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Full of style inspiration & festive magic

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Smart barware Celestial wallpaper Stylish storage Bifold doors Vanity units

ROOM MAKEOVERS

FULL RE-DOS TO QUICK FIXES

BAUBLES, DECS AND TREES GENIUS TIPS AND SHORTCUTS 101 DECORATING IDEAS

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The Style Book TWO MAGAZINES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

DELICIOUS RECIPES

FAMILY GAMES

SIMPLE UPDATES

STYLING TRICKS TO ADD WOW

CLEANING KNOW-HOW

EDITOR’S LETTER

Love it

Hi there!

ABOVE: Inspiring ways to cosy up your home for Christmas, p55 LEFT: Bring a seasonal Scandi scene to life, p29 BELOW: Capture the vintage vibe on a budget, p88

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I’m kicking off 2021 in style, with two super-exciting projects I can’t wait to get stuck into. First up is my dream role as the new Editor of this fantastic magazine. And then, on top of that, having decided during lockdown that we (my OH and our 11-year-old twins) had outgrown our current family home, I’m also moving house! My home is so much to me – it’s my creative outlet, my sanctuary, and is at the very heart of my family life. I’m so lucky that my job means I get a front-row seat when it comes to seeing the most inspiring real homes, as well as the top decorating ideas and must-have products out there. When it comes to making the very best of the home you have, I know you’re just as passionate as me, so do join me for the ride. It’s going to be a good one!

Heather Young, Editor

SEND US YOUR STYLING SNAPS ON INSTAGRA M # #SAHSTYLISTS WE LOVE TO SEE YOUR FAB IDEAS!

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EMAIL styleathome@futurenet.com WEBSITE idealhome.co.uk/styleathome FACEBOOK facebook.com/styleathomemag TWITTER/INSTAGRAM @styleathomemag PINTEREST pinterest.com/styleathomemag MOVING HOUSE? To change your address or renew your subscription, email help@magazinesdirect.com or visit mymagazine.co.uk

JANUARY 2021 | 3

Inside…

Love it Inspiring homes & room makeovers

Buy it

Stylish musthave finds at high-street prices

Do it

Weekend projects, DIY advice & styling tips

PARTY TIME Page 15

Make it Step-by-step craft ideas & upcycling how-tos

Regulars

Cook it Our fave recipes and top foodie buys

8

74 SUBSCRIBE and never miss an issue!

122 LOOK WHAT YOU STYLED We’re

Seasonal buys

loving all your #SAHStylists efforts!

Love it 18

30

42 76 82 88

‘WORK STOPPED FOR LOCKDOWN’ With no kitchen, an unfazed Colleen continued to turn her neglected semi into a stylish, warm family home ‘MY HUSBAND GREW UP HERE’ Using an eclectic and colourful scheme, Mindy has stamped her unique style on her husband’s former family home ‘IT’S NEUTRAL BUT FULL OF STYLE’ An easy-on-the-eye palette is the perfect backdrop for Shani’s creative accessorising TRY A SPEEDY STYLE UPDATE Fun and simple ideas to give your home a festive refresh ‘THE ROOM SUITS OUR LIFESTYLE’ Adding bifold doors has made Emily’s kitchen a sociable space, perfect for entertaining inside and out

MUTED TONES

‘IT’S BOHO, BUT ON A BUDGET’ Melissa’s DIY approach turned her rundown bathroom into a room that’s now full of vintage character

Page 52

Buy it 7

8 13 14 15 26 38 52

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Raise a toast with gorgeous glassware

BEST IN STORE Four sources, four schemes – we’ve done the shopping HIGH-STREET NEWS The scoop on what’s hot right now ANIMAL PRINT Bring the wild side into your home 10 UNDER £10 Festive bargain buys CLASSIC COUNTRY For a timeless appeal, layer rattan with fresh white ECLECTIC GLAMOUR Rich shades and luxe fabrics pull the look together NATURAL HARMONY Team a neutral palette with pops of lush green

4 | JANUARY 2021

100

How to pick the perfect tree for your home

CONTENTS

73 87 93

Love it

WALLPAPERS WITH WOW Choose an out-of-this-world pattern MODERN MIX Contemporary pieces blend perfectly in a mono scheme BOHO ECLECTIC Use artwork and colour to create something unique

104 GET SET FOR FAMILY FUN Treats to

help conjure up the magic of Christmas

120 WHERE TO BUY This issue’s stockists

30

Mindy’s home is brimming with colour and personality

Do it 29 55 66 86 92 96

SCANDI HOUSES SCENE Tea light display brings a winter village to life THE STYLE BOOK Decorating ideas to keep you cosy this Christmas MAKE EVERY SPACE WORK HARDER Display, upcycling and storage ideas to make life easier BIFOLD DOORS A smart solution to stay connected to the garden UPCYCLED VANITY UNIT Repurpose a favourite item of furniture FIND A SMART SOLUTION Gadgets and buys to make life easier

99 10-MINUTE DECLUTTER Tidy-up tips 100 PICK THE PERFECT REAL CHRISTMAS 103

TREE Choose the right one for you CANDLE HOLDER An ideal centrepiece to put pride of place

107 CLEAN UP YOUR FESTIVE TABLE Ways to get sorted in no time

55

Create drama with lavish shades and luxurious textiles

Make it 41

54

108

DIY CRACKERS Delight guests by filling with personalised treats PAPER WHEEL GARLAND Use leftover giftwrap for these pleated decs

Cook it 95

New Year dining

FRENCH 75 Toast in the New Year with a citrus-flavoured gin cocktail

108 DINE AT HOME IN STYLE A tasty 114 115 116

SWEET DREAMS Page 104

New Year feast

CHRISTMAS CHEERS Festive tipples CHRISTMAS MADE EASY Cheat’s eats FESTIVE FOOD NEWS What’s hot on the shelves right now Tweet us your comments at @styleathomemag – we’d love to hear what you think of your fave mag!

JANUARY 2021 | 5

making everyday more comfortable

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Buy it

THIS MONTH’S

Love it!

See in the new year with a clink of Elysia glasses.

The vintage-inspired coupes feature intricate cut glass detailing that will bring Gatsby vibes to the occasion, even if it’s scaled down this year.

Dress a coffee table with free-standing tabletop trees and candle holders

3 of the best…

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

COCKTAIL ACCESSORIES Fox & Ivy deco tray, £12, Tesco

Elysia champagne coupes; cocktail glasses; Martini glasses, all £5 for two; prosecco flutes, £15 for four; Lustre saucers, £10 for two, all Dunelm

Gold cocktail shaker set, £25, Homesense

Sahara coasters, £10 for four, Sainsbury’s Home

JANUARY 2021 | 7

Best IN STORE Refresh your room schemes for the new season with our pick of the latest high-street trends

Copper angled table lamp, £10

Merry Christmas sign, £5

Champagne ornament, £3

Iridescent glass bauble, £3

Wilko

Bauble tree, £8

SUGAR PLUM LUXE Glittering metallics meet candy hues for a feminine festive look

Blue glass textured vase, £8

Burgundy glass candle holder, £6

Mirrored metal and glass tray, £8

8 | JANUARY 2021

Flocking ball with sequins, £1

BEST IN STORE

Buy it

Ski cushion, £6

Star shape paper decor, £1.50 for set of three

Father Christmas gin glass, £3.50

George Home

Stocking, £5

SANTA’S RESORT

Create a whimsical seasonal scheme with kitsch motifs in classic red and white

Check throw, £15

Santa bath mat, £9 Red wooden bauble set, £3

12 Days of Christmas bedding, from £10

Dog bowl, £5

JANUARY 2021 | 9

Noah side table, £65

Light up hanging star, £14

Textured faux fur cushion, £18

Light up paper star, £6

Bronx tapered table lamp, £35

Next Home

SERENE NEUTRALS Combine natural shades and cosy textures for a grown-up festive feel

Cotton waffle bedding, from £45

Sandham bench, £199

Wooden slotted stag, £30

Light natural shaggy rug, from £35

10 | JANUARY 2021

Large blonde woven storage basket, £26

BEST IN STORE

Buy it

Tin tree polka dot hanging decoration, £2.50

Oven dish, £8

Festive folk family crackers, £2.50

Polar bear tea light holder, £3

Dunelm

FOLKY BRIGHTS

Step into a Scandi-inspired Christmas with cute characters in contemporary shades

Santa breakfast set, £5

Santa washable doormat, £3

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Russian doll set, £12

Telescopic Dachshund, £15 Naughty and Nice cushions, £14 each

JANUARY 2021 | 11

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NEWS

Buy it

Conscious Christmas

Epoch matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown

Newly launched shop Thie is focusing on plastic-free products and future heirloom decorations.

Along with an adorable array of bristle animals and novelty glass baubles, we love the colourful, thick paper sacks that can be personalised and re-used.

Order by the 19 December to arrive in time for Christmas.

Brave Ground paint mixing matt, £29.16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

RICH VS NEUTRAL

Dulux has chosen the warm neutral Brave Ground as its colour of the year, while Graham & Brown has gone for Epoch, a rich and intense shade of plum. Despite being light and dark, both bring a cocooning sense of comfort to a room. Match Epoch with other vivid colours for drama or lighter hues of lavender and heather for a softening effect. Flexible Brave Ground will pair with many other palettes or use alone to create a restorative sanctuary. Which shade would you choose?

High-street

NEWS

What’s new, what’s hot now… you heard it here first!

Starburst paper sack, £15; bristle racoon decoration, £15, Thie.co

They’re everywhere…

EXPERIENTIAL GIFT BOXES BAKING BUNDLES FOR LITTLE ONES

From £12 a box (threemonth subscription), Little Cooks Co

GET HANDS-ON Pottery kit, £39, Sculpd

SELF-CARE KIT

Buddy Box, £21.50, The Blurt Shop

UPLIFTING SCENTS

Candle-making kit, £28, Hazel & Blue Candles at Etsy

JANUARY 2021 | 13

Buy it

ANIMAL PRINT Personalised gold metallic leopard print Christmas stockings, £65 each, Penelope Hope

FESTIVE FELINE

Leopard head bauble, £3, George Home

PATTERN HIT Leopard table lamp, £24.99, Beautify

EXOTIC AROMA

The Gift Label Big Hug reed diffuser, £27, Amara

SCALY STYLE

Arizona golden snakeskin-effect small photo frame, £19, Artisanti

Trend spotting

ANIMAL PRINT

FLOOR FILLER

Maestro Wild Ochre rug, from £34.99, Carpetright

Embrace your wild side with these safari-inspired pieces

A

timeless classic in the world of fashion, it’s no wonder that animal print is seeing another resurgence on the interiors catwalks this season, and finding its way into our Christmas décor, too.

From luxurious leopard prints to chic monochrome zebra stripes, have fun introducing a few accent pieces into your scheme for a classy, rather than garish, take on the trend.

SITTING PRETTY

Velvet upholstered leopard print Alexa low stool, £39, Cult Furniture

14 | JANUARY 2021

Exotic animal crackers, £28 for six, Ella James

LUXE LEOPARD

Handmade serpentine cushion, £44, Audenza

SUBTLE STATEMENT

Leopard glass vase, £25, Barker & Stonehouse

JEWEL TONES

ANIMAL MAGIC Black cedar-scented zebra candle, £11.50, The Contemporary Home

FEATURE CASSIE PRYCE

SUBTLE TEXTURE

10 UNDER £10

Buy it

SPELL IT OUT

Balloon bunting, £7.99, Ginger Ray

PARTY POM-POMS

PARROT FASHION

Honeycomb ball decorations, £9.50 for two, Rockett St George

10

BarCraft parrot bottle opener, £7.99, KitchenCraft

LIGHT UP

Disco Ball string lights, £10, Argos

UNDER £10 Get the party started with these fun and festive bargain buys

SHAKE IT OFF

Sahara cocktail shaker, £8, Sainsbury’s

CHEEKY COSMO

Cosmopolitan cocktail mix, £9.99, Uberstar

FUN AND GAMES

After Dinner trivia quiz, £9, Wild and Wolf

DISH DELIGHT

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

Star-shaped nibbles bowl, £5, Wilko

STAR QUALITY BOWL

PULL THE OTHER ONE! Luxury crackers, £8, George Home

SPARKLY NUMBER

Snowflake glass, £3.50, Tesco

JANUARY 2021 | 15

SUBTLE DECS

‘Sticking to muted colours on the tree makes it blend into the scheme’

‘Work stopped IDEA TO STEAL

‘Oversized wall art adds impact and texture to plain wallsÕ

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I am Colleen Roberts, 46, I own an interiors online store (@west_barn) and I live here with my partner David Fox, 51, an account manager, and my children Jack, 11, and Ned, eight.

OUR HOME A four-bed, 21-year-old semi-detached house in Harrogate, Yorkshire, bought in January 2019.

WHEN WE MOVED IN It was in a bad way – the window frames were rotten, the carpet was threadbare, the walls were all painted a ghastly yellow and the kitchen was falling apart.

AND NOW We have redecorated throughout, laid carpets and flooring, replaced all the windows and doors, and fitted a new kitchen.

STYLE TIP Grey is calming and smart and easy to accessorise.

18 | JANUARY 2021

STAY CALM

‘I wanted the living room to be a relaxing sanctuary.

I used accessories to give it a modern-country feel, perfect for Christmas. In the evening, the lamps and fire make it cosy’

1990S SEMI

Love it

FOR LOCKDOWN’ After restrictions were lifted, Colleen was able to get to work turning her run-down house into a stylish and warm family home

K

een to find a new home for herself and her sons, Jack and Ned, following her divorce, as soon as Colleen drove into this estate she knew she wanted to live here. ‘It was near the boys’ schools, close to their dad’s home and was in an ideal location for my business,’ she says.

‘The house had been neglected and needed everything doing to it, but my ex-husband and I had done a lot of work on my previous home, a converted barn, so having to renovate didn’t faze me. I just wanted it all finished in time for Christmas.

First steps Despite the state of the house we moved in straight away, in January 2019. The walls were painted in a ghastly yellow, the carpet was threadbare with holes on the stair treads, and the rotten window frames had been stuffed with newspaper.

In the kitchen, the oven didn’t work and the units were falling apart. Red terracotta tiles made the room dark and there was a vast wasted space to the rear with nothing in it. Right away I engaged a painter and decorator to decorate the boys’ bedrooms, because I didn’t want them to have to live with those yellow walls. I chose the new neutral colour scheme on their behalf because, as Spurs fans, I knew that if I left it to them they’d have wanted full football regalia in there.

Buy it

Shop Colleen’s classic look PAGE 26

Upgrading the essentials The next step was to replace all of the draughty windows and outside doors.

I had negotiated £20,000 off the sale price to pay for replacements, and chose uPVC because it wears much better than wood, and I didn’t want to have to paint my window frames every five years. A

JANUARY 2021 | 19

SLUGHERE BAUBLE STYLE

‘I’ve decorated the tree with just three different types of baubles – I like the simplicity of it’

3 of the best

RATTAN CHAIRS Dine in rustic style

BISTRO STYLE

Harrington chair, £99, Cult Living

HEIGHT OF COMFORT

Hillview, £567.98 for two, Wayfair

RUSTIC RATTAN

Sika chair, £249, Cuckooland

GREY BUT BRIGHT

‘The hallway is a continuation of my favourite grey offset by bright white’

‘WORK SOME CLASSIC COUNTRY-STYLE ACCESSORIES AND TEXTILES INTO YOUR SCHEME TO SOFTEN A MODERN LOOK’ friend recommended Niddal Windows, a local company based in Knaresborough, who did a great job. I had a bit left over from the £20,000 and used it to continue decorating the house over the next 18 months, as and when the painter was free.

Décor decisions

Half the battle is knowing what you want, and I had plenty of ideas from doing up my previous home, and knew the colours that had worked well. I chose shades of white and grey throughout, which is a calming combination that’s easy to accessorise with splashes of colour where

20 | JANUARY 2021

you want. I learned a lesson regarding paint choices from a past mistake, when I picked a colour on a paint chart and paid a decorator to paint the whole house in it.

It turned out to be a big mistake as any one colour will look very different in different rooms, according to which direction they face and how the light falls. This time I got it right!

Kitchen woes

The kitchen was ripped out the day before lockdown, which of course we didn’t know was going to happen.

It was horrendous, as there were no

1990S SEMI

Love it

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

‘The rattan table and chairs are garden furniture, but work just as well inside, especially teamed up with the greenery, which is artificial but you’d never know’

IDEA TO STEAL ‘High-quality outdoor furniture can work just as well indoors’

JANUARY 2021 | 21

Love it

1990S SEMI

appliances left and we couldn’t go out to eat or get takeaways because everything was shut. I knew there was no point in getting stressed about it all because there was nothing I could do.

