Aszxdew

M a k e yo u r d r e a m h o m e a r e a l i t y

Real 1 HOMES REALHOMES.COM

020

ide the perfect kitchen-diner

BEFORE AFTERS

+

50+ pages of STUNNING HOME renovations

Your

2020

shopping hotlist stylish storage kitchen appliances modern doors

project

No planning permission required!

happy healthy home

From spa bathrooms to tranquil living spaces

FRESH NEW LOOK Take a tour of the best home transformations

results for yourself – I’m sure you’ll find the project (and the story behind it) just as fascinating as we did.

There are plenty of ideas inside this issue if you’re currently planning your own house transformation for 2020. We show off the winners of the Best Kitchen (page 72) and Best Bathroom (page 126) categories from our awards in all their glory, and we also reveal the best ways to transform your home this year without having to apply for planning permission (page 85). Whatever your plans are for your home during the year ahead, I hope we continue to inspire you to create your own ‘wow’ moment, turning your dream home into a reality. Happy New Year to you all!

nes e c s e h t d n i beh

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

Getting the perfect angle for the cover shot The Real Homes team (below) and owner Debbie got through a lot of tea on our shoot day!

Keeping our cover styling baggage out of shot

Beth Murton Editor @BethMurton

READER OFFER Subscribe to Real Homes today and you’ll receive a free set of iconic printed Orla Kiely storage canisters – see page 10 for details

REALHOMES.COM

from the editor

ng like a good ‘wow’ en you walk into ouse for the first ey’ve completed a r extension, is there? t parts of my job is getting to visit some of the amazing homes we feature on the pages of the magazine, and being continually awed by kitchen extensions, open-plan layouts and amazing loft conversions.

For that reason, our annual awards scheme is a highlight of my year. I enjoy poring over the entries we receive with the rest of the Real Homes team, each of us championing our own favourites.

This year was no exception. We loved seeing all of the before and after photographs, and delving into the stories behind the projects.

I’m thrilled that we’ve also made our awards bigger and better to include a new garden category, and this issue we finally get to reveal the winners of the Real Homes Home and Garden of the Year awards (page 24). The overall winner is Debbie Goodwin, who renovated and extended a dated bungalow, turning it into a wonderfully modern home that’s packed with personality, clever decorating ideas and some amazing Ebay bargains!

Some of the magazine and the Real Homes Show teams visited Debbie’s home several weeks ago to photograph it for the cover of this issue and film it for the show (go to realhomes.tv to watch the latest episode). We were all won over by her incredible project, and by the ongoing passion Debbie has for her home. Turn to page 26 to see the

s t n e t n o c 72

Style agenda

Inside track 15

21

How to create a boutique hotel scheme in your own house

51

Enhance your home and your wellbeing with a calming scheme

59

60

66 real home Explore our Home of the Year award winner Debbie Goodwin’s amazing bungalow renovation

43

store and order

Kitchen-Diners A guide to creating the perfect dual-purpose space that’s good enough to cook and eat in

meet the winners We announce the winners of the Real Homes Home & Garden of the Year Awards

26

new buys on the block The latest bathroom looks and where to get them on a budget

home truths Our monthly columnist, Lisa Dawson, on refreshing your home

24

slow living

#nowtrending Let’s be friends on social media

23

style of the month

news This month’s hottest new homeware and design ideas

51

49

155

creative ways with faux materials We reveal why modern lookalikes may be your best option

126

Add a sleek sideboard for a chic storage solution in any room

soothe operator Be inspired by nature and choose soft green hues for your scheme

47

60

should you get three quotes?

When hiring tradespeople, is it always necessary?

READER OFFER Subscribe and get a free set of three iconic designer Orla Kiely canisters – see page 10

REALHOMES.COM

45

s t n e t n co 26

project advice

home life

71

39

The latest ideas and essential purchases for your renovation

My favourite corner A reader shares the part of her home she enjoys most

72

85

real home Discover how Clare used her interior design skills to scoop our Best Kitchen award

92

153

project news

Guide to projects without planning permission Discover the possibilities

133 extension of the month A brave design that caught our eye

real home Alex and Sam transformed their home with upcycled furniture and vintage French finds

135 Extension diary Interiors writer Linda Clayton on living through a big renovation

106 role play Why deciding who does what on a project could be the key to success

60

136 the January report On-trend buys and innovations for your kitchen and bathroom

136

110 Real Home See how Sara used dark walls, panelling and artwork to create a characterful home

138

143 Guide to front doors Ensure your home looks great from the start with the best materials and styles

121 your new year’s Reno resolutions

150 Focus on fridge-freezers

Our readers reveal the to-dos they want to achieve in 2020

The latest and best designs

124 and relax...

153 The edit

Why you should turn to your bathroom for a wellness retreat

Stylish kitchen dressers and modern showerheads

126 Real Home

162 Sunday Project

Nikki sacrificed a bedroom to gain a bathroom, making her our Best Bathroom award winner

Create a headboard with a rug

92

138 Real Home Gillian and John doubled their kitchen space for a place to relax

#Sorealhomes Share your home with us on Instagram using our hashtag

8

45

The perfect gift for just £14.99 *

FREE ORLA KIELY CANISTERS SET GIFT WORTH £30

righten up your kitchen with this colourful set of canisters

Featuring a mix of iconic Orla Kiely geometric prints

Set of three designs in a range of different sizes

Your special Set of Orla Kiely canisters worth £30 Enjoy six months of Real Homes for just £14.99 - that’s just £2.49 per issue!

Receive every issue delivered direct to your door Two tickets to all eight Homebuilding & Renovating shows, worth £216 A thoughtful gift that keeps delivering throughout the year

Upgrade to include digital for only £2.50 Instant access any time, anywhere Never miss an issue of Real Homes Available on Apple iOS

w.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/reh/xmas192b or call 0344 848 2852 *Terms and conditions: Savings calculated against the full RRP (single issue price x frequency). Gift is only available for new UK subscribers and is subject to availability. Please allow up to 60 days for the delivery of your gift. In the event of stocks being exhausted, we reserve the right to replace with items of similar value. You can write to us or call us to cancel your subscription within 14 days of purchase. Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Your statutory rights are not affected. All gift subscriptions will start in January 2020. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change. Full details of the Direct Debit guarantee are available upon request. For full terms and conditions, please visit bit.ly/magtandc. Offer ends 31 December 2019.

Extend

Improve

Renovate

Self-Build

Bring your project to life Find out how at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

January 18-19 Farnborough International Centre IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Daily seminars and masterclasses which provide a wealth of knowledge that you won’t find elsewhere from kitchen design ideas to planning advice to choosing the right doors and windows.

Get 2 FREE TICKETS

Exhibitors displaying hundreds of products including home furnishings, kitchens, bathrooms, garden furniture, lighting, entertainment and alarm systems.

homebuildingshow.co.uk/ janmag

The Advice Centre offering a free 15 minute session with an expert to help get your project started.

worth ÂŁ24* by visiting

*Terms and conditions apply. Offer expires 3pm 17 January 2020. Saving based on one day door price ticket. Children 16 and under go free.

For more details visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/farnborough

Future PLC, Units 1 & 2, Sugarbrook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3EX

EDITORIAL Editor Beth Murton Assistant Editor Alison Jones Features Editor Ellen Finch Style Editor Anna Morley Deputy Style Editor Amelia Smith realhomes@futurenet.com 01527 834456

ART Head of Art Billy Peel Senior Art Editor Emily Smith Art Editor Karen Lawson REALHOMES.COM Editor in Chief Lucy Searle Associate Editor Lindsey Davis Staff Writers Annie Collyer, Anna Cottrell, Hebe Hatton and Emily Shaw realhomesdigital@futurenet.com BRAND DEVELOPMENT Brand Development Editor Laura Crombie Video Producer Matt Gibbs ADVERTISING AND EXHIBITIONS SALES Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Clare Dove clare.dove@futurenet.com Group Media Director Mark Wright mark.wright@futurenet.com Strategic Partnership Director Jackie Sanders jackie.sanders@futurenet.com 01527 834426 Print Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com Digital Sales Manager Kelly James kelly.james@futurenet.com Exhibitions Sales Director Hellen Roche hellen.roche@futurenet.com For all media sales enquiries please contact rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com or call 01527 834415 INTERNATIONAL Real Homes is available for licensing. Contact the International Department to discuss partnership opportunities International Licensing Director Matt Ellis matt.ellis@futurenet.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Email enquiries contact@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk UK order line and enquiries 0344 848 2852 Overseas order line and enquiries +44 (0)344 848 2852 Online orders and enquiries myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Director of Acquisitions Sharon Todd

l a Re s e m o H t s ju a k c i cl y a aw

MANAGEMENT Brand Director Paul Newman Content Director Jason Orme Chief Content Officer Aaron Asadi Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham Commercial Finance Director Simon Fish

BE YOUTU videos. o ow-t Handy h eal Homes’ ‘R h Searc

RAM INSTAG e up to. at we’r See wh l_Homes e @R a

PRINTED BY William Gibbons & Sons DISTRIBUTED BY Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU, marketforce.co.uk Tel: 020 3787 9001

EST PINTER t pics. e t la s Pin our al Homes’ ‘Re Search

E WEBSIT dvice. a t s e lat Get the s.com e m o lh Visit rea

OOK FACEB munity. r com Join ou eal Homes’ ‘R h Searc

R TWITTE news. t lates See the eal_Homes @R Search

ISSN 1464 - 4061 áƺ Əȸƺ ƬȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɎȒ ȒȇǼɵ ɖɀǣȇǕ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ɯǝǣƬǝ ǣɀ ƳƺȸǣɮƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼɵ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳً ƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎȸɵ ƏȇƳ ƬǝǼȒȸǣȇƺ‫ٮ‬ǔȸƺƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺِ Áǝƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ɯƏɀ ɀȒɖȸƬƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ɀɖɀɎƏǣȇƏƫǼƺ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎɀً ƬȒȇǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɀɎȸǣƬɎ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɀȒƬǣȒƺƬȒȇȒȅǣƬ ɀɎƏȇƳƏȸƳɀِ Áǝƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸǣȇǕ ȵƏȵƺȸ ȅǣǼǼ ƏȇƳ ȵȸǣȇɎƺȸ ǝȒǼƳ ǔɖǼǼ I³! ƏȇƳ ¨0I! ƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ƏƬƬȸƺƳǣɎƏɎǣȒȇِ ǼǼ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ ۰ ‫ ח׏׎א‬IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺِ ǼǼ ȸǣǕǝɎɀ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺƳِ zȒ ȵƏȸɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ɖɀƺƳً ɀɎȒȸƺƳً ɎȸƏȇɀȅǣɎɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣȒȸ ɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ ȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺȸِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ ٢ƬȒȅȵƏȇɵ ȇɖȅƫƺȸ ‫דזזז׎׎א‬٣ ǣɀ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ǣȇ 0ȇǕǼƏȇƳ ƏȇƳ áƏǼƺɀِ «ƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ȒǔˡƬƺ‫ ي‬ªɖƏɵ RȒɖɀƺً Áǝƺ ȅƫɖȸɵً ƏɎǝ ‫׏ ׏‬È ِ ǼǼ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƬȒȇɎƏǣȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ȒȇǼɵ ƏȇƳ ǣɀً Əɀ ǔƏȸ Əɀ ɯƺ Əȸƺ ƏɯƏȸƺً ƬȒȸȸƺƬɎ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ǕȒǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȵȸƺɀɀِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƬƏȇȇȒɎ ƏƬƬƺȵɎ Əȇɵ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǣǼǣɎɵ ǔȒȸ ƺȸȸȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǣȇƏƬƬɖȸƏƬǣƺɀ ǣȇ ɀɖƬǝ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇِ çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƳɮǣɀƺƳ ɎȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺȸɀ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɎƏǣǼƺȸɀ ƳǣȸƺƬɎǼɵ ɯǣɎǝ ȸƺǕƏȸƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣƬƺ Ȓǔ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀٖɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺǔƺȸȸƺƳ ɎȒ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ȵȵɀ ƏȇƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼِ áƺ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ Əȇɵ ȒɎǝƺȸ ƬǝƏȇǕƺɀ Ȓȸ ɖȵƳƏɎƺɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺȅِ Áǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ǣɀ ǔɖǼǼɵ ǣȇƳƺȵƺȇƳƺȇɎ ƏȇƳ ȇȒɎ ƏǔˡǼǣƏɎƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɎȒ ɖɀً ɵȒɖ ɯƏȸȸƏȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ Ȓɯȇ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȇƺƬƺɀɀƏȸɵ ȸǣǕǝɎɀٖȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ɀɖȵȵǼɵ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖ ƏɖɎȒȅƏɎǣƬƏǼǼɵ ǕȸƏȇɎ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƏȇƳ ǣɎɀ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ Ə ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ ǣȇ ɯǝȒǼƺ Ȓȸ ǣȇ ȵƏȸɎ ǣȇ ƏȇɵٖƏǼǼ ǣɀɀɖƺɀ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ƺƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇɀً ǣȇ Əȇɵ ǔȒȸȅƏɎ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɯȒȸǼƳɯǣƳƺ ƏȇƳ Ȓȇ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀً ɀȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ ƬǝƏȇȇƺǼɀ ƏȇƳ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀِ ȇɵ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ǣɀ ɀƺȇɎ ƏɎ ɵȒɖȸ Ȓɯȇ ȸǣɀǸ ƏȇƳً ƏǼɎǝȒɖǕǝ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƬƏȸƺ ǣɀ ɎƏǸƺȇً ȇƺǣɎǝƺȸ IɖɎɖȸƺ ȇȒȸ ǣɎɀ ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺƺɀً ƏǕƺȇɎɀً ɀɖƫƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ ɀǝƏǼǼ ƫƺ ǼǣƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼȒɀɀ Ȓȸ ƳƏȅƏǕƺِ áƺ Əɀɀɖȅƺ ƏǼǼ ɖȇɀȒǼǣƬǣɎƺƳ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ȒɎǝƺȸɯǣɀƺ ɀɎƏɎƺƳً ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ɎȒ ƺƳǣɎً ƏȅƺȇƳً ƏƳƏȵɎ ƏǼǼ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀِ

13

Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com

Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔ ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ȒǔˡƬƺȸ Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

#SOREALHOMES

PRODUCTION Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Clare Scott Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Manager Vivienne Calvert

REALHOMES.COM

CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers

INSIDE INSIDE

track

Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love…

Sandford Live Edge dining table, £599; Sandford Live Edge dining bench, £299; Morgan chair, £249; Artisan collection, from £7; large cylinder vase, £12.50; Marlowe cereal bowl, £5; fish bowl vase, from £5, all Marks & Spencer

FRESHLY SERVED Get ready to mingle New Year’s style on some effortlessly cool dining furniture from Marks & Spencer.

With these contemporary yet classic designs, guests can relax into the mood on the oh-so retro Morgan chair and around the sleek angles of the Sanford dining table. The mix of soft curves with straight lines will bring a modern edge to your supper party vibe.

Printed jug, £12.50

Lustre footed glass hurricane candle holder, £15

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

Dipped dinner plate, £6

easy living Don’t want to stop with your dining area? We understand. M&S has tasty accessories and furniture to tempt you

Ava embroidered cushion, £19.50

Beatrix rug in Duck Egg, from £169

Sophia large sofa in Bellevue Lilac, £1,399

DIY CRAFT

Lamor lamp shade smoke glass, £35 Globe pendant chandelier in wide brushed brass and pink glass, £179

Create your own hanging garden Make a hanging planter shelf with this easy project from Furniture Choice You’ll need: Q A flat wire memo board d Q Wooden crates (we used three) Q House plants in sealed pots to prevent leakage e Q Roll of tan/fake leather with a thickness of 5cm m Q Six leather screw brass rivets Q A utility knife Step one Lay your wire memo board flat so you can plan how you want your crates to sit.

Step two Thread the leather roll around the crate, and loop it behind the wire rack to get the desired length and height. Next, overlap both ends of the straps by a good 5cm, cut off the excess with a utility knife. Repeat this step twice for each crate.

Step three Using the hole punch pliers, punch a hole into the centre where the leather straps meet. Then secure the straps using one of the screw rivets.

Repeat this process for all your crates.

rise & shine Dia three-light ceiling lamp in glass and brass, £199

FLORAL FANCY Let us formally introduce you to Graham & Brown’s recently announced Wallpaper of the Year 2020 – and what a corker it is! Meet Bloomsbury Neo Mint. Echoing the delicate designs of the 20th century, it’s lively in all the right places, bursting with countryside motifs, such as flowers, insects and foliage, all set against a background of on-trend minty green.

Step four You should now have the wire rack with your secured leather straps on. Place your crates in between the leather straps with the rivets underneath the crates.

After ensuring that all your crates are hanging safely in place, carefully mount the wire frame to the wall with suitable hard-wearing fixings.

Step five Place your plants of choice inside the pots, and sit back and admire your handiwork! For more details on this and other easy DIY projects, visit furniturechoice. co.uk/blog

Graham & Brown Wallpaper of the Year 2020, Bloomsbury Neo Mint, £60 per roll

16

Roll up, roll up for the brand new light offerings from Made.

Its simple yet luxe designs pack a stylish punch. There’s brass, glass and smoky finishes to name but a few. Perfect for any ceiling updates you are pondering this year.

Book worm

Maria round marble dining table in brushed brass, 110cm, £529; heather velvet upholstered dining chair, from £99, Cult Furniture

Women in Design by Charlotte and Clementine Fiell (£35, Laurence King) This inspirational book runs through the profiles of more than 100 pioneering women designers, celebrating more than a century of female creativity and ingenuity within all areas of design, including fashion, textiles, furniture, lighting, graphics and architecture. True girl power.

FLUID DESIGN Embracing curves will definitely be a big thing in 2020, and this brand new table from Cult Furniture certainly ticks our trend box.

Its simple but elegant shape is finished in lavish marble and glam brass – ideal for impromptu style-led gatherings.

Wild Leopard animal print vinyl flooring, £59 per m2, atrafloor.com

Desert Shoulder, from £13.95 Mountain Wave, from £13.95

PRINTS PERFECT

Shot among the majestic scenery of the American Southwest, the latest collection from Desenio – Serenity – encourages us to unplug, take a breath and dare to be still. With wellbeing at the forefront of everyone’s mind, it’s perfectly timed. Set in the warming palette of nature, there are deserts, mountains and sandstone dunes to whisk eyes and mind away for a moment or two of quiet contemplation.

Desert Bird, from £13.95

Fierce flooring If you’re rocking the animal print in your wardrobe (we know we are), how about getting it under your feet, too? Atrafloor’s latest flooring certainly has a touch of the wild about it. Its fun, modern design creates a striking pattern that puts a twist on the ever-popular print trend. The palette is eyecatching oranges, pinks and blues in both sugary and saturated tones. Vibrant and edgy, this is a high energy collection.

COLLAB ALERT

Fashion forward We love a good collab, and this recent one between Sofa.com and fashion and interiors blogger Erica Davies (The Edited) caught our eye. They’ve created a fun range of fabrics that can be used over the entire range of Sofa.com’s furniture and accessories, and which blur the lines between fashion and interiors. Make your home a catwalk and check these out.

Betty armchair in Orchid cotton matt velvet, £590; Buttons blanket box in Erica Davies Wild Thing Pink Elephant, £620; Scatter cushions in Jungle Cat Hippo and Wild Thing Pink Elephant, from £65

Minehart via Hone Ella chair, £198; Heal’s via Hone Lawn throw, £395; Habitat via Hone Mackenzie jar vase in Olive Green, £25; Curious Egg via Hone Olive modernist cushion, £55, all available via honestore.co.uk

Ruby armchair in Jungle Cat Pink Elephant, £950

Juliet king-size bed in Jungle Cat Hippo, £1,520

VIRTUAL SPACE

House cushion in Jungle Cat Hippo, from £65

Here’s a handy site for comparing and purchasing homewares. Hone (above) brings together more than 90 brands, making it easier to shop from all the retailers in one place at one time. Shop by room or trend, filter searches, shortlist items plus price watching are just some of the tools you can use. With all this on offer, it really feels like Hone is where our heart is.

five five of of the the best best SUBSCRIPTIONS Oh the joy of a subscription!

That joyful treat waiting for you at your front door is perfect as a gift that keeps on giving for a friend (or yourself of course). We’ve rounded up a few of our faves

With Papergang, you’ll get uber-cool desk accessories and stationery designed with different artists.

It’s £14 per month

Real Homes magazine subscription. Monthly interior inspiration sent direct to you for £14.99 for six months.

See page 10 for details

Bloombox Club was started by a doctor of psychology who knew the uplifting effect of plants. Prices start at £35 including a pot

Bloom & Wild delivers a surprise flower bouquet through your letterbox every week, fortnight or month. Pay from £60 for three months of flowers

Iggy Box is a multi-brand candle subscription service.

