarlett, five. They live in a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Windsor.

hen Sarah Haselwood and husband Matt first went to view their home they were smitten as it was the largest in a row of Victorian terrace properties. ‘It had belonged to the 19th-century builder so he’d made it more spacious for his family,’ says Sarah.

Once inside, the couple discovered more heritage gems, such as original fireplaces and ornate mouldings, as well as a side-return extension with pretty stained-glass doors leading onto the garden. ‘Although the extension added more space, it had been badly designed with part of the internal wall still in place which housed a bulky breakfast bar. This divided the room, making it feel like a narrow corridor,’ says Sarah. The interior was also in need of an update. ‘Everything needed replacing, especially the kitchen which had rotten worktops and broken appliances.

But we’d already fallen for the house’s old-world charm and south-facing garden, so we took the renovation plunge,’ she explains.

With two young children in tow, the couple decided the kitchen was an urgent priority and

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD KITCHEN? As well as having rotten worktops, broken appliances and badly fitted units, the layout was awkward with an internal wall and hefty breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the side return extension.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE ROOM? ‘It’s more sociable as it connects better with the dining area and has an improved outlook to the garden thanks to a big window above the sink. Most of all, I love the quirky butcher’s block.’

Feature Louise O’Bryan Styling Vickie Nickolls Photos Rachael Smith

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS? ‘Communicate your plans clearly to the builder so they are on the same page as you. Also, spend time living with your existing space to discover what you like, dislike and how you use it.’

CORKING STORAGE An integrated wine rack ensures the space can switch to a grown-up entertaining zone in an instant.

TALL ORDER The couple swapped an old serving hatch for an elegant bank of full-height units that house the fridge freezer and luxury larder.

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gave themselves a tight deadline of two weeks to knock down the internal wall, rip out the old kitchen, and install the units. ‘On a visit to local kitchen showrooms we discovered Magnet had the quickest lead times, plus we found our ideal kitchen was on sale, so we went with them. The in-house designer was efficient and created a layout that maximised every inch,’ smiles Sarah.

With a keen focus on creating a light and bright space in keeping with the property’s period style, Sarah and Matt opted for classic Shaker-style units in cream and grey with bright walls in Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth white.

Practical, easy-to-maintain surfaces, such as wipeable gloss tiles and a robust quartz worktop were also on their wish list, as well as clever storage solutions including a full-height larder, wine shelving and drawer organisers. However, the master stroke has to be the vintage butcher’s block that steals the show. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved a large island, but our budget wouldn’t stretch that far, so this vintage piece that I inherited from my aunt and uncle in Normandy is a great alternative. The girls use it like a breakfast bar and guests tend to congregate round it,’ says Sarah.

The warm wood tones of the island tie in well with the engineered oak flooring, while the grey wall tiles keep the timber tones up-todate. ‘The layout has a wonderful relaxed family vibe with quirky touches, yet it can become a sophisticated adult’s entertaining space in no time. It’s answered all our wishes,’ says Sarah.

KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM

wall to double the space create a sociable light-filled kitchen diner MIX AND MATCH Bring timeless Shaker units up-to-date with contrasting two-toned cabinetry.

HOT SLOTS Wooden cutlery inserts add a quality touch to the cabinetry and tie in with the rustic tones in the room.

SURFACE SOLUTION Scratch and heat-resistant quartz is a practical worktop choice for a busy family kitchen.

Shopping liSt

VINTAGE ADVANTAGE An antique butcher’s block creates a striking centrepiece while adding buckets of quirky character.

Walls: Farrow & Ball Cornforth estate emulsion, £46.50 per 2.5l, B&Q. Somerton kitchen cabinets in Cream and Fern, around £290 per 600mm base unit; Grey Crystal solid surface quartz worktop, around £250 per linear m (including installation); AEG five-burner gas hob, around £329; AEG extractor hood, around £229; AEG electric double oven, around £499; AEG integrated fridge-freezer, around £830; engineered oak flooring, around £50 per sq m, all Magnet. Gloss grey wall tiles, around £43 per sq m, MC2 Tiles & Flooring. Rug, £90; pineapple fruit basket, £18, all Next. Tea towel, around £18, Lapuan Kankurit. Le Creuset Mills in Marseille Blue, from £25.78; Le Creuset Signature round casserole dish in teal, from £135.20, both John Lewis. Geometric canisters, from approx £7.99 each, TK Maxx.

total coSt: £10,000

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Big ideas for compact spaces

For a practical layout choose a U-shape kitchen. Remember to include a breakfast bar, vertical ovens, plus open and closed wall storage Soho matt white kitchen, from £1,614 (excluding worktops, appliances, sinks and taps), Benchmarx Kitchens

Supersize a cosy kitchen with these savvy solutions

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or many of us a capacious kitchen is the stuff of dreams – and with the average new-build kitchen shrinking back to the same size as the 1930s (the decade that had the smallest on record), we’re having to be increasingly canny when it comes to maximising every last

centimetre of space. Fortunately for us, kitchen brands, DIY companies and the high street are coming up with ever-more clever ways to hone our hubs, from smart storage and slimline appliances to gravitydefying cabinetry. Read on to discover how you can make the most of a small space.

s Customise your shelving with additional accessories such as slide-on baskets Mesh under-shelf basket, £9.99, Lakeland

A mirror and quartz blend makes these tiles glisten and sparkle in the light Mirror quartz tiles in grey and white, £65 per sq m, Tile Giant

Feature Alice Butler

Top tip s A multi-tasking breakfast bar will provide extra storage as well as a perch for eating or homework Newark kitchen in ivory, from £4,776, Optiplan Kitchens

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‘A well-designed breakfast bar is a great option for a compact space as it can double up as a dining area and provide hidden storage to keep items tucked out the way.’

Andy Briggs, Interior Designer and Head of Creative, Optiplan Kitchens

September 2019

KITCHEN IDEAS s

This unit can be used to house items you don’t want on show all the time Qanto pull-up unit, £750, Magnet

Top tip ‘A clever pull-up unit that rises from the cabinet at the touch of a button can be tucked away in a corner and helps use every centimetre of space.’

Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising, Magnet

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With clever planning, you can pack in a multitude of space-saving features such as double-height wall storage, handy utensil hooks, a portable trolley plus appliances and adaptable furniture

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Kallarp high-gloss door, £35; Ekedalen extendable table, £170; Leifarne white seat, £20; Broringe chrome-plated underframe, £15; Masterby beige step stool, £25; Detolf glass cabinet, £60; similar Kungsfors stainless-steel trolley, £100, all IKEA

Free up your worktop with a built-in coffee machine. This one features a milk-frothing nozzle plus 15-bar pressure for a professional coffee – and doesn’t need to be plumbed in

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Raskog trolley, £50, IKEA

This adaptable and sturdy trolley will slide into the slimmest of spaces

Absolute built-in coffee machine (ACE 010/IX), around £448, Whirlpool

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Longline floorboards or large tiles in a pale shade won’t disrupt the visual flow Ultimate Style Barcelona vinyl, £19 per sq m, Avenue Floors

Shaker larder painted in Farrow & Ball’s Charlotte’s Locks, available as part of a kitchen, from £20,000, Harvey Jones

s Who knew a sink could be so clever?

With an extra-wide and deep bowl plus integrated chopping board, drainer and colander, it’s an ultra-flexible add-on GoodHome Romesco kitchen sink, £200, B&Q

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Proving that fun-size can still be functional, this sleek handleless kitchen fits in all the essentials – fridge-freezer, dishwasher, oven and extractor fan – at only 2.8m long. Drawers under the cooker and open shelving make the most of every essential centimetre

Top tip ‘In terms of storage, use the inside of cupboard doors with racks for bottles and jars. Deep drawers for pans or plates are a great space-saving alternative too.’

s Floor-to-ceiling cupboards accentuate the height of the space, making it feel roomy while offering plenty of storage to stow food essentials. Paint in a vibrant shade for an energising pop of colour

Melissa Klink, Head of Design, Harvey Jones

Compact kitchen in Soho gloss light grey, from £1,350, Benchmarx Kitchens

s This clever drainer extends to provide as little – or as much – room as you need with a spout that steers water to your sink Joseph Joseph extend expandable dish drainer, £54.99, Lakeland

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Sitting on a compact 60cm frame, this powerful cooker has two ovens – 65 and 35 litre – with defrost and dough-proving functions, plus an easy-clean Sterling 600DF in silver, from £855, Stoves enamel finish

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Intelliga Glencoe kitchen, from £1,864 for eight units, Wickes

Tips and tricks to make your small kitchen feel bigger

Tall metal factory stool, £145, The Farthing

s Jazz up your breakfast bar with up-to-date industrial seating

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A lift-up cupboard door needs less clearance space in a tight space Measuring just 450mm wide, this svelte dishwasher delivers the same performance as a full-size model.

It can fit 10 place settings, has flexible loading options, is super silent and available free-standing or integrated Slimline dishwasher (HSFO 3T223 W X UK), £419.99, Hotpoint

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s State-of-the-art ‘floating’ units are ideal for a limited floor plan.

Wall-hung cabinetry plays with the eyeline to give the illusion of space while stacked industrial open shelving continues the theme

This bijoux maker will brew all your favourite coffees A Modo Mio Deséa, £199, Lavazza

Bella Glenn, Design Expert at Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, has the low-down on how to make the most of a compact kitchen If you have a small space, you don’t have to abandon your idea of a dream kitchen. With clever planning and a few tricks, you can maximise the space available and add impact STICK TO STREAMLINED An uncluttered look is key so opt for handleless cabinets that don’t confuse or draw the eye, and maintain the clean lines needed to open up a space. Benchmarx’s new True Handleless collection has only one rail fitting at the top of the cabinetry with push-open drawers below for a neat finish, removing the need for a second rail which can break up the clean lines.

LIGHTEN UP Pale and muted shades are ideal for compact spaces as they reflect light back into the room. However white can feel stark and clinical in an open-plan area, so look out for soft greys which work well with lounge furnishings for a seamless finish. A pale worktop will also reflect light. A great trick to give the illusion of more space is to continue a worktop up the wall as a splashback or upstand to blur the lines between where the worktop ends and the wall starts.

FURNITURE FOOTPRINT Make the most of valuable floor space by choosing slim breakfast bars and narrow tables which will also offer the functionality that you need. Even if you struggle to comfortably fit in an island unit, a breakfast bar or split-level solution that leads into open plan living areas can give the same impression.

PLAN YOUR APPLIANCES A good kitchen designer will advise how you can integrate appliances so that you can free up storage in other parts of your kitchen. Opt for built-in solutions, stack ovens vertically, or opt for compact designs that will offer the same performance as their free-standing counterparts.

SAVVY STORAGE If you’re looking to maximise storage, then solid cupboard fascias are a must, as they will enable you to instantly hide away contents. Don’t be afraid to combine low-level storage with glass-fronted cupboards or open shelving to add a feeling of space. Lift-open cupboard doors are also a great option where space is limited as they need less clearance space.

Other clever ideas include a pull-out larder or corner pantry unit. When it comes to internal organisation, integrated carousels allow you to locate utensils quickly while pan drawers provide the depth needed to store larger items while keeping them accessible. You can also make the most of every inch of your cupboard space with concealed drawers, pull-out wire shelves and storage baskets too. l For further information, visit www.benchmarxkitchens.co.uk.

Zerox XT kitchen, from £15,000, Rotpunkt

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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Dry laundry indoors

with less hassle

Hanging clothes out on the line isn’t possible all year round, so make life easier with a tumble dryer or washer-dryer

D

uring the winter months, indoor airers full of damp clothes are a common sight in UK homes. If you have the space, a tumble dryer is the perfect solution, and the latest models are much more energy efficient than they used to be. Most come with a range of programmes and cycles to help protect and care for your clothes, including ones to help with allergy symptoms, so they’re often a great investment for your family.

If space is limited, consider a washer-dryer combination instead. Here are some of our best buys and top tips…

Ideal

PUSH&GO BI WDIL 7125 UK for busy BUILT-IN WASHER DRYER, INDESIT Price £396 families Energy rating B Capacity 7kg wash; 5kg dry Push&Go is a convenient one-button system that begins a dedicated cycle without having to adjust any of the settings or even pressing start. It’s a great addition if you’re always short on time. This machine’s 14 programmes include special cycles for sports kits, duvets and woollen items.

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Condenser, heat pump or vented?

If you can fit a vent in an outside wall or hang the tumble dryer hose out of an open window or door, consider a vented dryer.

These remove the damp air produced by the drying process and discharge it outside to prevent condensation. If you prefer the freedom of being hose-free, and can install your tumble dryer in a well-ventilated room, consider a condenser dryer. They separate water from the moist air into a container which you empty after drying.

One with heat-pump technology can also help to save energy.

If you have limited space and can’t fit a permanent vent into an outside wall, a washer-dryer could be your best option.

They have a wet condenser system that uses cold water for the drying process.

For more info visit www.johnlewis.com.

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ZANUSSI ZDC8203WZ Great CONDENSER TUMBLE price DRYER, JOHN LEWIS Price £319 Energy rating B Capacity 8kg With no need for any outside ventilation, this condenser model is a hassle-free option. The extra-large door makes loading and unloading easier, especially when it comes to items such as duvets and blankets. With seven different programmes, there’s sure to be one to suit your drying needs.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

TDB230 WP HEAT PUMP DRYER, MIELE Price around £799 Energy rating A++ Capacity 7kg Dry laundry gently and evenly with this machine, which features Miele’s signature honeycomb drum. Programmes include Delicates, ideal for taking care of synthetic fibres, and Express, for quick drying of smaller loads. It’s compatible with Miele’s Fragrance Flacons, which keep your laundry smelling fresh for up to four weeks.

BUYER’S GUIDE 7000 SERIES INTEGRATED WASHERDRYER, AEG Price around £729.99 Energy rating A Capacity 8kg wash; 4kg dry This built-in model uses ProSense technology to adjust washing and drying times according to the size of the load, increasing efficiency and protecting clothes from the wear and tear caused by excessive washing and drying. Meanwhile, ProSteam adds steam at the end of a cycle, reducing wrinkles by up to a third. You can have an outfit ready to wear in just one hour with the NonStop 60-minute programme, which enables small loads to be washed and dried quickly in a single cycle.

FRESHCARE+ FWDD117168W WASHER-DRYER, WHIRLPOOL Price around £649.99 Energy rating A Capacity 11kg wash; 7kg dry Boasting an enormous 11kg washing capacity, this washer-dryer is a great choice for households with lots of laundry. It features a super-fast 45-minute wash and dry cycle, and also benefits from the new Whirlpool FreshCare+ technology. FreshCare+ gently massages laundry with regular, slow large drum movements alternated with injections capacity of steam. This combination penetrates the fibres, minimising creasing and keeping laundry odour-free.

Allergy friendly

Expert advice Leading domestic appliance manufacturer Hoover has these top tips to help keep your tumble dryer in tip-top condition CLEAN THE LINT FILTER This should be cleaned after every use, simply by gently ‘scraping’ lint from the internal surface of the filter. Failure to do so will result in a build-up of lint which has the potential to cause a fire. The filter is usually located just inside the door, rim or behind a panel at the front of the machine – but remember to make sure the appliance has cooled down before you clean it.

LIGHTEN THE LOAD Overloading the tumble dryer will make the appliance ineffective because clothes won’t be able to move freely around the drum. It’ll use more energy too, so try not to pack in too much so that the clothes can make the most of the hot air.

ENSURE POCKETS ARE EMPTY AND CLOTHES ARE CLEAN Leaving small items in garment pockets can be very dangerous in a washing machine or tumble dryer, so make sure all are emptied before washing or drying. If you’re using your tumble dryer to freshen up clothes (see tip below), it’s important that they are clean before running a cycle.

CHECK THE WATER RESERVOIR REGULARLY (CONDENSER DRYERS ONLY) While some models collect excess water within a canister in the appliance door, which is therefore easy to monitor, most reservoirs are hidden within the appliance casing, usually within the plinth. The amount of water collected will depend on regularity of use and dampness of clothes, so it’s important to check and empty the reservoir as often as you can.

CLEAN THE HEAT EXCHANGER (CONDENSER DRYERS ONLY) Often located behind the bottom plinth, the easiest way to clean the heat exchanger is to give it a rinse. Water will remove any fluff, however it’s important to make sure it’s dry before putting it back, so leave it in a safe place to dry naturally.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION Tumble dryers can cause humidity, so situating it in a place with good ventilation will reduce the chance of the appliance overheating. Dryers located in a warm room will use less energy and those in a cold area will use more.