We stored the contents of the kitchen cupboards in our spare bedroom and for the next nine weeks we used a two-ring electric hob and a microwave in the utility room. Luckily, my partner David had moved in by then and became Gordon Ramsay in the utility room. My business sales doubled because of people being at home, and in the evenings I’d be helping Ned with his verbs and nouns.

Being so busy helped take the edge off not having a kitchen.

Back on track

When the lockdown eased, the builders returned to fit the kitchen, which was a

big relief. I redesigned the room, including adding a big island that we could eat around as a family – it fitted beautifully into the wasted space there had been in the old kitchen. I chose Howdens Chelford units in Dove Grey, with the island in Navy as a contrast, and teamed them with a hard-wearing, family-friendly composite grey worktop. The floor is covered in silver grey luxury vinyl tiles from Calverts Carpets, which run through to the hallway for continuity. It’s so practical and easy to keep clean.

Final stretch

I chose carpet for the rest of the house – a polypropylene design in Castle Rock from Calverts Carpets, to blend with the walls and woodwork. Now that the core of the house is finished, I feel over the moon. I’m very happy with what I’ve

BRIGHT BLINDS

‘The cool greys of the units and woodwork benefit from the pop of pink in the blinds’

DINING PENINSULAR

‘The island is a huge success – it fits the previously wasted space perfectly’

22 | JANUARY 2021

SLUGHERE FAMILY HUB

‘If anyone is looking for me I’ll be found in here. I designed it and I think the grey colour scheme of the Howdens units and the luxury vinyl floor from Calverts Carpets work so well’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Small artificial trees add a fresh, outdoorsy feel, especially at Christmas’

‘ALWAYS USE TESTER PAINT POTS DAUBED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF A ROOM BEFORE COMMITTING TO A COLOUR’

Do it!

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS STYLE

Bring greenery indoors with artificial, miniature Christmas trees and topiary for an unusual seasonal twist.

Using a mixture of real and fake flowers, such as eucalyptus sprigs and hydrangeas, means that

floral displays can include the unexpected at this time of year.

Wooden carved decorative cones add a winter wonderland touch to an open fireplace.

Wooden painted furniture is the epitome of contemporary style with a country twist.

JANUARY 2021 | 23

Love it

1990S SEMI

Where to buy Colleen’s style

HEART FELT

‘I love these natural twig heart-shaped hangings. They add a quirky, textural hit to the walls’

BELLAGIO STONE Offers a bespoke service with a wide range of quality stone surfaces, including worktops.

KELLY’S ART STUDIO She makes wonderful, handpainted, personalised plaques, such as the ones we have hanging in our bedrooms.

LOVE MILLY For pretty candles, diffusers and melts made from soy wax and oils, and with beautiful fragrances, which you can use in any room.

NIDDAL For quality windows and doors and an excellent fitting and after-sales service.

CALVERTS CARPETS An excellent company for a wide choice of carpets and floor coverings at a good price.

DELUXE HOTEL

‘The main bedroom has a French country look – it’s like sleeping in a lovely hotel’

24 | JANUARY 2021

SLUGHERE STARRY EYED

IDEA TO STEAL

FEATURE SHARON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS STYLING SUZANNE WEBB

‘Handmade wall plaques are a good way of personalising a room’

Make it!

A WALL-HANGING LETTER

1

Buy a wooden letter. Choose fabric that will cover the letter front and back with a margin of about half an inch all around. Choose a strip of fabric for the trim allowing an extra two inches in length.

Glue a square of wadding to the top of the letter then trim around it.

Cut the fabric into two equal pieces then place the letter on top of the wrong side of one piece of the fabric, wadding face down.

Glue the edge of the fabric to the letter, making sure that the fabric

is taut. With a curved letter, as you go round, snip the fabric at an angle to be able to fold and glue the edges down smoothly. Glue the corners, then snip off any excess fabric.

Repeat for the back of the letter.

For the trim, fold the edges of the strip inwards, then iron them flat. Glue the trim to the edge of the letter, taking it in small stages to ensure that the glue stays sticky and that the fabric is pulled taut.

Tuck the end of the trim under to neaten it, then glue it down.

2 3

5

4

6

‘I chose stars for Ned’s bedroom because I wanted it to be boy-ish and full of character.

He and Jack each have their initials hung on their wall in padded letters’

achieved. As a family we all congregate in the kitchen, cooking, eating, watching TV, chatting, and working at the island. When it’s sunny we have the double doors open onto the garden, but at this time of year, it’s warm and snug – it’s the heart of our home.

Christmas cheer

I’m so looking forward to Christmas. We’ll get up and open our presents, sit down to a turkey dinner, then later on we’ll pull the crackers and wear the hats during tea. It’s so wonderful to be celebrating it here.’

Join in and share your home revamps with Style at Home on Instagram @styleathomemag

JANUARY 2021 | 25

£349

Invest in a long-lasting piece. Worcester coffee table, MODISH LIVING

£7.49 each

SNUG FIT

Create a candlelit table display. Tin tea light holders, GISELA GRAHAM

Buy Colleen’s style…

CLASSIC COUNTRY Layer rattan and wicker onto a fresh white colour palette to create a sophisticated, yet rustic, scheme

A

FEATURE CASSIE PRYCE

timeless combination of whites mixed with warm neutrals gives Colleen’s interior an air of tranquillity. Whitewashed pieces and linen furnishings lend a country-inspired aesthetic to the space, while a collection of classic ornaments and accessories keeps the look sophisticated.

For the festive season, Colleen has introduced pared-back decorations in white and silver, with fresh and faux foliage to add a touch of greenery.

£6.99

Embrace classic stripes for a traditional look.

Morocco striped cushion cover, HOMESCAPES ONLINE

£4

Fill your home with festive scents.

Vanilla candle, M&S

£29.99

Enhance your décor with a simple foliage wreath.

Eucalyptus wreath, HOME LUXE CO

Buy it

CLASSIC COUNTRY

£59

£9

Add texture with woven pieces.

Extra-large wicker heart, BARKER AND STONEHOUSE

Pick a silent mechanism design for peace and quiet.

Vischan wall clock, IKEA

£14

Lift a white scheme with pastel extras. Belia ceramic mug, OLIVER BONAS

£198

Make a striking focal point.

Vanessa threelight pendant, DAR LIGHTING

£849

Snuggle up.

Alexa two-seater sofa, SOFOLOGY

£125

Stash throws, bedding or laundry in this stylish willow chest. Large storage hamper, THE COTSWOLD COMPANY

HIDE AWAY

£169

Go for a pre-lit tree to save the annual struggle.

Imperial Snowy pre-lit Christmas tree, DOBBIES

JANUARY 2021 | 27

earth tones

wallpaperdirect.com designerpaint.com Make your home your own.

SCANDI HOUSES SCENE

Do it

THIS MONTHÕS

Do it

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH HOBBYCRAFT

Create a winter village scene by arranging houseshaped tea light holders on a tabletop. Add bottle brush trees and hang star decorations from above to look like the night sky. Pop LED tea lights in the houses to make them come to life.

Why not paint the houses to match your scheme?

Christmas House ceramic tea light holders, £5 for three; ceramic small house tea light holder, £3; frosted green bottle brush trees, from £1 each; hanging ceramic star decorations, £1 each, all Hobbycraft

JANUARY 2021 | 29

JEWEL TONES

‘I went for a scheme of rich velvets and moody colours’

‘My husband PICTURE THIS

‘The flickering lights of the candles draw the eye to the empty gilded frame’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Use the same feature colours throughout the house for cohesionÕ

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Mindy Schroor, 42, an influencer and content creator.

I live here with my husband Theo, 33, a healthcare coordinator, and our children Nayla, 13, and Ravi, six.

OUR HOME A four-bedroom, semi-detached house built in 1978 in Drachten, the Netherlands.

We’ve lived here since 2004.

WHEN WE MOVED IN The house was functional, but not charming.

I like houses with creaky wooden floors and original features – this place had no frills at all! After living in it for two years, I began to add the character back in.

AND NOW We’ve given it a complete makeover. I’ve painted the walls countless times, styled with eclectic, vintage finds, and made it into a unique space that bursts with colour and personality.

STYLE TIP If you can’t stick to one style, choose pieces and colours you love to create a home that’s personal to you.

Buy it

Shop Mindy’s sumptuous style PAGE 38

30 | JANUARY 2021

1970S SEMI

Love it

GREW UP HERE’

Mindy went for an eclectic and colourful scheme to stamp her style and personality on the house that was her in-law’s family home

I

live in my husband’s childhood home, which I wasn’t sure was a good idea at first,’ says Mindy.

‘I worried Theo’s siblings wouldn’t like us making changes to the house that they’d grown up in, but they thought it was a great idea.

And after viewing countless other properties, we realised we could make this house work for us. Theo’s parents had converted the garage into a spacious eat-in kitchen, the living room was a good size, and no major work was needed.

The house was in really good condition, so all we did was sand and finish the dark wooden floors and paint the walls white, before I started decorating. After living in 17 houses (including a caravan!), it’s been nice to finally put down roots in the home my husband grew up in.

Gentleman’s club décor

As our house was pretty much ready to go when we moved in, I could get straight down to the styling and accessorising. I love the feel of a classic British library, with lots of plush velvet, club chairs and fringing, so in the living room I’ve decorated with rich colours and soft fabrics to create an opulent, antique-y vibe. The first thing I bought was a vintage, petrol-blue coloured sofa, which completely fits the look, but Theo hates it, as he can’t stretch out on it.

Then, I painted the wall behind it in contrasting blush pink and deep blue, and accessorised with velvet furnishings.

Layering texture makes the room feel luxurious and the fabrics enhance the rich colours I love. To give the gentleman’s club vibe a modern twist, I’ve hung a gallery wall with funky prints and neon signage, and included light wooden

JANUARY 2021 | 31

1970S SEMI

COLOUR MATCHING

‘This year’s tree decorations pick out the purples and pinks from the fringed armchair and velvet rug’

TEXTURAL LAYERING

‘In the living room I’ve got plush velvet, natural wood and lush foliage for a maximalist look’

‘START WITH A SIMPLE COAT OF PAINT AND BUILD UP YOUR NEW DECOR SCHEME FROM THERE’ accents and leafy houseplants, so that the room feels balanced.

Smart colour schemes

I can’t stick to one look and I don’t want to! I find inspiration everywhere and I’m always mixing styles, so a unifying colour scheme is important. I’ve used the same palette throughout the house and it binds everything together, regardless of how eclectic my accessorising gets. It doesn’t have to be overly obvious either. The petrol-blue sofa is picked up by the feature wall in the living room, and I’ve used graduating shades of pink and purple for our cushions and rugs

32 | JANUARY 2021

downstairs. There is so much you can do with colour if you use it smartly.

You can completely change up your style – all it takes is a simple coat of paint to transform a room when you fancy a makeover. Or, you can highlight a certain area, like we have with our reading nook, by painting a wide band of colour to define that space.

Mindful styling

Decorating our house in the run up to Christmas is my favourite part of the festive season and I always go all out!

Recently, I’ve tried to be more mindful about what we buy at Christmas, so

FEATURE LIGHTING

‘Flickering candles are crucial to my styling.

Arrange them near glass ornaments and decorative mirrors to bounce light around’

1970S SEMI

Love it

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Buy vintage baubles from second-hand shops for unique decorations no one else will have’

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

‘I’ve extended our colour block wall along the ceiling for decorative effect’

3 of the bestÉ

PAPER DECORATIONS This simple material adds contemporary style FAB FOLDS INSTANT ORIGAMI

Noella white paper tree, £10, Habitat

Droplet, £1.50 for three, George Home

PAPER CUTS

Christmas star in Orion Blue, £19.99, Beaumonde

JANUARY 2021 | 33

1970S SEMI

SETTLE IN

‘Shades of brown in a variety of materials create a cosy feel. In the dining room, I’ve mixed rattan, wood and leather, along with a cowhide rug’

34 | JANUARY 2021

ANTIQUE OPPORTUNITY

‘Open shelving in the kitchen means my vintage cups and saucers are a display in themselves’

1970S SEMI

Love it

PLANT POWER

‘You’ll find a houseplant or bouquet of flowers on practically every surface in my house. The rich green leaves stand out against the dark walls’

Do it!

ECO-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS

IF YOU’VE GOT IT, FLAUNT IT

‘I didn’t want to hide our new dining table, so instead of a tablecloth I chose two small table runners’

Rent a Christmas tree. Love a Christmas Tree delivers a Nordmann Fir to your door from their family farm in Leicestershire, you decorate and enjoy a real tree for the Christmas season, then they’ll pick it up and replant it.

Go for recycled giftwrap, brown paper or reuse last year’s.

Foil and glitter can’t be easily recycled, so avoid these if buying new. Or, wrap presents in fabric.

Invest in a reusable advent calendar and fill it with unique gifts each year. Go traditional with chocs, or branch out with natural toiletries or personalised vouchers.

instead of choosing a whole new set of decorations every December, I’ve created new themes with what’s already in the house, and I’m more conscious about choosing sustainable decorations.

This year, the house is bedecked with tiny fir trees made from stone and cardboard, flowers and foliage in red and green, and patterned paper stars. We’ve still got family traditions though. Ravi and Nayla each pick out a new bauble or two every year, but now they’re bought second hand, rather than brand new.

Wonderful walls

I’m a big fan of using wallpaper to define a space; I think it influences the whole look and feel of a room. The dining area was quite difficult to decorate, because although it gets a lot of light from the roof dome, there aren’t any windows and it feels closed in. Creating a busy feature wall with wallpaper from Mind the Gap created more depth and helped to bring the room to life. Changing up the wallpaper in a room can create

JANUARY 2021 | 35

Love it

1970S SEMI BEDROOM BLISS

Make it!

PAPER BAG SNOWFLAKES

YOU WILL NEED: 9 paper takeaway bags with silver foil lining OR plain white paper bags Glue stick Scissors Draw a T shape on the first bag with glue. Stick the next bag directly on top, making sure open ends are all on top of each other.

Repeat eight times.

Cut the open ends into a point. Then cut some triangle shapes into the sides of the bags.

Unfurl the bags into a snowflake shape. Double over a piece of washi tape to stick the final sides together.

When it’s time to take the decoration down, simply remove the washi tape, close and store for next Christmas.

1

2 3

‘There are plenty of busy patterns on the walls and floor, so I’ve chosen warm terracotta, soothing blue and blush pink bed linen to inject some serenity’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Go for statement wallpaper to completely change up the vibe of a room’

4

ANIMAL MAGIC

‘I have a weak spot for any kind of animal motif’

36 | JANUARY 2021

1970S SEMI MODERN TWISTS

a completely new look, so I covered a portable hardboard panel with wallpaper that stands upright against the wall. I move it about the room and I re-cover it whenever I want to give the space a new hit of pattern or colour, making it super easy for me to update my ever-changing style.

‘I’ve contrasted crushed gold velvet and deep chocolate leather with delicate accessories and wacky artwork to modernise the classic gentleman’s club style’

Kitchen chic

Theo’s parents had extended the kitchen before we moved in, turning it into a large kitchen-diner, so everything works well and they’d decorated it tastefully. Since it’s perfectly usable, I haven’t gone too wild in there… yet!

I’ve recently painted black feature walls to introduce a touch of drama, and painted the peninsula units to match. Then I added plenty of colourful accessories so that it fits in with the eclectic vibe of the rest of the house.

Taking advantage of the open shelving, I’ve displayed some of my favourite patterned china and hung pretty tea towels for pops of colour. I love houseplants, too, and have pots of them in every room, so the leafy greenery in here creates continuity as well as brightening up the space. I’m a big believer in the fact that you don’t have to undertake lots of costly work in order to make a home match your style – often a few key colours and themed accessories can do wonders.’

DECORATIVE TOUCHES

‘Pink poinsettias and a vintage glass lamp edged with gold have a hint of Christmassy class’

‘DON’T RESTRICT YOURSELF TO ONE PARTICULAR STYLE – INSTEAD, LOOK FOR INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE’

Where to buy Mindy’s style

DUTCHBONE It has a gorgeous collection of soft furnishings and a sparkly range of gold accented accessories.

MADE For all the velvet – from sofas to scalloped headboards, armchairs, pouffes and footstools.

MINEHEART There is always an array of iconic wallpaper

designs to suit every room.

Plus, Mineheart plants one tree for every roll of wallpaper sold, so you can help the environment, too.

IKEA Shop here for a range of quality, colourful furniture at affordable prices, as well as a variety of festive decorations come Christmastime.