Get yourself glowing from £12.95 for ‘The Little One’

get involved We always love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news, behind-the-scenes shoots and gorgeous pics. Share your home with us using #sorealhomes and you might just find yourself featured on our feed…

‘TIS THE SEASON Take off your headphones and you can almost hear the sleigh bells ringing: Christmas is here! From gift guides and last-minute present ideas to Boxing Day sales, find all your festive inspiration on our website.

Brunswick tree, £199, and assorted decorations, from £2, all John Lewis & Partners. realhomes.com/ tag/christmas

g n i d n e r t w o n # REALHOM JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON

FOR ALL YOUR HOMES

INSPIRATION AND ADVIC

ES.COM

E

deals galore

Kirkton large coffee table, £59.99, Aldi

STEP INSIDE Who doesn’t love having a nosey around other people’s homes? The Real Homes Show has had a revamp and we’ll be sharing expert renovation advice direct from our favourite spaces. From airy kitchen extensions to glamorous lofts, put your feet up and be inspired at realhomes.com/tv

Bar cart, £30, Primark

SHOPPING DONE RIGHT Hold on to your hats and grab your wallet: we’re entering shopping season on Realhomes.com.

We’ve got all the best sales news for you, but not the rubbish you don’t want, will never wear or need to return – we’re focusing on the very best offers for your home, from high-quality furniture to top tried-and-tested appliances.

REALHOMES.COM

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE (BOTTOM LEFT)

We’ll be keeping you updated on all things Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond as we delve into the biggest retail events of the year. We’ll be covering every bargain in the run up to Christmas, so whether you’re replacing your microwave or want a new TV, head to realhomes.com/deals

LISA DAWSON

home truths

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

When January finally arrives, I often feel it can be a letdown after the Christmas festivities.

Or it might be that you simply want to design a gallery wall, source a new lamp or swap around the cushions. Stick them all on the list with a proposed date or month for the work and move on to the next room. Job done.

Two weeks of partying have taken their What’s the benefit of doing this? toll – the sparkle has gone, the tree has It’s far more productive than having a drooped and even the dog is tired of the complete trauma about how much you turkey leftovers. We’ve eaten enough have to do around the house, feeling out cheese and biscuits to feed a small of control and announcing hysterically island and we no longer stop every time that you don’t like any of it any more we pass the tub of Celebrations to grab and need a complete home renovation a mini Snickers. Normality and routine (the general sequence of events in my return with a crash. own house). Aside from helping you On the positive side, it’s a brand to keep a clear head, it’s also a far new year and there’s much to be more economical way of approaching celebrated. It’s a good time to assess updates. If I’m planning to redo an where you are, what you’re doing and, entire room in May, for example, I’ll most importantly, what your plans are pick up pieces for the space as and for your home over the coming year. when I see them, such as flooring in the Let’s start with the priorities, obvs.

January sales, paint We’re all full of during an Easter exciting ideas for our ‘having a future weekend discount home, but I’m just as promotion, or even guilty as everyone plan of action pop a cushion in my else of starting a job trolley whilst on the and not finishing it. for your house weekly shop, with an Despite redecorating actual location in my living room more is a perfect way mind for it rather than 18 months ago, to get your than just because I I’ve never got around fancied buying it – to repainting the year off to a #guiltyascharged. patio doors in the Spreading out the Bone Black paint I’d positive start’ overall expenditure bought. And don’t means that when you even start on the come to decorate later in the year, skirting in the dining room... there’s less to pay out in one go, So one of the first jobs I undertake meaning you’re more in control of both once January kicks in is to write a list of your bank account and your ideas. things to do. But not just any list, oh no.

Finally, of course, there is nothing A Future Plan Of Action. I’m not talking better than ticking something off a list. about marrying Chris Hemsworth on a I’ve been known to write a list and beach in Mauritius and living in Malibu. include things that I’ve already done Nope. This one is purely interior based. just to feel the smug satisfaction of If you’ve never written one, then having completed it. Best of all, you’re you’re most definitely missing out. more likely to tick off the smaller, often First, grab a notebook – I love a forgotten jobs if they’re there on the notebook, especially a nice new shiny page to remind you. Writing a Future one. In fact, the notebook alone is Plan Of Action is a perfect way to get enough to improve my mood. Head your year off to a positive start, so why up each page with a room name. I then not give it a try? You could always add list everything that needs to be done Chris Hemsworth at the bottom, I in that room, every idea and every won’t tell. Happy New Year everyone! unfinished job. It might be a full FOLLOW LISA @_lisa_dawson_ revamp, a complete repaint or redesign.

23

Missed out this year?

Home & Garden

Keep an eye out in Real Homes for details of how to enter next time

of the Year

Meet the

winners

From a bungalow renovation to an outdoor kitchen, the winners of this year’s Real Homes Home and Garden of the Year awards will inspire your 2020 project…

O

PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE; JEMMA WATTS; MALCOLM MENZIES

ver the last few months, the Real Homes team has had the difficult job of sifting through all your amazing entries to decide the winners of this year’s Home and Garden of the Year awards. We’ve been wowed by your work and were over the moon to see so many entries for our all-new Best Garden category.

After careful consideration, we’re excited to reveal the projects that inspired us the most – each of whom will receive a year’s subscription to Real Homes magazine. However, only one of these inspirational entries could win the grand £1,000 prize. So who took this year’s crown? Read on to find out…

Wins

£1,000

in John Lewis vouchers

Best renovation and Home of the Year Sponsored by Icynene

We fell in love with Debbie Goodwin’s renovated bungalow from the moment we saw it, but the winner for us was the story behind the property. Built by her dad in the 1960s, it’s taken a family effort to get it up to scratch and transform it into the bright, stylish home you see today. Take a tour on page 26.

Best kitchen Sponsored by Grohe

Sponsored by Folding Doors To You

Best home makeover

Light, bright and spacious: three words to describe everyone’s dream extension, right? Nikki Edwards ticked all those boxes and more with her kitchen extension. Replacing their existing lean-to with a glazed addition actually reduced the footprint of the ground floor, but you’d never know: the new kitchen-diner is the perfect space for entertaining and day-to-day family living. We’ll be featuring Nikki’s kitchen in full in a future issue.

When Danielle Lisle bought her house from her parents, she set about transforming it into a creative home for her young family – but in true DIY style, she was armed with little more than a paintbrush and a large dose of imagination. The result is a beautiful Scandistyle home done up for less than £25,000. Discover how Danielle achieved her stunning home makeover in an upcoming issue.

Wins

£500

in John Lewis vouchers

Best GARDEN Sponsored by Sureset

Georgia Blundell decided to make the most of the sloping plot she inherited when she bought her house by creating a multi-level garden that functions as an extension of her home. Complete with outdoor kitchen, sunken dining pit and plenty of bright and colourful planting, it’s the perfect space to relax in after a long week. See the full tour in a summer issue of Real Homes.

25

Best BATHROOM Sponsored by Bayswater

Not only were we wowed by Nikki Edwards’ light-filled kitchen extension (above), we also fell in love with her bathroom, which is why she’s picked up two prizes in this year’s awards. By sacrificing a bedroom in her Victorian terrace for a spa-style bathroom, Nikki has created a sanctuary that’s the envy of the Real Homes office. Find out how she did it on page 126.

SEE MORE INSPIRATIONAL MAKEOVERS AT REALHOMES.COM

Best extension

#SOREALHOMES

Want to know how to create a luxurious kitchen on a budget?

Clare Pater can tell you.

Thanks to her eye for interiors and bargain-hunting savvy, she’s transformed a dated, run-down room into a beautiful entertaining space with costcutting design cheats that really work. Curious? Read her story on page 72 and get inspired for your own project.

Home & Garden

of the Year

Home of the year

Family affair Floor tiles, CTD Tiles. Sliding doors and rooflights, Express Bi-folding Doors. Table and brown chairs, Furniture Village. Pink chairs, Amazon

BEFORE

With DIY know-how and an eye for Ebay bargains, our award winner Debbie Goodwin set about lovingly renovating the bungalow her dad built

WHY DEBBIE’S BUNGALOW IS AN AWARD-WINNING HOME… Nothing says ‘family home’ quite like a property that your dad built and, 50 years later, helped you renovate to create the house of your dreams. That coincidence is precisely why Debbie feels such a strong attachment to her 1960s bungalow.

Built when her dad was in his 20s, the property came on the market at the perfect moment – just as Debbie had an offer on the house she shared with her partner, Neil.

Debbie thinks it was fate that brought her together with her newly renovated home, but it’s required a great deal of work to get it up to date, too. With her family on board – including her dad and her brother – Debbie set about extending, renovating and injecting each room with her sense of style. Colour block walls and bold floral wallpaper sit in harmony alongside sleek parquet flooring and sophisticated marble. Debbie’s gift for thrifting means she’s snapped up Ebay bargains from a £250 marble dining table to a sofa she’s taken from house to house. All pretty impressive, right? We agree – and that’s why we’ve awarded Debbie best renovation and overall winner of the Real Homes Home of the Year awards for 2020. We hope you love her home as much as we do.

26

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE STYLING ANNA MORLEY AND AMELIA SMITH

‘We don’t entertain very often, but we wanted the kitchen-diner to be nice and spacious so that when we do host on special occasions like Christmas, everyone is comfortable. The kitchen needed to be open plan and spacious with plenty of storage, but without it feeling too wall cupboard-heavy.

Because it’s part of the living space, I wanted it to be stylish. Keeping the units fairly neutral means I can change up the look with colour elsewhere.

Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring!’

Profile THE OWNER Debbie Goodwin (@fixingupfarnley), a project management office lead, her partner Neil, a transport supervisor, and their five dogs THE PROPERTY A two-bed converted 1960s bungalow in Congleton, Cheshire project COST ÂŁ129,200

BEFORE

Dad was part of the team that built this row of bungalows, so when we bought this, it felt like it was meant to be. I’d always wanted to move back closer to my parents and the place I grew up, and with five dogs to think about, we needed more space inside and out.

‘The day we had an offer on our house, I rang around the local estate agents to see what was coming on the market and one agent told me about a property that was on probate. It was just around the corner from my parents so I kept in touch until it went on the market. It quickly went to best and final offers, but we got it. The sale still hadn’t gone through when we moved out, so it was a leap of faith – but two weeks later, the keys were ours.

‘The house was in reasonable condition, but it hadn’t been updated in a long time. It had brightly patterned carpets and old plumbing and electrics. The loft had a dormer conversion but the layout was bad and there was no insulation.

It still showed so much potential.

As soon as I walked in, I had a good feeling. It just felt like home.

‘We wanted a large open-plan space for the kitchen that opened to the garden, but I wanted a broken-plan element to keep some of the living spaces cosy. Eventually we extended the full width of the house, remodelled, converted the loft and replaced the roof. Neil and I did a huge amount of the work at weekends and in holidays, including digging the extension foundations by hand. An architect drew up the plans so we could submit them to the council, and he helped tweak my designs, which I then tweaked back! It was good to get feedback from professionals, but it sometimes paid to stick to my gut. No one was convinced about the huge doors at the back of the house, for example, but I knew it was the right decision.

‘

‘

Over to Debbie...

Dark walls painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Kitchen, Wren.

Pendant over island, Pagazzi. Tap, Amazon. Blue sofa, Ebay. Stove, The Stove Yard. Mirror, Homesense.

Exterior cladding, Silva Timber

AND THE WINNER IS...

‘Most people would simply have seen this property as a dated 1960s bungalow with limited appeal, but Debbie knew it had the potential to become a light filled, flexible and contemporary home,’ says editor and judge Beth Murton. ‘This renovation project shows how much can be achieved when you combine hard work, determination and a great eye for a bargain – I love it!’

‘

The lounge at the heart of the home is perfect for the evenings, when it’s dark and you want to get cosy.

That’s the benefit of doing a project yourself – you get more of a feel of what you want to do with the space.

‘We had a much smaller house before so we didn’t bring much with us, but with the spend on the build, it was impossible to buy all-new furniture. I’ve always used Ebay: I’ll spend months looking for one specific thing. I’m quite patient with it. Our dining table took me over a year to find. I came across it by chance a few months ago. It was £500 but I bartered it down to £250.

‘A lot of people think Ebay is all second-hand, but they have new sellers and ex-display pieces all the time too. You have to shop around and be flexible t the condition of the product, cially if it’s second hand – an’t expect it to be perfect.

Flooring, Wood Floor Warehouse.

Coffee table, TK Maxx. Ceiling light, Debenhams. Dining table, chairs and ceiling light, Ebay.

Walls painted in Railings and Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball

30

TOP TIP Play with contrasts in a broken-plan layout: keep extensions bright and paint middle rooms, which naturally have less light, darker

31

Contacts & contacts

Left Flooring, Wood Floor Warehouse.

Ceiling lights and mirror, Ebay.

Rug, Homebase.

Radiator, Best Heating. Wall lights, Industville.

Staircase, Stairbox

Build materials £83,000 Glazing £23,000 Kitchen £11,000 Furniture £3,800 Bathrooms £3,600 Garden and driveway £3,500 Professional fees £1,300 Total project cost £129,200 Glazing Express Bi-folding Doors, 0800 121 4809, expressbifolds.co.uk Kitchen Wren Kitchens, wrenkitchens.com Joiner J Edwards Carpenters and Joiners, 07979 836554 Electrician Edwards Electrical Installations, 07581 586163

‘

Below One of the most important elements was getting the exterior of the house looking its best because it’s the first thing people see. We replaced the doors and windows and re-rendered the rty, planning to complete nternal work over a longer ti ale at a pace we could afford Windows, Express Bi-folding Doors.

Front door, designed by Debbie and made by her joiners

‘

Left This is a small room but I wanted to ensure that we had a bath and shower to keep it versatile for anyone staying, or if we decided to sell in the future. We k he floor clear with a freestandi nity and wall-mounted toilet to e the illusion of more space.

Floor tiles, Tons of Tiles. Wall tiles, Topps Tiles. WC and sink, Victoria Plum. Sideboard, Homesense.

Tap, Ebay. Radiator, Best Heating

32

‘

‘

The original plan for the house was to keep it quite simple – minimal, even – light and airy with a hint of Scandi style. But I like stuff! I love shopping! I like colour, neutrals and dark and cosy spaces all at once. It was always going to evolve, and minimalism was going to be impossible for me long term.

Walls painted in Inchyra Blue and Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball.

Bed, Ebay; for similar, try Barker & Stonehouse. Ceiling light, Made.

Bedside tables, vanity unit and drawers, Ebay. Bedside lights made from Homebase cable fitting and Dowsing & Reynolds bulb. Rug, Homesense. Curtains, JD Williams. Throw, Christy.

Mirrors and artwork, TK Maxx

‘

With a long term mental health condition, battling the stresses of a big project became challenging at times. Family support enabled us to slow the pace down when I needed to take a break, and as I picked up again the build helped me focus on something positive. I loved getting hands-on with the build – everything from tiling the roof to digging the foundations. Doing physical work and being outside did wonders in helping take the stress out of the situation for both of us.

‘It sounds odd, but the master bedroom is the room I wanted to keep light and bright. Mornings are a real struggle for me and having that natural daylight streaming into the room helps give boost. We don’t even have ains because I don’t want to ru look of the gable windows!

TOP TIP Knocking into the eaves is the perfect way to add loft storage without using precious floor space. Drawers are ideal for this

Bed, Barker & Stonehouse.

Bedding and bedside tables, John Lewis & Partners. Print, Mulberry Moon. Ceiling light, Ikea.

Bedside lights, Cuckooland

‘

The en suite has been a triumph. It used to be a tiny landing area, but we eeked out space from the eaves and the bedroom to create this bathroom instead. The vanity unit was made from a vintage side d I bought on Ebay, pai in black and gold, a ped with marble tiles.

Walls painted in Off Black, Farrow & Ball. Wall tiles, CTD Tiles. Floor tiles, Tile Giant. Rug, Luxeology.

Sideboard and Vado tap, Ebay. Sink, Ikea

‘

Above and right We created space by opening the ceiling up to the height of the roof and utilised the eaves for clothes stora I was adamant about havi freestanding bath – it cre a luxurious, hotel-like feel.

Bath, Victoria Plum. Floor tiles, Tile Giant. Side table, Homesense.

Mixer, Lusso Stone. Dresser, Ebay, painted in Dusky Pink, Frenchic.

Glazing, Express Bi-folding Doors

THE PLANS BEFORE

GROUND FLOOR

AFTER

BEFORE

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER

KITCHEN SUNROOM

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

OFFICE

UTILITY

LOUNGE BEDROOM LIVING/ DINING ROOM

BATH ROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BATH ROOM DINING ROOM BEDROOM

36

EN SUITE

A DV E RTOR I A L

INSULATE YOUR HOME Looking to insulate your property? Whether your home is old or new, keep it warm with Icynene

I

f your home was built before 1960, chances are its energy-efficiency levels are pretty low. Older buildings weren’t made with the concerns about heat loss we have now, and nor did those builders have access to the innovative materials of today.

Because of this, many homes now need upgrading – and with winter well underway, now’s the time to do it. The tricky part is deciding on the type of insulation you need, particularly if yours is a period home. The answer? Icynene’s spray foam insulation.

According to Icynene, traditional forms of insulation are relatively inefficient in creating a ‘sealed box’ environment. They can’t completely fill all voids or seal the interface between the insulation and the building structure, and often struggle to cope with small structural movements, which can lead to air gaps. When 40 per cent of a building’s heat loss is due to air leakage, a product that works to prevent this is essential for energy

efficiency. Icynene’s insulation is applied using a pressurised gun system.

Once the foam is sprayed, it expands 100-fold within seconds, crucially sealing any gaps and service holes.

Icynene was the go-to brand for CASA Architects’ recent renovations of two historic buildings: an Edwardian terraced house in the heart of Bath and a 19th-century farmhouse, complete with a Grade II-listed cow byre, in rural Wiltshire. ‘The Edwardian property was a significant refurbishment and extension and our client required exceptionally high environmental standards,’ says Matt Hanna, project architect at CASA. ‘Being a terraced house, they also wanted acoustic separation to the party walls, so high-performance sound insulation was essential.’

Originally developed for severe Canadian winters, Icynene spray foam is perfect for any building – from new-builds to period homes. It also has excellent ‘green’ credentials, as it uses water as its blowing agent

37

CASA Architects (casa-architects.co.uk) recently used Icynene spray foam insulation on two very different projects: an extended Edwardian terrace in Bath and a 19th-century Wiltshire farmhouse

rather than environmentally-damaging petrochemicals that can emit harmful gases. What’s more, Icynene foam is professionally installed by trained and approved contractors, so you don’t have to lift a finger – and it comes with a 25-year guarantee. Find out more about it at icynene.co.uk.

Report THE PROJECT

Groovy and green We’re loving the 1960s space age style of the Le Feu bioethanol fireplace. Fun to look at and chimneyless, the funky Le Feu is made from recycled cast iron, powered by bioethanol fuel and is smoke free. The standalone or hanging fires are from a Danish company, and perfectly in tune with that country’s devotion to warmth and wellbeing through enjoying the simple things.

The Le Feu fireplaces cost £1,399 from Cuckooland.

S AND ESSENTIA D EN TR S, EA ID ST TE LA E TH

FOR YOUR HOME IMPRO VEMENT PROJECT

NATURAL BEAUTY Carpetright must just sell carpets, right?

Wrong. It also sells many other kinds of quality floor covering, including wood. There is something about wood that can add a lovely feel to the home. Choose ash or white oak boards and it can look stripped back and Scandi. Choose a traditional pattern, like herringbone or parquet, in a warm coloured wood, and it feels luxurious and complex.

Engineered wood can be a more affordable and practical alternative to solid wood, its layered design making it stable and strong.

FEATURE ALISON JONES

ON THE UP We all want a bit of calm in our lives, but can we get it from a radiator?

Yes, says Aestus, whose Verve radiator is styled with simple lines and an understated colour palette.

The statuesque rad comes in white, anthracite, quartz or Ancient Bronze, and hangs vertically, freeing up wall space. Crafted from mild steel, it has a high heat output – handy for hallways or landings as well as living and dining rooms. Prices start from £355.20 for the white version.

L BUYS

This Chevron patterned light brown engineered wood by Kahrs is lightly smoked and varies in colour for the authenticity of natural wood, and its surface is oiled for a little extra lustre. It is £119.99 per m2, Carpetright

39

A bit of all white

MDF shutters start at £285 per m2, and real wood from £379 per m2

Tired of having to switch paints to coat walls, wood or metal radiators?

They all demand their own tin... or do they? The V33 Multi-Surface Renovation is a white paint that claims to do it all – plaster, wallpaper, ceilings, doors, windows and radiators – in any room. With its integrated undercoat, it can be used to cover at least 20 different surfaces in one application. Just dip your brush and go... everywhere.