ACTIVECARE NT M11 82XB HEAT PUMP TUMBLE DRYER, HOTPOINT Price £479.99 Energy rating A++ Capacity 8kg This heat pump dryer has an adjustable dryness level, so you can select the level of residual moisture left in the clothes after drying – choose from Iron Dry, Hanger Dry, Cupboard Dry and Extra Dry. Its A++ energy rating is achieved by heat pump technology, which recycles warm air until clothes are perfectly dry. If you or someone in your family suffers with allergies, there’s a dedicated cycle that’s approved by Allergy UK.

TOP TIP You can use a dryer to freshen up clothes too, as well as remove creases from shirts. To do the latter, pop a couple of ice cubes in the drum, along with the shirts (maximum three) to get them crease-free.

For information about Hoover’s innovative appliances, please visit www.hoover.co.uk.

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Experience an invigorating shower like no other - saving you water, energy and money! ntroducing the Jetstorm – best seller from our groundbreaking range of revolutionary water-e efficient shower heads from Ecocamel. With several years of scientific research, we have been able to produce a shower head that instantly increases performance to create an exhilarating shower experience, whilst using significantly less water.

So confident are we that you’ll love your new powerful Jetstorm Shower Head, we’re offering a 30-day money back guarantee*. Plus for a limited time only you can buy 2 Jetstorm Shower Heads for the price of one - saving you £29.95.

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Water

by Robin Whitfield

The Jetstorm will fit your standard hose however if your hose is old then you may want to replace it as hoses can become clogged up over time and impair water flow.

1.5 Metres • Chrome Plated •• Length: Standard fit no tools required • Made from Stainless Steel

Start enjoying your new powerful shower today and begin to save water, energy and money!

Call 0208 211 3666 or visit ecocamel.com/sn24

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Or fill out the order form below and send to: ECOCAMEL Ltd, Dephna House, 24-26 Arcadia Ave, London, N3 2JU Use an Ecocamel shower head for 30 days - if you are dissatisfied for any reason, then please return to us for a full refund.

YES please send me my: £59.90 £29.95 2 Jetstorms + 2 FREE Jetstorms - Save £59.90 £119.90 £59.90 Stainless Steel Shower Hose - Standard £9.95 Stainless Steel Shower Hose - For Low Pressure Systems £14.95 1 Jetstorm + 1 FREE Jetstorm - SAVE £29.95

I enclose a Cheque/PO made payable to Ecocamel Ltd or pay by credit/debit card: Card No. Start Date

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Add £3.95 for P&P if your order is under TOTAL £45 - FREE P&P on orders over £45 Post to: ECOCAMEL Ltd, Dephna House, 24-26 Arcadia Ave, London, N3 2JU

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The droplets – now bursting with air – are so much lighter than normal and, rather than just bouncing off you, they saturate and spread all over your body – a sensational experience.

2 Jetstorms only

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Give an old console table a new look with copper patina paint

Make a set of bright desk accessories Our team of experts share their DIY advice

e’re all about colour this month with a host of bright and beautiful projects ready to create. We’ve made a quick and easy rainbow rag quilt, crafted a set of handy desk accessories and given an old console table a new lease of life as a copper-efect dressing table. Plus our team of experts give their DIY guidance and we share the latest crafty news.

W

MAKE, DO & CRAFT CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

Don’t miss the latest craft news, workshops and book releases

ASK THE EXPERTS

DIY MASTERCLASS

Stitch a colourful rainbow rag quilt

SEW SIMPLE

REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE

y s a e MAKE IT

Make, do & Get organised with these home office must-haves

Acrylic calendar Stay on top of important dates with this year-round organiser

SHOPPING LIST l two pre-drilled 3mm thick 45cm Perspex squares, £21.36, Perspex Sheet l ruler l washi tape, £6 for a pack of 11 colours, Hobbycraft l scissors l Watercolour Dreams 12in paper pad, £10, Hobbycraft l pencil l hot glue l 5mm nuts and bolts, from a

selection at B&Q

out one of your squares of acrylic and remove the plastic membrane from its top.

1CutLay and stick strips of washi tape across the sheet to form a five by seven square grid, placing it 12cm down from the top edge (this will allow space for the month and letters of the week to sit above the grid).

Draw and cut out the letters M, T, W, F, and S from a sheet of card and use them as templates to cut a letter for each day of the week from the patterned paper. Work on the reverse of the paper to keep a neat finish.

Position each letter above one column of the grid and glue into position. Cut a 4cm x 18cm rounded-edge rectangle and stick this above the letters – this is where the month will be written.

Remove both sides of the plastic membrane from your second sheet of acrylic and place it on top of your decorated sheet, ensuring there’s no dust or mess between them.

Use nuts and bolts inserted through each of the pre-drilled holes to hold the two layers together tightly, sandwiching the decoration inside.

Finally, remove the last plastic membrane from the back of the calendar to finish.

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Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

1

Top tip When ordering your Perspex, make sure to specify that you need a 5mm hole drilled in each corner of both sheets.

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Unicorn plush toy, £15, Talking Tables.

Ice cream friend card, £1.75, Rex London.

Dino ring holder, £6, Paperchase

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3

Rainbow letter rack

1

Keep track of your post with this colourful little letter holder

SHOPPING LIST l A4 plywood sheets, £9.99 for a pack of three, Amazon l pencil l pair of compasses l sharp craft knife l sandpaper l PVA glue l paintbrush l Watercolour Dreams 12in paper pad, £10, Hobbycraft l scissors l balsa cement, £3.49 for

24ml, Amazon

2

by drawing out your rainbow shapes onto sheets of 3mm thick plywood. Use a 1pairBegin of compasses to draw three half-moon shapes – one 20cm wide, one 14cm wide and one 10cm wide. Use a sharp craft knife or a saw to cut them out, then sand the edges of each to smooth them. Finally, cut a 10cm x 21cm rectangle to act as the base.

Lay your largest half-moon shape onto a sheet of red/pink coloured paper from the Watercolour Dreams pack and draw around it.

Repeat to cut a slightly smaller piece from pink paper. Do the same with the middle-sized half moon, cutting one yellow and one slightly smaller green piece of paper. Finally, do the same with the smallest half moon, cutting one pale blue, one medium blue, and one purple piece of paper.

Use PVA glue to fix the paper onto the wooden shapes, layering them up in size order.

With each of your half moon shapes covered, stick them to the base. Lay the base flat and use balsa cement applied along the bottom flat edge of each half moon to secure them onto it, holding each one for a few minutes whilst the glue cures.

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Pencils set, £1.50; rainbow eraser, £2.95, both Rex London. Watermelon planter, £10, Paperchase

Plaster paperweights Make a cute display with these delicate paperweights by using your pliers to bend a length of copper wire into a hand shape, making sure 1thatBegin the two ends of the wire extend down by around 5cm beneath the shape of the hand.

Bend the bottom centimetre of each end of the wire back on itself.

Mix up a jug of plaster of Paris according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place a large square ice cube tray down on a flat surface and pour the plaster into it. Gently tap the outside of the tray to release any bubbles.

While the plaster is still wet, push the wire hand into it, positioning it in the middle of the cube. Hold it in place for a few minutes until it starts to set. Leave for 24 hours to set completely, then release from the tray to finish.

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3

SHOPPING LIST l copper 2mm wire, £2.50 for 2m, Hobbycraft l jewellery pliers, £6.50 for a set of three, Hobbycraft l plaster of Paris, £3.50 for 1kg, Hobbycraft l jug l water l large square ice cube moulds, £9.99 for

Cards, £1.25 each; pencils, £1.50; rainbow sticky notes, £3.95; happy cloud A6 note book, £1.95, all Rex London. Terrazzo planter, £15; ‘Only Love Here’ note book, £6, both Paperchase

a set of two, Amazon

Top tip Thread a straw through the top of the hand and balance it between two pint glasses to hold your wire in place while the plaster sets.

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MAKE, DO & CRAFT

Top tip For a neat finish, paint the edges of your half-moon shapes to match the rainbow colours.

REVAMP, REPAIR,

Recycle

Turn a console unit into a space-saving dressing table with a metallic finish

3 5

4 7

B

edrooms can often be short on spare space, but having a place to sit down and get ready for the day is something many of us aspire to.

We took an old console and revamped it to create a narrow dressing table that’s perfect for smaller spaces.

You will need 3console table, £20, eBay 3clean cloth 3plywood 3tape measure 3pencil 3saw 3sand paper 3drill 3screws 3Frog Tape 3Artisan Copper Effect paint, £12 for 250ml, Craig & Rose 3paintbrush 3black chalk paint 3Artisan Copper Patina Effect, £8 for 250ml, Craig & Rose 3sponge

1

Begin by preparing your console table for work. Ours was in good condition and so didn’t need much doing to it, but older or more damaged pieces may need sanding to remove any old paint or varnish. Once ready, clean all over with a damp cloth, then leave to dry. We removed the glass top from ours and set it aside safely.

2 Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

Make the two internal dividers. Measure the height and depth of the internal space of the table and cut two pieces of plywood to fit.

Sand the edges of each to smooth them off.

6

3

With the copper paint drying, we peeled away the Frog Tape from the wicker tabletop and applied used two coats of black chalk paint to colour the wicker, leaving it to dry thoroughly afterwards.

4

When the copper paint is touch dry (around two hours after application), apply the patina solution. Pour a little into a bowl and use a clean sponge to pat the liquid onto the copper, making sure not to soak it too much. The patina effect will develop over time – watch it as it goes and add more as and when needed.

On the bottom shelf of the table, measure and mark two points, each one 30cm in from the side edges of the shelf.

This is where your dividers will sit. Place them in position then use screws to secure, working up into it from the underside of the shelf and horizontally in from the front and back of the upper edge of the table.

Before

5

With the basic body of the shelving complete, it’s time to decorate it.

We used Frog Tape to cover the wicker of the internal table top. We then applied two coats of Artisan Copper Effect paint, dragging the brush in random patterns after the colour was applied as described in the manufacturer’s instructions to create a realistic copper finish.

Make the shelves. Cut and sand two pieces of plywood, making each one 30cm long and as wide as your table is from front to back. Put each one into position, placing them half way up the table. If your table is taller (or you want to create smaller shelves), cut and add more shelves to suit.

7 8

With the patina effect complete, replace the glass on top of the table and add a basket to each of the shelves to finish.

Top tip

REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE

Don’t use varnish to finish the dressing table – this can have an adverse effect on the copper patina effect.

Circular hanging mirror, £20; Fifth Avenue cream magnolia in smoked glass vase, £28, both Dunelm. Byholma baskets, £6 each; Fejka artificial potted plant, £6, both IKEA. The Flower Lady scented candle in fine china, £45, Chase & Wonder.

Brass trinket box, £25; perfume bottles, £14.95 each, all Rex London

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Make your sofa stand out with this rainbow

R

ag quilts are among our favourite types of patchwork to create – they’re fast and simple to make and look fantastic. They’re also ideal for beginners as they don’t require any specialised stitching techniques.

We used ten different shades to create this double-bed-sized quilt that looks just as fabulous draped over a chair, too.

You will need cardboard ruler pencil scissors 2m each of Coral Emblem, Golden Token, Coquelicot Fire, Apple Pop, Watermelon Bar, Titan Violet, Cobalt Star, Legend Lake, Jade Arrow, and Character Sky from the Icon Elements cotton fabric collection designed

by AGF Studio 6m brushed cotton pins dressmaker’s chalk sewing machine and threads in colours to match your fabric 10m black bias binding tape

1

Begin by creating your template. From a piece of cardboard, cut a 10in square.

Having a template means that each of your squares will be exactly the same size, which is vital when making a quilt.

2

Use the template to cut 20 squares from each coloured fabric, and 100 squares from brushed cotton. Layer them up in sets of three, with a square of coloured fabric placed right side down, a square of brushed cotton on top, then another square of the same coloured fabric, right side up, on the top. Use pins to hold each fabric sandwich together.

3

Use a ruler and a piece of dressmaker’s chalk to draw two diagonal lines across each fabric sandwich, going from corner to corner. Work a straight machine top stitch along each line, working through all three layers and making sure to use a thread colour that matches the fabric well. Repeat until each of your fabric sandwiches has an ‘X’ stitched over it.

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2

Lay out your first row of squares in colour order – purple first, then dark blue, light blue, turquoise, green, yellow, orange, red, rust, and finally pink. Place the first two squares together with right sides facing out and stitch along one side, leaving a 1in seam allowance.

rag quilt

5

Repeat step four to add the next square in the row, then the next, until all ten are joined together. Use a sharp pair of dressmaker’s shears to trim the seam allowances between each square back to 1.5cm, then snip into them at 2cm intervals.

6

Make the second row of squares.

To do this, lay them out in the same colour order as the first row, then take the purple square and move it to the end of the sequence instead of the beginning. Stitch the squares together then trim and snip the seam allowances as before. Repeat to make all ten rows, moving the square sequence along one from the row before each time.

7

Pin the first and second rows together and stitch to join them, once again leaving a 1in seam allowance. Trim the allowance back and snip into it at 2cm intervals as before.

Repeat to join all ten rows together.

8

Pin and stitch a length of black bias binding tape all around the edge of the quilt to conceal and finish the edges.

Once stitched, machine wash your quilt then tumble dry to fluff up the snipped seams and create the finished rag effect.

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Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

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Top tip

SEW SIMPLE

Add a length of pompom trim to the edge of your quilt to give it an added pop of colour.

Hot pink and gold lampshade, £45; Montana velvet table lamp, £69, both Graham and Green.

Frida Kahlo cushion, £35, Talking Tables

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DIY

masterclass Walls in Feature Wall emulsion in Dance Fever, from £13 per 1.25l; skirting in Easyclean matt emulsion in 200 Pure Brilliant White, from £22 per 2.5l, both Crown Paints

S Feature Emma Thompson Step-by-step images Wickes

Fit new skirting boards – it’s easier than you think

kirting boards hide unsightly wall and floor joins while protecting your plasterboard. However, they’re also an opportunity to up the quality and elegance of your home and come in so many design choices, with intricately detailed styles to fit traditional period properties, sleek minimalist profiles for contemporary homes and everything in between. If you’d like to refresh your rooms from the bottom up, read on to save big on professional installation.

YOU’LL NEED Essential l Skirting boards l measuring tape l pencil l stud and cable detector tool l mitre box l tenon saw or fine-tooth panel saw l coping saw l sand paper l PVA glue l grab adhesive l hammer l 40mm lost-head nails l nail punch l drill l 6mm masonry bit l countersink bit l 6mm wall plugs l 4mm screws l wood filler l flexible decorator’s caulk Useful l Wood preserver l mitre saw l wood file l block plane l hardwood scrap l block plane l nail gun l masking tape l primer l paint l lint-free cloth

Get ready n Soft woods such as pine can be varnished

or painted and sanded back repeatedly. This is great if you’re likely to change your décor again. Sturdy MDF is resistant to warping and is often offered pre-primed or pre-finished so can only be painted – but it’s really low-maintenance and affordable.

Remember to apply wood preserver to any unfinished boards before you fit them. n To find out how much material you need to buy, simply measure the length of all the walls and add them together. Buy about 10 per cent extra to cover the offcuts. n Although it might seem easier to paint the skirting before attaching it to the wall, you’ll need to leave the paint to fully cure (around 30 days) before working with it or you’ll risk ruining your hard work. n When fitting, work around the room starting from the side of a door, going clockwise from the right side or anticlockwise from the left.

MAKE A MITRED JOINT FOR EXTERNAL CORNERS

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2

top tip Fit skirting boards before laying a new carpet or painting the walls but after having wooden flooring installed or new wallpaper hung.

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n Measure the distance to the next corner

and mark this on to the top-back edge of the skirting. Roughly mark a 45° line in the direction of the cut – it will make the front longer than the back [1]. n Secure the skirting into a mitre box with the front side facing you. Match up your direction marking with the cutting guide then make the 45° mitre cut [see 3, opposite]. If unsure, it’s better to make it a little too long – you can plane off more but you can’t add it back on. n Place the right-hand side of the next length in the mitre box and use the other 45° guideline to shape the end without taking much length off [2]. Lightly sand the cut ends then hold them together to check that the ends fit neatly. Make small adjustments with a block plane if needed to achieve a good fit. n Once you are happy with this join, cut the other end of the board to length and the appropriate angle. Glue the external top tip corners When securing your skirting together to ensure in a mitre box, protect softer a neat join boards with a scrap of hard before wood between the board attaching and the thumbscrews. them to the wall.

top tip

MAKE A SCRIBED JOINT FOR INTERNAL CORNERS

A mitre saw would make quicker work of the cuts if you have one, but it isn’t necessary to buy one if you don’t do a lot of woodwork.

n Measure the distance to the next corner and

mark this onto the top-back edge of the skirting.