FEATURE AND STYLING MONIQUE VAN DER PAUW, COCO FEATURES / GEORGIE RODGERS PHOTOGRAPHS TON BOUWER

Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

JANUARY 2021 | 37

£180

Max out the velvet finishes. BundleBerry

by Amanda Holden sideboard chest with tempered glass top, QVCUK.COM

£139

£8

£4

Bring the night sky in. Hang with Maddox star, GARDEN TRADING

Add star quality. Gold glitter star decoration, ROCKETT ST GEORGE

Buy Mindy’s style…

An ornamental twist on the side table.

Dutchbone Crane side table, NAKEN INTERIORS

ECLECTIC GLAMOUR Team rich jewel tones and luxe velvet with vintage finds for a sumptuous finish

M

indy has taken inspiration from various eras and styles, and tied the look together using a palette of rich feature colours that appear throughout the house.

Reflecting the style of club lounges and boutique hotels, her home showcases dark colours, antiques, curiosities, velvet, fringing, bold patterned wallpaper and rugs for a truly unique yet glamorous home. Plenty of dark green houseplants add a layer of texture and pop against the dark, painted walls.

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

£53.99

Bring vintage style with fine fringing. Buckingham velvet pouffe with fringes, HOMESCAPES

£169 for two

Mix them in with industrial-style chairs. Pax rattan dining chairs, DUNELM

£12.99

Throw in a dramatic black accent. Floral motif cushion cover, H&M HOME

STYLISH SEAT

Buy it

ECLECTIC GLAMOUR

£1

£10 for two

Add quirky curiosities to the tree. Hot air balloon bauble, POUNDLAND

Add a little whimsy with wall art. Bild poster, IKEA

£30

£99

Sofa essential.

Shelly round velvet cushion, URBAN OUTFITTERS

Rolling glass adds a retro spin. Piro pendant, SWOON

£539

Splash vibrant colour in rich velvet. Bask pink velvet sofa, DFS

£87.99 Adorn wooden floors with pattern.

Burciaga Power loom blue rug, WAYFAIR

£19.50 for two

Arrange in a cluster.

Kirigami Snowflakes Starburst, COX & COX

PLUSH DUO

£25

for two

Glam up storage.

BundleBerry by Amanda Holden velvet touch jewellery boxes, QVCUK.COM

JANUARY 2021 | 39

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Make life EASY

Crown’s washable paint is the secret to a great-looking home

B

usy family life isn’t always geared up to having immaculate interiors, and if you’re fed up of fingermarks, tired of toy scuffs and sick of spills marking your walls, then we have just the solution. After all, no one wants to keep repainting their rooms time and time again.

Walls in Mellow Sage easyclean® matt, £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Let us introduce you to Crown’s easyclean® paints. This range has been formulated so you can wipe down walls quickly and easily to keep them free from dirt and spills, and it’s been named as Crown’s toughest and most washable range yet.

A parent’s best friend

Paint different surfaces

Doorway in Creme de la Rose easyclean® matt, £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown

As if that wasn’t enough, this new range can also be used on multiple surface types, so you can use the same paint for your walls, wood and metalwork, ensuring you get exactly the same colour throughout for a cohesive scheme.

SEE FOR YOURSELF Find the easyclean® range at crownpaints.co.uk, Homebase and leading independent DIY stores.

Walls in Blue Gravel easyclean® matt, £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown

‘THE PAINT GAVE REALLY GOOD COVERAGE AND WAS EASY TO USE – PLUS IT’S GREAT IF YOU HAVE MESSY KIDS!’ MUMSNET USER

*60 MUMSNET USERS TRIED EASYCLEAN® MATT EMULSION. 98% WOULD RECOMMEND WORDS LAURIE DAVIDSON

That’s not a small claim, but easyclean® is 200 times tougher and more washable than a normal matt paint – which is pretty amazing when you think about it.

Not only that, but it has also been awarded a ‘Rated’ badge by Mumsnet* for being the best stain- and scrubresistant formulation available. To sum up, you can be confident you’re getting the best value product and that your walls are going to be looking their very best for years to come. No more worrying when the kids wheel their bikes through the hallways. No more sighing when you spot grubby handprints on their bedroom walls – and best of all, no more having to go out to buy new paint to cover up the marks.

DIY CRACKERS

Make it

Similar rustic wooden star shapes, £5.15 for 50, SyntegoCrafts at Etsy

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FURNITURE CHOICE

Fill with personalised treats

THIS MONTHÕS

Make it

Line up three toilet roll tubes. Cover with gift wrap and secure with doublesided tape. Twist one of the end rolls to create a crease.

Tie with twine and remove the tube. Add a cracker snap, joke and sweets. Twist the other tube out and tie.

JANUARY 2021 | 41

TREE DELIGHT

‘When buying baubles I go for volume, so I can swap styles and colours year on year’

‘It’s neutral but IDEA TO STEAL

‘A collection of framed mirrors helps natural light bounce around the room’

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Shani Zion, a stylist.

I live here with my husband, Jake Fitzjones, a photographer, and our 17-year-old daughter, Marla.

OUR HOME A three-bed Victorian terraced house in Camden, north London. We moved here in 2002.

WHEN WE MOVED IN It was a rental property, with a flimsy kitchen, one poky bathroom and grotty flooring.

AND NOW We’ve opened up the ground floor to let the light flood in and fitted a new kitchen. Upstairs, we’ve turned a guest bedroom into a spacious family bathroom and made a bedroom for Marla in the attic.

STYLE TIP Keep the big things classic and simple, and go wild with accessorising! You can then update your style frequently, knowing that your big-ticket items will still suit.

42 | JANUARY 2021

TERRACED TOWNHOUSE

Love it

FULL OF STYLE’ DRESS IT UP

‘We’ve accessorised our smart, neutral base with textured cushions, ornatelyframed mirrors and colourful trinkets’

Shani transformed a bland Victorian townhouse into a designed-to-last modern family home, and filled it with her own eclectic style

O

riginally, we’d put in an offer on a house the next street over,’ says Shani. ‘By the time that fell through, we’d already fallen in love with this area of north London, and knew this was where we wanted our first proper family home.

‘Luckily, this house came onto the market almost immediately and we snapped it up. It had already been converted back into a single dwelling after decades as flats, but the renovations were cheap. The kitchen was flimsy and much of the Victorian character inside had been stripped away, but we saw that it had lots of potential. It was filled with light and the bedrooms were all a good size. We were happy to take our time to transform it into the home we wanted.

Sociable living

We started off by renovating the ground floor. By removing the unnecessary doors and widening the entrances between the kitchen, dining room and sitting room, we opened up the downstairs to create an open-plan, sociable environment that suits our way of living. We love having people over, but the dining room is a relatively small space, so we plumped for a big table with a long bench seat, which easily accommodates plenty of dinner guests. Going open-plan is ideal for family entertaining and cooking all together, especially at Christmas.

Buy it

For a natural harmony look go to PAGE 52

Making white work

We decided on having a neutral base throughout; it’s all Dulux trade white, which is warmer than brilliant white, as it doesn’t have the blue tinge to it. The idea was that in giving the whole place a completely neutral starting point, I could play around with the faded tones I love,

JANUARY 2021 | 43

BRIGHT ASPECT ‘Widening the entrances between our downstairs rooms means our dining area benefits from two sources of natural light’

REPEAT ACCENTS ‘The warm texture of polished wood flooring picks up the decorative touches in our picture frames’

‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY EVERYTHING YOU SEE JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE IT – FIRST THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW AND WHERE EACH PIECE WILL FIT IN’ and still create contrast. I prefer natural colours, like mossy greens and browns, that add warmth to the house. My style is pretty eclectic. I experience so many design influences in my job and I honestly appreciate them all, so my own home is a mix of whatever takes my fancy. My style is constantly evolving, so the neutral white backdrop is key. It creates cohesion throughout, and means I can still update the accessories whenever I like.

Industrial appeal Upstairs, we got to work on transforming the attic into a new bedroom for Marla.

She had just started secondary school

44 | JANUARY 2021

when we began the conversion and shares my love for interiors, so she was keen to be involved in the decorating, and happy to have her own space!

We left one wall of brickwork exposed to give it an authentic, industrial vibe, inspired by New York loft living. I spent hours with my paintbox applying a trompe-l’oeil brick effect on the broken ones before treating the entire wall with a PVC plastic coating to keep dust at bay. We also sectioned a bit of the wall below the stairs to give her a space to graffiti. All her friends have signed their names and added their own drawings over the years.

Love it

TERRACED TOWNHOUSE

3 of the best

TIERED CHANDELIERS

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Mix photos, paintings and sketches to create an eyecatching, arty display’

Wow-factor ways to light up the room GLAM SPARKLE

Greata 3 light chandelier, £140, Next Home

DECO DELIGHT Zulu fringe easy fit lampshade, £25, Matalan

MODERN BOHO

Bamboo conical light, £79, Rose & Grey

TABLE TOP

‘I like a green and white festive table theme to echo the interior scheme’

JANUARY 2021 | 45

BLENDING STYLES

‘Mixing vintage furniture, car boot finds and modern pieces pays off. Here I’ve teamed an Ikea shelf with an inherited mirror and an upcycled sideboard’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Adding your own touches, like giving a sideboard a fresh coat of paint, gives a piece personal history’ 46 | JANUARY 2021

TERRACED TOWNHOUSE

Love it

KITCHEN KNOW-HOW

‘Our galley-style kitchen is simple but practical. Everything is within arm’s reach, which makes for easy cooking’

BALANCED SOLUTION

‘Wood treads are too noisy, but I like the look of painted stairs, so adding a woollen carpet runner was a good compromise’

‘DISPLAY THE THINGS YOU LOVE, SUCH AS A COLLECTION OF WHITE CROCKERY, BUT HAVE LOTS OF STORAGE TOO, SO IT’S NEVER A MESS’ Bathing beauty

INDOOR HERBS

‘Forget the fridge; I enjoy the smell of fresh herbs by potting them instead’

GET FRUITY

‘A burst of colour, such as a bowl of zesty green apples, ping against the white backdrop’

When we moved in, the house only had one small bathroom, so we converted a guest bedroom into an airy family bathroom. The design was inspired by an open-plan bathroom in a hotel we stayed in during a trip to Bali, with a large shower alcove in one corner. I love the antique Chinese wedding chest, which we use to store towels, and the photos of Marla that form a picture gallery above the loo. The space is calming and is filled with family memories. It’s my favourite room in the house, so I was more than happy to sacrifice a spare room. We also rejigged the layout of the shower room, which was the house’s original bathroom. The room was narrow and restricted by the large

JANUARY 2021 | 47

DREAM SPACE

‘The master bedroom is already airy, but the white furniture, walls and flooring bounce the light around even more’

OUT ON ‘A GORGEOUS DRESS, OR A PAIR OF CUTE SHOES LEFT DISPLAY, CAN BE AS EYECATCHING AS A PIECE OF ARTWORK’ window at one end, but I didn’t want it to feel small. It took a lot of research to plan, but going for a large basin with lots of surface space makes the room feel more spacious than it is. It’s mostly used by guests or by Marla. She got stuck in when it came to redecorating and helped me give it a vintage 1950s makeover.

Moments of inspiration I find inspiration everywhere, particularly from our travels as a family. I grew up in Spain and we still spend a lot of time there, so I’m forever on the lookout for beautiful pieces to bring back from our holidays. Many of my most treasured items are keepsakes picked up in Ibiza,

48 | JANUARY 2021

Make it!

UPCYCLE DRAWERS Give an inexpensive chest of drawers a new lease of life with fresh paint, then add pattern, or personalise with new accessories.

Browse Anthropologie and Homebase for new handles. Sparkling glass knobs give a chic finish, or go for a minimalist vibe with leather loops.

Add a pop of pattern by cladding the drawer fronts with offcuts of funky patterned wallpaper.

Refinish the wood by lightly sanding, then applying a coat of varnish or oil to revitalise vintage cabinetry.

If painting, chalk paint has a matt finish, while gloss paint will make your piece shine.

TERRACED TOWNHOUSE

Love it BOLD HUE

‘One of the only exceptions to the warm white walls is this striking feature wall behind the bed’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘White furnishings really pop against chocolate brown walls’

HANDLE THIS

‘I used a mix of glass knobs from Bombay Duck, Homebase and market stalls to upcycle this eBay chest of drawers’

JANUARY 2021 | 49

Love it

TERRACED TOWNHOUSE INDUSTRIAL CHIC

WALKING INTO WONDERLAND

‘The loft conversion is accessed via cute double doors, affectionately dubbed “Narnia”’

‘An exposed brick feature wall, faux fur bedding and mounted guitars gives Marla’s bedroom a NYC loft vibe’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Inject personality by wall-mounting favourite hobby items’

Do it!

UNDER-STAIRS LIBRARY Make use of the dead space under your staircase by creating a cosy library nook.

Think about shelving options.

Open and floating shelves look less bulky than cabinets and you can mount them to fit a range of book sizes. Make sure to measure your tallest books first before installing the shelves.

Choose a comfy, low-to-theground armchair if space allows, or go for a stool with a funky patterned seat cushion to perch on while you browse.

Save valuable floor space by installing a wall lamp and angle the beam to brighten up your corner and ensure there’s plenty of light to read by.

Finish off the reading area by accessorising with a rattan basket to store cosy blankets.

50 | JANUARY 2021

TRANQUIL ZONE

Where to buy Shani’s style

‘The decorative mirror, copper taps and wooden floor introduce colour and texture in a serene bathroom’

H&M HOME Brilliant for easy, affordable pieces that you can change often. Think cushion covers, trinkets and baskets.

VINTERIOR An online marketplace for lovers of characterful vintage furniture and stylish second-hand pieces.

MERCHANT & MILLS Browse their selection of linen fabrics for cushions and curtains to introduce pops of colour and pattern to neutral furniture.

BOMBAY DUCK A go-to destination for a wide choice of patterned and glass knobs to give cabinetry a stylish uplift.

ANTHROPOLOGIE Great for inspiration. Check out the quirky kitchenware and pieces with a global aesthetic.

‘TURN YOUR BATHROOM INTO A HOTEL-CHIC SPACE WITH CRISP WHITE FIXTURES, NEATLY FOLDED TOWELS AND A DISPLAY OF MINIMALIST ACCESSORIES’ India, Morocco and Bali. I’m a big fan of beautiful travel souvenirs.

The same goes for vintage and second-hand furniture. Lots of items in our home have been passed down from family, such as the light shade hanging on the landing, which used to be in my grandfather’s study. The mirror in the dining room was inherited from my grandmother. In fact, I’ve had most of the mirrors hanging on our living room picture wall since I was a teenager. I love the shapes and frames, and I’ve built up quite a collection. I think it’s important for a piece to mean something to you, and our home is now full of beautiful items.’

CUTTING CORNERS

‘I hate cleaning glass, so the spacious shower alcove in one corner is a great solution’

Join in and share your home revamps with Style at Home on Instagram @styleathomemag

FEATURE GEORGIE RODGERS STYLING SHANI ZION PHOTOGRAPHS JAKE FITZJONES

ZARA HOME Cashmere knit blankets, crochet bedspreads, washed linens; the current range of lovely slubby greys and taupes perfectly reflects the winter season.

JANUARY 2021 | 51

£399

Choose timeless white pieces.

Burford chest of drawers, COTSWOLD COMPANY

£49.99

CLASSIC CHOICE

Add wow with glitzy lighting. Dar Dionne non-electric pendant, OCEAN LIGHTING

£14.99

Dot along a dining table.

Glitter wreath tea light holder, GISELA GRAHAM

Buy Shani’s style…

NATURAL HARMONY Create an easy-to-live with scheme using a palette of winter whites, earthy browns and muted greens

O

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

pening up the downstairs of her Victorian house allowed Shani to create an altogether more spacious layout with natural light flowing throughout the kitchen, dining and living areas. With open-plan spaces like this, a unified colour palette is key, so that one room flows easily into the next.

To accentuate the feeling of space, Shani has chosen white walls and neutral soft furnishings in shades of taupe and moss. Accents of lush green and zingy lime complete the look.

£60

£20

Choose all-white crockery for a chic display.

White ceramic jug, NEXT HOME

52 | JANUARY 2021

Drape over a favourite chair.

Ballater throw in Green, GARDEN TRADING

£17.50

Add accents of green.

Monty Green glass vase, MINK INTERIORS

NATURAL HARMONY

Buy it

£12.99 for two

Serve bubbly in these sparklers. Ava & I champagne saucers, WAYFAIR

£80

£7

Keep it simple with classy glass.

Franklin table lamp, SOFA.COM

Mix it up with tonal cushions.