It is £35 for 5ltrs from B&Q.

OPEN AND SHUT It might be *ahem* curtains for curtains as decorators have gone wild for classic shutters – now trending in a suburban street near you. Apollo Blinds has seen a 61 per cent increase in demand compared to last year as people embrace their timeless style.

There’s even more reason to like them as Apollo has introduced automated shutters with louvres that can be tilted open or closed via a remote control. Automatic jam protection means little fingers won’t get caught when they’re moving.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR Assess and improve the air you breath with Airthings’ new air quality monitor, the Wave Mini. This can track temperature, humidity and the unsettlingly named total volatile organic compounds, which can come from paints, cigarettes, fumes, aerosol sprays or cleaning products. The monitor acts as an alert and encourages people to take simple precautions like opening windows or turning on fans. It costs £79.

Less is more

The Origin Slimline bi-fold door costs between £1,300£1,500 per sash

The beauty of Origin’s new bi-fold door is there’s less to admire – less frame, that is.

The sightline of the Slimline bi-fold door has been trimmed to 49mm, meaning a smaller profile and more glass through which to enjoy views of the outdoors. The slender frame is made from premium grade aluminium, with the strength to support the large glass panels. It’s also thermally efficient, secure and opens smoothly.

The metal comes in more than 150 colours, but if you like a timber look, there are natural woodgrain finishes.

40

Protect your home Toby Racher of Self-Build Zone reveals why you can’t just rely on ordinary insurance when tackling major renovation jobs Why do you need special insurance for renovating?

Site insurance is very different to buildings insurance. The main difference, when talking about renovation projects, is the cover provided for consequential damage to the existing property/ structure, meaning any damage caused to your home as a result of the new works. For large structural changes, consider a structural warranty policy to cover any defects arising when the project’s finished.

How big must a project be to need such insurance?

This would depend on the cover offered by your buildings insurer throughout the works. Chances are they will highly restrict or even lapse the cover even for a small amount of work, meaning you’d need to take out another policy – such as site insurance.

What could happen if People don’t get it?

Ask yourself if you can afford to replace everything if something goes wrong during construction or renovation work. If you were removing an internal wall, for example, and it caused major damage to the property, not declaring you were having work done could result in a buildings insurer not covering a claim.

What’s the cost and how long would it be needed?

Quotations are calculated individually considering rating factors such as build cost, floor area, location and other variables.

You can get a quote via the website Self-Build Zone. The policy should run the length of the project. Consider taking a policy out just before you start and having it lapse when the project is signed off as complete.

Then you will be able to reinstate your buildings insurance. See selfbuildzone.com for info.

Geometric Inlay acacia wood and brass sideboard, £1,250, Cox & Cox

Nordic grey sideboard servery, £439, The Den & Now

Grace acacia and brass sideboard, £599, Swoon

Verena solid mango wood sideboard, £649, Cult Furniture

Verso large sideboard, £2,395, Ercol

Trinity Marble sideboard in brown, £499, John Lewis & Partners

STORE AND ORDER

Add a sleek and versatile sideboard to your room design for a chic storage solution

Stockholm walnut veneer sideboard, £350, Ikea

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

style it now

With your crockery, glassware and linens hidden neatly away, have fun arranging your favourite accessories and practical pieces

Carlo Petrol Blue sideboard, £550, Habitat

Fandango whitewashed mango wood finish sideboard, £799, Atkin & Thyme

LIGHT UP Bring a warm glow with some well placed lighting.

Lene Bjerre Metta table lamp, £90, Sweetpea & Willow

THROW IN You’ll never lose your keys if they’re kept in the same place. Ornate print square trinket tray, £15, River Island

43

Grand Orinoco sideboard, £845, Loaf

REFLECT ON Statement wall art or handy hair checker?

You decide.

Square Sunburst mirror, £162, Audenza

REALHOMES.COM

Groove oak sideboard, £995, Content by Terence Conran

Aliona interwoven cushion, £65, Habitat Venice wool and viscose rug, £299, JD Williams

Slim Jim loveseat in Powder Green clever linen fabric, £1,395, Loaf

Potted boxwood, £13.50, Hudson Home Tranquil Dawn mixing matt paint, £16.42 for 1ltr, Dulux

SOOTHE OPER ATOR

Conway plastic bar stool in sage green, £69, Cult Furniture

Crackle glaze Hyde Park Green wall tile, £51.99 per m2, Tons of Tiles

Be inspired by Dulux’s calming colour of the year, Tranquil Dawn – a soft green that harmonises and enhances the home as well as the mind Duck egg linen standard pillowcase, £16, and double duvet cover, £129, Secret Linen Store

Där Lighting Kaelan one-light pendant in light grey, £36.66, Ocean Lighting

Stoff Studios No 1 cushion in green, £64, An Artful Life

Pomos twotone mottled green and grown pot vase, £18, Artisanti

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

style it now Feeling suitably tranquil? Continue the theme throughout your space with complementary tones in a minimalist palette

TURN ON Echo the soft diffused light of a cold winter’s dawn with the Fish trap pendant light, from £70, Oggetto

STORE IN Keep things thi orderly d l in i this thi natural t tassel seagrass storage basket, £16, Oliver Bonas

45

DIVE UNDER Contemplate all things meaningful from under the warmth of this grey pom pom blanket, £135, Yonder Living

REALHOMES.COM

Broste Copenhagen Wind three-seater sofa in Chinois Green, £1,425, Cuckooland

E T A B E D G I B E TH It’s recommended you get multiple quotes from tradespeople, but it takes time and patience.

Two readers reveal their different approaches

YES ‘The more people you see, the more you learn about the job

WORDS ALISON JONES

to make decisions’ Caroline Watterson (@carolinewatterson), her husband Richard and their two children live in a Victorian semi in Horbury, Wakefield ‘We’d contact five people for quotes to do work on our house, because invariably two wouldn’t turn up or were late, so I knew they were unreliable. We bought a Victorian wreck and it needed gutting.

My background’s in banking and accounting, though I’m now a declutterer (atidymind.co.uk).

I’d get multiple quotes for peace of mind and to be sure we were getting the best deal, though I didn’t always go for the cheapest.

‘My husband and I are from the finance world so hadn’t any experience of what was reasonable – we thought it was prudent to find out what was.

When you’re working to a budget, you want to make sure that you manage every penny. Also, the more people you see the more you learn about the job and can make better decisions as you’re aware of more facts.

‘I was thorough and researched every avenue so I was happy with what was going ahead. Getting quotes is time consuming but we factored that in.

We booked people six months to a year in advance because all the good workers get booked up quickly.

We only had one bad experience, a joiner who let me down timewise, and that had a knock-on effect.

But my plumbers became like family. I’d get up in the morning to make tea and they’d be there.

We’ve done what we wanted: we’re really pleased.’

‘When this builder came round I just felt that he was our guy’ Gwyneth Anderson (@kikersbeakers) lives in a Victorian three-bedroom terrace in Norwich with husband Liam, their son, and Kiki the cat ‘Almost everyone we’ve had work on our house came through personal recommendation. I didn’t get three quotes and I think it’s served us well.

We bought a doer-upper that was in an absolute state. When it came to our kitchen it cost £13,000 because we had the roof done, the electrics, bought a kitchen and a cooker. A friend recommended this company who’d done her attic room as she was really impressed by them and they were lovely to have in the house.

‘Lots of people said we’d be silly if we didn’t get three quotes, and that most people usually go for the middle quote. But with this builder I just felt he was our guy and thought, “even if you charge us £1,000 more, I want to go with you.” I’d seen the quality of his work and felt he wanted to give us a nice kitchen, which he has.

‘People said, “You don’t know if you are paying over the odds,” but I didn’t care. If I thought he was charging double what it should be, I might have. But I won’t be on my death bed worrying about paying a little extra money.

‘Getting quotes takes time. When we first moved in we got three for the plumbing and in the end with one of them I was thinking, “just get out of my house”. He was going, “This is going to be a massive job,” and I thought, “Well don’t do it then”.

‘When I got the kitchen me it was too high and that I s I didn’t want to. It like I wasn’t being a nt to be ripped off, y just trying to get

We booked people six months to a year in advance because all the good workers get booked up really quickly

NEXT MONTH: WOULD YOU LEARN A NEW SKILL TO RENOVATE YOUR HOUSE?

SHOULD YOU ALWAYS GET THREE QUOTES?

NO

Style

of the month

Southbank outdoor wall light, £55 each, Garden Trading

i Describe the look A smart, luxurious look that evokes a sense of indulgence. i Which rooms does this work best in?

The bedroom and bathroom (or an en suite) are ideal. i What designs should I go for?

For a classic hotel scheme, opt for a pared-back palette with crisp white bedding. If you’re more maximalist, choose a striking print and use it on walls or your headboard. i Which finishes?

Go for plenty of texture and tactile finishes – think velvet, luxe rugs, fabric lampshades and metallics such as burnished golds and silvers. i on a budget...

Plump up throw cushions by doubling up on padded inners, and go for inexpensive room diffusers and flowers in vases for a luxurious feel and scent.

HOTEL CHIC Tua duvet set, fitted sheet and standard pillow cases in blush, from £22 to £115; Freya blush throw, £95; Misti cushions in blush, £40 each, all Murmur

Aesthetically inspired on getaways? You’re not alone.

Style editor Anna Morley shows how to create your own boutique scheme

Foxglove linen rose blush curtains, from £33.25, Blinds 2go.

Try French Bedroom Company for a similar bed

i The one hero piece?

An oversized headboard – either extra wide or high – creates an instant statement. statement

Velvet cushion with black band, £38, Abode Living Velvet duvet cover set, £59.99, H&M Home

Scarlett upholstered bed, £845.10, Living It Up

Helix gold chandelier, £280, John Lewis & Partners

FOR MORE STYLE ADVICE FROM OUR STYLE EDITOR, WATCH EVERY EPISODE OF THE REAL HOMES SHOW AT REALHOMES.COM/TV

49

REALHOMES.COM

THE STYLE LOWDOWN

A by Amara sateen Oxford pillowcases, £40, Egyptian cotton bedlinen and pillowcases in silver, from £30, lilac velvet cushion, from £35, and lilac diamond velvet bedspread, £140; Christy Jaipur cushion in Ink, from £30; Missoni Home Socrate cushion, £167; Brink & Campman Prado palet rug, £399, all Amara

S L OW LIVING With the focus of wellbeing firmly at the forefront of the news and our minds, we ponder the ways we can enhance our homes to make them a positively enriching haven INSPIRED TRANQUILLITY Introducing a restful colour palette can be key in creating a sense of wellbeing and connectedness. Utilising natural materials helps remind us of nature, which in turn keeps us grounded. Muted greens and earthy tones combined with raw wood finishes evoke a simplistic yet tasteful look.

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

REALHOMES.COM

Khaki Twist Breatheasy coloured emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltrs, Crown. For a similar wooden pendant, try Linea Verdace TIPI contemporary tipped single wooden ceiling pendant, £117.11, Lighting company.co.uk. For similar dining table, see the Lisabo table in black, £129, Ikea.

For similar chairs, try the Ercol Teramo dining chair in brown, £228, Furniture Village

51

LET IN THE LIGHT Natural light is such a coveted commodity. So unless you are overlooked, ensure windows are unobstructed during the day to allow the maximum amount to enter. Creating a seamless link between your outdoor space and your interior helps create flow and provide a real sense of nature. If you can, position furniture to make the most of your views.

After all, garden gazing is an all-seasons pastime.

Halo grey speckle twelvepiece dinner set, £151.99; Halo grey speckle four-piece pasta bowl set; £55.99, Klara dining chairs, £129 for a pair; Soho dining table, £229; Denby set of two Halo white wine glasses, £27.99; Denby set of two small Halo tumblers, £19.99; Arthouse Tonal mineral wallpaper, £25, JD Williams Home

HARMONIOUS SURROUNDINGS A place for everything and everything in its place. Clutter is no friend to a calming scheme. So take back control of any living space with a focused declutter – it will work wonders for your wellbeing and scheme. Ample storage should be used effectively to organise essential pieces – while displaying a few well chosen treasured items, too.

REALHOMES.COM

Loft living set of two metal surround shelves, £25; Loft living 2x4 storage unit, £140; Jackson three-seater orange velvet sofa, £649.99; Feliz ombre rug, from £35, all Argos

53

RESERVED AREA Rather than redoing an entire space, how about carving out a small sanctuary in the corner of a room? Choose an area away from the main living space and add personal touches that make you happy.

Include a comfortable chair, a light source and some underfoot softness. Et voilà, a budget-friendly, go-to reading nook for some quality me-time.

House Aluminium natural wood-effect photo frame, £15; Anglepoise Original 1227 floor lamp, £255; HAY Tray M side table, £155; rose quartz rice bowl, £48 for four; Sling armchair in Harbour Blue Grey, £699; Balta pink check throw, £100; new sheepskin rug quad in grey, £175; plain Sumac jute rug, from £375; recycled tumbler, £5; Croft Collection circular wicker storage basket, £40, all John Lewis & Partners

COCOONING COMFORT The importance of a restful night’s slumber cannot be understated.

To establish an enveloping bedroom scheme, try going back to basics with layers of tactile washed linens, combined with woven textiles. Injections of warmth in the form of earthy tones will help produce a restful, coherent nest.

REALHOMES.COM

Navy linen cotton blend duvet set and pale green linen cotton blend duvet set, both £75; grey knitted throw, £60; pale green velvet throw, £80; medium silver vase, £18; sheepskin blue cushion, £45; washed velvet blue cushion, £25; monochrome botanical prints, from £40; large three-tier rattan easy-fit shade, £75; Swoon pearl side table in brown marble, £149, all Debenhams

55

Bluebird Skies paint mixing Easycare Kitchen+ Matt, £18.68 for 1ltr, Dulux Rattan pendant, £35, Very

yle t s l a Re eal

Mizu watering can, £30, Oliver Bonas @the.squiffy.mill @

Tori overreach floor lamp in black and brass, £89, Made

R See how rs use llowe o f s e m Ho rs and u o l o c nature’s yers for a lots of l feel a chilled

Adeline Resistance Ultra matt emulsion, £44 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown

Vox Nature large wooden sideboard in white and oak effect, £315, Cuckooland Apartment Living ceramic planter with faux plant, £18, Sainsbury’s Home Dutchbone Rumour rattan room divider in natural, £199, Houseology Toasted Almond Breatheasy coloured emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltrs, Crown

VIBES

@sop phia.at.home

D E X A L E R

Narnia accent chair in blush, £499, DFS

Terracotta vase, £8, George Home Living wall moss, £74.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

@cloud_nine_interiors

Cameron cuddle chair in light grey, £349.99, Argos

Chandra jute hand braided round floor rug in silver, £129, Cult Furniture

New buys on the

BLOCK Take your pick from the latest bathroom looks and shop the style at your favourite high street stores

MODERN BLACK & WHITE

TRADITIONAL ELEGANCE

Daphne bathroom chandelier, £80, BHS Jessie le eaning shelvess, £85, Habitat

SUNNY SHADES

i

Off-white embroidered towel, from £9,, Debenhams

Palm uxe m luxe round mirror, £25, Sainsbury’s Home

Apartment laundry bin, £12, Argos

Elements matt black toilet roll holder, £10, Dunelm

Terazzo soap dispenser, £5, Wilko Yellow textured vase, £8, M&Co

i Green velvet stool, £24.99, TK Maxx

i

GoodHome Ladoga white vanity unit, £105, B&Q

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

REALHOMES.COM

i

Otis side table, £60, Matalan

i

i

Gold mirrored tray, £25, River Island

i

Hamilton bathroom suite, including basin, bath and WC, £700, Wickes

Balterly Faye designer radiator, £719, Homebase

59

Gutviken countertop washbasin, £40; Lillangen washbasin cabinet, from £40, Ikea

KITCHENS (THAT ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT IN)

A spacious kitchen-diner is the ultimate social hub for everything from family time to entertaining. Follow our guide to ensure yours ticks all the boxes for cooking up a storm, and stuffing your face

W

adjacent garage/utility. Extending is the next logical step, especially if you want to keep a closed-off living area for cosying down in the evenings. Aim for at least 6x4m if you can get it but be guided by the size of table you need. A family of four who rarely entertain at home won’t need as much dining space as a bigger family, or ones who regularly host dinner parties worthy of Come Dine with Me. And then there’s the island question. One of the most practical kitchen-diner layouts uses an island to divide and conquer. Cooking on one side, eating on the other – dreamy.

An island can also add informal dining to the mix but do think carefully before taking the plunge, especially if your space isn’t aircraft hangar in scale. Often, a large cooks’ table can prove more useful, and usable, than trying to cram in a separate island and table.

Of course, not everyone has an inner Jamie Oliver lurking. If the idea of friends sat watching your every dropped spoon and seasoning fail fills you with dread, consider a layout where the chef firmly has his or her back to the party. Or better yet, allocate space for a walk-in pantry behind your kitchen-diner, where dirty dishes, ugly appliances and sunken meringues can hide in peace, leaving everything calm and serene ‘front of house’.

e’re not saying that dining rooms are deader than Jamie Laing’s Strictly career (they are).

But few would turn down a lovely light-filled kitchen-diner, given half a chance. The main motivation for combining cooking and dining is to be more sociable. The dream is mummy and/or daddy blissfully knocking up the spag bol, while their little cherubs work earnestly on their homework at the dining table. Or, even more compelling, knocking up the cocktails while glamorous friends gather in awe of your Tom Cruise skills. Bliss!

So, how to make the fantasy come true? The most obvious requirement is space. There are many ways to shoehorn dining facilities into a kitchen, from clever dropdown tables (try Ikea) to simple bar stools at an island.

But if you want a room filled with Boden catalogue grade bonhomie, there needs to be plenty of room to manoeuvre in both kitchen and dining area. It’s hard to feel #blessed when you can’t access the dishwasher without moving stools/bodies, or feed more than two people without having to push the table out into the garden.

Existing kitchen shoebox-small? The quickest and easiest solution is to whip out an internal wall or two (adding steels where required, obvs) or maybe pinch space from an

Come dine with me

Ruusu table runner in Bordeaux, £36, Lapuan

Jade dining table, £699, Atkin & Thyme

Runa gold pendant, £118.80, Där Lighting

60

Bon Appétit fine china plate, £25, Chase & Wonder

Alveare bar stool in copper and bottle green, £299.99, My Furniture

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON IMAGE DARREN CHUNG (HARVEY JONES)

Make guests feel comfortable in your kitchen with our decorating ideas

Zoning the room into distinct areas is a popular way to maintain order in a multi-use room. Using different flooring, decorative light fittings or colour schemes to help define the role of each zone can be very effective, but don’t lose sight of the overall design cohesion. Establish similar shapes, materials or textures across the space – for example, co-ordinating the dining table top with the worktops – to visually unite the room. Also try to allocate storage for the dining area.

The front of an island unit could contain drawers or cupboards for storing items such as placemats, water jugs and table linen.

The Shaker kitchen, from £20,000, Harvey Jones

There’s no getting past the fact that adding dining to your kitchen requires space. However, achieving that space needn’t be prohibitively expensive. Simple adjustments to the existing kitchen layout, such as adding a breakfast bar or small dining table, or installing window seating, can be enough to make your kitchen diningfriendly. Seeking advice from an interior designer or architect at this juncture could help you see the project with fresh eyes, and result in clever spatial solutions that don’t involve a mini-digger or acres of steel.

Gold drinks trolley, £279, Idyll Home

Don’t forget COCKTAIL HOUR

In terms of layout, the dining table shouldn’t be too far from the kitchen – to keep travel between the two to a minimum at mealtimes. The fridge, and wine cooler/racks if applicable, should also be easily accessible from the dining table, making it easier to keep drinks topped up during dinner. Try to carve a direct route from the table to the dishwasher to make it easy to clear away after you’ve eaten. Take a similar approach to the breakfast bar, storing cereals and breakfast supplies nearby if that’s where you intend to start your day. If there is room for a sofa, it can afford to be further from the heart of the kitchen.

The Integra Soho kitchen in Coffee Grounds and Green Olives, from £4,987, Magnet

Sutton kitchen in light grey and dark grey, from £12,000, Masterclass Kitchens

Five things...

ONE

There is no escape.

Remember your mum moaning about being stuck in the kitchen at Christmas? She was secretly loving the excuse to get a bit of peace and quiet before the Queen’s speech, especially once the dishwasher landed.

If you are planning an island and separate dining table, make sure there’s sufficient space to navigate around each. Try to avoid being wedged into your seat or having to get up to let people out for the loo. Allow at least 90-110cm between the island and table, not forgetting that chairs need to be pulled out, and drawers, fridges and dishwashers need space for opening.

TWO

If you have a separate dining room or formal sitting room, chances are it’s underused. Getting heavy with a jackhammer to combine these rooms with your kitchen will expand the footprint, while still keeping a reasonable rein on the budget. Rather than knocking down entire walls and installing expensive steel supports, consider creating a large opening between the rooms. It’s cheaper and, if wide enough, still very effective.