Secure it in a mitre box, propping the other end of the skirting on spare boards to keep it straight while you cut. n Use a tenon or fine tooth panel saw to cut it straight across. It should butt neatly against the corner. Fix this to the wall before moving on to the next length – this will help you get more accurate measurements and a better fit. n With the front facing you, place the right-hand side of the next length in the mitre box and use the 45° guideline to shape the end so that the front is shorter than the back [3]. Trace a pencil along the front edge, where the mitre cut starts, to highlight the profile [4]. n Secure the board and use a coping saw to remove material from the back of the skirting board, being careful not to take any material off the top or front face [5]. n Test the scribed skirting in the corner against the previous piece and make any adjustments using a coping saw, sand paper or a file until you achieve a good fit [6]. Only once you are happy with this join, cut the other end of the board to length and the appropriate angle.

3 5

JOIN LENGTHS OF SKIRTING BOARD

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Finishing up the wall n Use a filler knife to smooth wood filler into

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any holes and joins. When fully dry, sand lightly until smooth. Make sure your chosen filler is suitable for painting or staining. If you’ll be staining the boards, match the filler to the stain, not the natural wood colour. n To cover the small gap between the skirting and wall, load a cartridge gun with flexible decorator’s caulk and run a thin line along the top of the skirting [10]. Wipe away any excess with a damp cloth and leave to set according to the instructions on the tube. n Protect walls and flooring by using painter’s tape and dust sheets. Lightly sand the skirting, remove the dust with a lint-free cloth then apply wood primer according to the instructions. You can skip this step if you have bought pre-primed boards. Once dry, follow with two coats of a good-quality paint that can withstand knocks and scuffs.

top tip to sink them just below the surface [8].

Repeat wherever necessary along the board.

For about a month after n If fixing to a masonry wall, use a pipe and painting skirting, don’t push n Spread grab adhesive evenly across the back cable detector beforehand to check that it’s furniture against the boards of the board then press it in place, following safe to drill. Put a 6mm masonry drill bit into and take care not to knock the manufacturer’s instructions [7]. Coat cut your drill. Measure the length of the plugs plus ends at external corners with PVA or wood into them so the paint the thickness of your skirting board then mark glue to stick them together. can cure fully. off the total on your drill bit with masking tape. n You’re likely to have to use extra fixings to Starting 5cm from the corner, and 2.5cm from close up gaps where the wall isn’t straight. the top and bottom of the board, drill through Knock on the wall. If it sounds hollow, it’s the skirting and wall, stopping when you reach plasterboard, if it’s solid it’s a masonry wall. the tape. Repeat at 50cm intervals. Switch to n On plasterboard walls, use a stud detector a countersink drill bit and go back over each to locate the vertical timber hole. Tap a 6mm wall plug into studs. Hammer a 40mm each until you feel resistance, lost-head nail through [9] then screw in a 4mm top tip the top and bottom countersink screw so the Mark the position of old fixings of the board at the head is below the surface onto the new skirting boards. You’ll centre of each stud of the skirting. save time by placing the screws then use a nail punch or nails where you already know works. www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

FIT TO THE WALL

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DIY MASTERCLASS

If you don’t have a piece of skirting long enough for one of your walls, simply join shorter pieces together. Cut the ends that will join together at 45° in the same direction. Sand both cut ends smooth then coat in PVA glue before pressing together to make one long piece. After securing to the wall, cover the join with filler. Leave to dry and sand lightly before painting for an invisible join.

experts We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the experts

Q

With a busy family our wallpaper gets easily marked with sticky fingerprints, crayon and scuffs. How do you recommend we clean it?

Susan Emery, Essex

A

Alex Whitecroft, Head of Design at I Want Wallpaper, has the following tips…

The good news is that most wallpaper can easily be cleaned without damaging it: Pick a washable wallpaper Look out for vinyl or acrylic designs which can be scrubbed with mild detergents and are very hard-wearing.

Look for the labels Before cleaning, check the instructions that came with the wallpaper. All of I Want Wallpaper’s products are supplied with symbols that signify recommended detergents, and even how much pressure to apply.

Do a patch test Before applying detergent, find a discreet spot and test the solution to avoid costly damage.

Be sparing Too much cleaning fluid can attract dirt and leave stains. Dip the sponge in soapy water and wring out excess moisture until it is just slightly damp.

Be methodical Start at the top left corner and wipe with soapy water using gentle downward motions. After cleaning a strip, use clean water (and a fresh cloth) to remove excess soap.

Always rinse the sponges and change the water regularly.

Towel dry Dabbing with a towel as you go will gently absorb any leftover moisture and limit the risk of water marks.

For more information about how to remove tough stains such as grease, crayon and food, visit www.iwantwallpaper.co.uk.

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I’ve heard that softened water is kinder to skin and hair and means you use less products. Can you explain the benefits of a water softener?

Angela, Staffordshire

A

Mark Nepstad, Managing Director of Kinetico UK, offers the following tips…

Soft water has huge benefits for skin and hair, whereas hard water contains limescale which reacts badly with shower gels, shampoos and conditioners. Installing a Kinetico softening system allows your beauty products to lather, cleanse and rinse as intended, leaving skin soft and hair silky and manageable. The benefits don’t stop there. From clothes and linens to appliances, even your morning cuppa, softened water makes a huge difference throughout every room in your home! As limescale is eradicated you’ll use less cleaning products too – in fact, the average household with a water softener saves around £400 a year. It’s non-electric so there’s no wiring or power required and running costs are low. A water softener needs to be plumbed in above the main stopcock and fits neatly under your kitchen sink, in your basement, garage or utility room. Kinetico works on a twin-tank basis, so at no point is there any hard water circulating in your system, depositing damaging limescale and scum. Installation is quick and easy and Kinetico offers a 10-year guarantee. A Kinetico softener costs from £649; for more information, visit www.kinetico.co.uk.

Q

I live in a rural location without access to mains gas. Are there any renewable options for home heating that aren’t going to cost a fortune to install?

Betty Wilson, Totnes

A

Mark Cleaver, National Sales Manager at Calor Gas, points out…

Renewable options, such as air source heat pumps and solar PV, can be costly to install but there is another option. BioLPG is made from a mix of renewable and sustainably sourced raw materials, reducing your carbon footprint for home heating by 38 per cent compared to oil.* Even better, BioLPG works with standard LPG systems, boilers and appliances, which cost less to buy and fit than other renewables. For example, a gas storage tank ranges from £250 to £1,800, while LPG boilers start from around £400. Compare this to air-source heat pump installation which can cost £11,000, ground source heat pumps that can cost £10,000 to £18,000, or the average initial investment of £4,000 to £6,000 for Solar PV, and it’s clear to see which system is kinder to your bank balance. BioLPG is efficient too – it’s not dependent on environmental conditions to function effectively and many BioLPG boilers achieve efficiencies of 90 per cent or more. It’s also easy to refill as auto-ordering technology on the tanks monitors your gas levels and schedules a top up when needed. To find out more about LPG and BioLPG and future-proofing your rural heating, call 0808 159 7864, or visit www.calor.co.uk.

*www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/lpg-boiler-guide-pros-cons-costs

Ask the

Q

I’m shopping around for a wood-burning stove to be installed in time for autumn.

What type of model should I consider as I’ve heard there are new guidelines coming into force relating to emissions.

Peter Grade, Bedfordshire

A

Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS, the only specialist organisation approving biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services, says…

Planning ahead is the first step to enjoying all the benefits of a wood-burning stove. By 2022 all models

must be compliant with the European wide programme to lower emissions – meaning they need to burn wood more efficiently and completely. Defra Exempt and Ecodesign appliances are available in a wide range of styles and have been engineered to reduce emissions by 80 to 90 per cent compared to open fires and old stoves. When shopping for your wood-burning stove, look for a model that carries the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, a stamp of approval by the Stove Industry Alliance and supported by HETAS. Also, you can reduce smoke and pollution further by burning quality, dry logs which give off a more efficient heat. Be sure to use seasoned logs or look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo on pre-packaged fuel which ensures wood contains up to 20 per cent moisture content.

Installing the right size stove is critical for comfort, efficiency and clean burning. For advice on choosing the right one for your home, contact your local HETAS registered Installer. They will also be able to advise on vents, fuel capacity, maintenance, carbon monoxide and government regulations.

For more information, visit www.hetas.co.uk.

Feature Alice Butler

Q

Q

We need more space for our growing family but can’t afford to move. Can you explain how we can bring light into our dark loft?

Fiona Bains, Woodbridge Grant Sneddon, Daylight Expert at Velux, says…

If you’re running out of space and need another room in your home one option is to convert an unused attic or loft which will also increase the value of your property. You could add an extra bedroom, create a home office or make the perfect kid’s playroom. Whatever the purpose of the space, the most important things to consider are daylight and fresh air. For lofts where space is already at a premium, choosing the right roof windows is essential. Top-hung designs are ideal for loft conversions as they open outwards, creating uninterrupted views and a feeling of extra space. To bring in just the right amount of natural daylight, we recommend that your windows should take up an area equal to 15 to 20 per cent of the room’s floor space. For instance, a loft with 20 sq m of floor space would greatly benefit from four Velux MK06 windows. Plus, to help you plan, the Velux

online visualisation tool MyDaylight App allows you to see what a conversion could look like with windows, roof windows, skylights and even decorative finishes, creating a digital simulation of the final result. Velux Centre pivot roof windows are ideal for roof pitches between 15° and 90° and available from £243; Velux top-hung windows are suitable for roof pitches between 15° and 55°, plus between 55° and 75° with special springs and are available from £354. For more information, visit www.velux.co.uk.

ASK THE EXPERTS

A

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Hubert Burda Media UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex CO4 9HU or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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WORKSHOP

craft stash musts have Check out the latest crafting news, workshops and brilliant buys

LEARN A SKILL:

Photo Terry Benson and James Gardiner © CICO Books

Knooking Part crochet and part knitting, ‘knooking’ is the perfect way to combine two fibre favourites.

For those wishing to learn this trendy new skill, Get Knooking by Laura Strutt (£12.99, Cico Books) is the ideal introduction.

Featuring 35 fantastic projects, the makes span from simple purses and armwarmers right through to colour block pillows and beautiful ombré shawls.

CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

Feature Sophie Tarrant

In the bag Keeping your projects safe and organised while on the move needn’t be dull with this gorgeous new tote from artist Laura Lee. Having grown up playing with buttons and ribbons in the back room of her mother’s haberdashery shop in the 80s, Laura took inspiration from those memories when creating this fun illustration which features rainbow threads, bright knitting needles, pin cushions and more. Priced £10, each bag also comes with a matching miniature sewing kit tag. For more details and to purchase your own, visit www.lauraleedesigns.co.uk.

The Studio, Ipswich This new creative space is surrounded by charming period properties and independent artisans, making it the perfect location for a wide range of crafty workshops and events. From paper cutting to clay sculpture, hand knitting and more, there is sure to be something to spark any crafter’s interest.

Priced from £28; for a full class schedule, visit www.thestudioipswich.co.uk.

LOOK SHARP A good, sharp pair of shears is a vital component of any creative toolkit.

That’s why we think the new Five-in-One Multi Scissors from Any Sharp will make a worthy addition to your stash, whatever your favourite craft. They make light work of the toughest materials with the ability to cut, crush, crack and strip almost anything from fabric and paper through to metal, plastic, and even bone.

Priced £11.89, available from Amazon.

Studio secrets For those who love to delve into the history of crafts, embarking on one of Hand & Lock’s new atelier tours will prove to be a fascinating trip down memory lane. Taking place at the company’s studio in central London, the tour allows visitors to take a dive into the history of Hand & Lock, examining stunning pieces of embroidery and discovering the hidden secrets of goldwork.

Priced £12 per person, the tours take place every weekday.

For full details of the tour, visit www.handembroidery.com.

Saving water is in your hands The Unified Water label is your at a glance guide to high-performance and efficient taps, baths, toilets and showers. The less water you use (and energy needed to heat it) the more energy and money you’ll save.

Unified

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Reader homes

Turn over to discover three fabulous homes filled with ideas and inspiration

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Show of your hard work in Your Home

Jules took a relaxed approach to decorating her home

Have you just finished decorating your home?

If so we’d love to see your photos and, who knows, it may even be featured in a future issue. You can share them on Instagram using #YHlovemyhome and #YourHomemagazine, or email yourhome@burdamagazines.co.uk

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Nikita created a family friendly scheme in an Edwardian property

PLUS IDEAS TO STEAL

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Lucy stepped out of her comfort zone and filled her house with brave, bold colour

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FIND MORE INTERIORS TO INSPIRE YOU AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

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I didn’t want a bland and safe colour scheme Lucy Webb stepped out of her comfort zone and tendency towards neutrals and has successfully braved colour in her maisonette

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his is the first property Lucy Webb has owned – a joint purchase with husband Jamie – and the first time she’s been able to properly indulge in a big decorating project. Having rented in Brighton for many years, Lucy was familiar with the area.

‘Kemptown is still in the city but has a community feel and is also really near the sea,’ she explains. ‘We quickly fell for this top-floor flat as it’s over two floors and felt like a house within a house as all five rooms are spacious with huge windows. And we can just about see the sea if we stick our heads out of the living room window!’

Good idea!

The chalkboard wall, painted in Rust-Oleum’s blackboard paint from Homebase, was inspired by an Instagrammer.

‘Theresa Gromski has great interior ideas and black satisfied my need for a dark colour in here,’ says Lucy. The rest of the kitchen is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green

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September 2019

Make a striking statement with a multi-purpose black chalkboard and decorate with photos and drawings – or even the weekly shopping list.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

At first the couple were happy to live with the pale-grey colour scheme as they were busy setting-up Jamie’s new sports therapy clinic in Brighton. Along the way they got married and later had their daughter, Thea. Lucy began toying with the idea of decorating, but patches of damp in the stairwell raised alarm bells and were traced back to a leaky roof. An unusual discovery then ensued. ‘Chunks of our bedroom wall started coming away and we discovered the walls are built with bungaroosh – a mix of pebbles, stones and sand mixed in with lime that’s almost exclusive to Brighton,’ says Lucy. ‘The building structure is

REAL HOME COME ON IN...

Feature Jane Crittenden Styling Marisha Taylor Photos James French

‘We’re really pleased with the vinyl floor, it’s soft and warm underfoot and only cost £400 to buy and lay in here and the bathroom,’ says Lucy. The flooring is Brighton 431967596 from Avenue of Styles Ultimate Tones Collection.

The Sinnerlig bench and Masterby red foot stool are both from IKEA

OUR HOME Is a two-bedroom first- and top-floor maisonette in a Victorian terrace, built in the 1880s, in Brighton, East Sussex.

I AM Lucy Webb, an interiors blogger (www.banishthebeige.co.uk), and I live here with my husband Jamie, a sports therapist (www.brightonsportstherapy.co.uk), and our daughter, Thea, two.

SHOPS I LOVE Are the second-hand and vintage stores near where I live, such as Era, Room Service and Brighton Flea Market.

I LEARNT That playing with bold colours achieves results – and to not be influenced by other people’s opinions on the subject!

TO RELAX We like an afternoon curled up on the sofa together watching sport on TV – even Thea enjoys the games!

MY BEST BARGAIN Were the two bedside table lamps that cost just £19 each from HomeSense.

WE BOUGHT THE MAISONETTE Because we liked the big rooms and it’s really close to the sea.

wc

Lucy took her cues from the existing stainless-steel splashback and fitted a spice rack and industrial-style shelf on the wall. ‘We couldn’t justify changing the cabinetry so I found ways to work with what we had,’ she says. The vintage food tins are from Snoopers Paradise and the wooden trug is from North Road Timber and Joinery

Bedroom 1

Hall Bedroom 2

FIRST FLOOR

Dining area Lounge

Hall

GROUND FLOOR

Kitchen

For stockists see page 120 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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‘Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue gave me the confidence to go dark as it’s not one solid colour but made-up of varying tones that look different in different lights,’ says Lucy. The mirror is from Graham and Green and the vases are from Keep It Living

‘The living room needed to feel cosy in the evening and not too dark in the day when the sun is pouring in – Farrow & Ball’s Stifkey Blue achieved that.’ completely sound – unless water gets into the walls. We quickly got builders in to fix the leak and pump concrete into the walls for reinforcement.’

Once watertight, Lucy began making plans to decorate the living room where the family spend most of their time. One of the trickiest challenges was giving the space a different identity from day to night to accommodate multi-functional activities of relaxing, eating, playing and entertaining. The starting point was the dark and dramatic blue walls.