Diamond stitch cushion, GEORGE HOME

£1,599

Stick to neutral for large items. Chord three-seater sofa in Stone leather, DFS

£16

Decorate a mantel.

Mint green leaves garland, B&Q

£37.50

Try a simple centrepiece.

Mosser White glass cake stand, SOUS CHEF

£89

£130

Go for a sleek glass and chrome combo.

Torsby dining table, IKEA

£195

Style it out with an iconic chair.

Tulip-style chair, FUSION LIVING

Add subtle pattern with a rustic weave.

Aletta rug, COX & COX

JANUARY 2021 | 53

Make it

PAPER WHEEL GARLAND

THIS MONTHÕS

Make it Similar Kraft copper stars wrapping paper, £5 for 3m, John Lewis & Partners

54 | JANUARY 2021

Cut decorative paper into a 20cm square. Fold concertina style, then fold in half. Join the two edges together with double-sided tape to create a fan shape. Make two more, then tape all three together to form a wheel. Repeat. Use string to hang up the garland.

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Use leftover gift wrap

PullLove it out and keep!

SLUGHERE

THE STYLE BOOK

COSY CHRISTMAS Hunker down with loved ones at home this winter among tactile fabrics, cosy textures and chalky hues that’ll keep you feeling warm and cosy all season

PLUS! p66 FAB DECO IDEAS

Love it

SLUGHERE

A real tree and natural garlands are must-haves for a festive country home

Hang cards from a length of string

the STYLE RULES START WITH A NEUTRAL BASE Muted sage green paint on the walls creates the perfect backdrop for dark walnut and leather furniture, without dominating the room.

CO-ORDINATING DETAILS Embrace a traditional look with a neutral tartan carpet and leather seating. To enhance country cottage vibes, carry the pattern through to your cushions and wrapping paper.

TIMELESS COLOUR PALETTE Conjure up a classic Christmas scheme with seasonal foliage arranged along the mantel and tree decorations in festive shades of berry red, forest green and antique gold to complement the look.

ADD SPARKLE Silver accessories give the look a contemporary twist. Go for high-sheen lighting, glitzy picture frames and shimmering baubles.

SLUGHERE

Love it

Highland

HIDEAWAY Add warmth with traditional checks and forest hues

THE FABRIC

Highland Stag, £26m, Sophie Allport

THE WALLPAPER

Superfresco Tartan in Red, £15 a roll, Homebase

THE PAINT

Bandstand flat matt emulsion, £21.50 for 2.5ltr, Crown

THE FLOORING

Gleneagles Glencoe in Sand Plaid, £29.99sq m, Carpetright

Love it

SLUGHERE Introduce plenty of embellished elements and gold accessories to elevate a luxe look

Midnight JEWELS

Add opulence with precious purples and gold

THE FABRIC

Pink Peonies velvet, £14m, Magnolia Home Design at Etsy

THE WALLPAPER Superfresco Aurora in Black, £13 a roll, Wilko

THE PAINT

Magome matt emulsion, £12 for 2.5ltr, GoodHome at B&Q

THE FLOORING

Impressive Patina Classic Oak Grey, £23.99sq m, Quick Step

SLUGHERE

Love it

Starsky chandelier with clear recycled pressed-glass strips, £455, Pooky. For similar chairs and table, try Perch & Parrow. For similar sheepskin, try Amara

Stags are a big festive trend for 2020

Why it works

the STYLE RULES SET A MOODY TONE Lavish shades of deep plum and midnight black pair perfectly with luxurious fabrics, such as velvet and gold-embroidered cloth.

Romantic dark florals and dramatic damask patterns work well on the walls and soft furnishings.

CO-ORDINATE TEXTILES Floor-to-ceiling curtains add an air of decadence and draw the eye

upward, creating the illusion of height. Incorporate similar tones throughout the rest of the room on upholstery and small accessories.

MARRY VINTAGE AND MODERN Hardwood flooring that has an earthy texture adds interest and character to a sleek and contemporary room. Link the old and new with gold tones and add sheepskin throws for comfort.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Pick a near-grey purple that will act as a neutral, plus a punchier shade to use as an accent colour.’

STYLE EDITOR,

Michela Colling

Love it

SLUGHERE

Add personality with floating shelves

the STYLE RULES SUMPTUOUS SEATING Choose cushions, furniture and lighting in the same shade for a cohesive yet calming finish. Chairs upholstered in brushed cotton or linen provide maximum comfort.

INCORPORATE FORAGED FINDS Eucalyptus, fur and pinecones spruce up a dining room. Adorn shelving, lighting and the table with swags and cuttings of fresh greenery to achieve a balanced look.

SPACE-SAVING DECOR A petite Christmas tree positioned on a side table offers a nostalgic nod and is ideal for decorating small spaces or a corner. Choose a pre-lit showstopper or illuminate with battery-powered fairy lights.

CREATE A TIMELESS STYLE Lift a grey palette with parquet flooring, which suits modern and traditional schemes. For a budgetfriendly update, opt for vinyl.

SLUGHERE

Love it

Anderson extending dining table, £450; set of two wool-blend Zola dining chairs, £200; faux fur rug, £35; turned candlesticks, from £16; cushions, from £12, all Next Home

Relaxed

RUSTIC

Combine natural elements with subtle patterns

THE FABRIC Folk Bird, £10m, Dunelm

THE WALLPAPER Solstice, £16.99 a roll, 17 Stories at Wayfair

THE PAINT

Grey 02 matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Lick Home

THE FLOORING

Herringbone Brown Cluster, £42.84sq m, Porcelain Superstore

Love it

SLUGHERE All decorations, from £2; cushion, £8; basket, £14; bedding, £30, all Sainsbury’s Home. Lamp, £8; throw, £15; rug, £35; tree, £40; bench, £70; table, £130; bed, £199, all Argos

Nordic

LODGE Team natural hues with red and white decorations

THE FABRIC

Wiltshire Berry Tana Lawn, £25m, Liberty

THE WALLPAPER Cypress Beige and Rose Gold, £25 a roll, Graham & Brown

THE PAINT

Dusky Berry matt emulsion, £11 for 2.5ltr, Johnstone’s at B&M

THE FLOORING Wayland rustic satin tiles, £17.95sq m, Walls and Floors

Get set for the big day with festive bedding

SLUGHERE

Why it works

All decorations, from £2; tableware, from £2; cushions, £8 each; lights, £8; tree, £50, all Sainsbury’s Home. Rug, £35; bench, £40; leather dining chair, £45; velvet dining chairs, £100 for two; dining table, £200, all Argos

the STYLE RULES SOFTEN DRAMATIC COLOURS Vibrant pops of red and oversized paper stars bring a burst of energy to any room. Help ground this punchy hue with blonde wood, brown gift boxes and blocks of white.

USE AN ECO-FRIENDLY OPTION Hang decorations on a wire tree silhouette. Its simple structure is ideal for displaying your favourite designs, plus you won’t need to sweep up shedding needles.

Love it

KEEP PATTERN TO A MINIMUM For a Scandi style choose furniture with clean lines and accessories with nature-inspired patterns to keep the space feeling calm.

CONSIDER WALLS AND FLOORS Tap into this look with a wood-effect feature wall, then use a neutral matt emulsion on the remaining walls. For the flooring, a slightly darker wood topped with a sheepskin rug ties the look together.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Light-toned woods and soft grey form the base of this Scandi look, letting bright red shades take centre stage.’

SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Stephanie Durrant

Love it

SLUGHERE

Choose open shelving to display your favourite accessories and make use of built-in storage to stash away clutter

Create a statement with a decorative mirror

the STYLE RULES PLAY WITH TEXTURE Double the comfort by layering a thick, plush rug in a subtle diamond pattern over short-pile carpet.

Complete the look and soften an all-white scheme with chunky-knit cushions, faux fur and wicker.

DRESS THE WALLS White shiplap walls add interest to a pared-back look. Take advantage of wood-effect wallpaper designs

that are easy to hang and work as a surprisingly affordable alternative to the real thing.

INTRODUCE FESTIVE SPARKLE A smattering of warm white light bulbs cast a gentle glow and are an ideal choice for decorating the Christmas tree if you want to set a cosy vibe. Reflect the warmth around the room by hanging pearlescent and glass baubles.

SLUGHERE

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Glam

WHITES

Style a contemporary look with frosty hues

THE FABRIC

Malfa Chalk, £40m, Villa Nova

THE WALLPAPER

THE PAINT

One Coat Moonlight matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, Wilko

THE FLOORING Kuba rug, £149, Idyll Home

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

White wood panelling, £16.99 a roll, Albany at Wallpaperdirect

Make every space

WORK HARDER Upcycling, storage and display ideas to make the everyday easier and more stylish

Use up tester pots

Painted pine cones Add a splash of festive colour by filling clear glass vases with painted pine cones – use shades of green for a natural look and layer up hues from dark to light to create an ombre effect. Alternatively, go bold with brights or subtle with pretty pastels.

Broadwell glass vases, from £15, Garden Trading. Pine cones in Three Farm Green, Hopper, Sage Green and Cupboard Green absolute matt emulsion, from £4.75 for a sample pot, Little Greene

Fold flat after use and save for next year

Supersize bauble garland

White and light grey tissue paper honeycomb balls, from 59p each, Little Crafty Bugs

Big honeycomb paper decs are a simple way to give your hallway some wow. Start with foliage and fairy lights wound around the banister, then add orbs of different sizes. Match the colours to your dĂŠcor for subtle style.

Love it

Rattan grapevine wreaths, from ÂŁ3.50 each, Hobbycraft. Similar mini dressed Nordic heart decoration, ÂŁ12, The White Company

Hang on the wall or suspend over the dining table

Row of wreaths

Mix things up by replacing your usual mirror or wall art with a display of co-ordinated wreaths.

Simply pin them up or hook up a fallen branch to hang them from.

Try making your own wreaths with rattan blanks and real or faux foliage attached with craft wire.

Love it 12in Sherwood dinner candles in Evergreen, £23.50 for 10, Price’s Candles

Recycle empty wine bottles

Foliage-filled candleholders

Recycle empty wine bottles to create a unique table centrepiece or mantel arrangement. Fill with water, stuff with festive sprigs of eucalyptus, ivy and pine, then finish with forest-green dinner candles.

Winter Trees festive wall stickers, ÂŁ68 for three; large snowflake wall stickers, ÂŁ18 for five, all Nutmeg Studio

Remove air bubbles with a credit card or squeegee

Window silhouettes

For a festive display that looks as good outside as it does inside, create a windowscape with wall stickers. With the backing paper still on, experiment with different compositions before removing the paper and smoothing onto the window to create a wintry scene.

Glass houses

Start the celebrations as soon as the front door opens with a cluster of glass domes displaying pine cones and enchanting decorations nestled in snow to create a magical mood.

Cloches or cake stands would work, too. Spray-paint the pine cones white for a frosty feel or leave au natural for a more rustic look.

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Mix and match cloche sizes

Similar Inu decorative glass domes, from ÂŁ24.95 each, Nkuku

Love it

SLUGHERE

COMING NEXT MONTH...

KITCHEN TRENDS

If you’re in the market for a kitchen redo, these are the must-see designs to ensure a hard-working space with timeless style that’s sure to inspire

Looking for more décor ideas? Visit us online at idealhome.co.uk/style-at-home for more design inspiration and expert style tips to make your home even more beautiful 72 | MONTH 2020

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH ALUSPLASH

Plus… STORAGE SOLUTIONS

SLUGHERE

GALACTIC ADVENTURE

Glitter Planets in Pink/Purple, £14 a roll, Arthouse at Wallpaper Direct

STAR GAZING

PAINTERLY PRINT

Constellation in Grey Glow in the Dark, £18 a roll, Homebase

Twinkle Twinkle in Turquoise, £56.50 a roll, Villa Nova

Wallpapers WITH WOW

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Create an out-of-this-world scheme with wallpapers depicting starry skies, orbiting planets and stellar constellations

LUNA VOYAGE

Over The Moon, £48.95 a roll, Wallpaper Direct

MIDNIGHT MAGIC Starry Sky, £59.95 a roll, Hibou Home

JANUARY 2021 | 73

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3 GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE

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Try a speedy

STYLE UPDATE Have fun with these simple but creative ideas that’ll ring the changes in your home without turning into a full room redo

Anngarsk bauble wreath, £30; bauble tree, £12, both Habitat

1

Go bold with festive brights

Swap traditional berries and fir for super-bright baubles and metallics to complement a modern scheme. Keep to two or three key colours for maximum impact – hot pink, turquoise and orange – mixed with frosted silver and sparkly gold.

76 | JANUARY 2021

EASY UPDATES

Love it

Mercury silver stemless flutes, £6 each; tray, £30, all John Lewis & Partners

2

3

SERVE DRINKS WITH A SPARKLE

Invest in a mirrored tray – handy when you’re serving drinks and nibbles – or as a table centrepiece stacked with glassware and glittery baubles.

Mache five-point hanging 30cm star, £3, Hobbycraft

Ski Scene reversible duvet set, from £18, Next Home

Colour-match Christmas decorations

Get crafty and have a go at making your own decorations for a tablescape or to hang on the wall. Use tester pots to paint mache stars in different shades or try making simple cone trees from circles of coloured paper.

TOP BUYS

To spruce up your home Partridge in a Pear Tree stocking, £15.50, Sophie Allport

LED wooden star, £15, B&Q

4

SWITCH TO WINTER BEDDING

Work a little magic upstairs and give children’s rooms a quick re-style. Swap bedding for a fun winter-themed set with polar bears or penguins, rather than anything too Christmassy, so it won’t lose its appeal when the holidays are over.

Santa’s Elves Christmas Eve gift box, £15, Dibor

Naughty and Nice novelty glasses, £1 each, Poundland

JANUARY 2021 | 77

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EASY UPDATES

5

Add a touch of tartan to jolly up the table

Update everyday dinnerware with a few festive extras for the holidays. Cheery tartan serving dishes will complement plain colours, teamed with wooden platters, pine cones and fir.

Paper stars and snowflakes, £6.18 each, Sostrene Grene

6

HANG PAPER STARS AT WINDOWS

Pretty-up windows by suspending stars at staggered heights, so they can be seen indoors and out. Buy readymade or cut out your own.

Tartan serving platter, £14 for two; Tartan tree-shaped platter, £5, both George Home

PERFECT PICKS For a Christmassy touch Champagne flutes, £20 for two, Cath Kidston

Plastic-free luxury crackers, £18 for six, Paperchase

Forest Dawn table set, £50, Argos

Hex glass votive candle, £2.50, Primark

Swoon Berlin corner sofa, £1,799, Very

7

CREATE A SOCIABLE SEATING ZONE

Place a corner seating arrangement at the heart of the room.

Layer rugs at angles to create an anchor point for the sofa, then position occasional furniture and lighting around the edges.

78 | JANUARY 2021

EASY UPDATES

Hang a balloon banner on the wall to welcome in 2021

Rose Gold Mercury champagne flutes and wine glasses, £4 each; tumblers, £3 each, all Matalan. 2021 foil balloon set, £22.99; balloons, from a selection, all Party Pieces

8

See in the New Year in style

Go big with gold balloons, sparklers and fizz if you’re partying at home with your nearest and dearest. Tie balloons with coloured ribbon and inflate with helium, so they’ll float up to the ceiling.

JANUARY 2021 | 79

Round tray tables, ÂŁ79.99 each, H&M Home

Hang a festive wreath over the mantel in place of a mirror

9

Double up with a pair of tray tables

If you’re pushed for space in a small living room, replace a bulky coffee table with a lighter-weight alternative. Compact and easy to move around, lift-off tray tops are handy for TV dinners or for serving nibbles when guests call.

80 | JANUARY 2021

EASY UPDATES

Love it

LED curtain light, £19.99; Osby star outdoor garland, £36.99, both Lights4Fun

10

GET THE GARDEN ALL AGLOW

Command clear small hooks, £3.50 for two, Wilko

Make the house look magical indoors and out. An LED curtain light hanging at the window will add a welcoming glow with star-shaped fairy lights giving an extra touch of sparkle.

11

Set up a giftwrap station

Create your own wall-mounted wrapping station. Thread rolls of paper onto wooden dowelling rods, then hang from the wall using pairs of easily removable adhesive Command hooks.

MUST-HAVES For the holidays

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Pom-pom cushion, £14, Next Home

Red berries and eucalyptus wreath, £25, M&S Twilight Garden Multi Roman blind, from £31.95 for a made-to-measure blind, Cath Kidston collection, Blinds2go

12

WINTER-PROOF YOUR LIVING ROOM

Heavy curtains aren’t the only option when it’s chilly.