Don’t forget adjoining hallways, garages or oversized utilities for space-stealing potential.

Widening your kitchen by just one metre could be all it takes to make way for a dining table.

you’ll only realise if you have a kitchen-diner

And there’s nowhere to hide the crap. Yes, you can stash the kettle and toaster behind closed doors and shovel the day-to-day worktop tumbleweed into drawers, but you’ll still be looking at dirty pans while you’re eating dinner. Bon appétit.

THREE

The reality of trying to cook and monitor homework/crafting sessions/hold deep conversations. Sounds good in theory but IRL either the dinner gets burnt or the homework/ crafting/convo takes longer than seven lifetimes to complete.

62

FOUR

There is no such thing as too many sockets.

Unless you’re happy to find the toaster unplugged in favour of a phone/screen. Every.

Single. Morning. Easier to just head straight for the corn flakes and save yourself the silent fuming.

FIVE

The sheer brilliance of having your dining room in the same room as the fridge/wine rack.

If you’re really savvy, they’ll be within arm’s reach.

DIY INSTAGRAMMER

GILL KARAISKOS

Noise can be an issue when you’re cooking and dining in one space. Extractor fans, dishwashers and washing machines are the worst culprits. An extractor with an external motor is the quietest option if you don’t want to compromise on suction power. Check decibel ratings before you buy – anything under 45db shouldn’t interfere with conversation. Check out quietmark.com for appliances that are considered to be quieter than most.

Catania violet ceramic wall tiles, £60.67 per m2; Kanzi natural porcelain floor tiles, £52.46 per m2, Topps Tiles

‘We kept the solid oak kitchen that was here when we bought the house – a 10-year-old new-build. It was beautifully handmade, solid and the layout worked. To breathe new life into it, we painted the units in French Grey Pale and the island in Dark Lead by Little Greene. We also replaced the busy worktops with sleek quartz and solid European oak. I kept the overall palette neutral and timeless, then added a splash of colour with the bright pink velvet sofa from Sofa.com. It’s a great space for busy family life, but also perfect for parties.

The one downside is trying to keep the kitchen tidy when we’re entertaining, but the sink is tucked away in the corner so at least the dirty dishes don’t get stacked on the island! The only thing I’d like to add now is some feature lighting above the island. When you have a kitchendiner, it will quickly become your main family space so it’s important to make sure you get it exactly right.’

Instagram: @mrs_k_ at_the_bridge Metz Graphite kitchen, from around £8,200, Caple

An island unit or peninsula (which is joined to the wall at one end) can be a real saviour in a kitchendiner as it will help steer guests away from the heart of the kitchen when you’re in full flow.

Add bar stools and it becomes an extra dining space. If a breakfast bar is your only dining option, go for the most comfortable bar stools you can find – high backs, cushioned seats and adjustable foot rests are all good if you’re sitting down to a meal rather than just grabbing a drink or snack at the island.

Kitchen painted in Washed Cotton, from £10,000 for a kitchen, The Shaker Kitchen Company

Voxtorp kitchen doors, from £30; Odger chair, £70; Ekedalen table, £250; Nymane pendant lamp, £40; Evedal pendant lamp, £115, all Ikea

Lighting should be planned in tandem with the kitchen layout. Get the cooking and dining areas on separate switches if possible – plunging the kitchen into darkness while you eat is a great way to forget it’s there.

Flexible fittings, such as pendants on extendable flex or wall lights that fold outwards, are great for targeting specific areas when required. Lighting can also be used as a design feature to link or define zones. Look for lighting collections that include different style fittings – such as wall lights and pendants – in the same design for easy co-ordination.

HOME RENOVATOR

EMILY PENKETT ‘Previously the kitchen was a small square, hosting a large chimney breast and external door. M² Developments (msq-dev.com) removed the chimney breast and wall separating the original kitchen and dining room, and extended the kitchen in line with the dining room.

We spent lots of time measuring to ensure we had space for an island and

Think about sightlines from the heart of the cooking space and when you’re sat down for dinner. Will the chef truly be able to chat and cook when guests come around? What will be seen from the dining table? Are you making the most of any garden views? There’s nothing relaxing about eating surrounded by piles of dirty dishes but a deep sink is all you need to stash them out of sight until you’re ready to load the dishwasher. A raised upstand at the front of an island or peninsula can also act as a screen for really messy cooks.

dining table without compromising on the space between the island and kitchen cabinets. The last thing you want is to open an oven door or dishwasher and bump into an island.

Ideally, I wanted an 8-10 seat dining table, but I’ve had to compromise on one that we can extend and move when there’s more than six for tea. Cabinet-

64

wise, making sure we had enough without overcrowding was key. Our house was built in the 1920s so we chose traditional Shaker-style units, light quartz worktops and warm parquet-style luxury vinyl flooring.

The most difficult decision was the hardware. I love brass, but it can be tricky on a budget – I found the perfect handles from The Foundryman (thefoundryman.com). I love the space.

It’s great for entertaining – something we do a lot – because everything is happening in the one room and it becomes nice and informal. You can be cooking or making drinks, without missing out on the conversation. One thing I learned was the importance of painting the walls before the kitchen units go in. We found it really tricky to do it after without making a mess.’

Instagram: @renovatingrosedale

CREATIVE WAYS WITH

faux materials From charming woods to elegant stone and luxurious metals, we reveal why modern lookalikes may be your best option

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

N

ow more than ever before, we are reaping the rewards that nature can bring to our wellbeing – filling our homes with houseplants, choosing large glazing to let in sunlight and open up our homes to the garden, and decorating with natural materials.

While natural surfaces bring a sense of calm and tranquillity, modern technology means we can achieve the same sense of calm, without the cost and maintenance that often comes with them.

Porcelain, vinyl, PVC and wallpaper are great alternatives that are affordable, easy to maintain and look just as good. We’ve gathered some of the best ways to create a calming home by going faux.

1 Wood effect

Wooden flooring is a classic and timeless choice in any room scheme, but real wood can be an expensive option and isn’t always the most practical choice for spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, where it could get wet and be prone to warping. Thanks to the latest printing technology, wood-effect vinyl and laminate look surprisingly like the real deal, plus vinyl flooring can be very soft underfoot. Long Island Tribeca grey oak vinyl flooring, £21.95 per m2, Lifestyle Floors

3 Spa style

Hands up if you’re desperate for a spa day? Us too. But if you can’t get to one ASAP, mimic their relaxing natural elements – think stone, wood and water – in your own bathroom instead. Use the same tile across walls and floor for simplicity. Real stone is porous and can get marked by water, so stone-effect tiles are a really practical choice.

Mediterraneo grey porcelain tiles, from £49.95 per m2, Original Style

2

TOP TIP Large-format tiles can make a small room feel bigger as there’s less grouting dividing up the wall space

Precious metals

Nothing says luxury like metallic shine, and whether it’s gold, silver, bronze or copper, there’s a hue to suit any scheme.

But unless your bank balance is extremely healthy, faux is definitely the way to go. With a nod to contemporary glamour, metal-effect tiles and wallpaper also work to enhance the available light in a room. Julien Macdonald copper effect wall tiles, £39.94 per m2, Victorian Plumbing

4

5

Cosy up

Why assume tiles are just for the kitchen and bathroom. Think outside the box and use them in other rooms and you might be surprised how cosy it can look. These slate-effect porcelain tiles create the perfect textured backdrop, and the latest inkjet replication technology makes for a realistic design at a fraction of the cost. Indas rust tiles, £47.50 per m2, Topps Tiles

Statement wallpaper

Don’t want the hassle of fitting tiles? Wall murals are big news right now and they can be made to measure to fit perfectly to any wall. While the choice of patterns is endless, we love this larger-than-life marbleeffect design, creating a statement backdrop to any room. Simply enter your measurements online, choose your crop and texture, and they’ll be delivered to your door for you to paste on yourself. Light grey marble mural, from £27 per m2, Wallsauce

67

Real or faux?

6

Still undecided? Here’s what you need to know REAL MARBLE Real marble is an incredibly porous material, which means it easily absorbs liquids so can be very susceptible to staining.

Liquids such as red wine or coffee can be very difficult to remove, so if you’re a perfectionist at heart, this may not be the material for you. If you’re set on getting the natural reflective shine of real marble in your kitchen, why not consider using it as a splashback instead of a worktop?

NATURAL STONE If you want authentic natural stone in your bathroom, it’s essential to protect the tiles against water damage.

Real stone, such as limestone and slate, is naturally porous, meaning it will absorb water and stain easily.

Once the tiles are fitted, you should protect your stone with a sealant, and this must be repeated regularly for continued protection. You’ll also need to be careful which cleaning products you use – abrasive detergents will remove the sealant and could damage the stone.

Intricate designs

Love the look of elegant marble floors but don’t want to break the bank? Porcelain marble-effect tiles are not only cheaper, they’re warmer underfoot and easier to clean. Real marble can stain easily and comes with natural imperfections, so if you want a low-maintenance, more uniform look, opt for a marble effect and add a modern twist with on-trend hexagons. Voronoi marble-effect hexagon tiles, £32.95 per m2, Walls & Floors

TOP TIP

For a complete guide to concrete flooring, head to realhomes.com/advice/ concrete-flooring-abuyers-guide

7 Log-cabin look

Dreaming of a rural retreat? Move over wallpaper and paint: there’s a new material in town and we’re loving the results. This solid wood-effect wall is actually PVC cladding, which you can install yourself at home. The panels line up perfectly for a seamless natural grain finish. The curved patterns of wood grain bring a calming feel to any room, which can be both fresh and invigorating and warm and cosy. Ashy wood grey plank-effect cladding, £43.99 for a pack of four (2.65m2), Bathroom Cladding Direct

8

AUTHENTIC WOOD Have you fallen for a particular shade of wood?

If it’s a pale Scandi-chic look that you’re after, remember that real timber will change colour over time. Exposure to the sun can turn a pale oak floor a more orange tone, for example. If you want your pale flooring to remain the same colour, a wood-effect tile or vinyl could be a better solution.

Concrete effect

If you want to create an urban, industrial-style space, weathered concrete flooring is a great choice. These large-format concrete-effect tiles are perfect for bigger open-plan spaces, working to draw your schemes together and create a sense of flow. In comparison to real concrete, which is best fitted by a professional, you can lay concrete-effect tiles yourself at home, keeping costs down even more. Urban grey porcelain floor tiles, £16.39 per m2, Tile Mountain

68

l

es reade rs

Claire Air, head of client services for an advertising agency, lives in a Victorian terraced house in Newbigginby-the-Sea, Northumberland (@our_home_on_sandridge) with husband Paul, a team manager at Sage, and their daughter Wren, one ‘When Paul said he’d build me some bespoke scaffolding board shelves in our bedroom, it was like all my Christmases had come at once. My shoe addiction had got a bit out of hand – they were piling up in the wardrobe and under the bed – so it was the perfect solution to display them and look after them all properly.

Previously there was just one set of Ikea shelves, which grew to two, but it looked a bit weird.

Paul built shelves for the left side first, but as my collection grew, they soon took over both alcoves. Some of my friends are into handbags, but I’m definitely more of a shoe girl, just like my mum and sister. I reckon I’ve got more than 100 pairs of shoes, all displayed by colour so they look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. I like to think of them as art. My favourites are my Louboutins, which I’ve only worn a couple of times. I got them a few years ago after getting a bonus at work and they live in their box with lots of padding around them. I’m sure there are some I haven’t worn at all, but I’m quite good at having a clear out when I buy a new pair. It’s definitely a “one in, one out” policy now. Paul likes having them on display too, as long as they’re tidy. I gave him the option of having some built-in wardrobes, but he prefers having his own walk-in dressing room/man cave on the top floor so everything’s in one place. He loves DIY and has gone on to make shelves for the bathroom and even a bed constructed from scaffold boards in the loft.’

ar

e a space th

ey

l

REALHOMES.COM

sh

li

o ve

re

e m hofe

MY FAVOURITE CORNER

WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

a

m ho

71

Home & Garden

of the Year

best kitchen

THE PERFECT FINISH Clare Pater’s design skills and knack for ďŹ nding bargains saw her turn a wrecked house into a stylish family home

Profile THE OWNERs Clare Pater, an interior designer (novanilla.co.uk), lives here with husband Jake, a partner in a commercial property company, their children Amelie, 10, Asher, eight, Ava, five, and Oscar, the labradoodle puppy THE PROPERTY A 1950s detached fourbedroom house in Hendon, London project COST ÂŁ50,000 for the house renovation

WHY CLARE’S KITCHEN WON ‘If you’re looking for proof of how a kitchen update can instantly transform your home, Clare’s stunning redesign will instantly convince you,’ says Jason Orme, content director and one of this year’s judges. ‘Thanks to a stylish mix of colours and materials, this once uninspiring room is now a sleek, sophisticated space that the whole family can enjoy.’

BEFORE

This image and previous pages ‘I’d always wanted a blue kitchen.

It was an image I saw years ago and kept it in my head. When we put this one in around two years ago, people thought we were crazy: “Why do you want a blue kitchen?” Now they’re everywhere.’

Kitchen, First Impressions, supplied and fitted by Roger Chippeck Interiors. Brass handles, House of Brass. Sink, Shaws of England.

Artwork, Ebay and auctions.

Splashback, Better Bathrooms.

Black and white tiles, Tons of Tiles.

Stools, Wayfair. Corner edging, Ironmongery Direct. Chandelier, French auction (delarte-antique.fr).

Wall lights, Ebay. Dishwashers, oven and hob, Neff

Q

Q

A

A

You were looking for two years but found a house a short distance away. What brought you to this particular doorstep?

We wanted to stay in the area – the kids are at school and we have lots of friends round here – but we needed more space and somewhere a little quieter.

I’d done up our house already and wanted to do it all again, so I was ready for a project.

This came up and we fell in love with it. I drove up outside with my dad the night before the viewing, and I knew without going inside that this was the one. Even when we went inside and it was an absolute disaster.

It looked like it hadn’t been lived in for years but, sadly, it had been right up until we saw it. It was filthy, things were broken, there were weird paintings on all the walls; all sorts of mad things.

There had been a divorce and I think the husband had been living in the front room, and the family in the rest of the house. It was miserable but we could see the potential.

Q A

Did you have a lot of money to spend on turning this wreck of a home into what it is now?

Based on what we had to pay for the house, we had very little budget left to work with, so any ideas of extending just weren’t an option now. It started off with, ‘Okay, we’ll just give it a lick of paint’. But the reality of the condition it was in meant that we had to do a lot – new bathroom, kitchen, decorating, everything other than structural work or moving walls. But I knew pretty much exactly what I wanted to do.

Were you living in the thick of it while the work was done or were you able to supervise away from the chaos?

We’d actually already decided to move in with my parents as we sold our house with nowhere to go, which was a bit of a risk. We had three weeks before we had to move out from our old house when we saw this place. I told my parents when we were moving in with them, ‘It could be a few months, it could be years.’ Luckily they took us in. We were there about seven months by the time we’d bought the house and done all the work. I was coming back to drop the kids off at school and my work is nearby so I’d visit the site every day to keep on top of things. And I was using builders I’d worked with before. We were lucky; there weren’t any major problems.

Q A

The blue kitchen you had your heart set on looks great.

Is that your favourite room?

Everybody comes in the door and goes straight to the kitchen. I didn’t think it was going to be like that but it’s just how it is. There are tall cupboards on one side and no wall units as I feel like they close the kitchen in. I prefer the look of open shelving, and going for this option also saved us a lot of money. With the art on the shelves it makes it feel more homely, not like a kitchen. We also have an instant hot water tap, which was a real indulgence. My husband didn’t get why we needed one, but until you have one you don’t realise how great it is. I love lighting and the French antique chandelier was an opportunity to put some interest in, and it didn’t

75

FOR MORE MAKEOVER INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

WORDS ALISON JONES PHOTOGRAPHS JEMMA WATTS STYLING AMELIA SMITH

Q A

It has a very stylish finish. Without limitless funds, where were you shopping?

I was very careful with what we spent the money on.

In the kitchen I wanted the look of marble worktops and splashback, so I chose the plain white work surface while the whole splashback is actually a large-format porcelain tile.

The parquet flooring is all laminate from B&Q. Even when people walk around on it, nobody realises it’s not real wood.

Almost all of the art is from Ebay or charity shops. I really shopped around, got bathroom fittings from Ebay outlets that might be returns or end of line – sometimes I’d spend all night online. My intention wasn’t to go for the cheapest on absolutely everything, it was just picking a few key things to spend money on. I tend to pick small areas in the house where it’s worth using a top-end product, such as expensive wallpaper if I only needed one roll.

#SOREALHOMES

THERE

is always a sense of anticipation when you approach a house that could be ‘the one’. A thrill that the long hours of searching could finally be over. But most people wait until they’ve made it across the threshold before they decide, weighing up room sizes and the amount of work it’ll take to achieve the home they want it to be. For Clare Pater, she knew that two years of looking for a home were over as she sat outside in the car. And her confidence wasn’t shaken when she finally entered and discovered it was an ‘absolute disaster’ inside. With a limited budget to tap into and a head full of plans for the rooms, interior designer Clare called on her near-Olympian skills for tracking down bargains in order to put together a home that oozes designer quality.

She reveals to assistant editor Alison Jones just how she did it, and the secret savings she’s made that have fooled visitors as they admire the high-end look…

‘I bought an offcut of marble for the dining table. I spent weeks tracking down the perfect piece. Then I found the legs, had them shipped to the marble place and they put it all together.’

Artwork, Online Auction.

Marble slab, Openplan Design. Chairs, Cult Furniture. White bead chandelier, Out There Interiors. Walls painted in Valspar scrubbable colour matched paint – Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black is similar

Artwork, Affordable Art Fair and upcycled charity shop finds. Leopard stool bench, reupholstered by Quality Lounge Suites. Blue bead chandelier, Ebay. Black and white wallpaper, Wayfair.

Stair runner/carpet, Dan’s Carpet & Flooring

cost that much. It doesn’t let out a ton of light so with open shelving I was able to have wall lights over the work surface.

Q A

Is this all your own vision or did the family have input into the decoration?

My oldest daughter had a clear idea of what she wanted for her room, which was a vibrant tropical theme, though we toned it down by putting in the pastels. She was very involved in the whole process. The other two kids chose their bedroom colours. We spent days with sample pots, trying them out. With my son we tried a broad range of blues.

He said, ‘They’re all the same. I can’t see a bit of difference’.

So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll pick’.

Q A

After years of searching and months at your parents, it must have been a relief to move in. Did you celebrate?

We went away in the summer so we left my parent’s house and then returned to this house, which was a bit mad.

My little one thought you had to get here by plane – she was very confused by the whole experience! There are a lot of Jewish festivals after the summer and we love to entertain friends and family. Even though we still had boxes everywhere in one half of the room, we just put up trestle tables and had everyone gather round them in the other half!

77

REALHOMES.COM

Above ‘I was obsessed with thinking the flooring had to be real wood, but I came round to laminate. It was a massive saving, and with kids, real wood does get damaged.

This is from B&Q and is holding up amazingly.’

This image and opposite ‘I knew I wanted to go very dark on the walls and have very traditional flooring. And I had to have coving – it just adds so much character. It looks like it’s meant to be there.’

Coving, Plaster Coving Ltd. Sofas and armchairs, Swoon.

Floor lamp, Conran at Debenhams. Artwork above fireplace, Ebay. Rug and coffee table, La Redoute. Pendant, Living by Christiane Lemieux.

Wall lights, Industville. Bulbs, Ikea. Walls painted in Valspar scrubbable colour matched paint – Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black is similar

TOP TIP Introduce deep coving and picture rails to add the feeling of height and period character to a room

This image and top right ‘For the bathroom, we only tiled the areas the builder said had to be tiled to be made watertight. We just used the marble-effect ones in the shower; the rest of the tiles are cheaper porcelain or ceramic.’ Wooden floor tiles and marble-effect wall tiles, Wickes.

Pink tassel wallpaper, Arte Wallcoverings. Black mirrors, Dunelm. Unit, converted Ikea drawers. Basins. Better Bathrooms. Artwork, charity shop/upcycled.

Black birdcages, Ikea

Headboard, recovered in Toile de Jouy fabric. Blue cushions, bedside tables, Wings artwork, HomeSense. Fur cushions, Ikea. Wall lights, Ebay

completed April 2017

PROJECT TIMELINE

floor went down/ kitchen started June 2017

started work May 2017

moved in End of August 2017

Tiling and plumbing July 2017

81

celebrated Jewish New Year with family and friends September 2017

REALHOMES.COM

Above ‘With the decorating my husband was very much, “I trust you, get on with it.” He knew at the end of it all it would be something that he liked, but he did not get involved.’

Below and below left ‘In our bathroom there was a double vanity and a shower bath in one.