The Arlo and Jacob Baradolph sofa is an unobtrusive shape in a grey that melds into the room. Above is IKEA’s Mosslanda shelf. The table lamp is from Marks & Spencer and the nest of tables were made for Lucy’s dad by a friend in the 1970s

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‘The room had no personality and I explored different shades of navy blue, which I wrote about in my first blog post on www.banishthebeige.co.uk,’ says Lucy.

‘The room needed to feel cosy in the evening and not too dark in the day when the sun is pouring in – Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue achieved that.’

Lucy made careful furniture choices in here too, concentrating on size, shape and comfort – then colour and design. ‘The extendable round table is a practical choice and a lovely vintage piece,’ says Lucy. ‘The dining chairs look great in teal, but more importantly they’re comfortable for guests to sit on all evening.’

Thea’s bedroom leads a similar double life as the guest bedroom where the couple have fitted in a double bed as well as her cot. ‘There’s a lot going on in here so

REAL HOME

Good idea!

Paint lining paper with sample colours and move around the room at different times of the day to see the tone variations in natural and artificial light.

A circular mid-century table from Room Service doesn’t impose on the room and extends when guests visit. Hix chairs are from Barker and Stonehouse.

Lucy bought the vintage drawers years ago from Snoopers Paradise

‘I spotted the blue macramé wall hanging on Maisons du Monde’s website and it’s the perfect colour for our room,’ says Lucy. The walls are painted in Little Greene’s French Grey Mid

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In the main bedroom patterned wallpaper, Romo Ilsa in Mimosa W376/01 from Mister Smith Interiors, is complemented by Button & Sprung’s velvet headboard and cushions from Meylor and HomeSense. The table lamp is also from HomeSense and the stool is from Era. The Nukuu frames are from Lavender Room

‘I measured up to make sure I had enough wallpaper stashed away and the rest of the bedroom scheme sprang from that.’

In Thea’s bedroom pretty fairy lights pegged with Polaroid photos are a simple way to decorate a wall. The bed is from Dreams and the pale grey linen frill cushion is from Zara Home

I kept the walls neutral and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath, which has a slight pinky tone in certain lights,’ says Lucy.

In the couple’s bedroom a roll of Romo wallpaper Lucy had stashed under her bed for a couple of years was finally put to use.

‘I loved the blue and yellow floral pattern,’ she says. ‘I measured up first to make sure I bought enough rolls and the rest of the bedroom scheme sprang from that.’

In the bathroom, Lucy refreshed the paintwork and changed the flooring as over the years the lino had become ingrained with grime. The couple knew replacing with tiles or laying planks would have meant major work first of all to level the uneven floorboards and so a forgiving sheet of vinyl was the only answer.

‘We were dubious at first as we thought it might look cheap,’ admits Lucy. ‘But the quality and choice of patterns were impressive – the flooring has absolutely transformed the room.’

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Last on the list was the kitchen, also laid with a sheet vinyl floor, where the couple decided to keep the cupboards and worktops as they’re still in good condition.

Once again, colourful walls inject life into the room, and Lucy chose Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green to complement the wood. ‘It’s a big kitchen for a flat and lovely and sunny in here,’ says Lucy. ‘I added an industrial shelf, artwork and painted one wall with blackboard paint to contrast with the green.’

With every inch of the maisonette now decorated and furnished to suit family life, Lucy and Jamie are really pleased with their efforts. ‘The living room has made the biggest difference – Thea feels as at home in here playing with her toys as we do having friends over for dinner,’ says Lucy.

‘However, we’re bursting at the seams so our next project is to move house again.

We’d like a garden for Thea to play in and I’d like some outdoor space to tackle some creative projects.’ YH

September 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Painting the fireplace white draws out the period details; above the walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath. The wooden letters are all from the Lavender Rooms, as is the star on the wall. The trunk had been Lucy’s mum’s when she was a college student.

6

IDEAS TO STEAL

Use this self-adhesive chalkboard vinyl for an alternative if you don’t fancy painting an entire wall.

Fablon chalkboard sticky back plastic, 45cm x 150cm, £10, Homebase

Copy Lucy’s dark and dramatic living room walls with this affordable inky blue paint match.

GoodHome walls and ceilings wipeable paint in Vence silk emulsion, £12 for 2.5l, B&Q

Good idea!

Patterned wallpaper off-cuts from the same collection in different colourways make an affordable and pretty art arrangement.

Personalise your child’s bedroom like Lucy has done with colourful wooden letters.

The Victorian ‘bungaroosh’ wall structure made the couple wary of tampering with the tiles and instead they refreshed the paintwork and laid a new floor. Lucy decorated with plants from HomeSense and Sainsbury’s and two fish-shaped wooden platters they’d been given as a wedding present. Similar platters can be found at Melody Maison

Personalised wooden name train with five letters, £16, Percy and Nell

Display this handcrafted macramé wall hanging like Lucy has on her bedroom wall.

Macramé Bamboo round wall hanging, £18.99, JakJakHome at Etsy

Pairing teal chairs with navy walls is a winning combination in any dining room.

Eiffel-inspired teal chair, £57.99, Fusion Living

Why choose one botanical-themed artwork when you can have a complementary pair to brighten up a plain bathroom wall?

Floral art prints set, £31.99, Wayfair

We were desperate to move before the baby With only a few months to go before the birth of her son, Nikita Hill managed to find a charming light-filled house that she could turn into her dream home

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nowing her previous home wouldn’t be suitable for two small children, Nikita Hill was on a mission to find a house that had everything on her wish list before her second baby came.

‘We’d moved around a bit and lived in London and Surrey before coming down to the south coast to be closer to family and friends nearly five years ago,’ says Nikita. ‘Although we had a three-bedroom Victorian mid-terrace that we had done up in the Christchurch area of

The back of the living room has its own identity with a wall of shelving painted in Farrow & Ball’s Mole’s Breath and a large rug from La Redoute. ‘I was looking for something to go over the fireplace, and the eye-catching over-sized clock from Cox & Cox hit the spot’

Bournemouth, it was on a very busy road and was really noisy.’

Nikita wanted a detached house somewhere quieter, with off-road parking and an extra bedroom for guests.

REAL HOME

Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles

COME ON IN...

MY HOME IS A four-bedroom detached Edwardian house in Bournemouth, Dorset.

WE ARE Nikita Hill, a jewellery buyer, my husband Sam, a commercial director, and our children, Marnie, five, and Dexter, two.

Good idea!

The neutral walls, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Strong White, are the perfect backdrop for the statement Bluebell sofa and footstool from Sofa.com. ‘To lift the scheme I’ve added little metallic touches, like my open shelving from Cox & Cox’

‘We’d come to really like Bournemouth.

Obviously, you’ve got the sea just minutes away, but there are some great shops,

Elegant open-box shelving is ideal for displaying precious treasures and adds a touch of metallic shimmer.

restaurants and cafés and plenty for young families. Lots of people move out here from London as you get so much more for your money.’

Shortly after putting their house on the market, it was snapped up, and although they found a house to purchase, it fell through. ‘We didn’t want to lose our buyer but I was heavily pregnant at this point, so it was all a bit pressurised.’ When the agent sent them the details for this house, both Nikita and Sam were attracted by the size and space it offered. ‘It had four bedrooms and off-road parking, and was in a good position.

The previous owner was in the building trade and it had been renovated to a high degree. The interior wasn’t to our taste but I could see there was plenty to do inside to put my stamp on it.’

The bench seat from Cotswold Co provides extra storage as well as a handy spot to put on shoes and boots. ‘I was looking for something quirky to hang up our coats and saw the initial hooks at Marks & Spencer – so I bought one for each of us’

MY TOP TIP IS To take your time in choosing colour schemes and furniture: it’s tempting to get over-excited and rush in but it really is best to get to know the place before making any important decisions.

TO RELAX I tidy away the toys in the evening. I can’t switch off with them around!

I then set up the lounge by choosing the right lighting, get the candles going, pop on a face mask and binge on whichever Netflix series I’m into at the time.

THE BEST BIT ABOUT LIVING HERE IS The layout and flow of the house – it’s perfect for us as a family and I feel happy walking into each room. Plus, having the beach on our doorstep is a huge bonus, there’s no better medicine than the sea – and, of course, the children love it too!

FIRST FLOOR Office Bedroom 3 Bathroom

Bedroom 2 Bedroom 1 Kitchen

GROUND FLOOR LIving room

Hall

For stockists see page 120

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REAL HOME The house had been extended and a new kitchen by Rockett Kitchens added five years before, so Nikita wasn’t about to rip it out. ‘I like it as a neutral base and addd my own little touches, including my favourite leopard-print tea towel from @eleanorbowmer’

Giving the children their own corner of the living room keeps their toys in one place. ‘A large storage unit from Great Little Trading Company is handy for tidying everything away and I couldn’t resist the table and chairs from Mmilo’

‘I’ve personalised the space by hanging original artwork

by Gail Mansfield Designs and Wonder and Rah, who are local to me in Bournemouth,’ explains Nikita. The monochrome prints look bold against the plain white walls and furniture

Not having to do major structural work was a major plus at this stage.

‘We moved in when I was eight months pregnant and Marnie was a toddler, so it wouldn’t really have been possible anyway.’

Since moving in in June 2017, Nikita has slowly done up the house room by room, adding her distinctive look. ‘I like colour to be subtle and love the Scandi look, so I play around with different shades of grey and white. And although I’m a big fan of grey, I’m keen to mix in pink, yellow and gold.’

When it came to the master bedroom, Nikita had her eye on a room upstairs at the front of the house. However, it needed the most work, so she created a temporary bedroom in a large room at the back. ‘I decided to go for Farrow & Ball’s Strong

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White throughout the house. It’s soft and calming. This house is incredibly light, which is one of the things that attracted us, so a bright white would have been dazzling.’

Painting one wall in each room a different colour or adding an area of wallpaper is another of Nikita’s signature looks, along with plenty of rugs and a focus on lighting. ‘I love lamps of all shapes and sizes and spend ages choosing the shades. It’s important to me to have options, depending on the mood and time of day. I’m also a huge fan of candles, especially after the children have been put to bed.’

The long rectangular living room was initially quite bland, but has been transformed by painting one end a deep grey. ‘It feels like two different spaces

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

REAL HOME now even though it’s one room, and that was important to me. One part of it is for relaxing and snuggling up on the sofas, and the other end’s a place for reading and has a large children’s area where they can play happily and it can all be tidied away.’

Finishing the master bedroom last year, Nikita decided it was time to give Dexter his own space, swapping him into the bedroom that used to be hers, plus transforming the fourth bedroom into a

guest room and study. ‘I decided to leave the dark-grey wall as it was, as I think it’s quite apt for a boy and not too babyish.

I’ve really enjoyed choosing the furniture and accessories. However, my favourite room is Marnie’s room. I definitely had the most fun designing the space and choosing all her gorgeous accessories. I love settling down with her in the evening to read a book. It’s a very calming, girly space which I certainly would have loved as a five year old!’

‘This house is incredibly light, which is one of the things that attracted us.’

Good idea!

In a neutral kitchen, add pops of colour, such as these canisters, and introduce fresh greenery with a low-maintenance cactus.

The kitchen-diner has plenty of room for a table from Next, and chairs and lights from IKEA. Striped cushions have been added for more comfort www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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REAL HOME

Good idea!

Leaning a large mirror up against the wall gives a vintage touch and a velvet chair adds luxurious texture to any room.

A black metal IKEA bed was the starting point for the scheme and Nikita has added in her usual pinks and greys and plenty of layering. ‘The bedding from Next is so restful and my pompom throw from Laura Ashley is never off the bed’

‘I love lamps of all shapes and sizes and spend ages choosing the shades.’

Highlighting the chimney breast in spotted wallpaper from Mamas and Papas really makes it stand out. ‘My best bargain in here was the teepee for £40 from Aldi!

They love playing in there’

The finish throughout the rooms is professional and immaculate and Nikita had a secret weapon when it came to decorating. ‘My brother is a painter and decorator so it was a nobrainer to use his skills when it came to that. I’m a proud sister as well as a very pleased homeowner.’

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September 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Painting the walls in Farrow & Ball’s Wevet gives a calming feel to Marnie’s bedroom and Nikita has added in plenty of pink to offset the grey. ‘I absolutely love the pink, grey and yellow rug by Lorena Canals and the best thing is it’s washable’

6

IDEAS TO STEAL

Invest in metallic box shelving for an industrial touch and a chance to display plants and favourite items.

Farrington box shelf, £35, Garden Trading

Make tidying up fun, and add interest to your hallway with quirky coat hooks.

Button Up mini coat hooks, £11.50, Red Candy

Baskets are an easy way to add storage.

Rope baskets, from £9 each, Dunelm

The bathroom was fairly new, with a plain white suite and inoffensive neutral tiles, so Nikita felt no need to replace it.

‘Instead I’ve added a large mirror, the Stockholm in walnut from IKEA, and bought some lovely hammam towels from Instagram company @driftlinens’

Choose a Roman blind in a matching colour to the walls for a calming, seamless finish.

Twinkling Stars Cloud Roman blind, from £23.45, Blinds2Go

The hall was the last to be finished earlier this year and now two years on, Nikita has the house she always wanted.

‘It’s a lovely spacious house. I change things around quite often as I love interiors and document it all on my Instagram @all_things_nikita, but at least I know the basics are in place. The biggest challenge overall was taking my own advice to slow down! I spent evenings planning room layouts and choosing furniture before we had even moved in! I knew that to get things right I needed to take one room at a time and get to know the place, the decisions I made this time round needed to be sound and my purchases perfect.’ YH

Rustic industrial round mirror with shelf, £74.95, Melody Maison

Brighten up an existing bathroom with a circular mirror.

Add pink to a girl’s room without having to paint the walls with cute flamingo accessories.

Flamingo bedding set, £25 for a single, Sophie Allport

Jules framed an Art Deco poster to remind them of holidays in France.

‘Our art is all about memories and little nods to our life,’ she says. The table is from John Lewis, the white Eiffel-style chairs are available at Cult Furniture while Garden Trading’s Grand Paris is a similar glass pendant

I didn’t want my home to look boring Jules Davies took a relaxed approach to her project, instinctively layering colour and pattern for a vibrant finish against a backdrop of natural materials

J

ules Davies was brought up by the sea in Kent, so when she and her husband Tim were looking for a change of pace to busy London life, coastal living was at the forefront of Jules’ mind – and Brighton in particular.

‘Coming here felt like a natural move – I have such happy memories of growing up by the sea and of holidays on the Sussex coast visiting my uncle,’ she says. ‘I used to visit my sister at university in Brighton too and I knew there was a buzz about the city and a great mix of people.’

Jules and Tim rented a flat on Hove’s seafront with their children, Florence and Betsy, then seven and four, for a couple of weeks so Tim could test out the

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commute back to London. Quite quickly it became apparent his journey would be more bearable if they were living near a station and so this became the focus of their search.

‘We were living in a Victorian terrace in London and wanted a bit of breathing space,’ says Jules. ‘When we came to see this house it was like walking into a bigger version of where we already lived with all the original period features – it was like coming home.’

Jules and Tim bought the house in August 2011 and focused first on settling the girls in school and re-establishing Jules’ home hairdressing business. The top floor was decorated and kitted out for her

REAL HOME

Feature Jane Crittenden Styling Marisha Taylor Photos James French

COME ON IN...

OUR HOME Is a five-bedroom Edwardian house in Hove, built in the early 1900s.

WE ARE Jules Davies, a hairdresser, and my husband, Tim, who works in 2D special-effects post production. We live here with our daughters, Florence, 14, and Betsy, 11, and Albert, our dog.

MY BEST IDEA Was choosing Little The white kitchen makes a neutral backdrop for the earthy tones in the Dalian Rustic Riven Slate floor from Mandarin Stone. ‘I love the natural organic look, plus it’s practical for the kids and the dog,’ says Jules. ‘We’ve got under-floor heating which makes the room cosy all year around’

Good idea!

PVC sash windows are an affordable alternative to wood and look just as good.

Greene’s paint in Juniper Ash. It’s a lovely warm blue-grey we used in the bathroom and hallway. Lots of my clients love it too and have it in their homes now!

OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE Was trying to keep costs down by buying cheap radiators online. They kept leaking and were cumbersome to manoeuvre downstairs to return them. If we’d bought local it would have been far easier to resolve the problems.

NEXT TO DO Is to make more reclaimed shelves for the brick wall in the stairwell so I can display some plants.

MY ADVICE Is to magpie an interiors idea but make it your own.

Bedroom 4

wc

Bedroom 5

Hall

TOP FLOOR The white Shaker-style kitchen is topped with a wooden worktop from Howdens, providing plenty of storage and food prep areas.