Go for a sleek Roman blind with thermal lining and choose from a range of fabrics to tie in with your scheme..

Baltimore low stool, £59, Cult Furniture

Berry & Wreath bottle bag, £1.50, Sainsbury’s

JANUARY 2021 | 81

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

‘For a clutter-free kitchen, you’re better off having lots of wall cabinets’

‘The room suits

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Emily Pickering, I live with my husband Matthew, daughter Scarlett, 11, and son Jacob, 10. We have a fourbedroom, late 19th-century Victorian terrace house in Hove, East Sussex. We moved here in June 2009 from a modern mews house in Victoria Park, London.

MY CHALLENGE To transform a dated and poorly laid out kitchen into a spacious, light and flexible space that connects seamlessly with the garden.

MY WISH LIST A space that was comfortable to hang out in most of the day. We love to entertain, so it was important to have room for a big kitchen table, too.

82 | JANUARY 2021

TOTAL

£13,000 TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Love it

OUR LIFESTYLE!’

Bifold doors have given Emily the seamless flow between inside and out that she was after, as well as lots of natural light

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Choose pieces of art that match the style and colour palette of the roomÕ

H

aving always wanted to live by the sea, we relocated to Hove in 2009 when our daughter Scarlett was just a year old. Our son Jacob was born shortly after the move,’ says Emily. ‘The house was structurally sound, but the inside was dated. It needed a complete internal makeover. I’m an interior designer (emilypickering.com), so for me this was the perfect opportunity to put our stamp on it and make it the family home we’d always imagined.

The big changes

The kitchen was the room we would spend most of our time in, so this is where we made the biggest changes and spent the most money. A curved archway split the kitchen in half, the room was cramped and the flow felt wrong.

The kitchen appliances weren’t in the right places either – the cooker sat in the old fireplace. Everything looked cheap, including the worn out laminate flooring and small plastic patio doors that led to the garden. Our priorities were to create more of an open space and add light. We wanted a workable layout that offered us flexibility as a family. It was also important that the garden became part of the room.

Starting with the basics

POP OF GREEN

‘Greenery adds instant life to an interior space, try using herbs you can actually eat!’

We began by extending the room by 1.5 metres, allowing us to have space for a large kitchen table for both everyday use and entertaining. We removed the chimney breast and archway to give us a more flexible space to play with, and we also laid new tiles and underfloor heating, which is a dream in the winter.

The windows were replaced so they were at the same height as the worktops. We chose a good quality mid-range brand for our kitchen units, and the concrete-

JANUARY 2021 | 83

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KITCHEN MAKEOVER BRIGHT WHITE

Do it!

GEOMETRIC WALL OR DOOR MURAL

‘Keeping the walls all white offers definition against the cabinets’

Make sure the surface you paint on is clean, dust-free and dry.

Use a pencil to lightly draw on the pattern. Keep it simple and map out each design – choosing diagonal or straight stripes.

Tackle one area at a time. Mask off the zones with decorator’s tape and paint each section using tester paint pots. Leave to dry completely, then apply a second coat. Gently peel off the tape when you’ve finished the whole design.

WOW FACTOR

‘A geometric design creates a powerful focal point and adds depth and texture’

‘USE BAMBOO FOR WORK SURFACES AND WINDOWSILLS, IT’S A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO OAK’

VIEW FINDER

‘Having a window above the sink is a great distraction when washing up’

DESIGN INSPO

‘A mix of different vintage chairs, all in white, adds to the eclectic vibe’

Buy it

Shop Emily’s modern style PAGE 87

SLUGHERE

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Use low-hanging pendant lighting to create ambience’

FEATURE EMMA KNOTT, MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH

Where to buy Emily’s style effect kitchen floor tiles were one of our best buys – they worked out to be extremely cost-effective, yet look very stylish. When it came to the kitchen appliances, we went for Bosch, again they sit in the middle range for both price and quality.

Let there be light

The highlight of our kitchen has to be the bifold doors that overlook and open out onto the garden. This change has completely transformed our kitchen space – all day the light floods in and we have a constant connection to our garden. It can be hard to create this sense of light and space in tightly packed terraced houses. The newly created space

for the kitchen table has been a game changer, too. We’re able to look out at the garden when we eat, entertain and work – including during homework time.

I designed the lighting that hangs above the kitchen sink, I bought the cables, sourced the bulbs and used old piping from Matthew’s plumbing business – I’m pleased with the expensive-looking finish.

Extra touches

When it came to accessorising the kitchen, we took our inspiration from Instagram, design journals, cafes and restaurants in various countries. You’ll see influences from Scandinavian design, mid-century modern and industrial interior design – it’s an eclectic result.’

Walls in Pure Brilliant White matt emulsion, £9.99 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Wall tiles, £32.99sq m; floor tiles, £25.99sq m, both Tons of Tiles. Knoxhult units, from £170 a unit, Ikea, is similar. Worktop, from £150 a panel, Moso Bamboo Surfaces. Sink, £299, Schock. Tap, £120, Sterling. Cooker, £450, Bosch. Lights, from a selection at Heal’s, Edwards & Hope, Plumen and Lighting Styles. Parker table, £900, Habitat. Chairs, from £74.95 each, Stone Butterfly. Bifolds, £4,000, A1 Glass & Glazing

You can discover more handy tips on creating a smart kitchen-diner at idealhome.co.uk

JANUARY 2021 | 85

Do it

BIFOLD DOORS

Emily’s choice: BIFOLD DOORS Looking to create a seamless connection between inside and out? A smart set of bifolds could be just the solution…

What size do I need?

The size of your aperture will determine the number of doors – try to go for as few as possible for uninterrupted views. Odd numbers look best – three or five works. For everyday access, make sure there is a single lead door that can be opened without having to slide and stack the whole set.

Will my house stay warm?

Large expanses of glass can feel chilly compared to a solid wall, so it pays to invest in glass with decent thermal performance. Look for the lowest U-values, which indicates the heat lost in watts per square metre. To comply with building regulations, bifold doors must be 1.8W/(m2K) for replacements, or 2.0W/(m2K) in new builds and extensions, but there’s nothing to stop you aiming much lower – triple glazed units go down to 1.3W.

Which materials are best? What about opening uPVC is the budget-friendly choice and it and closing? now comes in more modern black or dark grey finishes to mimic the on-trend steel look. Sadly, uPVC isn’t as strong as wood or aluminium, so the door frames will be thicker to achieve the desirable strength.

Real wood veneered on an engineered hardwood core can prove more stable than solid wood frames. For strength, smooth operation, low maintenance and the thinnest frames, make aluminium your go-to. Whatever you choose, ensure they come with a guarantee of 10+ years.

BEST FOR… MAXING YOUR VIEW

Express Bi-folding Doors’ XP Vision bifold doors offer super-slim profiles that are just 94mm thick – you’ll hardly notice them.

PEACE OF MIND

Weru’s aluminium bifold doors are German-engineered for extremely robust, smooth operation – with up to seven panes for full-width opening.

HI-TECH GLAZING

Frame Force’s custom aluminium bifold range includes triple glazing, safety glass, acoustic glazing, solar control and self-cleaning glass.

Bifolds are mounted on tracks and should slide, fold and stack smoothly and without excessive muscle-power. It’s worth visiting a showroom to test how easily the doors open, particularly if you are buying wide systems of five doors or more. Flush-fitting tracks that recess into the floor reduce trip hazards, and look slick, but can make it harder to achieve a watertight fit.

Are they safe?

Being a large access point into your home, bifolds must conform to current security standards, and the lead door must have a multi-point locking system.

Invest in a lock featuring an anti-pick/drill cylinder – such as an 8-point locking system that conforms to the police forces’ Secured by Design security standards. If you have small children, request fingersafe gaskets that will prevent the doors being slammed shut on tiny hands.

‘SLIM SIGHTLINES AROUND THE GLASS WILL MAXIMISE OUTDOOR VIEWS AND INCREASE LIGHT EXPOSURE’ RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR

86 | JANUARY 2021

3 of the best BIFOLD DOORS FLUSH FIT

Rebated thresholds come with weather protection.

Vista aluminium three-leaf bifold door, £2,674.22, Travis Perkins

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Reinforced with galvanized steel.

Millbrook uPVC external bifold door set in White, from £1,949, Wickes

DIY OPTION

Save cash, apply a protective sealant yourself.

Elite 2.1m bifold doors in unfinished oak veneer, from £1,399, Vufold

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

U

nlike sliding or French doors, bifolding designs stack neatly out of the way, providing gloriously open access to the garden – and an expansive feeling inside.

MODERN MIX

Buy it

Buy Emily’s style...

MODERN MIX

FEATURE CASSIE PRYCE

Pair a monochrome palette with sleek styling for a contemporary vibe

Choose minimalist, Scandi-inspired furniture. Plex White dining chair with White legs, £65, Dwell

A lightweight resin sink will complete a modern scheme. Cooke & Lewis Ising Grey resin 1.5 bowl sink and drainer, £118, B&Q

Create a geometric splashback with on-trend hexagons. Apini tiles in Black, White and Grey, £58.76sq m, Topps Tiles

Cook up a storm in practical cast-aluminium cookware. KitchenCraft Masterclass casserole dish, from £34.99, Wayfair

Add splashes of colour with kitchen accessories. Cinnabar round melamine tray, £5, Dunelm

Nurture your herb garden with minimal effort. Eva Solo self-watering herb organiser, £52, Nordic Nest

NEAT OPTION

This energy-efficient bulb doesn’t compromise on style. Plumen Original LED bulb 001, £49, Amara

A slim-profiled dining table is ideal for narrow spaces. Estate six-seater dining table, £699, John Lewis & Partners

Choose metallic lighting for a designer edge. Daelim glass shade in chrome, £28, Iconic Lights

JANUARY 2021 | 87

THE LOOK

‘My style is eclectic – I want people to have a laugh in my home and this is also evident in the bathroom space’

‘It’s boho, but on

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Melissa AsanteCrook, 40. I work in HR and office management and am a contemporary collage artist with an Etsy shop called Nook & Crook. I live with my husband Steven, 45, an engineer, daughter Mia, 22 and son Cooper, four. We bought our Tunbridge Wells home in 2018 and have slowly updated it.

MY CHALLENGE The bathroom was big, however the walls were uneven – one didn’t even meet the ceiling – and the paintwork had seen better days.

MY WISH LIST My dreams of a vaulted ceiling, walk-in shower and moving the basin to beneath the window had to be shelved when we saw the high quotes. Instead, our DIY scheme made the most of what we could do on a shoestring.

88 | JANUARY 2021

TOTAL

£1,100 TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

A BUDGET’ COVER UP

‘The wallpaper was one of the first changes that I made in this space. It looked so good we decided to keep it’

Love it

Melissa took a DIY approach to save money while redoing her bathroom with the vintage vibes she loves

A

lthough we’d looked extensively, we had only put in offers on two of the 70 houses we’d viewed over a six-month period,’ says Melissa. ‘The day we arrived to view this house, it had a long queue of people waiting to view it, too. I loved it and we put in an offer the same day, and were thrilled when it was accepted.

At that first viewing it didn’t look like the house needed much work.

We thought a lick of paint and a bit of personality would do. But, when we moved in five months later and all the furniture had been removed, it looked very different, and at that point we realised a second viewing would have been a good idea!

Makeshift stopgap Like the rest of the house, the bathroom hadn’t been touched in years, and the work that had been done to it was definitely not by a professional tradesperson. As this was our only bathroom, it meant our guests would be using it, too, so within the first month of moving in, and with no money left after the house purchase, I dug out some wallpaper I had to hand, and did a really low-budget makeover, as a very temporary measure.

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Use panelling to cover up unsightly pipework and to make your space seem grander’

Past mistakes revealed

Buy it Shop this boho look PAGE 93

Soon though, the ugly mosaic tiles and peeling laminate floor were getting me down, so I persuaded Steven that simply changing the tiles would make a huge difference, until we could do the rest.

We started removing them and soon realised they had been stuck directly onto plasterboard that wasn’t waterproof, and that water ingress had damaged the lath and plaster walls. We then had to remove the plasterboards with the tiles still attached, causing the lath and plaster to crumble, with the majority of it falling through a cavity and down into our kitchen. I was secretly happy though, as we now had to redo the entire room.

Scaling back plans The scheme I had originally planned included having the ceiling vaulted,

JANUARY 2021 | 89

Love it

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

Do it!

GO VINTAGE

Choose a Victorian- or Edwardian-style washbasin on legs for an instant period look.

Fit fluted glass wall lamps that look classy and traditional, or a central chandelier to create some drama.

Go for aged brassware instead of shiny chrome; it will gain a lovely patina over time.

Hang an oversized wooden mirror with a decorative frame, or a collection of smaller ones in gold and bronze frames, to create a charming feature wall.

Black and white square tiles laid in a Victorian pattern are a timeless choice.

SCREEN TIME

Find more tips on creating a boho look bathroom at idealhome.co.uk

‘The black framed bath screen was a bargain and it’s my favourite piece in the room’

‘BRING LIFE TO YOUR BATHROOM WITH PLANTS - REAL OR FAUX’ as we have loft space above the bathroom. I also wanted a walk-in shower, and to re-position the basin under the window, making good use of the space and allowing for a large, vintage side unit.

We were quoted between £6,000 and £8,000, so that idea was quickly parked.

We had got married the same year, and had the most amazing honeymoon, so of course, that meant a smaller budget for doing up the house.

Interior skills

I was confident that my experience sourcing materials and furniture would mean that we could create a very nice bathroom on a tiny budget. Also, the knowledge I’ve gained studying interior design at KLC School of Design meant I’d be able to tweak the original plans.

Rebuilding the vision

We insulated the walls, added new laths, replastered and fitted new Aquadry waterproof plasterboard. We replaced the bath, which has always been too small for the space, and a friend helped us with the tiling. We kept the loo but changed the seat to match the scheme, and we also kept the basin, changing the waste pipe and removing the pedestal. I found a Singer sewing table on Gumtree for a fraction of the price of those I had seen

90 | JANUARY 2021

MAKE IT WORK

‘The fireplace initially felt a bit redundant, but it’s now been painted and styled with plants and some of my artwork’

SMALL DETAILS

‘The mirrored tiles bring a new layer of texture and a little bit of luxe to the space’

on eBay, and snapped it up. It is now a much more interesting pedestal. The tabletop was too big for the space, but not to be beaten, Steven removed a section from the middle, then put it back together. I’m so happy with how it turned out. It just shows what you can achieve with a bit of creativity, without breaking your budget.’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘A vintage Singer sewing table has been repurposed as a vanity unit’ DIY FIX

‘The pipes behind the sink and loo have been boxed in to close some gaps, but are still easily accessible should we ever need to get to them’

Panelling and walls in Railings modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr; fire surround in Sulking Room Pink modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball at B&Q. Wall in Banana Leaf Mono, £17 a roll, I Love Wallpaper. Busca Silver flat mirror tiles, £110sq m, Topps Tiles. Underground White tiles, £11.99sq m, Tile Mountain. Rhino Classic Flanders Beige Brown vinyl flooring, £19.99sq m, CarpetRight.

Square SE bath, £130, Homebase.

Mode 8mm bath screen, £199, VictoriaPlum.com. Rozin bathroom shower in Antique Brass, £130, Amazon.co.uk. Vintage Singer table, £50, Gumtree. Reclaimed brass Beaufort London basin taps, £25, eBay. Butler & Rose Beatrice brushed brass pop-up bath waste and overflow, £39.99, Drench. Try medium PoppyField rug, £125, French Connection Home.

Round rug, £19.99, H&M Home.

Round mirror, £80, eBay. Rustic vintage old-style toilet roll holder, £18.95, eBay

FEATURE LUCY SEARLE/LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

Where to buy Melissa’s style

JANUARY 2021 | 91

Do it

UPCYCLED VANITY UNIT

Melissa’s choiceÉ UPCYCLED VANITY UNIT Give a one-off piece of furniture a new lease of life with a speedy revamp

Can I use any furniture?

Choose something solid and sturdy to support the weight of the basin – it’ll be heavier once it’s filled with water. Consoles, dressing tables, desks and even sewing machine stands all make great bases – or consider a sideboard, cupboard or chest of drawers if you need the storage.

Which style basin should I go for?

The easiest option if you’re adapting your own piece of furniture is a countertop basin or bowl which sits on top of the vanity unit. You’ll need to cut holes in the countertop for the waste and taps.

Do I need special taps?

Countertop basins are best paired with either wall-mounted taps (positioned on the wall just above the basin) or tall basin taps (extra tall to allow for the height of

BEST FOR… CHEAP AND CHEERFUL

For as little as £19 you can get a wash basin unit at Ikea, which can be customised with more interesting knobs or handles.