We decided we’d rather sacrifice a sink and have a separate bath and shower.’

Basin, Durovin from Ebay.

Drawers, Ikea. Black and white tiles, Tons of Tiles.

Provenzale floor tiles, Tiles Direct. Bath, Better Bathrooms. Wall-mounted taps, Victorian Plumbing

THE PLANS AFTER

GROUND FLOOR

AFTER

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER

SECOND FLOOR

HOME OFFICE BATHROOM BEDROOM DINING ROOM

WC

WC

BEDROOM

LOFT ROOM LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

EN SUITE

BEDROOM

82

Contacts Kitchen First Impressions, 0161 767 9044, first impressionskitchens.co.uk Kitchen sourced and fitted by Roger Chippeck Interiors, 020 8386 2296 Interior design Nova Nilla Design, novanilla.co.uk Upholstery Quality Lounge Suites, 01923 227200, qualityloungesuites.co.uk Builders/decorators Ebuilding, 07552 816955; GTA Building Services, 07887 296433 Stone/marble Openplan Design, 020 8450 3300, openplandesign.co.uk

A DV E RTOR I A L

Left and below Cut back on plastic bottle usage by fitting a Grohe Blue Pure filtered water tap, from ÂŁ358.80.

The Eurosmart model has been accredited by the Good Housekeeping Institute

ECO UPDATE

Swap your single-use plastic bottled water for delicious, filtered water straight from your very own kitchen tap

W

ith the environment at the forefront of all our minds, Grohe’s brand new Blue Pure filtered water taps are a great addition to your kitchen. Using advanced filtration technology they bring you perfectly filtered water that not only tastes delicious but is also free from impurities, which can often impair the taste of unfiltered tap water. The result is refreshing hydration with a puretasting water quality where you can really taste the difference.

Featuring a compact filter that fits neatly under your sink, the Grohe Blue Pure is a resourceful way to enjoy our most precious resource in a way that is

both cost-effective and more environmentally friendly compared to purchasing bottled water.

The Grohe Blue Pure comes in four different designs, including the Eurosmart model, which has recently been awarded accreditation by the prestigious Good Housekeeping Institute. Thanks to its activated carbon filter, all Grohe Blue Pure taps can purify up to 3,000 litres of water before requiring replacement.

Filtered water taps offer a number of benefits to homeowners and their families. Not only can they help reduce costs spent on buying bottled water, but they can also prevent contamination by

83

plastic particles found in bottled water.

Plus, for those living in older properties where lead pipes are still being used, filtered water taps ensure that water from the tap can be enjoyed safely by everyone in the home.

For more information on the Blue Pure range, visit grohe.co.uk.

A GUIDE TO

Projects without planning permission There’s a whole lot you can do to improve your home without the cost and time involved in getting permission from planners. Discover the possibilities

WORDS SARAH WARWICK

A

pplying for planning permission costs money and adds to the time a project will take.

Thankfully, though, there are improvements you can make that don’t require one.

These projects are part of the permitted development (PD) regime – a general planning permission granted

by Parliament. One condition: the rights apply to houses, but not flats, maisonettes, and other buildings.

There are some provisos you’ll need to bear in mind.

In what are called designated areas – a Conservation Area, national park, AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, a World Heritage Site – PD rights are more restricted.

You might need to apply for permission for something that wouldn’t need it elsewhere. Another caveat applies to listed buildings.

Councils can issue an Article 4 direction, which removes some PD rights. Again, you’d need to get permission if this applies.

Our advice? Don’t start work until you’ve checked with your local planning authority that your project is permitted.

Qualifications aside, there’s plenty of opportunity to improve without planning permission. Read on for top tips, ideas, and examples of real-life projects to inspire you.

DISCOVER HOW THIS HOMEOWNER CREATED A FULL-WIDTH EXTENSION WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION

real home 1

HAPPY HOST

PHOTOGRAPHS ANNA + TAM

Extending under permitted development allowed Juliet Baptiste-Kelly to create the spacious, entertaining-friendly kitchen-diner she wanted ‘When we moved in, I remember being adamant that I couldn’t live with the kitchen the way it was, before proceeding to live with it for eight years. It’s funny the things you get used to. I worked as a cook and baker at the time and loved hosting people, and the space just wasn’t optimised for that. The kitchen was cut off at the front of the property, and I wanted somewhere I could cook while still feeling connected to the rest of the house and the people in it.

The layout didn’t fit how I wanted to live, but I couldn’t work out how to change it, so we enlisted Nimtim.

‘It was a happy accident that the extension was done under permitted development. It was by far a quicker and cheaper process than it would otherwise have been, and it was at least partly decided by our budget.

Because this is a 1960s house without the side return of a typical Victorian terrace in London, we could extend across the whole of the back of the property, gaining 15 square metres of space. Nimtim presented us with different layout iterations of the same floor space. It was amazing to see how many things you could do with the same blank canvas.

‘We had incredible builders who accommodated us during the project – we lived in to save money. Nimtim project managed but I’m nosy so I loved being able to pop down and see how it was looking. The space works amazingly now: I have somewhere to cook and host. For the first year I couldn’t believe it was my home!

In the summer, opening the doors makes the room feel connected to the garden; in the winter the underfloor heating goes on and we retreat to the cosy 70s-style den at the back of the space. Nimtim speak our language when it comes to design and they’ve solved the problems of this house that we just couldn’t work out.’

COSTS & CONTACTS Project cost £115,000 Architect Nimtim Architects, 0208 693 0878, nimtim.co.uk

MORE OR LESS Like the idea of going open plan in some areas of your home? Or, conversely, want to put up walls to create a cosy new room, or give a home a hallway? You can generally build, remove, or make a new opening in internal walls without getting an official sanction. A listed building is different, however, and will probably need appropriate consent. Contact your local authority to find out. Don’t forget that the building regulations will apply to work on walls so your home remains safe, and this approval should never be skipped.

ON DECK Laying decking is a popular garden improvement. The good news? You can go right ahead with this as long as it’s not more than 30 centimetres above the ground. The decking or platforms must also cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden area. Don’t forget that any outbuildings and other extensions count in this allowance.

THE PLANS BEFORE

AFTER HOME OFFICE

LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

86

BATH ROOM

STUDY/ GUEST ROOM

KITCHENDINER

WAY IN A porch can help avoid the crush when the family’s leaving the house, and add storage. It can also be part of an external makeover that turns an ugly duckling property into a handsome swan. Subject to the usual caveats on Conservation Areas and the rest, and where PD rights haven’t been removed, this is another improvement that doesn’t need local planners’ say so. It can be up to three square metres in size, and the highest part can’t be more than three metres tall. No part can be within two metres of a boundary that fronts the road, either.

BEFORE

GARAGE TRANSFORMATION Park outside and only use the garage as stash space? Why not convert it into a real room? You won’t generally need planning permission if work’s internal and you’re not making the building bigger. Check with your local planners, though, as sometimes these rights have been removed, particularly in new housing developments as well as Conservation Areas. Bear in mind that you can’t turn a garage into a separate home without planning permission, either.

REALHOMES.COM

INSIDE OUT Changing glazing and doors (see our guide to front doors, page 143) can transform the appearance of your home and potentially make it more energy efficient. Bear in mind that new windows in an upper floor side elevation need to be obscure glazed and either non-opening or 1.7m above floor level.

Also, a bay window might be counted as an extension and need approval.

Live in a listed building? Listed building consent will likely be needed. Home in a designated area? This may bring restrictions on what you can do.

real home 2 BUILD ON If you stick within the size limits and conditions, you can add a single-storey extension to many houses (but not flats or maisonettes) without planning permission. There are rules on size: the extension mustn’t go beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than eight metres if the house is detached, and six metres on semis and terraces. The addition can’t be more than four metres high, either. Different limits apply in Conservation Areas and on other designated land. Find the full criteria via realhomes.com/planning-permission.

LIGHT SHOW

PHOTOGRAPHS MARTINA O’SHEA

An extension and loft conversion under PD gave Mike Sharpe and Cara Kotschy and their two children a brighter, more spacious and sociable home ‘We loved our home before the work,’ says Mike. ‘But we always knew we would one day complete a loft conversion and extension to fit our expanding family and also because, for me, a big sociable kitchen is very important and we didn’t have that before.

‘Our architect, Sara, advised us to do the work under permitted development because it can be harder to get planning permission for what we wanted to do with our local authority. She was very clever.

She put a lot of light into our house in both the loft – with huge windows and rooflights – and our kitchen, again with huge beautiful glass.

We have floor-to-ceiling doors and static windows in the kitchen along with large rooflights.

‘We now have a large social kitchen. The children can play while I cook, and guests can hang out.

It’s zoned, so there are play areas for the children, seating areas in the window and at the table, and the central island in the kitchen makes for a social bar-like area. There’s also a sofa with a television so we have doubled our lounge space.

‘The loft conversion created a guest room, small office space and a family bathroom. We were careful not to make this an en suite because we wanted it to have its own access and feel standalone. Our only bath is now in the loft, so if we have guests staying for a long time, we wouldn’t want to feel like we were using their en suite if we need to bathe the kids.

‘When people stay they can have the whole floor to themselves. In the future, it’ll become one of the kids’ bedrooms or a play area so the noise is as far away as possible! There are four of us now and there’s plenty of room for playing, relaxing, working, cooking – all at the same time.’

BEFORE

DOUBLE UP Even a two-storey extension might be possible without planning permission. Criteria include that one of these can’t go beyond the rear wall of the original house (that is, the house as first built, or as of 1948 if it was built before then) by more than three metres; no closer than seven metres to the rear boundary; and the eaves and ridge height can’t be higher than the existing house. Opting for materials similar to the existing house is necessary for both two-storey and single-storey extensions if you don’t want the hassle of trying to get planning permission.

COSTS & CONTACTS Project cost: A similar project would cost around £90,000 for an extension and £55,000 for a loft conversion Architects Shacklewell Architects, 07793 547033, shacklewellarchitects.com

88

HOME FACELIFT Fallen for the idea of beautifying your property with exterior cladding like timber, render or stone, or changing what’s already there? The rules specify that materials should be of similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house, so check with local planners if you’re unsure. The exceptions are homes in designated areas – we’re talking Conservation Areas, AONBs and national parks, for example, which will need official approval – and listed buildings.

OUTSIDE CHANCES If your garden’s looking grotty, you can get on with most of what you might want to do without asking for an OK. Generally, you can put up or add to gates, fences and garden walls so long as you don’t exceed the height limits, and provided yours isn’t a listed building, and an article four direction or planning condition hasn’t removed your right. Taking one of these elements down is also fine – except in a Conservation Area where you might need permission – as is improving it if the height doesn’t increase.

HOME WORK Like the idea of working from home, but not in your home?

A garden office can allow you to avoid the commute but keep a physical separation. Like other outbuildings – maybe your own gym or studio instead – you can put up an office if you stick to the principles, so long as you have PD rights. Your garden building – together with sheds and other outbuildings – can’t occupy more than 50 per cent of the land around the original house, and it should be single storey. Read the rest of the rules on realhomes.com.

THE PLANS GROUND FLOOR

BEFORE

KITCHEN LIVING ROOM

AFTER

LIVING ROOM

CONSERVATORY

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

GROUND FLOOR

LIBRARY

BATHROOM

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

BEFORE LOFT

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER

KITCHENDINER

FIRST FLOOR

SEATING AREA

SHOWER ROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

89

AFTER

BEDROOM

LOFT

BATH ROOM BEDROOM

REALHOMES.COM

BEFORE

real home 3

TWICE AS NICE

‘The sisters wanted to improve the quality of the upstairs space of their Victorian terrace, so they decided to turn the loft into the master bedroom and en suite,’ says James.

‘We did the work under permitted development because it’s very straightforward. You’re either inside or outside the criteria, and the moment you’ve got the plans you can go full throttle. You know this is a perfectly acceptable approach with a guaranteed outcome.

‘The house has two bedrooms on the first floor, and they could have turned it into a four bed, but they decided it was better as a more luxurious three bedroom. We had to work to the volume allowance, which for a terrace loft conversion is 40 cubic metres. It allowed us to extend over the main part of the house, but also the back part – the outrigger – to gain as much floor space as we could.

‘The allowance gave more than enough space for a luxury en suite over the back of the house, and to use all of the footprint in the main part of the property for the bedroom, storage, and some desk space as well.

Using matching materials wasn’t a compromise as the conversion sits elegantly with the house.

‘The ceilings on the first floor had to be lowered to create the height for the conversion. It’s quite a commitment because you’re then renovating the first floor as well.

‘Daylight was very important.

A rooflight in the hallway floods light through to downstairs. There’s a skylight in the en suite, and because this loft bathroom doesn’t go the full depth of the outrigger, there’s a new section of roof beyond, which we put a skylight in for the floor below.

‘The loft conversion took seven weeks, and the decorating and tiling a further three. The owners now have the beautiful, luxurious home they wanted. One is an interior designer and uses it to show off her style.’

CROW’S NEST Converting the loft of your home can be a relatively easy way to gain extra space and, if you don’t live in a Conservation Area or other specified area, can often be achieved under permitted development. You can only create roof space not exceeding 40 cubic metres in a terraced house, and not exceeding 50 cubic metres in a detached under the rules. You can’t extend beyond the plane of the existing roof at the front, and your loft extension can’t have any part higher than the highest part of the existing roof. For the full requirements, check realhomes. com/planning-permission.

THE PLANS AFTER

STORAGE

PHOTOGRAPHS FINE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

James Bernard of Plus Rooms designed a double dormer loft conversion for two sisters – no planning permission required

BEDROOM

EN SUITE

COSTS & CONTACTS Project cost £71,000 Design and build Plus Rooms, 0800 917 7127, plusrooms.co.uk

90

GO UNDERGROUND If you have a basement and want to make it into a liveable part of your home, you can often do this without planning permission. Like a loft conversion, it’s a good way to make more space without building on to your house. Remember that waterproofing is essential and, unless it’s going to be a cinema room, or utility, do consider how you’re going to get natural light into the space. Kitchens and bathrooms in basements need careful planning to deal with drainage and ventilation issues, too. Note that excavating a new basement is likely to need planning permission.

LIGHT INCREASE Rooflights can be a great solution to gloomy spaces and they’re another improvement you can frequently make without the need for consent. The rules to follow are that they shouldn’t protrude more than 15 centimetres beyond the plane of the roof slope. They can’t be higher than the highest part of the roof, either. Be aware that any you’re thinking about installing in a side-elevation roof slope must be obscure glazed and either non-opening or more than 1.7m above floor level. As ever, check your council hasn’t withdrawn your PD rights before you go ahead.

#SOREALHOMES

CRITICAL ROOMS There’s no need to hold yourself back if you’ve moved into a home with a grotty kitchen, or your key rooms are simply ready for a modern makeover.

You can get on with improvements like this in an existing home without getting permission. Do bear in mind the building regulations, though.

While work to refit these key spaces isn’t generally subject to the rules, drainage and electrical works may need approval. If you’re putting in a kitchen or bathroom where there wasn’t one before, building regulations approval is likely to be essential.

FIND MORE DETAILS AT REALHOMES.COM/PLANNING-PERMISSION

BEFORE

91

The chest and coffee table started life as a desk and stationery set in Alex’s childhood bedroom. The table legs have been cut down to coffee table height and the original top, which used to store stationery, has been converted into a matching storage chest.

Walls painted in Polished Pebble, Dulux. Teapot, Emma Bridgewater. Mugs, Cath Kidston. Ceramic board, H&M. Wooden tray, Bed Bath & Beyond. Candles, The Botanical Candle Company. Rug, La Redoute.

Radiator, Screwfix. For a similar sofa, try Furniture Village. Roller blinds, Dunelm

extended and renovated Mid--Century home

INTERNATIONAL STYLE Alex and Sam Reid put their DIY skills to the test, transforming a dilapidated 1950s house with reclaimed wood, upcycled furniture and vintage French finds

Profile THE OWNERs Alex Reid, owner of nursery interiors company Missing Cargo (missingcargo.co.uk), her husband, Sam, and their one-year-old baby, Camilla THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom 1950s semi in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire

WORDS AND STYLING NATALIE FLAUM PHOTOGRAPHS DARREN CHUNG

project COST £40,000

This page ‘I’m completely addicted to buying cushions from H&M Home,’ Alex says. ‘You can find the best colours and fabrics at really affordable prices.’ Sam built a cosy window seat under the window bay, where Camilla loves to play with her toys. Above, the old beam above the log burner fireplace is from a local wood reclamation place and cost just £7.50.

Stool, Angela Reed.

Throw, Oliver Bonas.

Flowers and amber vase, The Flower Shop of Watford. Walls painted in Colourcourage Dark Graphite, B&Q

Above ‘We always liked the idea of having an “On Air” light in the hall with all our vinyl records stacked on scaffolding board shelves,’ Sam says. ‘It’s one of our favourite features in the house.’

Johnstone’s Manhattan Grey stair paint and ‘On Air’ light box, both Amazon

95

GET MORE HANDS-ON PROJECT ADVICE AT REALHOMES.COM/DIY #SOREALHOMES

ing done up their previous two-up-two-down with prior experience, six months after Alex and Sam t married, they were ready for their next challenge. e day into their property search, they found this use. It had been rented for over a decade, and had ubby lino floors, brown floral carpets and broken ige kitchen cabinets, but the couple were excited its potential. When Alex found out she was egnant, they suddenly had a deadline to work ards. ‘We wanted the majority of the work ished by the time the baby arrived,’ Alex says.

Plans included an extension for a new kitchen d snug, as well as knocking down two internal lls to create a spacious open-plan living-dining ace. ‘One of our top priorities was to create space ining room that could seat 10,’ Sam says. The chen was converted into a utility room and the old pantry was turned into a downstairs toilet. Upstairs, they knocked through the adjoining bathroom and separate WC in favour of a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The couple lived upstairs for nine months, using the spare bedroom as a temporary living room. It’s something that Alex found challenging: ‘I wouldn’t recommend living on a renovation site when you have a strong urge to start nesting!’

Living in saved on budget, as did the DIY work Sam undertook.

‘He has such a brilliant mind and he’s a skilled carpenter, so he managed 95 per cent of the work himself in his spare time,’ Alex says. ‘As well as the living room window seat, shelves and dining table, he also made a whiskey bar by fixing vintage crates to the wall – perfect for storing our favourite tipples.’

The couple also cut costs in the kitchen, using the Wickes design service and sourcing quartz marble worktops from a local stone specialist to save money. ‘Although it’s pricey, quartz lasts forever and cleans up really well,’ Alex says.

‘Sam built worktops in the utility room from scaffold boards and because the original pulley rails were still in place on the ceiling above what would have been the original kitchen window, he reconstructed the pulley maids using dowel rods and brackets and fitted the kitchen cabinets single handedly.’

Alex and Sam’s design choices are influenced by international themes. ‘I was born in Lyon, France, and lived there until I was 17, before moving with my parents to North Carolina and then Canada,’ Alex says. ‘The benefit of having lived in different countries is that you can select the best bits from each. There are so many things I love about France: the warm climate, skiing, the incredible flea markets, the cuisine and, of course, the wine! It’s definitely influenced the way I live.’

DIY clearly runs through the couple’s blood, and they work as a team to bring projects to life. ‘I have an eye for a bargain and love sourcing vintage pieces and coming up with design ideas that Sam has the skills to make happen,’ Alex says. ‘I inherited my parents’ passion for antiques and we’ve acquired some lovely pieces. My mum taught me how to sew, which is so handy for budget renovations, too. I’m constantly refreshing our look by making new cushions, table runners and wall hangings for next to nothing.’

With so much time, effort and personality put into the project, it’s no wonder Alex and Sam feel strongly about their home. Sam’s favourite corner is the music area in the hallway – ‘it was the last job we completed before Camilla was born, and it always makes us smile’ – while Alex loves the kitchen.

‘I still feel so lucky and grateful every time I walk in,’ she says.

‘I love making my home feel like my favourite place on earth.’

Below Alex loves collecting things and enjoys mixing antiques with contemporary paint colours and rustic wood. She teams modern accessories with old books, antique furniture and vintage-style prints.

The vintage clothing pattern packets were charity shop finds that she put in Ikea frames.

Trunk painted in Graphite Chalk, Rust-Oleum. Throw and yellow cushion, Debenhams.

Mug, Anthropologie

Above The worktops are scaffolding planks stained in antique oak. Sam also fixed the original pulley mechanism for the Sheila maid clothes dryer. The vintage crate was a prop at the couple’s wedding.

BEFORE

Tap, Amazon. Floor tiles, Wickes

Natural touch

Take heed from Alex and Sam and introduce warming wood with dining chairs 1

2

1 Spindle back chair, £190, Garden Trading 2 Harrington wooden dining chair, £99, Cult Furniture 3 Vince dining chair with charcoal seat, £150, Habitat 4 Drummer dining chair, £330, Loaf

96

3

4

‘Inspired by an expensive designer table, I made our own version for a fraction of the price using lengths of treated timber that we stained antique oak,’ Sam says. ‘I watched YouTube tutorials to help guide us through the construction process.’