‘I remember seeing a kitchen like this in an American film years ago and the memory stuck with me,’ says Jules. ‘It’s a style and colour that won’t date and doesn’t clash with the texture and tones in the floor tiles’

Lounge

Bedroom 1 Hall

Bedroom 2 Hall Kitchen wc

Dining area Bedroom 3

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

For stockists see page 120

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

87

The couple extended out into the side return and added bi-fold doors to improve the light and connection to the garden

salon, and the couple revamped the family bathroom. The years passed and the couple decided to sell their London house that they had been renting out to fund the renovations in the rest of their home.

‘By now we’d discovered problems with the outside cladding and a leak in the roof that had been gradually letting in water over time,’ Jules explains. ‘The walls were wet and the window frames were rotten.’

A recommended builder, Adrian Howard, stepped in to fix the problems, which meant re-plastering all the rooms and fitting new windows. He worked from

Good idea!

Paint the ceiling a pale shade to add colour and height – Little Greene’s French Stone is a soft gold and ideal for period properties.

‘I wanted a natural inish for the loorboards with a hint of white and played around with lots of diferent sample pots until I found the exact shade.’

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Good idea!

Turquoise cushions from F&P Interiors contrast with the purple velvet sofa and pop out against the pale grey walls. ‘I love the explosion of colour you see in gardens in the summer and brought this idea inside,’ says Jules.

The Lego artwork is from Art Republic

REAL HOME

Sliding-folding doors make the two downstairs living rooms a flexible space for privacy and entertaining.

The couple put the wall back between the two reception rooms. ‘There was a lot of wasted space as one big room,’ says Jules. ‘The velvet green sofa bed we bought from Sofa.com is great here as the girls can have sleepovers without bothering us!’

The builders underpinned the period cornicing to make sure it stayed in place when the brick was exposed.

The sunburst clock – from The Old Cinema – is a 1970s throwback. The purple sofa is from Sofa.com and the Persian rug is from eBay

the top down while Jules and Tim thought about how to tackle the interiors. The couple had already sanded and varnished the downstairs floors, and ripped out the upstairs carpets. Sadly, the floorboards here were in a poor condition.

‘I love wood and our carpenter went to a local salvage yard to find reclaimed boards,’ says Jules. ‘I wanted a natural finish with a hint of white and played around with lots of different sample pots until I found the exact shade.

The natural look continued when the couple explored the idea of exposing the brickwork in some of the rooms.

‘Tim and I like organic materials and hints of industrial,’ says Jules. ‘But as the walls had been so wet, we weren’t sure if the condition of the bricks would be good enough under the plaster. We did a test patch in the stairwell and were really ‘We’ve always loved exposed brickwork, perhaps influenced by warehouse designs in Hackney, East London, where my sister lives, and a trip to New York,’ says Jules. The artwork is from Art Republic www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

89

REAL HOME

Good idea!

Love a designer wallpaper?

Keep costs to a minimum and buy just enough to make one stand-out feature wall.

The dark tones of the reclaimed teak wardrobe and drawers are emphasised against Little Greene’s Canton walls, while stripped floorboards are warmed with a textured rug from B&Q. ‘Jugs Furniture in Hove sources all its salvaged furniture from India and that appealed to me as it reminds me of my travels around the country when I was young,’ says Jules The entire bedroom ceiling had to be replaced because of a roof leak and a carpenter made the alcove wardrobe storage. Jules added Cole & Son’s Palm Jungle Emerald print wallpaper behind the bed to introduce colour and pattern, along with a quilted red bedspread from Dunelm

pleased to see the texture and colour tones still looked beautiful.’

Not one for moodboards or planning, Jules worked instinctively, decorating rooms to emphasise the brick, flipping between a pale grey in the living room to a richer blue-grey in the hallway and bathroom – and a simple white Shaker kitchen. She added punches of colour with purple and green velvet sofas, vibrant cushions, colourful artwork and patterned wallpaper.

‘I don’t like everything matching in my clothes or my home; I love colour and

90

prints,’ says Jules. ‘I put anything together because I hate to be boring!’

Jules’ way of thinking has made her a creative shopper with a tendency to buy second-hand or online rather than on the high street. ‘I don’t really have a style and I think subconsciously I don’t want to have a house like anyone else,’ says Jules. ‘You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have nice things – or even go shopping. If I like something and it’s the right price, I buy it.

It’s much more fun to go online and type in the description of my inspiration and see what comes up. I bought nearly all of our

September 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

second-hand lights and lampshades like this on eBay.’ While the repairs and decorating were underway at the top of the house, the couple began to consider how they were using their downstairs living space. This prompted the recent kitchen extension.

‘It was our last project but it was the best decision we made,’ says Jules. ‘The whole house works for all of us whether we want to be all together in our own space or entertaining. It’s both a relaxing home and a party house and now it’s time to sit back and enjoy it!’ YH

6

IDEAS TO STEAL Arthouse Rustic Brick wallpaper, £9 per roll, Homebase

Copy the industrial look without the hassle with a brick print wallpaper.

Little Greene’s Atomic Red makes a striking feature wall in Betsy’s bedroom, complemented by the pale blue-green Brighton paint. ‘Betsy saw the colours in the colour chart and loved them together,’ says Jules.

The Bluezoo Gadget duvet cover is from Debenhams

Plump for a striking purple sofa, like Jules did, to inject instant colour into a room.

London three-seater sofa, £649.99, Wayfair

Wood-effect porcelain plank tiles have a textured finish like Jules’ rustic kitchen floor.

A feature wall in Cole & Son’s Hummingbirds wallpaper adds a pretty touch to Jules’ top-floor hairdressing salon. ‘I love all of the brand’s wallpapers and I find it hard to choose between them!’ says Jules. ‘I stick samples on the wall to help me decide’

Reclaimed woodeffect floor tiles, £19.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors

Vintage style is easy to achieve with this iconic clock design.

Starburst clock, £39.95, Scotts of Stow

Jazz up a bedroom wall with a bold patterned green wallpaper like this one with a retro twist.

Opening-up the ceiling and shower stall modernises the bathroom. ‘We updated our previous bathroom with Metro tiles and dark-grey grout and liked it so much we decided to do it again here,’ says Jules. The tiles are from Topps Tiles and a similar basin can be bought at Simply Burlington Bathrooms. Jules found the vintage mirror in a charity shop

Retro Tree Green wallpaper, £8.99 per roll, Arthouse

Follow Jules’ lead and dress up your sofa with this sumptuous teal velvet cushion.

Large teal velvet cushion, £12.99, Matalan

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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FREE! COPY OF RHS BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION

WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY! This month, we’re giving 10 lucky winners, selected at random, each a must-have copy of RHS Botanical Illustration: The Gold Medal Winners

by Charlotte Brooks.

This enlightening Amazon bestseller presents the botanical studies of 60 gold-medal-winning artists from the Lindley Collections at the Royal Horticultural Society – the country’s leading gardening charity – accompanied by expert Charlotte Brooks’ insightful commentary on the artists’ creative processes.

The author Charlotte is Art Curator at the RHS Lindley Library in London where she has worked with the botanical art collection for 15 years. She also serves as Secretary to the RHS Botanical Art Judging Panel which sees contemporary artists from all over the world exhibit their work.

Featuring exquisite botanical illustrations which have earned a prestigious gold medal from the RHS, this highly coveted award is testament to the artists’ abilities, their attention to detail, masterful colour work and outstanding technical skill – making it a great gift for botanists, garden lovers and aspiring artists.

To find out more, visit www.accartbooks.com.

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Food & drink Heavenly foodie buys, plus turn over for kids’ lunchbox inspiration

3 ways with... gnocchi l Try baking gnocchi like tiny little roasties, perfect with roasted or pan-fried meats. Toss in olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt then bake in a 180ºC/350ºF/ Gas Mark 4 oven for 30 minutes until golden, turning half way through. l For a simple midweek meal try this gnocchi bake. In a frying pan, fry 1 diced onion and 1 finely chopped red pepper in a teaspoon of oil. Fry for 5 minutes then add 1 finely chopped garlic clove and fry for a minute more.

Add 400g tinned chopped tomatoes and 500g gnocchi. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Stir through a handful of torn basil and tip into an ovenproof dish. Scatter the top with 150g mozzarella, torn into pieces, and bake under a hot grill for 5 minutes or until golden. Serves 4. l Make a quick sage butter to dress gnocchi. Fry a handful of chopped sage leaves in a little olive oil until crispy. Remove from the pan then add 60g butter to the pan with the oil and gently heat until melted. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Meanwhile, boil the gnocchi according to the packet instructions, drain and then toss in the sage butter before serving scattered with the pan-fried sage leaves.

If you do one thing this month...

The Butterworks Softer Butter, £2 from Morrisons, is a fantastic buy for real spread lovers – and soft enough to be used straight from the fridge. Also new to the range is Cornish Butter with Cornish sea salt, £2 from Waitrose.

Velvety and creamy – we love that it has a hint of crunch.

Completely free from alcohol, St Peter’s Elderberry and Raspberry alcohol-free beer offers both a sweet and tangy flavour. Perfect for those looking for something a bit lighter.

Available from www. stpetersbrewery.co.uk, priced £1.49.

Feature Laura Higgins Main image iStock

This month we love...

Try me...

Eat me...

Buy me...

Crunchy chopped almonds and chewy dried cherries swirled through roasted nut butter makes Pip & Nut Cherry Bakewell almond butter the breakfast choice of dreams. Slather it on toast or teacakes, or spoon it into porridge for a decadent start to the day. Available from Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Boots and Whole Foods, priced at £3.95.

The temptation not to eat Thorntons new chocolate blocks all in one go may be too much for some, with flavours such as caramel cheesecake, honeycomb and orange crisp. Each block has whole ingredients enveloped in velvety smooth chocolate. Priced £2 for 90g, available from all major supermarkets.

The beautifully illustrated National Trust Book of Jam (£9.99, National Trust Books), makes the perfect treat for your culinary library.

Filled with 70 preserves, including old classics as well as a few new twists, such as Caribbean pineapple marmalade and raspberry and lavender jelly, you’re bound to find a new favourite for your crumpets.

CHECK OUT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK/FOOD FOR MORE TASTY RECIPES www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

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Little lunches Send your kids off to school with a packed lunch to be proud of

Panda bento box YOU WILL NEED 450g sushi rice, cooked according to packet instructions 41 tsp sushi vinegar 41 sheet nori seaweed 42.5cm cucumber 4100g cooked chicken breast, sliced 41 tbsp teriyaki sauce 4handful watercress 4small handful cherry tomatoes 42 tbsp mixed nuts and seeds 4small handful grapes, halved 43 strawberries, quartered

PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 1

DIRECTIONS n Mix the prepared sushi rice with the sushi vinegar. Take a panda rice mould (available online) and dip the main part of the mould in cold water to help prevent the rice from sticking. Pack the mould full of cooked sushi rice, making sure that any small, detailed sections such as the ears are well packed. If you do not have a mould you can simply shape the rice into

firm balls using wet hands. Carefully turn the rice out of the mould. n Take the nori sheet and use a cutter or knife to create the facial features. Carefully position the pieces of nori onto the rice so that it resembles the face of a panda. Refrigerate until needed, up to 24 hours before using. n Slice the cucumber into half centimetre thick rounds. Take a star or heart-shaped cutter and

cut a shape from each cucumber round. n Take the sliced cooked chicken and toss in the teriyaki sauce until well coated. n Finally assemble your bento box by placing the panda rice, chicken, watercress, cucumber, tomatoes, fruit, nuts and seeds into the box in a neat and tidy arrangement.

Recipe courtesy of www.watercress.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK Layered lunch pot YOU WILL NEED 41 can tuna 42 tbsp mayonnaise 4150g macaroni pasta, cooked 41 small tin sweetcorn, drained 41 orange pepper, de-seeded and sliced 41 red pepper, de-seeded and sliced 450g bag watercress

PreParation time 10 minutes serVes 2

DIRECTIONS n Drain the tuna and place into a small bowl. Mix with the mayonnaise and add a little salt and pepper if desired. n Take two jars with tight-fitting lids.

Split the cooked pasta between each jar, then follow with the tuna mayonnaise, sweetcorn, and peppers, finally topping with the watercress. n Seal the jars and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours until needed.

Recipe courtesy of www.watercress.co.uk

Veg-packed muins YOU WILL NEED 42 medium eggs 4100g slightly salted butter, melted 4200g crème fraîche 4150g mature cheese, finely grated 450g cashew nuts, chopped 41 tsp mixed herbs 450g carrot, grated 450g sweetcorn 450g shallot, finely chopped 450g courgette, grated 450g baby spinach, chopped 4250g plain flour 4100g wholemeal flour 41 tbsp baking powder 41 tsp mustard powder

DIRECTIONS

PreParation time 15 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes makes 12

n Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/ gas mark 6. Grease the holes of a 12-hole muffin tray. n Put everything, except the flours, baking powder and mustard into a large bowl.

Mix until well combined. n Sift in the flours, mustard and baking powder, tip in any bran left at the bottom of the sieve. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. n Fold together gently with a metal spoon.

Don’t worry, the batter is supposed to be very thick at this stage. n When fully combined, use an ice cream scoop to put equal amounts of batter into each hole of the muffin tray. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown on top.

Recipe courtesy of www.AO.com

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Mini quiches YOU WILL NEED 43 large tortilla wraps 46 eggs 430g watercress, roughly chopped 42 slices honey roast ham 45 cherry tomatoes, halved

DIRECTIONS

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES MAKES 9

Ham, chutney and egg wraps YOU WILL NEED 44 medium eggs 41 tsp vegetable oil 42 sweet chilli or plain tortilla wraps 44 tbsp tomato chutney, plus extra to serve 4125g thinly sliced ham 4vegetable crudités, to serve

DIRECTIONS n Break the eggs into a jug and beat with a fork until well blended. Brush a large nonstick frying pan with a little oil and heat until hot. Pour in half the egg, tilting the pan so that it reaches the edges, reduce the heat to low and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until just set. Turn the omelette over and cook for a further 1 minute until just cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside while you repeat the process using the remaining egg. n Lay the tortilla wraps on a board and spread with tomato chutney. Arrange the sliced ham evenly over the wraps, then slide an omelette on top. Season with pepper. n Carefully roll up each wrap and slice into 3.

Serve with crudités and extra chutney if liked.

Recipe extract taken from The Quick AfterWork Cookbook, £8.99, Dairy Diary

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PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 2

September 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

n Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/gas mark 4. Take a 12cm round cookie cutter and cut out 9 circles from the tortilla wraps.

Push the circles into the holes of a greased muffin tin. n Crack the eggs into a jug and whisk them together with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add in the chopped watercress and mix together. n Pour the egg mix carefully into the tortilla cases, not quite filling to the top. Cut the ham slices into squares and place a square on top of each case, then top with half a cherry tomato. Place the quiches into the oven for 10 minutes, or until the egg is set and cooked through. n Remove from the oven and allow to cool for five minutes before removing from the tin.

Recipe courtesy of www.watercress.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK Blueberry and coconut crumble squares YOU WILL NEED For the base 4250g plain flour 450g ground almonds 41 tsp baking powder 4125g coconut oil, chilled until firm 4100g The Groovy Food Company Dark Agave Syrup 41 tsp vanilla extract 450g desiccated coconut 4zest 1 lemon 41 egg, beaten For the filling 4300g frozen blueberries 475g The Groovy Food Company Dark Agave Syrup 4juice 1 lemon 42½ tbsp cornflour

DIRECTIONS n Preheat oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/gas mark 4. Grease and line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin with baking parchment. n Stir the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and a pinch of salt together in a large bowl. Add the firm coconut oil and rub in using your hands until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the agave syrup and vanilla extract. n Transfer 200g of the mixture to a separate bowl, for the crumble topping, and stir in the

desiccated coconut and lemon zest, cover and chill. n To the remainder mix in the beaten egg, then tip this into the baking tin. Using your hands press the mixture into an even layer, prick with a fork and bake for 15 minutes, then leave to cool. n Meanwhile, for the filling, put the berries, agave syrup and lemon juice in a pan. Heat gently until the mixture begins to bubble, then cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons

PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 40 MINUTES MAKES 12

of cold water. Very slowly pour the cornflour mixture into the blueberries, stirring all the time. Return the pan to heat and bubble for 1 minute. Set aside to cool. n Once cooled, spoon the blueberry mixture over the base, and spread to an even layer.

Top with the crumble topping and bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Leave to cool completely before cutting.