EASY FITTING

The Tuscany under-basin unit, £60, Dunlem, fits neatly around your pedestal and has smart, louvred, push-to-close double doors.

STAND ALONE

Wayfair has a selection of freestanding base units in a range of styles, from rustic to minimal.

the basin) and positioned centrally or to the side, although some designs, such as Melissa’s, do have tap holes or taps in the basin itself.

What about the plumbing work?

If you’re using a table for your vanity base and the pipework is going to be exposed, it’s worth opting for a more decorative option such as chrome or copper rather than standard white plastic piping. This won’t matter if the pipework is going to be hidden away, but bear in mind that you will have to sacrifice some of your storage space to allow for the plumbing work and if your unit has drawers, you might have to re-work the drawer sizes.

What height should the vanity unit be?

As a general rule, the top of the basin should be between 80cm and 95cm from the floor, so you may need to make some height adjustments if you’re adapting your own piece.

FREE-STANDING VANITY UNITS INKY HUES

Arezzo 600 Matt Blue floorstanding vanity unit, £249.95, Victorian Plumbing

How should I protect the countertop?

Water will damage wooden surfaces, however careful you are, so apply marine-grade varnish to give wood an extra protective seal. Alternatively, consider tiling the surface or replacing the countertop with a slab of marble.

‘A BEAUTIFUL VANITY UNIT CAN MAKE YOUR BASIN A FOCAL POINT, AND PROVIDE STORAGE FOR CLEANING KIT AND DAILY ESSENTIALS’ RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR

92 | JANUARY 2021

3 of the best

RUSTIC LIVING

Silveran/Hamnviken wash basin cabinet with two doors, £155, Ikea

GLOSSY FINISH

Serene Gloss Grey free–standing vanity unit with basin, £235, Bathroom Takeaway

FEATURE LISA FAZZANI

F

inding an off-the-peg design that suits your style, isn’t always easy, so why not consider repurposing a vintage piece, like a sewing machine stand, just like Melissa has.

Buy it

Buy Melissa’s style...

BOHO ECLECTIC

Create warm character with intense colour, plants and artwork

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

STRIKING FOLIAGE

Add drama with a rich grey-blue paint. Black Glass Obsidian matt emulsion, £37.99 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Artwork adds plenty of personality.

Vanilla Fly Pelican art print, £15, Printer + Tailor

This low-maintenance variety is perfect for bathrooms.

Small Snake plant, £14, Leaf Envy

You can have a feature wall in the bathroom, too. Banana Leaf wallpaper, £20 a roll, I Love Wallpaper

Introduce rustic texture with stoneware vases. Bloomingville reactive glaze vase, £20.90, The Hut

Create a shimmering splashback with wow-factor tiling. Busca Silver tiles, £110sq m, Topps Tiles

Bring a ledge to life with texture and colour. Pampas grass basket, £25, Matalan

Swap the usual bath mat for a rug.

In and Outdoor round rug in Metro Black and White, £44.95, Benuta

Include character with an unusual objet. Antique Bronze broken statue, £42, Rockett St George

JANUARY 2021 | 93

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Each pair is supplied with an equally impressive pair of classic 28cm diameter Festive Pinecone Planters, in gold metallic paint, for maximum impact guaranteed!

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or by post using coupon below to: Offer SAH116 YouGarden, PO Box 1468, Peterborough, PE1 9XL PLEASE SEND TO: Offer SAH116, YouGarden, PO Box 1468, YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS I enclose a cheque/Postal Order payable to YouGarden (name & address on back) for £ Peterborough, PE1 9XL Or charge my Visa / Mastercard / Maestro card: YOUR ORDER DETAILS Card Issue Item Description Price Qty Subtotal No. No. Pair of Holly Standards - 0.8-1m Tall Trees Start Exp 510186 £49.96 Date Date was £59.96 - SAVE £10.00!

DELIVERY DETAILS Plus 2 FREE Festive Decoration Pots SAVE £14.99! £14.99 FREE! Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss Initial Surname These special offers go perfectly with your Standard Holly Trees Address Tulip ‘Springtime Doubles’ Mix 20 x Bulbs 600200 £5.99 Postcode SAVE £3.00!

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SLUGHERE

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INSIDE EAT, TRY & DO!

GREAT STUFF TO

FAMILY FUN IDEAS

GENIUS TIPS

FESTIVE FOOD BUYS

FRENCH 75 TAKES 10 MINS MAKES 2 FOR THE LEMON SUGAR SYRUP Zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon 3tbsp caster sugar FOR THE COCKTAIL 100ml gin Sparkling wine Thyme, to garnish YOU WILL NEED Cocktail shaker and ice cubes

1

FEATURE ROSE FOOKS RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

To make the lemon syrup, put the lemon zest and caster sugar into a pan with 3tbsp water. Bring to

the boil and gently simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Strain and add the lemon juice. This can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a few weeks.

Pour the gin and 2tbsp of the lemon syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake to blend thoroughly, then strain into two glasses, top with sparkling wine and garnish with a sprig of thyme.

2

GIN FIZZ

N p108 DINE-I INSPIRATION

TREE p100 XMASOW KNOW-H

p103 CANDLE CENTREPIECE

JANUARY 2021 | 95

Find a smart

SOLUTION Genius ways to make everyday tidying, cooking and organising easier…

GET FAVE PRINTS IN AN INSTANT

If you’re more partial to physical photos than on-screen memories, then Polaroid’s super new mini-printer is for you. Pocket-sized and portable, this mini printer will print H8.6xW5.4cm pics instantly from your smartphone via the companion app.

Hi-Print photo pocket printer, £89.99, Polaroid

Keep Santa’s mail safe Everyone has a different tradition for sending lists to Santa, whether it’s popping them in the local postbox or up the chimney. Wilko’s brilliant mailbox will guarantee the big man gets his mail and you get to keep the evidence to show your kids when they’re older.

Mailbox, £15, Wilko

AVOID THE SHOPS AND POST OFFICE THIS YEAR

BY SENDING YOUR CARDS VIA MOONPIG’S SMARTPHONE APP. GENIUS!

3 of the best

SOFA BEDS

Make your seating work harder with space for loved ones to stay over

SPACE SAVER

Alison bed in a box in Dusted Dahlia, £564, Living It Up

96 | JANUARY 2021

FLIP REVERSE

Kota Black and White tweed three-seater sofa bed, £350, Habitat

SLEEK LOOK

Ryson Click Clack sofa bed with arms in Dusk Pink, £299, Made

TIME AT HOME

A cool cover for festive cheese Newsflash! Not all cheese needs to be stored in the fridge. According to master cheesemongers Paxton & Whitfield, while blue and soft cheese does need to be refrigerated between 5° and 8°C, most hard cheese can be kept between 8° and 15°C, so feel free to pop your cheddar and gruyere on a covered platter in an unheated room, like a garage or secure shed. This roomy cheese board is ideal and will also double as a cake platter when you fancy something sweet.

Cheese dome, £49.95, Staub

STORE YOUR WINE FOR LONGER WITH THE OXO GOOD GRIPS EXPANDING WINE STOPPER, £12, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS. THE SILICONE SEAL EXPANDS TO FIT THE BOTTLE SO YOU CAN STORE IT ON ITS SIDE TOO.

Do it

3 of the best

FESTIVE DOORMATS

Keep your carpets and floors clean when seasonal guests call by

FANCY FOOTWORK

This smart number comes in two sizes.

Tree doormat, £10, Garden Trading

SUPER STAR

Also available in grey. Star doormat, £19.95, Mint & May

SAY THE WORDS

A fabulous festive greeting for every visitor. Merry Christmas doormat, £20, Cox & Cox

GET HELP WITH COOKING CHRISTMAS DINNER

If cooking Christmas dinner involves a lot of juggling pots and pans on your hob because there are never enough rings, then make life a little easier with this plug-in induction hob from Argos.

Easy to use and easy to store, it’ll help ensure your sprouts are never overcooked.

Tefal IH201840 induction hob, £49.99, Argos

Try alternative festive headgear

If you fancy a posher alternative to easily torn paper crowns, check out these smart designs. Made from cardboard, they’re just the thing to spruce up your table.

ROAST THE TURKEY TO PERFECTION

Pop-out crowns, £28 for four, The Shop Floor Project

Whether you’re cooking a bird or roasting a joint of meat for Christmas dinner, arm yourself with this digital thermometer to take the guesswork out of the job. Oversized numbers make it easy to read and the cover includes recommended temperatures to help you nail cooking times.

Oxo Good Grips Chef’s Precision digital instant read thermometer, £18, Amazon.co.uk

JANUARY 2021 | 97

Do it

TIME AT HOME

GIVE A GREETING THEY’LL REMEMBER WITH LAKELAND’S HANDMADE CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS CARD KIT,£14.99.

KIT, £14.99. YOU GET EIGHT CARDS COMPLETE WITH MOULDS FOR ADDING EDIBLE TREATS - PERFECT FOR MAKING WITH THE KIDS FOR TEACHERS

CUT BACK ON WASTE WITH REUSABLE CRACKERS Classic, timeless and most importantly, reusable, these snapless Christmas crackers will put an end to the excess, non-recyclable waste on your festive dinner table each year. There are six designs to choose from, ranging from mistletoe motifs to robin designs – just fill with a mini gift of your choice and make them a feature of your Christmas spread, year after year.

Kate Sproston Design Woodland reusable crackers, £14.95 each or £64.50 for six, Notonthehighstreet.com

Hate the wires and plugs that go hand-inhand with fairy lights? Then why not decorate your tree, mantle or staircase with a set (or three) of these genius TruGlow candles instead? Named TruGlow because their flickering faux candle flame looks and acts like the real thing, each candle is wireless, clips on to a branch or wire from the base and can be switched on and off using the handy remote control.

TruGlow Christmas remote control candle clips in Ivory, £39.99 for 10, Lights4Fun

98 | JANUARY 2021

3 of the best

TREE SKIRTS

Classic Christmas cover ups to use year after year

WOVEN TOUCH

Luxury plush faux tree skirt, £25, Homebase

NATURAL CHOICE Willow Christmas tree ring, £29.99, Dobbies

COVER UP

Hessian Christmas tree skirt, £21.99, Lights4Fun

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI, STEPHANIE DURRANT

Light up with a flick of a switch

TIME AT HOME

Do it

The 10-minute

DECLUTTER

Get the place tidy in a flash with these speedy tips and handy buys

CASE STUDY

Perfect for whatever needs a home.

Set of two vintage-style trunks, £120, Bundleberry at QVC

FRUITY FIND

Crafted from handwoven rattan, this also comes in a pear shape.

Ferm Living storage basket, £75, Nest

MILK AND MORE

Getting milk delivered to your door? Pop this nostalgic metal crate on your doorstep.

Milk bottle holder in Grey, £8, Dunelm

Ready, steady, sort!

START AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON For a greener New Year, clear kitchen drawers by using up cling film, ready to swap to reusable containers.

ORGANISE CHRISTMAS DECS Carefully wrap ornaments in newspaper and spend a free hour cutting up old Christmas cards into tags for next year.

KEEP AN EYE ON STUFF

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Hang items like bags, scarves and jewellery from this lightweight metallic rack. Brass eye wall hooks, £27.95, Graham and Green

BEAR HUNT

Encourage little ones to help tidy all those new Christmas toys away.

Rope bear storage basket, £8, Argos

CUPBOARD CLEAR-OUT Tidy bottles of Christmas spirits into a cupboard out of sight to encourage healthier habits – until the next occasion!

IT’S A WRAP

Keep gift wrap and ribbons all in one place by storing them in a sturdy container.

Wrapping paper storage box, £16.50, Store

ROUND UP

Just the ticket for keeping wreaths intact or cable lights from tangling until next year.

Wreath storage bag, £25, Store

LUXE LOOK

Use this glam velvet seating solution to stash away bits and pieces.

Storage stool, £25, George Home

JANUARY 2021 | 99

Pick the perfect real

CHRISTMAS TREE How to find your ideal festive tree and keep it at its best until January

W

hen choosing a Christmas tree for your home there are lots of things to consider. Here are our top tips on how to find the one that best meets all of your needs.

How do I know if it’s fresh and good quality?

Needle retention is a good indicator of a tree’s freshness. To test it, lift the tree by the trunk and tap it on the ground. If too many needles fall off, look for an alternative.

What do I need to do when I get it home?

If you buy a cut tree, saw off the bottom 2.5cm of trunk and then stand it in water for as long as possible before bringing it indoors. This will keep it looking fresher for longer.

Does it need water?

As with fresh cut flowers, a tree will last longer if you secure it in a stand with a water reservoir, and top it up every day. Don’t whittle away the sides of the trunk to make it fit the stand, as these outer layers are the most efficient at taking up water. And avoid placing a tree by a radiator.

Can I trim the tree to fit a space?

It’s okay to clip off some of the larger branches lower down on the tree. In fact, you can even use them elsewhere in your home as decoration. They work really well for table centrepieces.

I’ve got a potted tree – can I use it next year?

Provided you remember to plant it out in your garden in early January, a pot-grown Christmas tree will certainly be usable the following year.

It requires well-drained soil, sun and a comfortable amount of space.

Remember to water during dry spells.

100 | JANUARY 2021

Outdoor wicker LED polar bear, £49.99; Nordmann Fir pot-grown trees (from 3ft to 5ft), from £39.99, all Dobbies Garden Centres

TIME AT HOME

Do it

Top tips for your

Traditional Christmas oversized red berry wreath, £89.99; TruGlow waterproof outdoor candle trio, £26.99, Lights4Fun

CHRISTMAS TREE Lynsey Abbott, from Dobbies, shares her style advice for the perfect tree

1

Decide what type of tree you want, as this will affect the final look. Certain varieties will bring a traditional scheme to life, while others will lend themselves to a more contemporary, Scandi style.

Consider height, too – if you’re going for a glam-luxe vibe, a tall tree gives an elegant look.

You usually need more lights than you think to make your tree really sparkle, so before adding baubles and decorations, switch them on to check it has a good covering of lights.

Make the tree part of the Advent countdown. Bake homemade treats or wrap numbered mini presents in brown paper and tie to the tree with ribbon.

As a rule, the larger the bauble, the lower down it should be.

Start with the smallest at the top and work your way down.

Rather than wait for gifts to be laid under the tree to hide the base, use a tree skirt to ensure it doesn’t distract from your décor.

2 3

4 5

FEATURE TERESA CONWAY PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

3 of the best

MOST POPULAR TREES GREAT IN SMALL SPACES

FRASER FIR

This is a narrower tree, making it ideal for smaller spaces. It has a conical shape, slight citrus scent and a gorgeous blueish hue.

NORWAY SPRUCE

A traditional tree with slim branches and a rich festive scent, this is often regarded as the quintessential Christmas tree.

NORDMANN FIR

The UK’s most popular tree, its soft needles are slow to drop so it maintains its dense, lush look throughout the festive season.

JANUARY 2021 | 101

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

OFFERS

Departures from March to November 2021

Madeira, the Pearl of the Atlantic 8 days from £929pp The ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’, Madeira is a subtropical gardener’s paradise, blessed with a mild climate all year round, making this ‘island of eternal spring’ a superb destination.

l Discover the old town of picturesque Funchal, often called ‘Little Lisbon’ l Visit Câmara de Lobos, a charming fishing port and inspiration for some of Winston Churchill’s paintings

So much included l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager l Return regional flights

l Hotel transfers l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and four dinners

Departures from April to October 2021

Sardinia - Alghero, Costa Smeralda & Corsica 8 days’ half-board from £1,029pp

Departures from January to November 2021

Discover the Real Tenerife & La Gomera 8 days’ half-board from £929pp

Discover the Canaries’ lesser-known treasures: medieval colonial towns that influenced Latin American cities such as Old Havana, astonishing volcanic marvels, ruggedly beautiful landscapes where nature reigns and an ancient whistling language that’s still very much alive.

l Uncover Tenerife’s volcanic origins at Teide National Park l Discover the misty laurel forests and ancient culture of La Gomera

So much included l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager l Return regional flights

l Hotel transfers l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and one lunch at a local restaurant

Departures from March to October 2021

Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy 7 days from £899pp

Experience another side of Italy that’s vastly different, where pristine beaches nestle on dazzling coastlines and across the unspoilt hinterland are prehistoric settlements.

l Tour Italian-influenced Bonifacio in French Corsica with an expert guide

In a place where familiarity merges with the exotic, we find a magical blend of the ancient, Christian and Ottoman worlds with thousands of years of history and an atmosphere which links the mysterious east and modern west.

l Discover the ancient Phoenician ruins at Tharros

l Three nights stay in Istanbul, one of the world’s oldest cities

l Visit a family-owned wine estate and enjoy a tasting of Sardinia’s excellent wines

l Follow in the footsteps of St Paul and St John in Ephesus

So much included

l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager l Return regional flights

l Hotel transfers l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and four dinners

So much included l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager l Return regional flights

Reassuringly Riviera:Because you mean the world to us We understand that recent changes to the way we travel mean you need that extra bit of confidence to book a holiday again. That’s why we have introduced a policy to allow you to change your booking for free up to 45 days before you travel when you book a new holiday.