Alex made the table runner from French linen, the gold mirror used to belong to Sam’s grandparents, and the dining chairs came from Alex’s parents.

Crockery, John Lewis & Partners.

Cutlery, Debenhams. Flowers and vase, The Flower Shop of Watford

This page and right The kitchen is in the extended part of the house where skylights enhance the light.

Sam built shelves using scaffold planks, stained in antique oak. ‘I love displaying my collection of Emma Bridgewater teapots and jugs on them,’ says Alex.

In turn, she upholstered a sofa in fabric she bought from Ebay. ‘I love sewing and my mum has taught me a good few tricks over the years,’ she says. ‘I like going on long walks by the canals with Camilla to pick pampas grass to decorate my home.’

Cabinets, appliances, flooring and splashback tiles, Wickes. Tap, Amazon.

Bowls, Anthropologie.

Posters, Present Indicative.

Throw, Debenhams. Wall clock and silver lamp, HomeSense. Floor lamp, Ikea. Radiator, Screwfix

TOP TIP If your cupboards are in good condition, replacing handles and giving the doors a lick of paint is a quick way to update the room

Left and below Sam made the pendant in the guest bedroom himself using cable wire and industrialstyle bulb fittings, and he made the shelves from recycled scaffold planks and brackets. The cane furniture was a Facebook purchase and Alex made the yarn wall hanging.

For a similar bed, try Oak Furnitureland

Got married May 2015

PROJECT TIMELINE

Left Camilla’s nursery is full of hand-crafted items.

Alex made the wall hanging herself. ‘It’s very simple to make by cutting lengths of wool to the desired length, clumping a bunch together and looping them around the dowel.’

TOP TIP

Spice rack, Ikea.

Rainbow wall print, Eleanor Bowmer.

Velvet pumpkins, The Linen Heart

Display your favourite accessories and books on open shelving, and keep mess at bay with patterned fabric storage boxes

Started extension March 2017

Bought house March 2016

Camilla born July 2017

Finished music corner July 2017

100

First family meal in the new space November 2017

Sam made the bath panel using treated sawn timber and a bath shelf from an offcut of wood.

Fixtures and fittings, Ebay. Wall and floor tiles, Wickes. Mirror and bath mat, Dunelm

Below ‘I used to go for strong colours and bold prints but now I prefer the calmness of plain bedding,’ says Alex of her master bedroom. The pine bedside tables were a French flea market find.

J by Jasper Conran throw and Home Collection velvet cushion, both Debenhams

TOP TIP Keeping the base of a room neutral means you can switch up accessories to add texture and colour if you get bored

Costs & contacts Building work £20,000 Kitchen, appliances and utility £10,000 Bathroom £4,000 Worktops £3,000 Flooring and carpet £2,000 Electrics £1,000 Total project cost £40,000 Worktops Rock & Co, 01223 755159, rockandco.co.uk Kitchen Wickes, 033 0123 4123, wickes.co.uk

THE PLANS BEFORE

DINING ROOM

KITCHEN

GROUND FLOOR

LIVING ROOM

AFTER

GROUND FLOOR

KITCHEN DINER

AFTER

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM

UTILITY WC

BATH ROOM

BEDROOM

I« x ‫ ׎דِוگ‬ٜ ‫ גאڟ‬ٜ ‫דאِו׏ڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

I« x ‫ ׎דِוگ‬ٜ ‫ גאڟ‬ٜ ‫׎דِה׏ڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

I« x ‫ ׎דِוگ‬ٜ ‫ אאڟ‬ٜ ‫ו׏ڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

THE PERFECT GIFT FROM JUST £7.50 *

I« x ‫ ׎דِוگ‬ٜ ‫ ח׏ڟ‬ٜ ‫ח׏ڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

I« x ‫ חחِחگ‬ٜ ‫ זאڟ‬ٜ ‫דאِ׏אڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

I« x ‫ ׎דِחگ‬ٜ ‫ ח׏ڟ‬ٜ ‫׎דِד׏ڡ‬ EVERY 3 MONTHS

ORDER ONLINE AT

www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/xmas197 *TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Savings calculated against the full RRP (single issue price x frequency). You can write to us or call us to cancel your subscription within 14 days of purchase. Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Your statutory rights are not affected. All gift subscriptions will start in January 2020. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change. Full details of the Direct Debit guarantee are available upon request. For full terms and conditions, please visit bit.ly/magtandc. Offer ends 31st December 2019.

e l o R

y a l p

ie? l s h s s gt e n c e r uc st s r r u o yo ef o p i d c re re e e h h t ,w e r b e h an et c g o n t tio ct a e v j o o r n p e r a a on at on g n i rk wh o s w e n o e d h o h W w g n idi c e D

H

ow do you tell your partner their colour sense is further or whether the tiles in the kitchen were the right awful and they couldn’t design a room scheme colour – all issues I’d dealt with already. It annoyed the with only two pots of paint and step-by-step workmen and caused huge rows every weekend between instructions? Or what if said partner started David and me. Really, it was about him feeling disconnected poking you with a big (metaphorical) stick from the project, especially as he was paying the bills, so I each time you started waving a credit card at began to give him daily updates and explained any extra the kitchen designer? Whether you’re a couple, family or costs. It calmed everything down – and meant that the friends embarking on a building project, agreeing who takes decorators didn’t walk out on us!’ on what role during the work can be a tricky negotiation. It’s ‘The job can be 10 times harder when you’re dealing with not just the practicalities of who’s around to let the builders more than one “chief ”,’ agrees Carl Goulding. ‘If it’s a couple in and make day-to-day decisions; it takes and they each give contradictory directions self-awareness to determine the skills you it’s a nightmare and will ultimately affect have and the strengths you might lack. the working relationship. At worst, it can ‘At the start of a project, it’s a good idea also impact the quality of the job, or a builder to sit down and decide collaboratively which with bad intentions can play you off against jobs will be suited to each of you, depending one another to persuade you to make an Three unexpected benefits of on a combination of skills, previous advance payment, say, or take a certain defining your role in a project, experience and signature character approach because it’s easier.’ from Cheryl Rickman, author of strengths,’ says positive psychology So, how do you decide what role you The Little Book of Resilience practitioner Cheryl Rickman, author of The should take on? ‘Often, our skills can be Little Book of Resilience (Gaia, £7.99). ‘Talk transferable, so if you’re good at organising about how effective you are as a team and the family finances, you should be well placed the complementary talents that fill the gaps to manage the money side of the project,’ You get to know yourself in each other’s weaknesses. While you may says Cheryl Rickman. ‘But it’s also worth better. The process of have a good deal in common to celebrate, considering the character strengths you considering what’s right this will help you to appreciate your bring to the process. The “VIA (Values in with us, rather than what’s differences and use them in a positive way.’

Action) Inventory of Strengths” is an wrong, is a confidenceBeauty bag designer Victoria Green incredibly accurate free online test boosting exercise. (victoriagreen.com) lives in Brighton and (viacharacter.org) featuring 120 questions. is currently renovating a double-fronted The answers could help determine which Edwardian house. ‘I’m the queen of roles would suit you best when undertaking spreadsheets and my husband is a bit a building project together. For example, You appreciate your more spontaneous, so I was surprised if “appreciation of beauty and excellence” partner more. A that he embraced my love of lists! Having is one of your five top character strengths discussion about who everything in a document we can both you’d be suited to choosing the colour does what best can access has made us feel we’re both in palette and being responsible for ensuring deepen your connection. control of the project, although areas of the finishing is to a high standard. Or, if responsibility have evolved during the “bravery” is a signature strength, the role process,’ she says. ‘As I work from home, of speaking to builders might be suited to it falls naturally to me to liaise with the you, as you are not one to avoid challenges You learn your limits. builders. And as I’m a designer, I have very or difficult situations. If things don’t quite Stretching outside your definite views about the look of the project. go to plan during the project, whoever has comfort zone can be He’s great at staying on top of our spending “creativity” or “curiosity” as a higher worthwhile to demonstrate and keeping us on track. But doing this strength might be best at coming up with what you’re capable of. But together has been lovely as it’s given us a novel solutions to problems that arise.’ it’s worth assessing the best course of action for focus as a couple, and I’ve actually been ‘I had a bit of a run-in with a plumbing the benefit of the project. surprised at how many things we agree on firm, but as a businesswoman I’m used to Using your character – especially the navy paint in the front room!’ negotiating with tricky characters and strengths has been found While teamwork and the sense of talking about money doesn’t faze me. My to boost wellbeing, mood a shared mission may be good for our partner is much more uncomfortable with and performance. It can relationship, it’s not always the approach being the bad guy,’ laughs Victoria Green. also buffer us against that goes down best with the builders. ‘A ‘And it might not be about roles, but we the negative effects of large-scale building project needs a chain have tried to keep a couple of rooms builderstress. So, in this instance, of command – ideally, one person on the free, so that we can shut the door on the playing to your strengths client side that takes the lead,’ explains Carl chaos at the end of the day and have would be the most advisable approach.

Goulding, head of trade quality at MyBuilder somewhere to relax. That does wonders (mybuilder.com). ‘Generally, an individual for a harmonious relationship!’ tends to assume that role naturally, from the Ultimately, you may need to decide planning stage to booking tradespeople and confirming who takes the role of ‘top dog’, even if the other person is costs, and builders quickly learn to identify who that is.’ the puppet master pulling strings behind the scenes. ‘As a Kerry and David Donovan bought a flat near their home couple, decide a clear line of communication for when you in Bristol, planning to renovate and rent it out on Airbnb. ‘My need to make quick decisions,’ advises Carl Goulding. ‘Things job is part time, so it made sense for me to spend more time are inevitably going to change as the job progresses and you at the property and check in on progress,’ Kerry says. ‘But need to be prepared to take fast action so you don’t delay the it would drive me mad when David would swan in on a Friday builder. That’s when relationships get strained and the builder night after work and question why the decorators hadn’t got gets frustrated. There’s nothing worse than indecisive clients.’

Choosing your role

1

2

107

#SOREALHOMES

WORDS ANDRÉA CHILDS IMAGE NICHOLAS ROBERTSON

3

SUBSCRIBE TODAY SO YOU NEVER MISS AN EPISODE

TRIED AND TESTED Buying appliances can be a minefield. How are you supposed to know if the expensive model is really any better than the supermarket bargain? That’s where the Real Homes Show comes in. In a brand new section, presenter Laura Crombie tests the latest appliances. She puts toasters, kettles, mops and cordless vacuum cleaners through their paces, sharing honest reviews which might just surprise you. If you want to spend your money wisely, don’t buy until you’ve watched this.

V11 Absolute vacuum cleaner, from £499, Dyson

E H T O T N I E TUN W O H S S E M O H L A E R

WAY TO W E N G IN IT C RE’S AN EX E H T ?

V SHOW S T E M IC T O S H A L T A N E A R F WITH OUR WANT MORE IX F S R IO R E T GET YOUR IN

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE (BOTTOM LEFT)

BEHIND THE SCENES AT OUR WINNING HOME Drooling over our Home and Garden of the Year award winner’s home in the magazine (page 26)?

Want to see more? We’ve gone in for a closer look so we can share even more about our favourite project.

Come and take a tour around this amazing home, and find out five need-toknows for renovating an older property.

Smart speaker, £199, Sonos

Drayton Wiser thermostat control set, approx £184.99, Amazon

LET’S GET TECHNICAL… Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ll know that tech is transforming our homes, with smart assistants, smart heating and smart lighting. If you’re struggling to tell your Echo Dot from your Alexa, watch the Real Homes Show, where we stamp out the jargon and tell you what you really need to know.

WATCH EVERY EPISODE AT REALHOMES.COM/TV 109

Profile THE OWNERs Sara Colclough, a GP and hospice physician, her partner, David Brass, a consultant dermatologist, and their children, Zachary, six, and Luca, five THE PROPERTY A new-build six-bedroom detached house in Durham project COST ÂŁ27,000

To personalise their kitchen, Sara and David had the cabinets repainted, bought a copper tap and added new quartz worktops.

‘We chose the developer’s budget laminate worktops,’ says Sara, ‘then replaced them after moving in as it was cheaper to source the quartz ourselves rather than upgrading with the developer.’

Cupboards painted in Basalt and feature wall painted in Hicks’ Blue, both Little Greene.

Angel wings, Rockett St George

transformed new build

ADDING

CHARACTER

WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

BEFORE

iving in a four-bedroom terraced house in one of central Durham’s student neighbourhoods suited Sara Colclough and David Brass just fine, until their two sons came along.

‘The house was only 10 years old but it was designed to look Georgian with high ceilings and sash windows,’ says Sara.

‘However, it was on a main road and didn’t have a garden.’

Then Sara heard of plans for a new development on a former golf course, just a 20-minute walk from the city centre. ‘As the housing stock in Durham is pretty limited, moving further out to a new build seemed like the only option that ticked all our boxes,’ she says.

Over the next year, Sara kept returning as more phases were released for sale off-plan. Although the bigger plot they coveted had been snapped up, in a lucky twist of fate, the sale fell through on the day Sara and David sold their house. The couple rented a flat in the grounds of Durham Cathedral for a year while they waited for it to be built. ‘I was so excited about the house, I’d created a Pinterest board for each room and gathered about 70 paint samples,’ Sara adds.

The house was supposed to be ready by June 2017, but they didn’t get the keys until 10 days before Christmas.

‘Luckily the developer allowed us to bring in our own trades to fit the parquet flooring and carpets before completion,’ says Sara. ‘This meant we got them VAT free, and with around 100 square metres of floor space, we saved about £2,000.’

Although it’s not advisable to paint a new home straight away to let the building settle, Sara wanted to cram as much as possible into the first week while they still had their rental property. ‘We hired decorators to paint the ivory kitchen cabinets in a deep blue, as well as painting the living room, master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and hallway.’

Additional creative touches have helped each room evolve since then, such as chevron panelling in the master bedroom and a geometric mural for the family bathroom.

In the living room, Sara’s created a metallic border to mimic a picture rail and has cleverly used bookcase wallpaper instead of a fire. ‘I’ve tried to inject some interest relatively cheaply and easily with paint,’ she says. ‘You can always paint over it again, which I’ve done many times!’

Most rooms have been decorated more than once and Sara admits there have been a few mistakes. ‘I picked Denim Drift by Dulux for the hall, stairs and landing, but it didn’t work as it looked neither grey nor blue,’ she says. ‘I lived with it for six months then bought a tin of cream paint to wipe it out before painting my own stripe design.’

As a serial decorator, Sara says her style is ever-changing according to the property she lives in. ‘I can’t pigeon-hole myself but I struggle with all-white rooms so I do love dark interiors and quirky accessories,’ she says. ‘I’m drawn to blues, greys and blacks as a neutral base, then I add colour pops through artwork, cushions and accessories to liven it up.’

Websites like Trouva, Design Vintage, The Forest & Co and Love Frankie have helped shape Sara’s look, but her favourite destination is The Lillian Daph Store in Saltburn.

‘I discovered it when I picked up some artwork from Light Up North, which shares the space. It’s a beautiful shop and I like supporting local businesses.’

The next task is turning the additional top floor bedroom from a dumping ground into a dressing room. ‘Because of the ceiling angles, it’ll need bespoke carpentry,’ says Sara.

‘But it’ll make a great top floor suite.’ She also intends to go even darker in the master bedroom. ‘It’ll be the same colour as the living room but on the ceiling, skirting boards, doors and radiators, too. I’ve even bought black plug sockets.’

The living room wall was meant to be flat, but when Sara visited the site and saw an opening she asked the builders to keep it. ‘I decorated the back with bookcase wallpaper but it still needed something extra, so I added the wooden mantle to make it more of a feature.’ Black bookshelf wallpaper and Madame Blush artwork, both Mineheart. Allium throw, Lucy Tiffney. Magazine rack, Rockett St George. Walls painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Barker & Stonehouse. Rug, Snowdrops Copenhagen. Shrewsbury parquet flooring, Atkinson & Kirby

‘I didn’t have the courage to go dark on the ceiling, too,’ says Sara. ‘So the metallic border makes it more interesting.’

Stripe painted in gold Tikkurila paint. Apple Blossom cushion, Vanilla Fly. Side table, Barker & Stonehouse.

Star light, Rockett St George.

Da Funk poster, Turtle Dust

TOP TIP Highlight decorative spindles by painting them a contrasting colour to the natural wood tones of the stair banister

Above Sara created the blue and gold stripes herself. ‘It was a nightmare with lots of measuring and frog tape, but well worth it,’ she says.

Right As Sara bought her home off-plan, she couldn’t change the suite but could choose the tiles. ‘I wanted something that would flow with the master bedroom, so I picked simple black and white metro tiles.’

Balustrade painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Kancona mirror, La Redoute, is similar. My Vinyl A-Z print, The Baltic Shop.

Walls painted in Timeless and Denim Drift, both Dulux; Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball; and gold furniture paint

PERSONALITY POP

Make like Sara and add colour, fun and vibrancy with statement art prints 1

2

1 Oleadner poster by Tom Abbiss Smith, from £6.95, Junique 2 Lift your Spirits screenprint, £40, Telegramme Paper Co 3 Summer print by Severine Dietrich, £55, Habitat 4 Björksta picture with frame, £40, Ikea

115

3

4

REALHOMES.COM

Wall painted in Lamp Black, Little Greene. The Ohio buffalo skull, Maisons du Monde, is similar. Bath mat, Society6

Having previously been a dumping ground with plain white walls, Sara was keen to create a sumptuous guest bedroom in here. ‘I really wanted to experiment with a black ceiling and it’s completely transformed the room,’ she says.

Cara palm leaf ceiling light, Debenhams. Ceiling painted in Obsidian Green, Little Greene. Black cushions, Bedeck. Lime cushions, Marks & Spencer. Jungle cushions, HK Living. Bedlinen, Scion.

Boho feather wall juju, Design Vintage, is similar

Panelling painted in Scree, Little Greene. Allium throw, Lucy Tiffney. For a bedside cabinet, try the Montreal, John Lewis & Partners. Pink velvet curtains, JD Williams

Right Sara used up leftover paint pots for the boys’ bathroom. ‘I wanted something a bit fun and random,’ she says. ‘My youngest loves it because, as he told me, it’s the colours of Batman.’

Floor tiles, Tile Giant. Walls painted in Lamp Black, Mister David and Inox, all Little Greene. Bamboo baskets, The Forest & Co

plot reserved October 2016

PROJECT TIMELINE

sale completed December 2017

building starts March 2017

garage converted into gym July 2018

bathrooms and kitchen revamped February 2017

117

main bedrooms finished April 2019

REALHOMES.COM

Above The idea to add chevron panelling came from an Instagram account called @mrs_macs_home. It was made by Sara’s neighbour, a retired fabricator.

Contacts Developer David Wilson Homes, dwh.co.uk Flooring Atkinson & Kirby, 01695 573234, akirby.co.uk Wallpaper Mineheart, 01487 831034, mineheart.com

Below The top floor bedroom gets used mostly by Sara’s dad, who stays over once a week to look after his grandchildren, but it’ll eventually become the master bedroom. ‘The wallpaper was the starting point,’ says Sara.

‘It has the feel of a fairytale garden at night.’

TOP TIP

Still Life with Shadows blue wallpaper and cushion, Ellie Cashman Design. Oslo bed, Oak Furniture Land, is similar. Silvia ceiling light, Umage. Glam gold floor lamp, Audenza

Indulge in some investment wallpaper without blowing the budget by keeping it to a single statement wall

THE PLANS AFTER

GROUND FLOOR

AFTER

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER

SECOND FLOOR

BEDROOM LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

KITCHENDINER

WC

EN SUITE

BATH ROOM

BEDROOM EN SUITE

FAMILY ROOM

LANDING

BEDROOM BEDROOM

118

BEDROOM

over to Readers reveal the tasks they’re determined to finally cross off their to-do lists in 2020…

YOU

‘My resolution is just to have a liveable, watertight house. I’m not

‘Our bedroom.

even fussed if it has a kitchen!’

‘My boyfriend and I saw this house in a place 10 minutes away from where we lived at the time. It was in an area of roughly 800 similar Victorian workers cottages, all in different stages of development: some had loft conversions, others full extensions, some still in their original state. The one we liked was a little two-up, two-down property that hadn’t been touched since the 1980s.

There was pine cladding everywhere and the previous owners had decorated their living room like a mock Tudor pub!

Despite having no plans or experience in renovations, we decided to go ahead with it – it was an opportunity to make it our own.

‘Four months into the renovation, after seven months completing on the sale and four months

The last room

waiting for planning, we’ve converted the loft, lowering the floor to add head height, and put steel beams in to make the ground floor open plan. Next, we plan to extend what was the kitchen to the end of the side return, making it the living room, and move the bathroom to the first floor.