Recipe courtesy of The Groovy Food Company

PREPARATION TIME 40 MINUTES COOKING TIME 3 HOURS SERVES 6

Sticky pork belly burritos YOU WILL NEED For the pork 41kg pork belly, skin on and ribs removed 43 tbsp demerara sugar 43 tbsp treacle 43 tbsp tomato purée 43 garlic cloves, crushed and roughly chopped 41 onion, diced 41 tbsp dried mixed herbs 41 tbsp ground cumin 4pinch chilli flakes 41 tsp cinnamon 41 tsp allspice 42 tsp salt For the 5-bean salad 4400g tinned 5-bean mix 4½ bunch coriander, chopped 41 red chilli, deseeded and finely diced 4½ red onion, finely diced 4juice ½ lime To serve 4 6 large tortilla wraps 41 bag watercress 4150ml sour cream 4100g tomato salsa 4100g grated Cheddar

DIRECTIONS n Preheat the oven to 150°C/130ºC fan/gas mark 2. Place the pork in a deep roasting tin, skin side up. Combine the remaining pork ingredients in a bowl, then spread all over the meat including on the underside. Cover with foil and roast in the oven for 3 hours or until tender. n Meanwhile, make the 5-bean salad by draining and rinsing the tinned beans before combining with the other ingredients. Season to taste. n Once the pork is out of the oven, leave to rest for 30 minutes before slicing thickly. Finish the pork slices by cooking for a minute or so on each side on a preheated barbecue. This will crisp up the skin and give a nice smoky flavour.

Alternatively, you can finish by frying on each side in a hot pan. Keep any leftover sauce from the cooking of the meat and drizzle over the pork before serving. n Serve with the bean salad, wraps, watercress, sour cream, salsa and cheese in bowls.

Recipe courtesy of www.watercress.co.uk

Holiday favourites The summer will never end with dishes from our most memorable destinations

FOOD & DRINK Thai fish noodle soup YOU WILL NEED

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

For the sauce 42 tbsp coconut oil 42 lemongrass stalks, bashed, roughly chopped and outer leaves removed 4juice 2 limes 43 garlic cloves 45cm piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 42 tbsp fish sauce 44 tbsp red Thai curry paste 41 bunch of fresh coriander For the soup 41 red pepper, thinly sliced 41 red chilli finely diced 4400ml reduced-fat coconut milk 4handful unsalted peanuts 43-4 fine egg noodle nests or around 150g-200g egg noodles 4200g Tenderstem broccoli, sliced into bite-sized pieces 42 fillets white fish, cut into chunks (seabass, haddock, cod or pollock) 4small bunch fresh coriander, chopped 4small bunch Thai basil, torn

DIRECTIONS n In a blender, combine all the sauce ingredients with 4 tablespoons of water and blitz until they become a smooth paste. n Put a large deep pan onto a medium heat and add the smooth sauce mix, the sliced red peppers and the diced chilli. Cook for a few minutes until the peppers and chilli soften.

Once softened, add the coconut milk and simmer for 8 minutes. n Meanwhile, toast the peanuts in a dry pan on a medium heat until they take on some colour,

being careful not to burn them. Take the nuts off the heat. n Next, add the noodle nests, Tenderstem broccoli and fish to the coconut milk broth and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the noodles and

vegetables are soft and the fish cooked through. n Divide between 4 bowls and garnish with the chopped coriander, Thai basil and toasted peanuts.

Recipe courtesy of www.tenderstem.co.uk

Lamb kofta kebabs PREPARATION TIME 25 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4

YOU WILL NEED For the koftas 41 tbsp olive oil 41 red onion, finely chopped 42 garlic cloves, crushed 42 tsp paprika 41 tsp cumin 41 red chilli, finely chopped 4550g lean mince lamb 44 Opies Cocktail Gherkins, finely chopped 45 mint leaves, finely chopped For the tabbouleh 4100g bulgur wheat, cooked according to the pack instructions 4handful chopped fresh parsley 420g fresh mint, chopped 43 tomatoes, de-seeded and chopped 4juice 1 lemon 42 tbsp olive oil To garnish 4finely shredded red cabbage 4pickling juice from Opies Cocktail Gherkins 4natural yoghurt 4fresh chopped mint 4½ fresh red chilli

DIRECTIONS n In a frying pan add the olive oil, red onion and garlic and fry until soft but not browned. Add the paprika, cumin and chilli, continue cooking for 1 minute over a low heat. Remove and cool. n Place the lamb into a mixing bowl with the gherkins, onion mixture and mint. Season and mix really well. n Take 8 wooden skewers. Using damp hands, form the lamb around the wooden skewers into a sausage shape. Leave in the fridge until needed. n For the tabbouleh, mix the bulgur wheat with the parsley, mint, tomatoes, lemon juice and olive oil and season to taste. n For the pickled red cabbage, pour a little of the gherkin pickling juice over the cabbage and mix. For the yoghurt sauce, simply mix the yogurt, mint and chilli together. n Place the koftas under a hot grill and cook for about 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning every so often. Serve with warm pitta bread, tabbouleh, pickled red cabbage and yoghurt dressing.

Recipe courtesy of Opies, www.opiesfoods.com

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FOOD & DRINK Coq au vin YOU WILL NEED

PREPARATION TIME 15-20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES SERVES 4

42 tbsp olive oil 420g butter 41 chicken, jointed into 8 pieces, or use thighs and drumsticks 420 round shallots, peeled 4300g small button mushrooms 4150g pancetta, cut into lardons 42 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 42 tbsp plain flour 4400ml red wine 4100ml cognac 4450ml chicken stock 41 bay leaf 41 sprig thyme 42 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS n Preheat the oven to 180°C/160ºC fan/gas mark 4. n Heat half the oil and butter in a large casserole dish, and brown the chicken pieces well, ensuring the skin becomes crisp and brown, then set aside. n Melt the remaining butter with the oil and add the shallots, mushrooms and pancetta. Cook for 10 minutes until well browned, stirring regularly to ensure even browning. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook for a further minute.

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n In a separate pan bring the red wine to the boil and reduce by half. Add the reduced red wine, cognac and chicken stock to the casserole. Return the chicken pieces to the pan, and add the bay leaf and thyme. n Cover the casserole and cook in the oven for 1 hour, or until cooked through. n Garnish with the parsley and serve with plain boiled potatoes.

Recipe courtesy of www.ukshallot.com

Exclusive 20% off Beko small appliances FOR YOUR HOME READERS

YH PROMOTION

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e’ve teamed up with Beko, the UK’s number one large home appliance brand, to give Your Home readers an exclusive 20 per cent discount on the brand’s range of small appliances when you order through the Beko’s online shop.

Whether you’re in the market for a state-of-the-art bean-to-cup coffee machine, or a stylish new toaster, there’s plenty on offer. When it comes to blenders, the Beko Vacuum Blender is perfect for smoothies, and the heavy-duty 1600w Power Blender blitzes everything from ice to nuts in a flash!

There’s also a slow juicer, slow cooker and even a soup maker – so get ready to kit out your kitchen with the latest gadgets.

Also included in the offer is Beko’s new range of vacuum cleaners; choose from nifty cordless models with fantastic run times, or for larger homes, a powerful cylinder vacuum with a 2.8 litre capacity. Last but by no means least, there’s also an extensive range of microwaves, kettles, mixers, mini choppers and steam irons.

Visit shop.beko.co.uk to view the full collection of small appliances.

To claim your exclusive 20% discount, simply visit: shop.beko.co.uk and enter code BEKYH20 at the checkout.

Terms and conditions: Offer valid from 31st July to 22nd August 2019. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts. Discount applies to full-price items only, excluding delivery charges. Subject to availability. There is no cash alternative. Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively. www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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Visit online today! extra content Check out our website www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk for even more inspiring features, videos and competitions. From craft projects to expert advice, tasty recipes and the latest decorating inspiration – we’ve got it covered!

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Snap up the digital issue of Your Home magazine for only £1.99, or subscribe to our annual digital package for only £14.99. Download the new app edition of Your Home on your iPad, iPhone and Android device or PC!

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Home IMPROVEMENT

Turn the page to find out if your roof is future proof

Verona awning in beige, from £2,399, Hillarys

Peel deal

Zinsser Paper Tiger triple head, £13.99; Zinsser DIF wallpaper stripper, £6.99 per litre, both Screwfix.com

Create your dream screen Relaxing in the garden is the perfect way to spend a summer’s day, but what happens when the weather takes a turn for the worse? Investing in a garden awning is the perfect way to safeguard your outdoor time against impromptu showers, as well as providing shelter from the midday sun.

Arrange an in-home appointment with ones of Hillarys’ specialist advisors to design your perfect awning, choosing from a range of innovative features, including sun and wind sensors, motorised controls and integrated heating and lighting solutions. With one of these stylish additions your outdoor entertaining can continue long into the evening, whatever the British weather throws at us.

Pipe dream A water leak in the home can cause devastating damage and slow, hidden leaks often go undetected until it’s too late. Why not consider a detector such as the WiFi-connected LeakBot? This smart alarm detects hidden leaks in the home and alerts you via your smartphone, before they have the chance to cause complete chaos. It takes only a couple of minutes to clip to the mains water supply pipe, usually beneath your kitchen sink, and once fitted, LeakBot’s algorithms begin to recognise water usage in your home.

If it detects any continuous unusual water flow in your pipes, it will alert you via your smartphone, and offer advice on what to do next.

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Eliminate the mess and hassle from wallpaper removal with Zinsser’s new product, which contains fastacting enzymes to penetrate and loosen wallpaper, making it a cinch to pull off. In addition, the Tiger Triple Head tool (above) has unique scoring wheels which will perforate and cut through several layers without damaging walls, allowing the stripper to fully penetrate the paper.

Power up If you’re thinking of investing in a new set of cordless power tools, B&Q’s new Erbauer range is a good option. The collection features an interchangeable one-battery system which can be used across drills, saws, grinders and lawnmowers, all at affordable prices. So once you’ve purchased a tool with a battery you can then expand your kit in a cost-effective way by buying additional designs without the battery.

Erbauer EXT 18V lithium-ion brushless drill driver EDD18-Li-2, £60; 18V battery, £40; fast charger, £35, all B&Q

LeakBot, £149, www.leakbot.io

FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE AND CASE STUDIES GO TO WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

September 2019

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This Velux roof terrace system is ingeniously designed to create an outdoor area on a pitched roof without compromising on interior space

Think about your roof for a future-proof home Feature Andrea Dean

W

hile most of us focus on enhancing our homes with a sleek new kitchen or bathroom, we tend to forget about important elements that don’t have such visual appeal until there’s an obvious problem.

These include the roof, which deserves far more attention than it gets, as it’s the first defence between us and the elements, and keeps the building well-insulated and watertight. So inspect yours regularly in case repairs are needed, and be prepared to replace it at the end of its life.

The charm of this picturesque cottage, in a village outside Crediton in Devon, is enhanced by its thatched roof, which acts as an insulator against extremes of temperature. It’s for sale through www.struttandparker.com

If you’re thinking of replacing or altering your roof – we’ve got you covered

1

MATERIAL ASSETS

Most roofs are composed of either clay, slate or concrete tiles, and should last for 60 plus years. Each has advantages and drawbacks, and provided you don’t live in a conservation area or listed property, there are no restrictions on the material you can use. Clay is warm, natural and sustainable, its colour doesn’t fade and tiles come in a variety of shades and finishes. Slate is the most durable but expensive option, and is available in an array of greyish tones. Concrete is now the most common roofing material. It’s long-lasting and can mimic both clay and slate.

Classic Rosemary clay tiles, available in different shades, bring character and class to new-build and period homes

Image www.redland.co.uk

REAL HOME

Private rooftop gardens are quiet retreats away from the city buzz and now come as standard in high-end apartments such as The Beecham in central London

Airspace development can benefit existing residents, releasing funds for other renovations. King’s College Court in NW London is a prime example as when four apartments were built on the roof, developer Pirton Ltd added a new balcony to each of the existing flats

2

MONEY MATTERS

Expect to pay from £3,000 upwards for a new roof. A simple, pitched design is the cheapest to replace and as features like dormers and roof windows take longer to tile around, they’ll bump up the price. Likewise, a site that’s difficult to access could mean that erecting scaffolding and deliveries take longer.

Failing to renew old guttering, facias and soffits – the vertical and horizontal boards at the point where the roof meets the house – could be a false economy as you’ll have to fork out for scaffolding again when they come to the end of their life.

This cottage in Cerne Abbas, Dorset has a rare Grade I listing and an ancient slate roof. As long as matching materials are used, repairs are unlikely to require planning permission. It’s for sale through www.domvs.co.uk

3

TOP IT WITH THATCH

Thatch is the oldest roofing material and can be used to crown a new, rustic-style home as well as to replace an existing roof on a period cottage or country house. It’s sustainable and an excellent insulator – keeping the house warm in winter and cool in summer – and looks stunning, but does work out much more expensive than tiles. There are three main types of thatch: Norfolk reed (also called water reed), long straw and combed wheat reed, and each is slightly different in appearance. Being organic, thatch will of course eventually decay but Norfolk reed is the most long-lasting, with a lifespan of up to 60 years, though it’s likely that the ridge will need re-thatching every 10-15 years.

4

CREATE A ROOF TERRACE

As well as providing a gorgeous green space to relax and unwind in, a roof terrace improves air quality as plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. It can also help to insulate your home, reduce water run-off and the risk of flooding. An existing flat roof is always the obvious site, though you should find a surveyor to check whether it first requires reinforcing to be able to cope with the extra weight. Also, walls, railings or glass panels must be fitted on all open sides to comply with building regulations. Consider access – either by swapping an existing window for a door, or creating a new entry point through a hatch or opening roof light. Cutting a flat area into a pitched roof is also a possibility, but is usually a much more pricey option.

TURN OVER FOR MORE ADVICE Ultra-slim sight lines and narrow aluminium framing make this lightweight Sky Line skylight ideal for boosting brightness in kitchen extensions and other flat-roofed areas, from www.expressbifolds.co.uk

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2015

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s

A turfed roof plus several terraces at different levels are among the highlights of this architecturally stunning contemporary Torquay house, on the market with www.johncouch.co.uk

Insider info

Useful contacts

‘To give your roof a health check, start in the attic and look for any dark n www.apexairspace.co.uk converts unused patches or water rings which could be a sign of airspace above residential, commercial and rot or leak. Any light shining through will highlight public buildings into new homes.

Technological advances have led to a holes, as well as sagging, which will need fixing. n www.buildingcentre.co.uk is a useful wider range of materials being used Check all vents for anything which could be causing a resource for roofing products and ideas. for roofing. Zinc and copper make strong blockage, such as leaves or moss. Outside, look for any n www.lpoc.co.uk provides advice and architectural statements, and an eco-friendly loose, cracked, broken or misplaced tiles and assess assistance to owners of listed buildings. green roof encourages wildlife, but is heavy your flashing – the sealing strips that keep chimneys, n Source a local, vetted roofing contractor so may require extra structural support. vents and other objects in place on your roof. through www.nfrc.co.uk.

Glass is the material of choice for roofs Always keep guttering clear of debris too.’ n Visit www.nsmtltd.co.uk to find an in contemporary extensions due to its Jon Cooper, roofing expert and owner of experienced master thatcher. light-enhancing qualities. Frame widths and roofline products retailer BC Profiles, n www.roofapedia.com is a one-stop sightlines have shrunk in size, allowing for larger www.bcprofiles.co.uk shop for help with all aspects of fitting and expanses of glazing, whether skylights, lanterns maintaining roofs. or structural glass ceilings. Solar roof tiles are a discreet alternative to shouty PV panels, as they look like traditional slate tiles but their integrated photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity.

Glass box extensions aren’t restricted to street level and can be positioned on a flat roof where it’s much quieter to maximise views and pour light inside. Utilising the unused area on top of Solar-control glass keeps heat levels buildings to develop more homes is increasingly regarded as a way to ease the housing shortage. comfortable in this glazed extension, and The government is taking this initiative so seriously that it’s struck a £9 million deal with pioneering a special coating ensures that rain washes airspace developer Apex to deliver 78 modular homes at five rooftop locations across London. dirt away, from www.iqglassuk.com

5

RECENT INNOVATIONS

6

RAISE THE ROOF

PV Slate tiles look and feel like natural slate but incorporate hidden solar cells that harness the sun’s rays to generate power, through www.gb-sol.co.uk

s

CASE STUDY ‘Our roof terrace makes the most of the amazing views’

O

ver the years Vicki L u n d , along with her partner Jason Richardson, had regularly holidayed in Cornwall, so when they decided s Vicki uses the to buy a holiday roof terrace for home, it seemed relaxing and the obvious place entertaining to start. With five young boys between them, their priorities were proximity to the beach and space for the family to kick a

ball. What they hadn’t bargained for was the bonus that came with one particular house they viewed as, from the large back garden, fields stretched down to the cliffs, sands and sea of north Cornwall. ‘It wasn’t the prettiest place we saw – just a dormer bungalow with ugly rendering. But the view was stunning,’ remembers Vicki.

Set on a slope, the property had three bedrooms plus a one-bed granny flat below. The couple decided to completely remodel it and turn the living area on the first floor, which had the best view, into one open-plan living/dining room.

They reconfigured the layout, added a new mono-pitched roof and built a

Feature Pat Garratt Photos David Giles

Huge floor-to-ceiling sliding doors bathe the open-plan living space in light

s The new roof and wrap-around terrace are standout features of the renovation

wrap-around terrace from which they could watch the children in the garden. There are now six bedrooms and four bathrooms, so plenty of room to accommodate everyone.

‘A contact in the village recommended builders Lion Park Construction (www.lionpark.co.uk) and the advantage of choosing a local firm is that they could advise on things we didn’t think about – like the outside light fittings, which have to deal with rusting in the sea air,’ she adds.

To make the most of the outlook from the roof terrace, the couple decided to use reinforced glass on the sides as this not only worked as a safety barrier but didn’t interrupt the sea view. Interior designer Tracey Mannell (www.traceymannellinteriordesign. co.uk), who had overseen the interior décor, suggested buying sofas and tables in an all-weather, outdoor weave that were heavy enough not to blow away in the frequent high winds which affect the hilly site.

The result is an outside area that’s used just like a living room. ‘We love relaxing here with our morning coffee.

And in the evenings we sit with a glass of wine and watch the sun setting over the sea,’ says Vicki. ‘It still takes my breath away.’

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2015

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WANT iT | SEE iT | Buy iT

KITCHEN BATHROOM BEDROOM Don’t know where to begin with your home renovation? Head over to KBB Ark. Sign up for a free account to browse through thousands of kitchen, bathroom and bedroom design inspirations or get in touch directly with the professionals you love. We update the site daily with new product details, expert advice and loads of design ideas.

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WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN! tickets to the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show 63 pairs to win

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ursting with all the inspiration, ideas and products you need to create the home you want, we’re giving 63 lucky winners each a pair of tickets worth £36 to one day of your choosing at the fabulous London Homebuilding & Renovating Show taking place from 4th-6th October 2019 at Excel, London.

Whether you don’t know where to begin or you’re midway through building work, the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show is brimming with ideas to help you bring your project to life. There’s advice on planning permission plus lessons on how to design and build a sustainable home, while picking up handy style tips.

There will also be several free talks on topics including self-builds, renovation, innovative products, extensions, conversions and DIY RULES OF ENTRY 1) The competition closes at midnight on 19th September 2019. Winners will be notified after the closing date.

2) Subject to availability, non transferable or refundable. No cash alternative will be given. Prizes include delivery but not installation or removal of existing products or appliances, where applicable. 3) Open to residents in the UK (mainland), over age of 18, except employees of Hubert Burda Media UK or companies involved in these promotions. 4) Entrants must be homeowners where decorating/renovation work is required for the prize. 5) Only one entry per person. 6) The winners must be willing to participate in publicity if required.

projects – why not bring your plans and questions and receive tailored solutions from leading resident property experts in the show’s free one-on-one advice sessions?

Providing fully tailored solutions on a host of regulations, this show has everything you need to make the most of your family home, all under one roof.

To find out more, visit london.homebuildingshow.co.uk.

HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:

7) The Editor’s decision is final. Correspondence will not be entered into. 8) The winners are selected at random, from correct entries received, after the competition end date.

9) Prizes are valid for six months after the date of the draw, and the prize will be withdrawn if it is not claimed within this period. 10) Hubert Burda Media UK and companies involved in these promotions may use your details to advise of products and services. Details are occasionally available to vetted companies. 11) Allow 8-10 weeks from selection to completion. 12) Reproduction of this competition, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Hubert Burda Media UK reserves the right to prosecute offending parties.

Q: Where is the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show located?

A) Oxford B) Birmingham C) London Visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk to enter. Simply click the WIN! tab, then fill in your details, including the answer to the above question, before the closing date of 19th September 2019. Good luck!

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cordless power. made by STihl.

—

READY FOR ANY CHALLENGE

COMPACT CORDLESS SYSTEM WITH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY Spring time – the time when tasks are emerging everywhere in the garden. Be ready to take on the challenge with tools from the STIHL COMPACT Cordless Power System. All the tools in the system are designed to be easy to use, light-weight and also quiet.

But they don’t compromise on performance. They are powered by a high-performance lithium-ion battery that can be used in all the tools in the system. That’s real cordless power. Made by STIHL.

AVAIABLE FROM APPROVED STIHL DEALERS AND SELECTED GARDEN CENTRES. STIHL.CO.UK/CORDLESS

Gardening Epic new roses, soil improvers and how to make summer last longer

Novel additions If you have a spare slot in your garden, David Austin has added two new roses to its collection, inspired by characters in Thomas Hardy’s classic novels. Soft, apricot-pink ‘Eustacia Vye’ (right) is named after the exotic and beautiful heroine in The Return of the Native, and the deep-pink petalled ‘Gabriel Oak’ reflects Far From the Madding Crowd’s hardworking shepherd.

Whether you’re a novice or pro, the user-friendly 2019/2020 David Austin Handbook of Roses helps gardeners choose, plant and care for their roses and features the best varieties bred by the Shropshire-based family business. To order your free copy, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk.

Events shire Old Rectory, Quinton, Northampton by ned desig Visit this beautiful garden Feiler. award-winning designer Anoushka ng ooki Pre-b free. ren child Adults £10, essential; www.ngs.org.uk.

15 September

Pear Day, Brogdale Collections, Kent enjoy Celebrate over 500 varieties of pear, ards orch a walk or trailer ride around the ren, child £12, ts and meet the experts. Adul .org. tions ollec dalec £5.50; www.brog

28-29 September

rshire Malvern Autumn Show, Worceste to ns retur al The ultimate harvest festiv ising prom nd, grou Show Three Counties ts £18; to be a fun-filled family affair. Adul www.malvernautumn.co.uk.

Eustacia Vye, from £21.50, David Austin Roses

We love…

Carry on growing

The gorgeous, detailed drawings in this book are a perfect gift for art and plant lovers alike.

RHS Botanical Illustration: The Gold Medal Winners by Charlotte Brooks (£30, ACC Art Books)

3 OF THE BEST... soil improvers This blend of peat, plant food and wood fibre feeds and aerates soil for up to six weeks.

Vegetable Grower’s Blend, £13.98 for two 50l bags, Marshalls

Farm-made in the Lake District, this sustainable compost is made from bracken and sheep’s wool for slow-release nourishment.

Wool Compost for Vegetables and Salads, £10.99 for two 30l bags, Dalefoot

Summer is fading into autumn, but you can cheat and extend the season by as much as two months with Bio Green’s Super Dome Polytunnel (£49.99, Amazon). Made of a heavy-duty polythene, it protects against frost, sun and pests and can be moved around the garden to maximise efficiency and sunlight.

Amazon

This vegan-friendly natural formula keeps soil in tip-top condition, plus it’s earthworm friendly!

Feature Alice Butler

1 September

Natural Fertiliser Liquid, from £12.99 for 2l, Natural Grower

FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE AND INSPIRATION GO TO WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

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Feature and photos Louise Midgley

Inthisyourmonth... garden As summer begins to slip away, autumn brings its own abundance of colour and fruitfulness

what to do in the flower garden summer flowering shrubs as soon as ✓ Prune their colourful displays have finished. Cut back the spent flowering stems, remove any dead growth and improve the overall shape of the plant and to keep its growth in check.

It’s worth investing in a good quality brand of cutting-edge secateurs and loppers, such as those in the Fiskars range (top right), to make every job less strenuous. Choose lightweight models that feel comfortable to use and keep them clean and well sharpened.

Sow seeds of hardy annuals, these will flower earlier next year than ones sown in the spring. If you do both you can extend their period of flowering considerably. Good candidates include Calendula, California poppies (above right), Cerinthe (left), Nigella, Papaver (top left) and Cornflowers to name a few. You can either sow them into warm, damp, weed-

✓

✓

free soil or grow them in modules and plant out when they are a few inches high. They won’t need any protection in winter unless the weather is relentlessly harsh, in which case cover them temporarily with fleece.

Keep Rhododendrons (right), azaleas and camellias well-watered because their display of blooms next spring is determined by how hydrated they were during late summer and autumn the previous year; the period in which they begin to form their flower buds.

Prune rambling roses to keep their growth contained (above left). Most ramblers don’t repeat flower but put on growth after flowering.

If your variety produces colourful hips then leave pruning until spring to feed birds over winter. Thin out some of the oldest stems first to ground level and then trim back the remaining flowering stems.

✓

✓

GARDEN INSPIRATION Kniphofia rooperi adds dramatic height and colour to beds and borders

Plant of the month Kniphofias, or Red-hot pokers as they are often called, are exhuberantly bright and bold and punctuate borders with their exotic tall spires of often two-tone shades of vibrant orange, yellow, red, brown, green or pink blooms. For optimum performance plant these natives of South Africa in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Their architectural appearance makes them equally suitable for modern planting designs as they are for more traditional schemes. They look particularly at home among other late flowering, vertical performers that favour similar conditions such as Dahlias, Rudbeckias, Heleniums and Asters where they will bequeath a tapestry of stunning, vivid colour to a garden setting when planted en masse.

what to do on the veg plot harvesting vegetables and freeze or store ✓ Continue any that you can’t use. miss out on growing vegetables if you are ✓ Don’t time poor, instead invest in some low-maintenance perennial varieties that will reappear every year. September provides the ideal conditions to plant with warm soil and the promise of rain over the coming months, giving any new plant a good start in life. Globe artichokes (top right), Babington’s leeks, asparagus, rhubarb (below right) and horseradish (bottom right) are widely available. But there are plenty of other lesser known varieties and, for something a little more unusual, visit www.edulis.co.uk, a nursery that specialises in edible plants.

You don’t need a separate area to grow perennial veg, just integrate them with flowering plants in beds and borders. Jerusalem artichokes sit well at the back of a herbaceous border and produce a mass of tall, yellow daisies in summer. Harvest the tubers regularly to prevent them becoming over-invasive.

If you planted seeds of spring cabbages (bottom left) in August they can now be planted in the ground; if you didn’t you will find plenty of young plants for sale at garden centres or online. Once in the ground, the cabbages will continue to grow until the winter sets in but will then take a break and start back into growth in early spring, quickly maturing to form small tender heads of leafy greens.

✓

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what to do in the ruit garden it may be hard to tolerate wasps ✓ While in late summer, bear in mind they play an important role in the garden’s ecosystem.

Earlier in the year, while they are living in a colony, they are efficient pollinators and also predate on many garden pests, such as aphids. When the nest breaks down after the queens hibernate, the wasps look to fruit trees for their sugary fix for a short period before they die.

To keep wasps at bay in your garden, it helps to regularly collect windfalls and pick rotting fruit off plum, pear and apple trees disposing of them on the compost heap away from seating

areas. One humane method to keep wasps away from gardens is to use an eco-friendly, highly efficient visual deterrent. The Waspinator, £12.95, from Mr Fothergill’s, looks like a wasp’s nest and deters foraging wasps from the area as they will instinctively keep away from another nest or colony.

Order bare root fruit trees now to be planted out while they’re dormant. Bare root plants are less expensive than container grown ones and are available in a wider selection of varieties.

Prune blackberries by removing the fruited stems

✓ ✓

✓

✓

Blackberry Loch Ness, £14.95 for a 2L potted plant, Mr Fothergill’s

and leave the new shoots to carry next year’s crop. You can raise new plants for free by burying the tips of long shoots in the ground.

By next spring these will have formed new roots and shoots which can then be separated and planted wherever they are needed.

Blackberry Loch Ness crops on thorn-free stems which need no support and is ideal for smaller gardens – what’s not to love?

Extend an invitation to wildlife With colder weather on the horizon, it’s time to think about helping wild birds, both residents and visitors, cope during the leaner months in our gardens. Shrubs and small trees that carry a profusion of berries will provide nutritious food for our feathered friends at a time when other natural food sources, such as insects and caterpillars, are hard to find. And any plant that produces berries will have had a wonderful display of flowers earlier in the year, making these plants attractive focal points for any garden.

Different bird species will gravitate towards specific berries to feed. Holly berries are a favourite of blackbirds, thrushes and redwings.

Crab apples will attract many birds but are a favourite of starlings. Robins and chaffinches are partial to hawthorn berries. Cotoneaster, Pyracantha and Berberis are good all-rounders for a wide range of birds.

Garden centres tend to display whatever is looking at its best for that period, so over the next few weeks a wide selection of plants with berries will be taking centre stage.

Going underground A sure sign that autumn is just around the corner is the appearance of spring bulbs for sale. Most should be planted before the end of September as they require a long season of growth. Tulips on the other hand, require less time to flower and should not be planted until the soil temperature drops to avoid a disease called tulip fire blight which thrives in warm, damp conditions. Any time from the end of October right through to mid-December is best.

In addition to the standard daffs and crocus that are easy to source, look out for more unusual varieties to brighten borders and containers next spring. Narcissus ‘Hawera’ (above left) is an elegant little specimen with multi-headed, butter yellow, scented blooms that appear in late spring when other members of its family are long gone. It was raised in New Zealand, hence its Maori name, and is happiest in a sunny site.

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At the other end of the spectrum, Iris unguicularis (top right) is often the first of the spring bulbs to flower and established clumps may even produce blooms in December. And no garden should be without Chionodoxa (above) which, once planted, will quickly multiply and carpet an area in a sea of blue.

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good health

Latin Lesson Latin plant names consist of two words, the genus, a noun which is followed by the species name, an adjective that often gives a more descriptive picture of the plant. l Acer palmatum (above), the Japanese Maple, is described by the adjective palmatum meaning ‘shaped like a hand’. l Sempervivum arachnoideum is a succulent that has a covering of fine hairs like a spider’s web. l Noctiflora describes a plant that flowers at night and may often release a strong fragrance in the dark to attract night-flying moths, as in the beautiful wildflower Silene noctiflora (right). l Plants with the species name ‘mollis’ are a must for tactile gardeners because this adjective means soft or with soft hairs on the leaves.

Alchemilla mollis (below right) and Hamamelis mollis (below left), one of the loveliest witch hazels, are both good examples and make great additions to any garden.

Five portions of fruit or vegetables are known to be beneficial to our physical and mental wellbeing but, recently, some experts have suggested this number is too low and should be nearer double figures.

The simplest way to increase your intake is to grow your own produce as it’s tastier than shop-bought items and, having not travelled any air miles, remains fresh and highly nutritious. Just by spending more time outside will increase your intake of Vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium and healthy bones.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, boosts our immune system and aids the absorption of iron from food. Blackcurrants, peppers, berries, broccoli and kale are all good sources.

Orange and yellow crops, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and winter squashes, are a great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is converted by the body into Vitamin A, which plays a vital role in maintaining good vision and reproductive health.

There are eight types of Vitamin B, each has its own specific function, so include plenty of leafy greens, legumes such as beans and peas and a good cross section of veg to obtain your daily dose.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

117

WIN!

WIN!

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WIN!

We have £3,795 worth of fab prizes up for grabs!

Win a £200 Posterlounge voucher

Five lucky winners

It’s time to spruce up those four walls with some new wall art, because we’ve teamed up with Posterlounge to give five lucky people each a voucher worth £200.

At Posterlounge, you can not only choose from thousands of designs by hundreds of different artists, but you can also select one of eight different materials to have your dream design printed on. But it doesn’t stop there – you can also select from a range of different sizes to fit a variety of wall spaces.

All premium posters can be hung as they are or placed in a chic wooden frame. Plus, your favourite prints can be moved around using Posterlounge’s wall stickers. If you prefer a natural look, then wood prints are for you; or, for those who like an industrial feel, try Posterlounge’s range of aluminium prints. For inspiration and to see the whole collection, head to www.posterlounge.co.uk.

Win the ultimate gardening tool package We’ve teamed up with gardening superbrand Flymo to give two lucky winners each one Hover Vac 250 and a C-Link 3-in-1 Combi Pack to help tackle all of your gardening needs.

The lightweight, compact and easy to use Hover Vac 250 floats on a cushion of air while collecting and compacting grass cuttings for less emptying. Also included in the prize is a handy 3-in-1 Lithium-ion battery-powered hand tool with an interchangeable grass trimmer, hedge trimmer and blower heads, which allow you to roam the garden without a cord holding you back. To find out more, head to www.flymo.com.

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September 2019

Two lucky winners

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Win a pair of Wall Art Speakers One lucky winner

Enter now to be one of the first people to own a pair of stylish Wall Art Speakers!