We’re at the excavation stage to level out the ground floor, so we have no walls, everything is boarded up, and we’re living off-site to make the builders’ lives easier.

Still, every time we visit we’re amazed at how much progress has been made.

‘We’re hoping to be moved in this time next year, but I’m not sure we’ll have anything like carpets or a kitchen – we’ll be living off a portable cooker for a while yet. We’re saving up for a nice kitchen, and everything else depends on budget, too. We’ll see what happens!’ @thewhyteplace

to do and then we’ll probably start redoing every room again!’ @FIDLER_EMMA

and replan the planting’

‘I need to organise my kitchen cupboards. I have a thing for “nice” glasses and plates and with limited space in my kitchen, my collections are getting out of hand!

I need at least one cupboard for food… or do I?’

@NICOLAHUNTER35

@AMY.ATNUMBER10

‘I’ll finally tackle the back garden. It’s been on my list for a long time! the plan is FEATURE ELLEN FINCH

in our house

to get some new furniture

‘Teen son has had the same bedroom décor since he was 10 (now 15)… First job on the list in 2020!’ @UKHOMEINSPO

121

‘My bedroom! I’ve picked out a colour and have all the furniture – I just need to get on and paint it. That and my downstairs toilet, which was put in a year ago but still needs new lighting, wallpaper and paint…’ @LOVE_LEMON

… AND THE PROJECTS THEY WERE PROUD OF COMPLETING LAST YEAR

‘We’ve had

‘Our plan was to redecorate our kitchen to Instaworthy standards – which we’ve done on a tiny budget.’ @claudeand thehouse

builders asking about the state of the exterior!’

‘A temporary refresh of the kitchen tiles and cupboards while we save up for a new extension!’ @HOME_50A

‘Main bathroom won’t know what hit it, hopefully!’ @EFUAATHOME

‘Knocking the kitchen, dining and utility room into one to make a big, open-plan space with lots of glass.’ @HEPSCOTTHOUSERENO

‘My now-husband bought our house when he was single, so when we moved in together, amalgamating two grown-up families in the process, we needed more room. We saw the potential for a loft conversion and decided to extend to the rear, too, to create a bigger downstairs space, two extra bedrooms and an extra bathroom. We started work in May 2016 and finished by Christmas that year.

Almost four years later, though, we’re yet to complete the exterior makeover we wanted to do with it. Quite simply, we ran out of cash!

‘We managed to clad the new addition in light grey tiles and wanted that for the rest of the house, but since then, we’ve decided we want the new part of the build to look different to the older property. It’s a house of two colours at the moment. We’re taking our time to save up, but the plan is to tile the old part of the house with the same grey tiles, then add larch cladding to the new part of the build.

‘A couple of times we’ve had builders knocking on our door pointing out that our harling doesn’t match the tiled extension and asking if we want them to sort it out.

My response is always, “It’s okay, we have a plan!” You can see it from the road, so we don’t blame them for taking a punt. We’re getting there with the interior, so doing up the exterior is the next big job on the list – along with the garden.’ @cooperbeverley1z

122

‘We built decking out from the house, so this summer we can sit and overlook our mill pond.’ @the.squiffy.mill

‘We’ve just started renovating our house.

Our first big project was the bathroom – I’m delighted with the transformation.’ @sprucethehoose

‘I had a total bedroom revamp!

I’ve painted furniture, recovered a chair, and gone dark turquoise on the walls.’ @hardcastle towers

And relax...

(WITH A SPA AT HOME)

Lorn bench, £550; seagrass basket, £30; Leon round wood tray, £35; faux aloe plant in marble pot, £100; jute rug, £100; Ultra Soft bath towels, from £7; Aqualisa Rise DCV hand shower with fixed head, £979; robes in white and plaster, £50 each, all John Lewis & Partners

WORDS JENNIFER MORGAN

O

spa essentials

Fig and cedar hand care duo, £12, Habitat

125

St Mawes stool, £95, Garden Trading

Unwind with your favourite homes mag – subscribe today and you’ll also get a free gift. See page 10

FOR MORE BATHROOM INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/BATHROOM

nce upon a time in the bathroom world, it was all about hotel style: we wanted his and hers basins, a statement bathtub, bling brassware, fluffy white towels and chic metro tiles. Fastforward a decade and we’re escaping to much more rustic retreats. Inspired by the spas of Bali, those treatment rooms found in sheds – thanks to boutique escapes such as The Pig (thepighotel.com), with its potting sheds and shepherd’s huts – and a focus on creating tranquil spaces at home, the bathroom has become our own wellbeing sanctuary.

And it’s a much more natural affair.

‘There have been lots of conversations about wellness and mindfulness,’ says Sarah O’Sullivan, partner and designer at the Home Design Studio, John Lewis & Partners ( johnlewis.com), ‘and how we can bring this into our home, including in the bathroom.’ In fact, there are over 77,000 posts on Instagram, tagged #spaathome. ‘We’re all looking for that sanctuary to unwind in, a place to detach and do those mindful rituals to help us reconnect, while switching off from everything else,’ she says.

Yet, as Sarah explains, it’s a very different look to a boutique hotel bathroom, or those all-white, almost clinical spa spaces we flocked to five to 10 years back.

‘There’s a real need for simplicity. Everything is refined and considered; there aren’t any harsh edges or shiny surfaces. It’s much more about craftsmanship and seeing luxury in natural, organic materials and shapes.’

‘We’ve seen a definite increase in the number of customers wanting to recreate a tranquil space in their own home,’ says Aisha Khatri-Khan, designer at Ripples (ripplesbathrooms.com). ‘Our bathroom can be a space that helps us get away from worldly stresses, and the best thing is your bathroom doesn’t have to be huge to achieve this small utopia. You can create a spa bathroom in a small space: try replacing storage cupboards with recesses built into walls to store toiletries, or add mood lighting to bring a lovely ambience. A back-to-wall bath can help the room look longer, while also giving an area around the bath to light some candles, setting the mood for a relaxing bath. Our concrete basins are great for adding to that natural feel, too – and they come in varying sizes to fit a large or small bathroom.’

Bekki Stovell, interior designer at Stovell Property (stovellproperty.com), confesses that they are rarely asked for anything other than what can best be described as ‘tranquil luxury’ nowadays. ‘People assume that to achieve a spa-like feel you need to opt for glossy, luxurious finishes, when actually the most relaxing spaces are those filled with heaps of tactile, contrasting textures,’ she explains. ‘It’s all about combining stone, wood, metal and glass with jute and foliage – as many natural materials as possible.

We’re so overloaded and overstimulated today that we need somewhere to retreat to, somewhere to switch off.

Natural materials are extremely restful and calming.’

‘Beautiful stones are also becoming popular in our bathrooms again,’ adds Sarah. ‘Think matt, not high-shine, texture, not gloss, and go for the likes of marble, travertine and limestone.’ Other spa-bathroom essentials, according to Ana Rezende, senior designer at Ripples, would include a wet-room shower with body jets, a concrete basin, underfloor heating and wall radiators to dry the space afterwards while warming towels.

‘Lighting is definitely the most essential element, after the actual sanitaryware, as it can transform the space and create a warm, inviting room as opposed to a stark, bright experience,’ Ana continues. It seems ‘warmth’ is key to this look, and no more so than in the choice of the final colour palette. ‘I love earthy tones and they create a very relaxing experience,’ adds Ana. ‘Yes,’ agrees Sarah. ‘The new spa-style bathroom uses those much warmer neutrals – not the greys and whites that have been everywhere of late. It’s all about those neutrals with a warm tinge to them, making a very earthy, usable palette,’ she explains. ‘Beige is back but it feels quite new and modern when mixed with contemporary architecture – think of those Scandinavian and Japanese influences and a beige bathroom suddenly becomes far from boring. Blush pink or plaster pink is definitely used as a neutral, too.’

‘I’d suggest sticking to a limited colour palette when thinking about creating your spa bathroom at home,’ says Bekki. ‘Try just two colours, then layer in different shades.

Saying that, the bathroom is a great place to experiment with colours that you might be afraid to try elsewhere, such as an inky blue or a sage green.’ When it comes to favourite finishes, Bekki loves working with lime-based paints. ‘They give a real sumptuous wall finish. Try Bauwerk (bauwerkcolour.co.uk), which is a really great choice for bathrooms as its paints are naturally breathable and antibacterial.’ Bekki also loves getting creative with basins in a ‘tranquil luxury’ style bathroom. ‘Looking for an alternative to that classic shiny white porcelain sink can be expensive, but you can save money by checking out reclamation yards or repurposing other pieces – we recently made a lovely basin out of a mixing bowl from H&M.’ You can afford to think a little differently with a rusticspa scheme when it comes to styling, too. ‘Just as you’ve created layers with materials and colour, you need to do the same with accessories,’ says Sarah. ‘Texture adds to the overall warmth and without it, it can feel cold. Start with some textured towels, like a waffle weave or rib, then add a few wooden pieces – such as a stool or peg rail – before finishing with baskets and gorgeous scented candles.’ Then lock the door and retreat to your own natural spa at home…

#SOREALHOMES

Retreat into your own bathroom and make time for a few feel-good spa rituals – the latest bathroom trend is all about creating a relaxed, wellness-inspired space with its own natural beauty

Home & Garden

of the Year

best bathroom

SPACE TO RELAX Nikki Edwards sacrificed a bedroom to create the calm, spa-like bathroom of her dreams

Profile THE OWNERs Nikki Edwards (@this_e17_life), a solicitor and mediator, her husband Tom, a solicitor, their children, aged five and one, and their cats, Scamp and Charles THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Walthamstow, London project COST £15,000 including furniture and fittings

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS MALCOM MENZIES STYLING JESS TAVERNER

FOR

anyone transforming a dated terrace with a downstairs bathroom, it’s tricky to know what your first move should be. One of the key pieces of advice estate agents always give is never to lose a bedroom, because the more you have, the better the resale value – but the solution to creating your dream bath and shower space might just lie in moving it upstairs.

If you value a bigger bathroom over an extra bedroom and you’re planning to stay in your home long-term, it’s well worth looking into going up.

Nikki Edwards found herself faced with a similar conundrum when renovating her Victorian terrace. Her bathroom was situated at the rear of the property, past the kitchen. ‘We had to go downstairs in the night if we needed the loo,’ she says. Thanks to a loft conversion, which created two extra rooms, she was then able to sacrifice one of the original bedrooms for the luxury bathroom she envisioned.

Over the following pages, she tells us how she created her spa-like scheme…

126

SHOWER OR BATH? ‘I wanted a luxurious feel to the space, and one of the major decisions was whether to have a shower. I felt like the shower would need to be a walk-in style to keep it looking high-end, but it would have taken up a lot of room and changed the vibe. I only ever have baths, anyway – it’s my husband who has showers, and he has a shower room in the loft – so it seemed to me that we didn’t need one. Instead, we have a handheld showerhead. At the time, my friends said I was mad.

For a shower person, I’m sure it seems like a crazy decision, but I think it was the key to making it a spa-like space.’

WHY NIKKI’S BATHROOM WON

‘Designing your house to ensure it meets your needs (and not what someone else thinks is best for you) is the secret to a successful project,’ says judge and editor Beth Murton. ‘For Nikki, it was worth losing a bedroom to gain this space, and we couldn’t agree more. With its simple mix of materials and delightful personal touches, this is one bathroom I’d never want to leave.’

SMART COMPROMISES

‘We bought the property with the view to renovating. We added a dormer to the loft, and that opened up the ceiling in this room, which was originally a bedroom.

I always knew I wanted a bathroom on the first floor.

Other people on our street had split one of the bedrooms in two to create a smaller bedroom and a bathroom.

They wanted to keep that third bedroom, but for me, it was more important to have a spacious family bathroom.

Extending into the loft gave us two extra bedrooms and a shower room, anyway, so I was prepared to make the compromise and lose that other bedroom.’

BEFORE

DETAILS COUNT ‘The little touches are as important as the big-ticket items. Storage was essential for us. The wicker baskets under the sinks hold all the kids’ toys and the unsightly bubble baths. In the apothecary drawers are all my products, the first aid kit, Calpol for the kids – everything you can imagine.

Because it’s all hidden away, it’s still a calming, beautiful space. We also installed underfloor heating, which is all part of the experience – of stepping in and thinking, “Oh yeah, I want to be in this room.” It’s just a lovely place to be.’

DESIGN DECISIONS ‘I wasn’t keen on fully tiled bathrooms and because I was only having a bath, not a shower, I didn’t need them all over. Instead, I kept the walls plain white, which makes it feel more like a normal room rather than a bathroom. We have Moroccan-style tiles behind the sinks, adding colour and interest as well as being practical. The flooring is actually porcelain tiles but it looks like floorboards. The brick wall wasn’t initially in the design. When we took the plaster down, it looked amazing, so we kept it.’

Contacts Tiles Fired Earth, 01295 812 088, firedearth.com Fixtures Waters Baths of Ashbourne, 01332 824 166, watersbaths.co.uk Lights Artifact Lighting, 02381 943 014, artifact-lighting.com

128

SHOPPING LIST Floor tiles and unit, Fired Earth.

Apothecary drawers, Vincent & Barn. Sinks and bath, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

Storage baskets, Ikea. Blinds, mirrors and ladder, John Lewis & Partners.

Ceiling/wall lights, Artifact Lighting.

Artwork, Homeplace Online. Plates, Margot in Margate

‘I’d always wanted double sinks. It all ties in with that feeling of luxury. I don’t like my husband using the other sink, much to his dismay. It’s my bathroom, and the kids’ – as far as I’m concerned, he has his own upstairs! We’ve fallen out over him trying to use mine and leaving his stuff everywhere. It’s a real indulgence not having a second person leaving the cap off the toothpaste. I love the fact that this is a fully functioning family bathroom but it looks like an adult’s.’

REALHOMES.COM

TWO’S A CROWD

A DV E RTOR I A L

BR AVE NEW WORLD Say goodbye to bland bathrooms – the latest schemes are all about embracing bold style

A

fter years of sleek, ultra-modern bathrooms, designers are turning away from a more minimalist style and braving a bolder look and palette. Barrie Cutchie, design director of Bayswater Bathrooms, reveals why we should embrace this renewed love of colour and pattern.

Q: why are we seeing more of a shift towards maximalism in the bathroom?

A: Bathrooms have always been a

functional place, and although we should never trade style for substance, we are now seeing a trend for bolder themes in modern cloakrooms and bathrooms, continuing the style of living areas elsewhere in the house.

IMAGES DIVINE SAVAGES AND BAYSWATER BATHROOMS

Q: How can i pull off a bold bathroom look?

A: As people’s personal style tends

to be reflected in the products and finishes that they use, there are no longer set rules when it comes to bathroom design. Of course, it’s always best to set the foundations of a good room scheme with quality ceramics, good brassware and functional storage, but there are more options than ever on the market to make a statement.

Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue is our most popular furniture colour, which is a huge contrast from the ‘safe’ white option. Customers are even choosing to paint their own furniture to tie in with their paint or wallpaper choices.

Q: is it a good idea to use wallpaper in the bathroom?

A: Always check if the wallpaper

you like is heavy duty – there are even waterproof versions that you can use

in a shower. We recently teamed up with Divine Savages to create four room schemes using its bold and beautiful wallpaper (pictured). If you’re not brave enough to give this a go in your main bathroom, the cloakroom is a great place to test out an impactful look first.

Q: Is there a style of wallpaper that’s proving popular?

A: We’re seeing a lot of greenery in

the bathroom, so botanical prints are a strong look for this type of scheme.

Q: What colour accents would you recommend using in a bathroom?

A: Although our brassware is traditional in style, we have introduced a black finish on our indices and levers to give it an interesting twist. Black accents really lend themselves to a bold scheme and look far more dramatic than traditional white.

There is also the option of choosing a black finish on our heating range, which helps to bring the bold look together.

For more information and to find your nearest stockist, call 01376 319870 or visit bayswaterbathrooms.co.uk.

130

Bayswater Bathrooms has teamed up with Divine Savages to show how wallpaper can be used to great effect in a bathroom scheme

COMING NEXT MONTH

PHOTOGRAPH FIONA MURRAY

in your new

How to cut the cost of your 2020 home transformation project Make your home work harder with a smart, multifunctional layout From bi-fold to sliding: the best statement doors The latest trends and must-read style tips

On sale 31 december

r at

an

ormed spac f s e

ey

e

t c e j h o t n r pof the mo th

at’ s c au g h t

r u o

WORDS GEORGIE DEAVILLE PHOTOGRAPH PAUL MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Wooden wonder If mismatched brickwork isn’t your vibe, consider deliberately stand-out cladding for your extension.

We’re inspired by this dramatic charred timber design by Intervention Architecture. Modern brick might have looked at odds with the aged exterior of the terraced house, so the architects opted for a complete contrast instead.

We love the edginess of the slanted roof and how it juxtaposes the rest of the property, truly refreshing a tired and underutilised part of the house. By enlarging the opening to the garden with full-length glazing, even on the greyest of days the new extended space will be full of light. You’ll find us here with a cosy cuppa, watching what’s left of the crisp autumn leaves whirling around on the terrace.

Project cost: £28,000, Intervention Architecture, 0121 753 5195, interventionarchitecture.com

133

KITCHEN EXTENSION

DIARY

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS LIND DA CLAYTON

Ever wondered if it’s possible to project manage a massive kitchen extension and remain sane? Interiors journalist Linda Clayton is finding out the hard way…

Sorting the outside of the extension gone VERY wrong if there’s a car on I’d given the had always been pretty low on our our patio, and cracked tiles will be the patio zero schedule (that mythical schedule I am least of our problems. So, while I’m brain time.

Big mistake! pretending we made in the proper, not saying you should follow my lead, grown-up manner). And by low I mean I will say we saved about £1,000… it wasn’t on my radar at all. The focus What I can recommend, bigwas always on getting the inside done, time, is air-drying grout (specifically but it was shoved up the urgency list Sovereign’s Easy Paving by the fitters from Express Bi-folding Grout). You just chuck it on Doors who, upon leaving the site, the tiles and sweep it down muttered about how all the rubble the gaps with a broom – ours outside the extension was bound to was set in about half an hour. stick in our shoes and then scuff and It did pong a bit (a lot) but scratch the aluminium thresholds of was 100 per cent less messy our pristine new sliders (our biggest than the easy grout stuff single spend). They could have said you have to flood with water. the Devil would be dancing on it in Just watching the YouTube stilettos, such was my horror. tutorials made me feel dirty.

Obvs I cancelled all interior/life And the other thing I plans and began researching patio really recommend is that you options, to which I had given zero clean the adhesive out between ‘I’m glad this is no brain time apart from a vague dream your tiles while it is still wet. longer our pat io view!’ that it would flow beautifully (and Our (usually wonderful) builder levelly) from the pale oak inside. did not, so I spent six hours in Starting with grandiose notions of the burning sun grinding it all off so it antiqued travertine slabs, preferably wouldn’t show through the grout. I was ‘It took our builder salvaged from a ramshackle gîte in walking like I’d soiled myself for a week about three days to lay’ Médoc, I then worked my ambitions after, with pain in my hamstrings that down, via stone-look porcelains, was drug-free childbirth-grade agony. rustic cobbles and Ebay end-of-line Of course it has pretty much peed sales, to the only real stone down ever since the patio was laid so annels ch in ra O AC n I liked/could afford. actually those Express guys did us a ‘We ra the sliding l al e id gs on al To save pennies I favour. We’d only thought about rain ep the doors to help ke bought the 15mm-thick with regards to installing the roof ‘Dijon limestone ’ ces puddle-free an tr en Dijon limestone (aka the paving from Floors but we really should have planned our of Stone, and oak cheapest natural limestone) exterior finish in line with the weather. from Naked Floors’ tiles, rather than the We can spend all winter decorating recommended 30mm inside (and let’s face it, we will) for outdoor use. I also went but we’d have been living with for a wet mortar base, rather Armageddon outside until next than the recommended summer if they had kept their solid concrete or screed, dark mutterings to themselves. as it’ it’s cheaper and h d quicker. i k Cheers chaps!

I probably shouldn’t advocate For more advice, follow either of these two moneyme on Instagram: saving decisions. There is a @lindaclaytonwrites real chance the tiles might crack, k especially i ll if subjected bj t d to heavy traffic, like a car for NEXT MO N ONTH: We can finally start thinking example. Something will have e out the pretties…

1 5 135

THE JANUARY

Report

Contemporary wall light with Pixley smoked glass shade, £155, Fritz Fryer

3 of the best

Bathroom wall lights

Finsbury light, £50, Garden Trading

Whether you want an ambient glow or practical task lighting, here are our pick of the best designs to brighten your space.