These gizmos are the latest slimline music device that double up as a stunning piece of art, developed and created using the latest digital sound technology in sound resonance. Choose from a selection of designs then sit back, stream and enjoy your music via Bluetooth anywhere you wish. Connect your two speakers together for an exceptional stereo sound – or simply gift one to a friend or loved one! Find out more at www.wallartspeakers.com.

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

Win £500 of flooring from One Harvey lucky Maria winner Enter now to win £500 worth of stone-effect luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring from Harvey Maria’s Organics Stone collection. This new range features lookalike tiles which are perfect for creating a modern-rustic interior. A classic for the kitchen or bathroom, the tiles are available in a gentle palette of natural shades with an authentic texture and can be laid to create a seamless, elegant finish; or incorporate feature strips for a classic flagstone look. Plus, LVT is also durable, easy to clean, waterproof, warmer underfoot than traditional solid stone, and compatible with underfloor heating. To see the whole collection, please visit www.harveymaria.com.

WIN!

WIN!

Win tickets to The Knitting & Stitching Show The Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, 10th-13th October 2019, is the UK’s biggest event for textile lovers, and we’ve got 16 pairs of tickets* to give away! This is the ultimate crafting show to learn new skills, be inspired, top-up your knit and stitch supplies and mingle with like-minded crafters. Show highlights include 250 workshops and talks, a dedicated Dressmaking Studio, textile galleries, catwalk shows and craft demonstrations, drop-in lessons, The Craft Village featuring boutique craft companies, a Prosecco Bar and 350 exhibitors! To find out more, visit www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com.

16 pairs to win

*Tickets are valid any one day of the show, excluding Saturday 12th October.

If a winner wishes to attend on the Saturday, there will be a £5 fee.

Win a Qube greenhouse from Halls We’ve teamed up with Halls, one of the best-known greenhouse brands in the UK, to give one lucky winner a stunning new Qube greenhouse. Available now, the new Qube is perfect for families and homeowners wanting to start a grow-your-own project. Measuring six foot by eight foot, it has some clever design features too which make its attractive black frame lighter and stronger than a regular greenhouse. Three millimetre toughened glass comes as standard and fits flush with the frame – no need for fiddly greenhouse glazing clips! Plus, a low-threshold sliding door provides easy access, and high eaves and wide gutters combine to provide attractive practical benefits. Complete with a comprehensive frame guarantee, home delivery and a host of accessories, this competition is not to be missed.

To see the full range of products and find your nearest stockist, head to www.hallsgreenhouses.com.

One up for grabs

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, click on the WIN! tab, then fill in your details.

Rules of entry 1) The competitions close at midnight on 30th September 2019 unless otherwise stated. Winners will be notified after the closing date. 2) Subject to availability, non transferable or refundable. No cash alternative will be given. Prizes include delivery but not installation or removal of existing products or appliances, where applicable. 3) Open to residents in the UK (mainland), over the age of 18, except employees of Hubert Burda Media UK or companies involved in these promotions. 4) Entrants must be homeowners where decorating/renovation work is required for the prize.

5) Only one entry per person. 6) The winners must be willing to participate in publicity if required. 7) The Editor’s decision is final. Correspondence will not be entered into. 8) The winners are selected at random, from correct entries received, after the competition end date. 9) Prizes are valid for six months after the date of the draw, and the prize will be withdrawn if it is not claimed within this period. 10) Hubert Burda Media UK and companies involved in these promotions may use your details to advise of products and services. Details are occasionally available to vetted companies.

11) Allow 8-10 weeks from selection to completion. 12) Reproduction of this competition, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Hubert Burda Media UK reserves the right to prosecute offending parties.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk September 2019

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Shopping guide A

Acc Art Books 01394 389950 www.accartbooks.com AEG www.aeg.co.uk All Posters www.allposters.com Amara 0800 587 7645 www.amara.com Amazon www.amazon.co.uk Amtico www.amtico.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476 www.anthropologie.com Argos 0345 640 2020 www.argos.co.uk Arlo and Jacob 0330 094 5855 www.arloandjacob.com Art Gallery Fabrics www.hantex.co.uk Art Republic 01273 766360 www.artrepublic.com Arthouse 01706 230077 www.arthouse.com Auteur 01869 338751 www.auteurlimited.co.uk Avenue Floors www.avenuefloors.co.uk

B

B&Q 0333 014 3098 www.diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 010 2352 www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathrooms to Love 0800 877 8899 www.bathroomstolove.uk Bathwaters 0330 058 6479 www.bathwaters.com Beko www.beko.co.uk Benchmarx Kitchens 01604 268441 www.benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 www.bohemiadesign.co.uk Brabantia www.brabantia.com Button & Sprung 0333 320 1801 www.buttonandsprung.com

C

ChicP www.chicp.co.uk Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 www.clarke-clarke.com Cole & Son www.cole-and-son.com Cotswold Company 0333 200 1725 www.cotswoldco.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 www.coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose 020 3668 7027 www.craigandrose.com Crown Imperial 01227 742424 www.crown-imperial.co.uk Crown Paints 0330 024 0281 www.crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 www.cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 www.cultfurniture.com

D

Dalefoot www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 www.debenhams.com DFS 0808 149 3636 www.dfs.co.uk Distinctive Floors 01274 655690 www.distinctiveflooring.co.uk Dorton Reclaim 01444 250330 www.dortonreclaim.com Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 819 9985 www.dowsingandreynolds.com Dreams 0800 652 5090 www.dreams.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 www.dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0845 165 6565 www.dunelm.com

20

E

eBay www.ebay.co.uk Era 07729 955308 www.era-brighton.com Esse 01282 813235 www.esse.com Etsy www.etsy.com Express Bifolds 0800 121 4809

F

F&P Interiors 01273 495500 www.fabricsandpapers.com Farrow & Ball www.farrow-ball.com Fiskars 01782 204141 www.fiskars.co.uk Flymo 0344 844 4558 www.flymo.com Frontline Bathrooms 0845 470 2424 www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 www.furniturevillage.co.uk Fusion Living 0116 201 9988 www.fusionliving.co.uk

G

Garden Trading 01993 845559 www.gardentrading.co.uk Gayle Mansfield Designs www.gaylemansfield.co.uk George Home 0800 952 3003 www.direct.asda.com

Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 www.giselagraham.co.uk Graham & Brown 0808 168 3795 www.grahambrown.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Great Little Trading Company 0344 848 6000 www.gltc.co.uk Grosvenor Garden Centre 01244 625200

H

H&M Home www.hm.com Habitat www.habitat.co.uk Halls Greenhouses 0121 355 7701 www.hallsgreenhouses.co.uk Hardie Grant www.hardiegrant.com Harlequin 0845 123 6815 www.harlequin.uk.com Harvey Jones 0800 389 6938 www.harveyjones.com Harvey Maria 0845 680 1231 www.harveymaria.com Hillarys 0808 239 7113 www.hillarys.co.uk Hobbycraft www.hobbycraft.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk

Where to buy everything in this issue HomeSense 01923 473561 www.homesense.com Hotpoint 0344 822 4224 www.hotpoint.co.uk House Of www.houseof.com Howdens www.howdens.com Hurren & Glynn 01273 773051 www.hurrenandglynn.co.uk Huski Home 01322 901025 www.huskihome.co.uk I Want Wallpaper 0161 491 6400 www.iwantwallpaper.co.uk Ian Snow 01271 858649 www.iansnow.com IKEA 0845 358 3363 www.ikea.com Indesit www.indesit.co.uk InkyKatStudio www.inkykatstudio.etsy.com Ion8 www.leakproof.co.uk iposters 01449 774610 www.iposters.co.uk

I

JakJakHome www.jakjakhome.etsy.com JD Williams Home 0345 071 9018 www.jdwilliams.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 www.johnlewis.com Joules 0345 250 7160 www.joules.com Jugs 01273 719899 www.jugsfurniture.co.uk

J

K L

Keep It Living 07813 878242 www.keepitliving.co.uk

La Redoute 0844 842 2222 www.laredoute.co.uk Lakeland 01539 488100 www.lakeland.co.uk Lapuan Kankurit www.lapuankankurit.fi Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 www.lauraashley.com Lavazza www.lavazza.co.uk Lavender Room 01273 220380 www.lavender-room.co.uk Leakbot www.leakbot.io Little Greene 020 7935 8844 www.littlegreene.com London Homebuilding & Renovating Show 0121 728 9819 www.london.homebuildingshow.co.uk Lorena Canals www.lorenacanals.com M&S 0333 014 8555 www.marksandspencer.com Macmillan Cancer Support 0330 102 7810 www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk Made 0344 257 1888 www.made.com Made Weave Love www.madeweavelove.com Magnet 01325 744093 www.magnet.co.uk Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 www.maisonsdumonde.com Mamas & Papas 0345 268 2000 www.mamasandpapas.com Mandarin Stone 01600 715444 www.mandarinstone.com Marigold www.marigold.co.uk Marshalls www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk Matalan 0333 004 4444 www.matalan.co.uk Mc2 Tiles & Flooring 01753 830638 www.mc2tilesflooring.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000 www.melodymaison.co.uk

M

Meylor www.meylorgoods.com Miele 0330 160 6600 www.miele.co.uk Mink Interiors www.minkinteriors.com Mister Smith Interiors 01273 605574 www.mistersmith.co.uk Modern Rugs 01388 663738 www.modern-rugs.co.uk Mr Fothergill’s 0333 777 3936 www.mr-fothergills.co.uk MY Furniture 0800 092 1636 www.my-furniture.co.uk National Trust 01793 817400 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Natural Grower 0333 800 5450 www.naturalgrower.co.uk Neptune www.neptune.com Never Perfect Studio www.neverperfectstudio.com Next 0333 777 8000 www.next.co.uk Nordic House 01872 223220 www.nordichouse.co.uk North Road Timber and Joinery 01273 603880 www.northroadtimber.com Not On The High Street 020 3318 5115 www.notonthehighstreet.com

N

Oka 0333 004 2042 www.oka.com Optiplan Kitchens www.optiplankitchens.co.uk Otto Tiles & Design 020 3488 3205 www.ottotiles.co.uk

O

Paperchase www.paperchase.com Percy & Nell 020 3633 7322 www.percyandnell.com Perspex Sheet www.perspexsheet.uk Plyconic www.plyconic.com Pooky 020 7351 3003 www.pooky.com Posterlounge www.posterlounge.co.uk Prezzybox 01827 839041 www.prezzybox.com Purlfrost 020 8992 4024 www.purlfrost.com

P

Red Candy 0121 224 7728 www.redcandy.co.uk Rex London www.rexlondon.com Rockett Kitchens 01202 548080 Room Service 01273 628428 www.roomservicebrighton.com Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 www.roseandgrey.co.uk Rotpunkt www.rotpunktuk.com Roy Castle Foundation Charity Shop www.roycastle.org Royal Horticultural Society 020 3176 5800 www.rhs.org.uk Royal Opera House 020 3772 6391 www.shop.roh.org.uk Ryan Wicks www.ryanwicks.co.uk

R

S’well www.swellbottle.com Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636 262 www.sainsburyshome.co.uk Sanderson www.stylelibrary.com/sanderson Scarthin Books of Cromford 01629 823272 www.scarthinbooks.com

S

Scion www.stylelibrary.com/scion Scotts of Stow 0344 482 5550 www.scottsofstow.co.uk Screwfix www.screwfix.com See What We Saw www.seewhatwesaw.co.uk Sheridan Australia 01925 453 410 www.sheridanaustralia.co.uk Shoreline Blinds 07931 705100 ShuttersUp www.shuttersup.co.uk SIGG www.sigg.com Simply Burlington Bathrooms 01277 233378 www.simply-burlingtonbathrooms.co.uk Snoopers Paradise 01273 602558 Snug Shack www.snugshack.co.uk Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 www.sofa.com Stoves www.stoves.co.uk Talking Tables www.talkingtables.co.uk The Farthing 0344 5672400 www.thefarthing.co.uk The Knitting & Stitching Show 020 7688 6830 www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com The Little House Shop www.thelittlehouseshop.co.uk The Little Jones www.thelittlejones.com The Metal Straw Co. www.metalstrawco.co.uk The Old Cinema 020 8995 4166 www.theoldcinema.co.uk The Radiator Centre 01273 661771 www.theradiatorcentre.com Tile Giant 0345 307 5000 www.tilegiant.co.uk Tile Mountain www.tilemountain.co.uk TK Maxx 01923 473561 www.tkmaxx.com Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 www.toppstiles.co.uk

T

U V

Urban Outfitters 0845 330 1288 www.urbanoutfitters.com

V&A 020 7942 2000 www.vam.ac.uk Valspar www.valsparpaint.co.uk Velvet 01273 725992 www.velvetstore.co.uk Very 0800 092 3355 www.very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 www.victorianplumbing.co.uk VonHaus 0161 833 5442 www.vonhaus.com

WallArt Speakers www.wallartspeakers.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 www.wallsandfloors.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 www.wayfair.co.uk Whirlpool 0344 815 8989 www.whirlpool.co.uk Who Gives A Crap www.whogivesacrap.org Wickes 0330 123 4123 www.wickes.co.uk Wilko www.wilko.com Wolf Noodle www.wolfnoodle.co.uk Wonder & Rah www.wonderandrah.co.uk

W

Z

Zara Home 0800 026 0091 www.zarahome.com

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TR ADI TI ONAL BR I TI SH UPHOLSTERY SI NC E 1987 Download the NEW app edition on your iPad, iPhone, Android device or PC!

Our handy NEW app lets you carry pages of homes, crafts, food & decorating inspiration with you wherever you go. View sample pages for free, or subscribe to explore the entire magazine on the go.

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A staggering 40 per cent of British crops are rejected because of their shape or size. In a bid to tackle the country’s food waste problem, Hannah McCollum founded ChicP. Focusing on one of the tastiest dips around, Hannah chose to use supermarkets’ rejected fruit and veg and transform it into a variety of different houmous flavours, such as beetroot; horseradish and sage; or carrot, ginger and turmeric. Now wholesalers and suppliers send their wonky veg directly to Hannah, ready for her to produce up to 300kg of houmous every week! If you want to get your hands on one of these delicious pots, or you’d like to try some of Hannah’s recipes, head to www.chicp.co.uk.

Reader treat

We’re giving away four pots of ChicP houmous to five lucky winners. To enter, send your name, address, and contact details to ChicP Giveaway, Your Home, HBM UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU by 30th September 2019.

Charity is on a roll…

Did you know that 2.3 billion people across the world don’t have access to a toilet? Who Gives A Crap is the toilet paper company looking to make a difference one roll at a time. Initially launched by Simon Griffiths, Jehan Ratntunga and Danny Alexander through a crowdfunding campaign, Who Gives A Crap delivers eco-friendly toilet paper, kitchen roll and tissues straight to your door and donates 50 per cent of its profits to improving poor water and sanitation facilities worldwide. Each package is available in 24 or 48-roll boxes, priced from £24, and each roll is made from 100 per cent recycled paper – you can even subscribe and save £5! Plus, if you don’t like it, they also offer a money-back guarantee. Visit www.whogivesacrap.org to find out more.

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128

September 2019

The CleanStraw features a zip opening so you can ensure your straw is always squeaky clean!

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All is s’well Cutting down on unnecessary packaging and plastic wrap, the new S’nack range of containers from S’well is putting the colour back into your lunchtime and improving the environment at the same time. Each colourful design is made from double-walled food-grade stainless steel and is vacuum-insulated to keep your food hot for up to six hours. No need to worry about spills either, as the range is leak-proof! Choose from a 296ml or 709ml size in several different styles, priced from £20. To find out more, head to www. swellbottle.com.

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Ivybridge 01752 897800 London - Fulham 0207 3840511 London - Perivale 0208 6162722 London - Watford 01923 369706 Polegate 01323 409222 Purbeck 01929 422345 Sailsbury 01722 328777 Seaton 01297 22559 Sherborne 01935 817111 Staines upon Thames 01784 463909 Storrington 01903 741004 Tiverton 01884 251675 Tring 01442 827997 Wadebridge 01208 813231 Waterlooville 02392 176380 Whitstable 01843 593069 Winscombe 01934 844144 Witney 01993 704105 Wokingham 0118 9783393 Worthing 01903 201901

Aberdare Abergavenny Cardiff East Cardiff West Dyffryn Ardudwy Haverfordwest Hay-on-Wye Nefyn Newport St Asaph Swansea

01685 813869 01873 850911 02920 485888 02920 593969 01341 242015 01437 763623 01497 821374 01758 721081 01633 252187 01745 582786 01792 790088

Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey

01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750