S AND ESSENTIA D EN TR S, EA ID ST TE LA E TH FOR YOUR KITCHEN AN

L BUYS

D BATHROOM

Douro bathroom wall light, £25, BHS

STRONG STRIPES Think outside the box with your bathroom flooring. Laying wood-effect planks to form bold monochrome stripes is a creative way to make a statement in your bathroom. Too harsh? Choose grey to soften the look. Saloon tavern black and white woodeffect tiles, £39.95 per m2, Walls & Floors

#trending Terrazzo’s popping up all over the interiors world, but this new oversized pattern from Ca’Pietra takes our love for this modern and colourful design to the next level. The playful speckles will suit most schemes and draw together an open-plan space. Piazzo collection, £70 per m2, Ca’Pietra

136

trend spot

the anti kitchen As our lifestyles change, so does the way we design our homes. Formal fitted kitchens are giving way to the anti kitchen. With open shelving, freestanding furniture and creative designs, they’re fit for so much more than cooking.

BACK TO BLACK This new basin stand from Britton has gone to the top of our lust list. Strong matt black lines are a confident, powerful choice for any bathroom.

Finish the look with a matt black tap, radiator and shower.

Shoreditch frame furniture stand with basin, £395, Britton

The Haberdasher’s kitchen, from £30,000, Devol

POP STAR It’s not just about the kitchen tiles you choose, it’s about how you use them. Add a fun pop of colour without overwhelming your space by framing your kitchen island with patterned tiles. Combine with wood-look flooring for maximum impact. Dovetail Oxford Blue floor tile, £46.80 per m2, Harvey Maria

#SOREALHOMES

Major kitchen range in a Slowwood finish, from £10,000, Schmidt

We always say to invest more in the parts of your kitchen you use most – and this is where that rule applies. Make a statement with a colourful retro tap from Smeg.

With a 360-degree swivel, flexible hose and pull out jet spray, this tap’s not just a pretty face. MDF50 retro taps, £379.99, Smeg

FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS

GO RETRO

Eco kitchen, from £26,000, Sustainable Kitchens

A mixture of light grey units and an orange kitchen island has given Gillian and John’s kitchen an upbeat look.

Pendant lights, dining table and bench, Heal’s.

Bar stools, Calligaris.

Clock, Selfridges. Oven and microwave, Miele

SPACE TO BREATHE it’s The owners Gillian Licari, who is recently retired, and her partner, John Denby, a music concert producer The property A four-bedroom Victorian terrace in St Margarets, London project cost £145,550

BEFORE

#SOREALHOMES

Profile

no mean feat undertaking a kitchen makeover, especially when you’re extending, too. Still, you don’t have to do it alone. There are benefits to project managing a build yourself, but sometimes it can be easier – especially if you’re tight on time or low in confidence – to hand the bulk of the work to a professional, whether that’s a contractor or a designand-build team.

For Gillian and John, designing their extension was the best of both worlds. With a design-and-build company taking the reins, the couple avoided the headache of organising a big project while still being involved in every step of the process, from approving plans to picking out the materials and colourways of their dream kitchen in detail. They talk us through how it all worked…

FIND MORE INSPIRATION AT REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

For Gillian and John, doubling their kitchen space brought storage solutions and a new place to relax

The splashback was colour matched to the same tone as the central island. After years with a black worktop that showed up every mark, Gillian picked a white flecked composite by Silestone for her new kitchen. It’s easier to keep clean and looking good.

Splashback, Wells Glass.

Units, RMR Homes. Tap, Grohe, Blinds, Luxaflex.

Cushion and fruit bowl, Next

Time for a change

Planning the space

Careful consideration

‘After 10 years with our old kitchen, we were ready for a new look,’ Gillian says.

‘Our previous kitchen was completely different to what it is now. It was much more traditional: Art Nouveau-style cupboards with stained glass insets, black granite worktops and blue and copper tiled flooring.

‘We wanted to transform the tired room into a light and friendly entertaining space that made the most of the sunny aspect of the house. Our neighbours had their kitchen done by Raki at design-and-build company RMR Homes and we were so impressed that we asked him to come back and work his magic on ours.’

‘Raki sat down with us and asked us what was on our wishlist for the kitchen.

We explained that we wanted to extend the space, open up the back of the property to allow more light in, and install units that were stylish but practical. We wanted to keep our big dining table, too. Raki worked the design around those key elements.

‘The plan was to extend across the back of the property into the side return and install bi-fold doors, doubling the size of the kitchen and creating space for units along both sides of the room as well as a large central island. The floor colour was picked to complement the dining table, helping it blend into the room. We loved the idea of using warm wood to keep the bigger space feeling cosy underfoot.’

‘We chose everything in advance of the work starting from the RMR Homes showroom – from the worktops and units to the appliances. More planning up front meant that we were more likely to finish by the deadline at the end. We picked out our dream kitchen in detail, setting aside time to visit the showroom to see flooring samples.

‘We picked handleless units painted in Cornforth White for the wall units, and then for the island I spotted a vibrant orange called Charlotte’s Locks, both from Farrow & Ball. It looked so good with the other tones in the room.

We painted the glass splashback in the same shade to bring it all together.

The company looked after the planning applications, drawings and material ordering to ensure a smooth process.’

140

WORDS AND STYLING MAXINE BRADY PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH

Step two

Step three

2 3

Step one

1

my kitchen favourites

Bi-fold doors run across the back of the extension, allowing the kitchen area to flow into the garden seamlessly. Drawers under the custom-built bench house John’s large collection of CDs and music manuals.

On Saturday, you’ll find me…

‘At the island, trying a new recipe’

Bi-fold doors, Schueco.

Armchair, Bo Concept.

Jug, Habitat

Apple by James Rich (£20, Hardie Grant), available from all good bookshops

White vintage sideboard, £292.50, Maisons du Monde

Kitchen bugbear ‘I hate clutter – everything has to be out of sight’

I love our kitchen because…

‘It’s perfect for open-plan entertaining’

The big build

Open-plan living

‘The builders started by ripping out the old kitchen and digging foundations for the extension. We have a huge A-frame pitched roof at the back with six large rooflights that flood the space with sun.

‘I hate clutter and love my kitchen things to be hidden out of sight. We have pull-out drawers so you can see everything at a glance. They make the most of every inch of space in the room.

There’s even drawers in the kickstand under the cooker.

‘Thanks to the planning at the start, the build ran smoothly – it took 12 weeks in total – and came in on budget.

We were lucky that there weren’t any unexpected disasters to slow us down.

The plaster took longer to dry after a spell of wet weather – but that wasn’t a big deal.’

‘Our beloved Heal’s dining table and bench takes centre stage in the new dining area. We installed a bespoke built-in bench on the other side to fit the space exactly. At John’s request, there are spacious drawers under the bench that house his extensive collection of CDs. We mounted a TV on the wall at one end of the kitchen with speakers in the corner.

It makes that area a great spot to hang out together.

‘We’ve started to take afternoon tea in here, which we never used to do in our old kitchen. We love sitting down at our dining table and enjoying a cup of tea. This room has become a place that we love to relax in.’

141

Favourite accent colour ‘I lovve chartreuse’ Bex mirror in Charrtreuse Yellow, £ Made £49,

Must-visit furniture shop ‘Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road’ Ligne Roset Eaton dining table, from £2,424, Heal’s

Build, joinery and flooring RMR Homes, 01344 776914, rmrhomes.co.uk Bi-fold doors Schueco, 01908 282111, schueco.com Worktops Silestone, 01256 761229, silestone.co.uk Building work £65,000 Kitchen, appliances and fittings £29,200 Plumbing £13,500 Windows and doors £13,100 Decorating and furniture £10,450 Flooring £7,500 Lighting and electrics £6,800 Total project cost £145,550

REALHOMES.COM

4 5 Step five

Step four

Bose Companion 20 speakers, £199.99, John Lewis & Partners

A GUIDE TO

Front doors Make sure your home looks great right from the entrance. Check out door materials and styles, and get the know-how you’ll need to buy the best design

G

SAFELY HOME Made using a 65mm thick steel door leaf, this design is thermally efficient for a cosy home, and the fivepoint lock will keep it secure, too. This has wood-look finishes on offer, together with a selection of colours. Thermo65 style 700 in Golden Oak, from £2,112 door only, Hörmann

reet visitors, yourself and your family with a front door that isn’t a blot on your home’s landscape. The existing door might be ripe for change because it doesn’t suit the style of your home, is allowing heat to leak out, requires time-consuming upkeep, or isn’t as secure as it could be. Swapping it for a new design could boost your home’s kerb appeal, help reduce energy bills, and keep both occupants and contents safer.

If you’ve never changed your front door before, you might be amazed by the range of materials in which they’re available. Personal preference will guide you, but what the door’s made from also has a huge influence on what you can expect to pay. Consider, too, that maintenance requirements for the different front door materials vary, and factor this into your choice.

WORDS SARAH WARWICK

MATCHING PAIR The horizontal lines of both front door and sidelight maximise the kerb appeal of this home. The door is made from aluminium insulated for best-in-class energy efficiency, and is Secured by Design accredited. Liseo door and sidelight, around £5,000 including installation, Express Bi-folding Doors

TEXTURAL TEAL This 70mm thick composite door looks like wood, but is low maintenance. It’s triple glazed, A-rated for energy efficiency and Secured by Design accredited. Lisbon in Peacock Teal with Cameo glazing in Blue, price on application, Everest

Fitting a new front door isn’t something you typically need permission for, but if you live in a Conservation Area, national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there may be restrictions. You’ll also need to check with the local planning authority if yours is a listed building.

INDIVIDUAL DESIGN Pick from 35 panel options and over 150 different colours for this aluminium design. Have a different hue on the exterior and interior to suit inside and outside schemes, plus select from a range of handles, pulls, door knockers, spyholes and letterboxes. From £2,160 excluding installation, Origin

WHAT STYLES OF FRONT DOOR ARE THERE?

Contemporary doors have sleek lines and may be solid, feature a glazed section, or be largely glazed. They’re frequently teamed with lever or bar handles. Traditional doors can have authentic period style – be it Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, 1920s and 1930s – allowing you to complement your home’s architecture, and there’s door furniture to match. There are also less strictly historic but nonetheless classiclooking panelled designs. Again, you can pick solid or partially glazed versions. Consider cottage-style doors with vertical timber panelling and with or without a glazed section – they don’t only suit cottage homes.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND COSTS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS?

A range of materials are used to make front doors. UPVC doors have the

ALL IN ONE This sleek, modern timber door comes in FSC certified pine, oak, or meranti and has engineered panels with steel strengthening plates and an insulated core.

The frame, any glass, hinges, handles and locks are included.

FunkyFront with Bonn 1 panel/ frame 1, £2,460, Klöeber

COLOUR SPLASH Give guests a warm welcome with your choice of door colour: this is RAL 2004. The aluminium door is thermally efficient, meets PAS 24 and Secured

by Design standards, and is combined with a sidelight in triple-glazed laminated security glass.

RK330, Excellence range, from £3,300 excluding delivery, RK Door Systems

advantage of being low maintenance, and high-quality versions look good.

Timber doors have natural beauty, but will need appropriate care, which could be repainting, or wood treatment from time to time. Options include solid wood, and wood veneer finishes on a core of wood or other materials. The latter is a composite door, but you’ll also find composite doors made from GRP (glass reinforced plastic) with a wood-look, or painted wood-style finish, which you won’t need to redecorate, just clean from time to time.

Front doors can also be made from steel with a galvanised or painted finish. They’re very robust and look smart. Aluminium doors are light but strong, and can be cleaned with a mild detergent solution.

Front door prices start from around £300 for uPVC and wood veneered options; a GRP composite door might cost from around £500.

Expect to pay from around £1,000 for a steel door; and from around £2,200 for aluminium.

IN SYMPATHY Replace an out-ofcharacter front door with a period-style design. Made from stable and hardwearing engineered hardwood, this glazed and panelled door has a glass fanlight above and comes in any RAL or Farrow & Ball shade you want.

From around £2,160 to £2,760 supply only, Scotts of Thrapston

145

LIGHTEN UP The sandblasted glazed panels of this door will let in light without compromising privacy, and can be combined with sidelights. It is hardwood veneer painted in anthracite grey, with a core designed to prevent warping. Malmo Grey, from around £1,740 for door, Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery

SPITTING IMAGE Made to look like ash, this door’s actually uPVC, offering effective thermal insulation and durability, and no need for sanding and varnishing. Custom made, the doors come with a choice of door furniture and glazing options.

English Door Company Ash timber alternative, £1,850, Evolution Windows

WHAT ABOUT SECURITY?

Look for the official police security initiative Secured by Design accreditation or a design with PAS 24 certification to ensure the front door you want to buy meets the highest security performance standards.

Be aware that what’s covered is the doorset, which is the door, frame, locks, fittings and glazing, so you would need to fit the entire set to be sure of the security.

GO MODERN Swap a dated door for a contemporary design that’s easy to look after.

With its painted-finish GRP skin and uPVC frame, this design only needs a wipe down to keep it looking good. The pull handle, letterplate and frame are all included. Composite three-panel H2055x W920mm, £1,260, B&Q

WONDERFUL WOOD Fumed oak with steel reinforcement makes for a good looking and robust front door. Select horizontal or vertical panels for yours.

You can also pick another hardwood, paint colour or a bronze finish. Terano, from £6,960 for H2100x W1040mm, Urban Front

IS INSULATION IMPORTANT?

You should consider the thermal efficiency of your front door, as it can waste energy if it’s not well insulated, or badly installed. The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council), bfrc.org, has a rating system for doors and windows, which goes from A++ (the best) through to E. Look for BFRC approved manufacturers and installers to find doors with the ratings label.

&A

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER ‘What are the modern alternatives to opening a front door with a key?’

‘There are various hi-tech options for opening your front door while you sit in your car or from the office,’ says Elizabeth Assaf, co-founder and designer at Urban Front. ‘Keypad or fingerprint entry systems can be connected to your smart home system. Keypads allow you to use a card with an electronic strip, a fob or a simple number pad. These are usually connected to your smart home automation systems, to a motorised locking system, or Amazon’s Alexa. Fingerprint entry lets you to enter up to 100 fingerprints, which you can then add and remove from your smart phone. You can also open the door remotely using the phone app. Both these options require a power supply close to the door. Biometric software options allow iris, face or voice recognition entry system. Becoming popular in Europe, they’re on the higher end of the cost scale.’

FOCUS ON

Fridge-freezers

Keep food fresh for longer and cut energy bills with a new fridge-freezer.

Here’s our pick of the best, plus all you need to know to make your choice BEST FOR FRESHNESS

BEST FOR SIZING UP

Minimise waste with a fridge-freezer designed to keep food unspoiled for longer. Cool air is distributed throughout the fridge to keep temperature constant, and the crisper’s insulation maintains optimum humidity for fruit and veg. The Active Oxygen feature cuts down bacteria growth.

The four-drawer freezer has precision temperature control, too.

Day-1 XUL8 T2Z XOV.1 freestanding, around £599, Hotpoint

With a total capacity of 422ltr in the fridge and 120ltr in the freezer, there’s room to stock up in this chic, A+ rated, freestanding model. The fridge is easy to access on top, and an alarm sounds if it’s left open by mistake, while the frost-free freezer space is below. FD90 American style, from around £1,629, Stoves

BEST FOR BOOSTING CAPACITY Smart on show in the kitchen in this silver finish or the black alternative, this fridge-freezer can also be used in garages or outbuildings in temperatures as low as -15°C. A+ rated for energy efficiency, it’s also frost free and the fridge has an open-door alarm. Beko CXFG1691 freestanding, around £399, Currys

WORDS SARAH WARWICK

Three TOP TIPS MEASURE UP Freestanding fridge-freezers are the least costly, there’s lots of model choice, and you can pick from contemporary or retro-style designs. Opt for integrated if you want to conceal your appliance behind unit doors for a seamless look. For an American-style version, plan for a width of at least 70cm (but generally more), likely greater depth and a higher price.

Make sure your fridge-freezer suits your storage needs, fits the kitchen, and has all the features you require with our quick guide

STORAGE NEEDS Check out the capacity. A shopping bag holds roughly 18ltr, so, for example, a 200ltr capacity fits 11 bags’ worth of food. Take into account the size of your household, but also how frequently you shop. Think fridge and freezer split, too, to suit cooking habits.

As well as 50/50, there’s 60/40, 70/30, and other options.

150

HANDY FEATURES Check out the energy rating: the best are A+++. Frost-free designs avoid time spent defrosting. Consider water and ice dispensers, but check if this means plumbing in the appliance. A door-open alarm can prevent food wastage. Opting for a smart model could mean control via your phone, plus seeing what’s inside when you’re not there.

BEST FOR EASY CONTROL A digital display means you won’t have to open the door to adjust temperatures and operate the quick cool (useful when you unload your shopping) and fast freeze (handy for fresh food that’s being stored).

There’s also a water dispenser that doesn’t have to be plumbed in as the water tank is internal.

GKN16910D freestanding, around £549, Grundig

finishing touches Free up fridge space by going for a separate wine cabinet. These appliances will keep your selection ready to drink

BEST FOR FLEXIBILITY Hidden behind cabinet doors, this integrated model is designed to provide extra storage in the top, and has an adjustable interior. You can easily move and rearrange the fridge storage bins, and slide the front section of the FlexiShelf underneath itself to fit tall items. There’s also a rotating shelf for convenience.

SCE81928TS integrated, £999, AEG

KITCHEN CELLAR Beech shelves and a black glass door with gloss black frame make this 46 bottle under-counter design a stylish choice. Wi6134 Sense, from £899, Caple

Make an essential appliance into a focal point by choosing a retro design in a bold colour. This fridge-freezer’s ideal if you want to dedicate the lion’s share to fridge space with its freezer compartment located above, and it’s A+ rated.

The hinges are on the right, so check opening suits your layout. HVRDS 6172RKH retro freestanding, £699, Hoover

BEST FOR FAMILIES With an impressive gross capacity of 605ltr, this design can cope with everything family life throws at it. The quad door fridge-freezer has four separate compartments, one of which provides modular flexibility with its Variable Temperature Zone, and the doors are perfectly flat for a less intrusive finish. RF605QDUVX, £2,399, Fisher & Paykel

PROUD DISPLAY This tall wine cooler is a great standalone solution with room for 26 bottles in two temperature zones. Husky HUS-ZY4-D-SS-26, £329.99, Currys

WANT THE LOWDOWN ON ALL THE BEST FRIDGE-FREEZER DEALS? HEAD TO REALHOMES.COM/ DEALS

OPTIMUM TASTE An over-temperature alarm and UV protective glass will keep 38 bottles in two zones in peak condition. FWC624SS, around £597, CDA

#SOREALHOMES

BEST FOR STATEMENT STYLE

THE EDIT

Kitchen dressers 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

1 Parquet brushed and glazed solid oak large dresser, £999.99, Oak Furnitureland 2 Florence display cabinet dresser in Royal Blue, £900, Bedroom Furniture 3 Indian Hub Metropolis industrial dresser, £716, Choice Furniture Superstore 4 Oxford compact dresser in Rockford, £1,199, The Painted Furniture Company 5 Suffolk dresser in Flax Blue, from £2,685, Neptune 6 Havsta storage cabinet with glass doors, £395, Ikea 7 Factory display cabinet, £489.99, Wayfair 8 Super Sucre larder cupboard, £1,145, Loaf

153

#SOREALHOMES

1

FOR MORE STYLISH STORAGE IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS

Put your dinnerware on display with freestanding statement storage that’s full of character

THE EDIT

Showerheads 2

3

4

5

6

8

1 Traditional showerhead, £195, Bristan 2 Shower rose, £119, Burlington 3 Methven Aio Aurajet-efficient Halo showerhead, £64, John Lewis & Partners 4 Mode Ando waterfall showerhead, £149, Victoria Plum 5 Hoxton Rain showerhead and arm in matt black, £229, Britton 6 Arezo brushed brass showerhead, £89.95, Victorian Plumbing 7 Harbour Status showerhead, £239.99, Drench 8 Glide showerhead, £219, Crosswater

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

7

155

#SOREALHOMES

1

FOR MORE SHOWER IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/BATHROOM

Start every day the right way with a stylish design for any scheme

sunda y project Stuck for ideas this weekend? Get your DIY fix and delve right in with our quick and easy ways to update your home for less

For a similar rug, try Houseology Collection Gaucho chevron rug, from £337, Houseology.

For a similar lamp, try Staggered glass table lamp, £99, West Elm

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPH KATIE PURCELL

EASY HEADBOARD Need an easy bedroom switch-up? We love this ingenious headboard innovation from Katie Purcell of @faffingathome. All you need are two ingredients: a curtain pole and a rug.

Simple, right? Just attach the curtain pole at headboard height, then fold over a large rug for instant style. Katie has used a flexible herringbone patterned cowhide one, which simply hangs in place with no additional fixings required. The bonus is you can quickly swap out the rug when you fancy a change.

Like we needed an excuse to buy another one…

FIND PLENTY MORE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WEEKEND DECORATING PROJECTS AT REALHOMES.COM/DESIGN

162

9000

9001