• • • •

l Hotel transfers l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and three dinners

Change your booking for free up to 45 days before travel COVID cancellation protection as standard Happy by day two or we’ll bring you home with a refund 24-hour UK-based assistance throughout your holiday

Call to book or for a free brochure 01283 523471 or visit www.styriviera.co.uk Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. This holiday is operated by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to availability. Additional entrance costs may apply. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. For further information please write to Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. Free amend up to 45 days before departure is only valid for entirely new bookings made between 1st September and 18th December 2020 and can only be used once. See website for details.

TIME AT HOME

Do it

Create a festive

CANDLE HOLDER

Adorn your Christmas table with a candle bowl surrounded by fragrant foliage

Similar glass trifle bowl, £14, Next Home

Y

our Christmas table is the focal point of your festive scheme as it’s where family and friends will gather to eat, drink and be merry across the season. With sustainability and affordability at the forefront of our minds, why not make your centrepiece from items you might already have around the home? Here’s our guide to creating a classic centrepiece.

YOU WILL NEED Glass trifle bowl Shallow glass bowl Rosemary sprigs Mini pine cones White berries Leaf sequins Floating candles

1

PICK YOUR BOWL Choose a clear glass bowl with a foot such as a trifle bowl – the larger the bowl the more candles you’ll be able to float.

Give it a thorough wash if it’s been at the back of the cupboard for a while, then dry with a lint-free cloth to avoid smears.

ASSEMBLE YOUR CENTREPIECE Next, pick a shallow round dish that is larger than the trifle bowl as the base to your centrepiece. Wash and dry in the same way. Place the trifle bowl in the centre of the shallow dish and fill halfway to the top with water. Pour slowly to avoid splashes.

GO FORAGE Head out into the garden or on a walk and pick a selection of pine or rosemary sprigs, snowberries and small pinecones. It’s a good idea to soak or leave in a sealed container overnight to get rid of any bugs that might be lurking. Alternatively, buy the rosemary and mini pinecones.

ARRANGE THE GREENERY Start by lining the base of the outer bowl with foliage such as the pine or rosemary sprigs to add a touch of greenery.

Arrange the berries and pinecones on top.

ADD THE CANDLES Glue mini leaf sequins on to the sides of floating candles and place them in the water in the trifle bowl. Put on the table and light the candles for a natural glow.

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

2

Team with a rustic hessian table runner

IF YOU HAVE PETS OR SMALL CHILDREN, STAY SAFE AND SWAP REAL FLAMES FOR BATTERY POWERED FLOATING CANDLES

3

4

5

3 of the best

CANDLE CENTREPIECES ‘This project is a great way to create a low-cost centrepiece using pre-loved glassware and foliage from your garden’ SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR,

GLITTERING FOREST

Advent ring, £31.99, Gisela Graham

MODERN MINIMAL

Candelabra, £16, Sainsbury’s Home

NATURAL ELEMENTS Tea light holder, £18, Dibor

Stephanie Durrant

JANUARY 2021 | 103

Get set for

FAMILY FUN Conjure up the magic of Christmas for all the family with these fail-safe treats and traditions

Celebrate with the whole family If keeping in touch with loved ones this year has involved everyone cramming around a laptop screen, then this Christmas why not video call them on your telly using Portal TV via Facebook? A wide-angled AI-powered camera automatically zooms in or pans out to keep everyone in the room in frame. There are extra-reality features, too, like Story Time – where your caller can read your kids a story surrounded by special effects, as well as a Mic Drop facility that lets you lip-sync along to well-known tunes while AR drapes you in a selection of comedy outfits.

Much more fun than a phone call!

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Portal TV, £149, portal.facebook.com

3 of the best

FESTIVE PYJAMAS

Dress to impress on Christmas morning FOR MEN Polar bear pyjama set, £19.50, M&S

FOR WOMEN

Long woven pyjama set, £55, Cath Kidston

104 | JANUARY 2021

FOR CHILDREN Christmas pyjamas, from £6, George at Asda

TIME AT HOME

KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES ENTERTAINED

Throw this instant den over a spare table and watch as the children gravitate towards it faster than you can say ‘jingle bells’.

Buy it

3 of the best

GAMES FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Gather everyone for these fun after-dinner escapades SMART THINKING

Littleme Teepee Kids’ Play Den tablecloth, £105, Notonthehighstreet.com

Trapped: The Bank Job, £12.99, Very

ACTING UP Charades, £8, Debenhams

FREE STANDING

Pictionary Air drawing game, £15.99, Amazon

And don’t forget to treat your pets...

Knowing everyone’s looking their best and revelling in their pile of pressies, you’d never forgive yourself if you left your special friend out in the cold. Dobbies has a super range of pet treats that includes stylish beds, toys and bowls to guarantee a super-smart upgrade for your cat or dog this Christmas.

Snow Berry dog jumper, from £8.99; Danish Design tweed snuggle bed, from £33.99; Nuts for Knots ball tugger, from £3.99, all Dobbies Garden Centres

SURPRISE SANTA THIS CHRISTMAS

Want to put a spring in Santa’s step this season?

Skip the traditional mince pie on a plate and serve him this scrummy treat box from Waitrose & Partners. With a chocolate version of milk and cookies for the big man and choco carrots for Rudolph, it’s bound to be a festive hit.

Santa’s Christmas treat box, £4, Waitrose & Partners

JANUARY 2021 | 105

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

OFFERS

Departures from April to October 2021

New for 2021: Experience the best of Britain on foot with Riviera l The same award-winning Riviera Travel experience l Insightful excursions are included on every UK break

Walk & Discover: Lake District 5 days from £699pp

Explore one of the most beautiful parts of Britain from different perspectives on this unforgettable tour of the Lake District. With its rugged Cumbrian mountains, scatterings of wildflowers, handsomely kept castles and of course the fresh, lakeside air, hear the echoes of history and literary geniuses from years gone by as you walk in the footsteps of the past.

l A guaranteed maximum of 25 in a group l Make your own way there or let our Travel Concierge help

personalise your travel l Stay in 4* hand-picked hotels

So much included l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager

Departures from March to October 2021

l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast

Departures from April to October 2021

Walk & Discover: Conwy Coast & Snowdonia

Walk & Discover: North Yorkshire & the Heritage Coast

A place like no other, witness the mountain ranges, unspoilt countryside, spectacular railways and imposing castles of North Wales. The contrasts of rural Snowdonia and coastal Portmeirion offer so much to discover on our two included walks to truly experience the diversity of this splendid part of the world.

From a base of historic Harrogate, this North Yorkshire tour combines the best of British heritage, with its unspoilt landscapes and fascinating past. Discover the beauty of Yorkshire on foot on included walks, as well as visits to stately homes, the ancient cobbled streets of York and Betty’s Tearooms for a spot of traditional afternoon tea.

5 days from £699pp

So much included l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager

5 days from £539pp

So much included l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and four dinners

l Daily visits and tours l Experienced tour manager

Reassuringly Riviera:Because you mean the world to us We understand that recent changes to the way we travel mean you need that extra bit of confidence to book a holiday again. That’s why we have introduced a policy to allow you to change your booking for free up to 45 days before you travel when you book a new holiday.

• • • •

l 4-star accommodation l Daily breakfast and two dinners

Change your booking for free up to 45 days before travel COVID cancellation protection as standard Happy by day two or we’ll bring you home with a refund 24-hour UK-based assistance throughout your holiday

Call to book or for a free brochure 01283 523471 or visit www.styriviera.co.uk Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. This holiday is operated by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to availability. Additional entrance costs may apply. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. For further information please write to Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. Free amend up to 45 days before departure is only valid for entirely new bookings made between 1st September and 18th December 2020 and can only be used once. See website for details.

TIME AT HOME

Do it

Clean up your

FESTIVE TABLE

Make fast work of tidying, leaving more time for family fun

1

CLEAR THE TABLE Once everyone has finished eating and retired to the living room, grab a couple of bin bags and begin clearing the table of used napkins, wrapping paper and crackers. Separate them into bags for paper and cardboard recycling, and one for the bin. Next, take all cutlery, tableware and glasses back to the kitchen and tidy away any candles or decorations, leaving your tablecloth clear of everything other than crumbs.

Decorations, from £3; lights, £8; tableware, from £3.50, all Sainsbury’s Home. Garland, £15; cutlery, £20; dining chairs, £100 for two, all Argos

2

BLAST ANY STAINS The quicker you’re able to tackle any stains on your tablecloth and napkins, the more likely they are to come up sparkling clean. Use tepid (not hot) water with washing-up liquid and dab at the stains to dilute them. Alternatively, use a specialised stain remover. Pop the dirty linens straight in the washing machine if possible.

3

CLEAN CROCKERY AND COOKWARE Soak up any oil from your roasting dishes using a couple of sheets of kitchen roll. Meanwhile, load the dishwasher with your crockery. If you’re washing by hand, clean glasses first, then follow with the rest of the tableware, leaving the grubbiest items until last. Return to your roasting tins and bin the oily paper.

Soak the dishes in washing-up liquid and hot water for half an hour, before finally giving them a thorough wash.

4

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

SOAK THE SILVER Using the family silver for the special occasion? Give it a rinse to remove any pieces of food, then place the lot in a foil-lined baking tin. Pour over a mixture of warmed vinegar and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. Leave for several hours until any tarnish transfers to the foil, then rinse with cold water.

HAVE A SPARE TABLECLOTH AND SET OF NAPKINS ON HAND SO YOU DON’T NEED TO WASH AND DRY THE SAME SET READY FOR BOXING DAY BANISH GERMS

Flash extra-large anti-bacterial wipes, £2.85, Waitrose & Partners

The kit you need Bosch BCS612GB Series 6 Unlimited ProHome cordless vacuum, £269, Bosch

5

WIPE DOWN FURNITURE After the Christmas feast, it’s unlikely your dining furniture will have escaped without a splatter or two. Grab a pack of anti-bacterial wet wipes and give your table and chairs a quick once-over to remove any greasy fingerprints and grubby marks. Remember to give door handles a quick wipe down, too, just in case of lurking germs.

CONVENIENT & CORDLESS

SPILLS SAVIOUR EASY SCRUB

OXO soap squirting palm brush, £5.50, Dunelm

Wine No More! stain remover, £7.99 for 250ml, Lakeland

JANUARY 2021 | 107

Dine at home IN STYLE

Treat yourself to this splendid New Year’s menu for six, from our Test Kitchen experts

MUSHROOM BOURGUIGNON TAKES 1 HR 40 MINS SERVES 6 450ml mushroom stock 2 sprigs each rosemary and thyme, plus extra thyme to garnish 15g dried porcini mushrooms 2tbsp olive oil 150g shallots, peeled and halved 2 garlic cloves, crushed 4 carrots, sliced 1tbsp tomato purée 1tbsp plain flour 200ml red wine 850g mixed mushrooms

1

Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Bring the stock to boil.

Add the herbs and porcini

108 | JANUARY 2021

mushrooms. Remove from the heat and let the ingredients infuse for 30 mins.

In a large pan, add the oil, shallots and garlic. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins, until they start to colour and soften.

Add the carrots, tomato purée and flour. Cook for 2 mins.

Slowly add the wine and stock, mixing well, until you have a smooth, thick sauce.

Add the mixed mushrooms.

Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 1 hr.

2

3

VEGGIE MAIN

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

HASSELBACK POTATOES TAKES 1 HR SERVES 6

MOREISH NIBBLE

600g new potatoes 2tbsp olive oil 25g butter, plus more for frying 10 sage leaves 40g Italian hard cheese, finely grated

1

Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

Slice the potatoes into hasselbacks by making cuts 3-5mm apart, stopping short of cutting all the way through.

Put the olive oil and butter on a baking tray and place in the oven until melted and hot. Remove from the oven and carefully place the potatoes, sliced side facing up.

Baste in the oil, season generously and cook for 25 mins.

Meanwhile, melt some more butter in a frying pan and fry the sage leaves for a few mins until crispy. Drain on some kitchen towel, until ready to serve.

Baste the potatoes again and sprinkle over half the cheese.

Cook for another 25 mins until soft in the middle and crisp on the top.

Once the potatoes are cooked sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Spoon into a serving dish and garnish with crispy sage leaves.

2 3

4 5

TO AVOID CUTTING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE POTATOES USE TWO CHOPSTICKS TO OBSTRUCT THE KNIFE MAPLE CARROTS TAKES 25 MINS SERVES 6 500g baby topped carrots 2tbsp olive oil 1tbsp pure maple syrup 40g pecans, roughly chopped

1

Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Put the carrots in a roasting tray and drizzle over the oil and maple syrup, tossing so that the carrots are evenly coated.

Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then roast in the oven for 20 mins until tender and caramelised. Sprinkle over the pecans.

2

SWEET DELIGHT

HALLOUMI DIPPERS

TAKES 15 MINS MAKES 20 STICKS

SHARING PLATE

225g block halloumi 2tbsp plain flour ½tbsp smoked paprika ½tbsp sumac 1 egg, beaten 30g panko breadcrumbs 400ml vegetable oil, for deep frying Selection of dips to serve

1 2

Slice the halloumi into sticks, each one roughly the same size as a chunky chip.

Combine the flour, paprika and sumac on a plate. Put the beaten egg on another plate, and the breadcrumbs on another.

Coat each halloumi stick first by dipping in the flour mixture, followed by the egg and finally the panko breadcrumbs.

Heat the oil in a deep saucepan and fry the halloumi sticks in batches until golden. Lay them on kitchen paper to catch any excess oil, then serve with dips.

3

4

FOR DIPPING WE LOVE 1TBSP BELAZU ROSE HARISSA COMBINED WITH 6TBSP YOGURT OR BELAZU COURGETTE MEZZE KALE GRATIN TAKES 40 MINS SERVES 6 15g unsalted butter 3tbsp olive oil 4 anchovy fillets 2 garlic cloves, crushed 750g cavolo nero, stems removed and discarded, leaves torn into large pieces 450g crème fraîche 1tbsp Dijon mustard ¼tsp grated nutmeg 75g fresh white breadcrumbs

1

FAB SIDE

Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Melt the butter in a pan with 1tbsp olive oil and anchovies, over a medium heat.

Cook for 2 mins, until the anchovies have softened. Stir in the garlic, then the cavolo nero. Add 5tbsp water and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook covered, over a medium-low heat, for 15 mins.

Stir through the crème fraîche, mustard and nutmeg. Simmer for a further 3-4 mins, then transfer to an ovenproof dish.

Stir 2tbsp olive oil into the breadcrumbs. Scatter over the cavolo nero mixture and bake for 10-15 mins, until golden and bubbling.

2 3

110 | JANUARY 2021

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

FULL OF FLAVOUR

SLOW-COOKED MISO PORK TAKES 6 HRS 30 MINS SERVES 6 1.2-1.5kg pork shoulder, boned and rolled, skin scored FOR THE GLAZE 250g white miso paste 50ml soy sauce 100g runny honey 75ml mirin (Japanese rice wine)

1

Mix all the glaze ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

This will make more than you need, but it keeps for ages in the fridge and is great with chicken, fish or added to vegetables as a stir-fry sauce.

Heat the oven to 130C/Gas ½.

Set the pork on a rack over a roasting tin (it’s a good idea to line it with foil) and brush the meat only, not the skin, with 1-2tbsp of glaze. Cook slowly, covered loosely with foil, for 6 hrs, until super tender.

Glaze the meat every hour or so.

When you are ready to serve, turn the oven up to 200C/Gas 6. Blast the pork until it starts to crackle, then brush the crackling and the meat with a little glaze before serving.

2

3

JANUARY 2021 | 111

GOAT’S CHEESE AND CHUTNEY TARTS

CHEAT’S PASTRY

TAKES 20 MINS MAKES 12 12 slices of white sandwich bread 60g butter, softened 12tbsp relish or chutney 100g goat’s cheese Snipped chives, to serve YOU WILL NEED 7.5cm round cutter and a 12-hole fairy cake tin

1 2

Cut a disc from each slice of bread, butter and place butterside down into the cake tin.

Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

Spoon 2tsp of relish into each tartlet – it should reach almost to the top of the bread – and place a slice of cheese on top. Bake for 10-15 mins until the cheese has begun to melt and has browned a little.

Sprinkle with snipped chives.

TASTY BITES

GINGER AND CITRUS SHORTBREAD TAKES 55 MINS MAKES 16 300g plain flour 60g cornflour 225g unsalted butter 125g caster sugar, plus extra for dusting 125g crystallised ginger, roughly chopped Finely grated zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange YOU WILL NEED 18x25cm shallow baking tin, greased

1 INGREDIENTS WE’VE USED AND LOVED

Tracklements Fig Relish Tideford Organics Fresh White Miso KitchenAid Cordless Seven-speed Hand Mixer

112 | JANUARY 2021

Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Sift the flour and cornflour into a bowl, then using your fingertips, rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Stir in the sugar, ginger and grated lemon and orange zests, and mix with your hands to form a dough.

Press the dough evenly into the greased tin and bake for 45 mins until golden. Cut the shortbread into pieces while still warm, dust with caster sugar and leave to cool in the tin.

2 3

SERVE THESE WITH COFFEE AT THE END OF AN EXTRA-SPECIAL MEAL

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE TAKES 1 HR 20 MINS SERVES 12 125g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 250g unsalted butter, cut into cubes 1tsp vanilla extract 300g caster sugar 4 eggs 450g plain flour 65g cocoa powder 1½tsp baking powder 1½tsp bicarbonate of soda FOR THE DECORATION 150g ready-to-roll chocolate icing Icing sugar, for dusting 180g dark chocolate, chopped 100ml double cream YOU WILL NEED

Edible gold lustre dust, balls and glitter 22cm bundt tin, greased and lightly dusted with cocoa powder

1

Heat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. Put the chocolate, butter, vanilla and 400ml hot water in a heavy-based saucepan over a low heat. Allow to melt then mix to combine and set aside to cool slightly.

Using an electric whisk, beat the sugar and eggs until thick, then mix in the

2

chocolate mixture until just combined. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda until combined. Sift into the cake mixture and fold until smooth. Pour into the tin and bake for 55-60 mins.

Meanwhile, make the holly leaves. Knead the chocolate icing until soft. Roll out, dusting the work surface with a little icing sugar to stop it sticking. Cut out 12 holly leaves using a cutter. Mark veins on

3

the leaves with the back of a knife and leave to dry over a strip of scrunched foil.

Put the chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream until it just comes to the boil. Pour over the chocolate and stir until melted. Cool slightly.

Put the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle over the chocolate cream.

Brush the holly leaves with gold lustre dust and arrange on top of the cake. Decorate with gold balls and glitter.

4 5

FEATURE ROSE FOOKS RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

EXTRA SPECIAL

JANUARY 2021 | 113

Buy it

TIME AT HOME

TOUCH OF SPICE

This unusual gin is flavoured with myrrh (like from the Three Kings) and cascarilla bark. Try in a Negroni or add aromatic spice to a classic G&T. Opihr European edition gin, £26, Amazon

POP A CORK

We are consistently wowed by Aldi’s amazing-value booze.

This crisp champers is no exception. At just £12.99 a bottle you barely need an excuse to pop open a bottle!

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut, Aldi

SUP UP FOR A GOOD CAUSE

A collaboration between Freixenet Copestick and Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary ensures 20% of each sale goes to the sanctuary which looks after South African rhinos. Care for Wild Sauvignon Blanc, £8.95, Slurp.

BARGAIN FIZZ WINTER WARMER

An incredible bargain, this full-bodied warming red is just what is called for on chilly winter nights with rich red-berry flavours and a hint of spice. When we saw the price we filled our trolley!

Italian Red Blend, £4.99, Aldi

Festive tipples

BOOZE-FREE

A fantastic non-alcoholic option. The wine is fermented before the alcohol is removed. Torres Natureo Muscat de-alcoholised wine, Waitrose & Partners, £5.99

CHRISTMAS CHEERS A sparkling selection of jolly drinks for everyone to enjoy

CHARITABLE FIZZ

FEATURE ROSE FOOKS

With each bottle sold a donation is made to marine conservation charities fighting plastic pollution.

Sea Change prosecco, £12.99, Seachangewine.com

IRISH CHARM

SWEET TREAT

Baileys Salted Caramel returns this year. Enjoy over ice or, for an indulgent winter warmer, add a shot to a hot choccy. We’re obsessed! £16, major supermarkets

114 | JANUARY 2021

This upmarket gin is made by hand and distilled in a medieval copper pot. Flavoured with gunpowder tea and star anise, it has a fresh, spicy flavour.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish gin, £30, Ocado

FRUITY NIP

Lovely hot or cool, this cordial is the taste of Christmas.

Robinsons Crushed Apple & Cinnamon, 500ml, £2.49, major supermarkets

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

Cheat’s eats for a

CHRISTMAS MADE EASY No one will guess how simple these delicious options are to prepare

SO SIMPLE

We love the classic starter of smoked salmon served on buttered brown bread, with dill and lemon. When the salmon is this good it doesn’t need more. Luxury Smoked Salmon, 300g, £5, Iceland

The main event If, like us, you’re a leg person, then these slow-cooked turkey legs are the dream, as they just require reheating on the big day. The succulent meat comes with a rich turkey gravy.

Slow-cooked Turkey Legs, 1.7kg, serves four, £12, M&S

IT’S ALL GRAVY

You could spend hours roasting the giblets and reducing the wine, or you could fool them all with this delicious gravy.

We know which we would rather!

Potts’ Turkey Gravy With Madeira & Sage, 350ml, £3, Ocado

EASY VEGAN The vegans around the table will love Co-op’s festive GRO Root Veg En Croute. A rich flaky pastry encases a mix of veg with orange zest and cranberry sauce. 384g, £4

Winning ticket With a creamy rich cheesecake layer followed by oozing salted caramel and topped off with a slab of Belgian chocolate, you’ll be lucky if there are leftovers. Luxury Millionaire’s Salted Caramel Gold Bar Cheesecake, 652g, serves 6, £5, Iceland

NICELY SPICY These crispy swirls of filo yumminess are filled with tasty Moroccan-inspired spiced vegetables, apricots and raisins. Vegan Festive Filo Swirls, pack of two, 481g, £6.99, Waitrose & Partners

FEATURE ROSE FOOKS

Turkey tips These nifty gadgets from OXO will revolutionise turkey cooking! Basting is essential for a succulent bird. This baster, with its slanted end, makes it easy. For perfectly cooked turkey, test the temperature using a probe thermometer. When it hits 60C remove from the oven and rest for 30 mins. OXO Angled Baster with Cleaning Brush, £11, Amazon and John Lewis & Partners. OXO Digital Instant Read Thermometer, £18, Amazon

JANUARY 2021 | 115

TIME AT HOME

(Truffle) pig out Truffle fans will be over the moon with this exceptional truffle-infused Cheddar. The cheese is matured for 12 months in Dorset and blended with delicious aromatic truffle.

It will take pride of place on your Christmas cheeseboard or make a mean cheese toastie!

Truffle Coastal Cheddar, £3 for 200g, Waitrose & Partners

SUGAR, SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE

PRETTY YUMMY

Festive Food

A delicious classic duck and orange combo. Luxury A Dozen Duck & Orange Roses, £2.50 for 12, Iceland

NEWS

Celebrate in style with these sparkling buys selected by our Test Kitchen experts

3 of the best...

PARTY NIBBLES MERRY CRISP-MAS

Lovely tortillas, perfect for dipping.

Christmas Tree Tortillas, £1 for 150g, Morrisons

LOVE IT OR HATE IT

Strong mature cheese with a savoury Marmite tang.

10 Cheesy crumpets and Marmite, £7 for 205g, M&S

116 | JANUARY 2021

Have you tried lebkuchen before? They are German Christmas-spiced and honey-sweetened cakes, similar to a soft gingerbread, and coated in icing. They come in an array of festive shapes.

In our house, they are a Christmas essential, and these are the best we have ever had. And believe us, we have tried lots!

Lebkuchen Allerlei, 300g, £2.79, Whole Foods Market

Cheat’s eats Gü is adding to its hot puds range with these delectable apple and salted caramel puddings. They all come in little pots ready to pop in the oven for a special dessert, the perfect pick-me-up on a chilly evening. Each pot is a single-serve, so there’s no squabbling about who got the bigger portion!

Gü Apple & Salted Caramel Sponge Puddings, £3.30 for 2 x 85g ramekin pots, Waitrose & Partners

WITH FEWER PEOPLE AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TABLE THIS YEAR WE CAN MAKE IT EXTRA SPECIAL! SIPSMITH GIN CRACKERS EACH CONTAINS A CUTE LITTLE BOTTLE OF GIN, £16 FOR FOUR, TESCO AND SIPSMITH.COM

FEATURE ROSE FOOKS

Cook it

MARKETPLACE

Looking for something special?

You'll find it in our easy-to-follow guide FURNTURE

Work with us to accelerate a cure

Text DEFEAT5 to 70507 to donate £5, please help us to find a cure.

thebraintumourcharity.org

• • • • • •

•

Primed, or primed and painted units can now be provided

Registered with the Fundraising Regulator © The Brain Tumour Charity 2020. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1150054) and Scotland (SC045081)

enquiries@pineland.co.uk

We also sell futons.

Ceramic lamps from £20.

Experts in small space living 20 stores | futoncompany.co.uk To advertise here or onhere, our online directory, 07813 031 023, or email charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com To advertise call 020 3148please 2261call or email homeinterestclassified@timeinc.com

housetohome.co.uk/directory

Brain tumours affect more than 11,000 people every year and survival rates are among the lowest of all cancers.

We need your support to help us get closer to defeating brain tumours.

MARKETPLACE

Looking for something special?

You'll find it in our easy-to-follow guide

housetohome.co.uk/directory

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

To advertise call 020 3148please 2261call or 07813 email031 homeinterestclassified@timeinc.com To advertise here or onhere, our online directory, 023, or email charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com

FROM THE MAKERS OF BRITAIN’S BESTSELLING HOMES MAGAZINE

VISIT US TODAY!

STYLE

IDEAS & DECORATING TIPS GORGEOUS REAL HOMES PRACTICAL PROJECT ADVICE

Where to

SHOP

Find out where to get your favourite buys in this issue

A

A1 Glass & Glazing a1glassbrighton.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Bang & Olufsen beoplay.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Beautify beautify.co.uk Bellagio Stone bellagiostone.co.uk Benuta 020 3608 0595 benuta.co.uk Blinds2Go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 bombayduck.com Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Calverts Carpets & Flooring 01845 522967 calverts-carpets.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Co-op 0800 0686 727 co-operative.coop Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Crown 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Dar Lighting 01295 672200 darlighting.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com DFS 0808 271 6297 dfs.co.uk Dibor 0800 408 0660 dibor.co.uk Dobbies Garden Centres 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com Drench 01202 612800 drench.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Dutchbone dutchbone.com Dwell 0845 675 9090 dwell.co.uk eBay ebay.co.uk Edwards & Hope edwardsandhope.co.uk Ella James 01572 759190 ellajames.co.uk Etsy etsy.com Express Bi-folding Doors 0800 121 4809 expressbifolds.co.uk

B

C

D

E

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Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Frame Force 01827 260880 frameforce.co.uk French Connection Home 0333 400 3285 frenchconnection.com Fusion Living fusionliving.co.uk Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 george.com Ginger Ray 0845 680 2975 gingerray.co.uk Gisela Graham 020 7708 4956 giselagraham.co.uk Graham & Brown 0800 168 3795 grahambrown.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Green Planet Paper green-planet-paper.co.uk Gumtree gumtree.com H&M Home 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Heal’s 0333 212 1915 heals.co.uk Hibou Home 01580 243188 hibouhome.com Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 hobbycraft.co.uk Home Luxe Co homeluxeco.com Homebase 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk Homescapes 0121 368 0051 homescapesonline.com Homesense 01923 473561 homesense.com Howdens howdens.com I Love Wallpaper 01429 869980 ilovewallpaper.co.uk Iceland 0800 328 0800 iceland.co.uk Iconic Lights 01268 681612 iconiclights.co.uk Idyll Home 01270 812717 idyllhome.co.uk Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com Kelly’s Art Studio kellysartstudio.co.uk Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Leaf Envy leafenvy.co.uk Liberty 020 7734 1234 liberty.co.uk Lick Home lickhome.com Lighting Styles 01780 767617 lightingstyles.co.uk Lights4Fun 01423 816040 lights4fun.co.uk Little Cooks littlecooksco.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Living It Up 0116 269 5960 livingitup.co.uk

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Love Milly lovemillyofficial.co.uk M&S 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Made 0344 257 1888 made.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk Merchant & Mills 01797 227789 merchantandmills.com Mind the Gap mindtheg.com Mineheart 0845 467 4580 mineheart.com Mink Interiors 01892 547049 minkinteriors.co.uk Mint & May mintandmay.co.uk Modish Living 01273 499057 modishliving.co.uk Moonpig 0345 4500 100 moonpig.com Moso Bamboo Surfaces mosobamboosurfaces.co.uk Naken Interiors 01986 781663 naken.co.uk Nest 01223 262211 homestuffwithhistory.co.uk Next Home 0844 844 8939 next.co.uk Niddal niddal.co.uk Nkuku 0333 240 0155 nkuku.com Nook & Crook etsy.com Nordic Nest nordicnest.co.uk notonthehighstreet.com 020 3318 5115 Notonthehighstreet.com Nutmeg Studio 01908 915705 nutmegwallartstickers.co.uk Ocado 0345 656 1234 ocado.com Ocean Lighting 01642 044157 oceanlighting.co.uk Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Paperchase 020 3322 4788 paperchase.co.uk Party Pieces 01635 201844 partypieces.co.uk Paul Catherall paulcatherall.com Penelope Hope 01481 721410 penelopehope.com Perch & Parrow 020 8629 1166 perchandparrow.com Plumen 020 7650 7882 plumen.com Polaroid uk.polaroid.com Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Porcelain Superstore 0845 257 0227 porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Poundland 0800 731 5622 poundland.co.uk Price’s 01234 264500 prices-candles.co.uk Primark 020 7495 0420 primark.co.uk Printer & Tailor 01432 265094 printerandtailor.com QVC 0800 514131 qvcuk.com Rockett St George 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

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Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Sainsbury’s 0800 328 1700 sainsburys.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636262 sainsburyshome.co.uk Schock schock.de/en/sinks Sculpd sculpd.co.uk Sheraton 01405 743333 sheratonkitchens.co.uk Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Sofology 03444 818 181 sofology.co.uk Sophie Allport 01778 560256 sophieallport.com Søstrene Grene sostrenegrene.com Sous Chef 0800 270 7591 souschef.co.uk Staub staub-online.com Sterling 01684 299555 sterlingdistribution.co.uk Stone Butterfly 0116 289 9663 stonebutterfly.co.uk

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WHERE TO BUY Keep decs light and bright with a contemporary twist

Store aplaceforeverything.co.uk Swoon 020 3319 6332 swooneditions.com Talking Tables 020 7627 6767 talkingtables.co.uk Tesco 0800 505555 tesco.com The Blurt Shop blurtitout.org The Contemporary Home tch.net The Cotswold Company 0844 984 0444 cotswoldco.com The Hut thehut.com The Little Crafty Bugs Company littlecraftybugs.co.uk The Shop Floor Project 01229 584537 theshopfloorproject.com The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Thie thie.co Tile Mountain 01782 223822 tilemountain.co.uk Tons of Tiles 01752 785623 tonsoftiles.co.uk Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk Travis Perkins 01604 752424 travisperkins.co.uk Urban Outfitters 0845 330 1288 urbanoutfitters.co.uk Vax 0330 026 8455 vax.co.uk Very 0844 822 2321 very.co.uk Victoria Plum 0344 804 4848 victoriaplum.com Villa Nova 01623 756699 villanova.co.uk Vinterior 020 3393 0383 vinterior.co Vitra 01235 750990 vitra.co.uk Vufold 01625 442899 vufold.co.uk Waitrose & Partners 0800 188884 waitrose.com Wallpaperdirect 01323 430886 wallpaperdirect.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk Weru 01253 341444 weru.uk Wickes 0330 123 4123 wickes.co.uk Wilko 0800 032 9329 wilko.com Zara Home 0800 026 0091 zarahome.com

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161 MARSH WALL, LONDON E14 9AP To get in touch, our email format is firstname.lastname@futurenet.com EDITORIAL Editorial Director Vanessa Richmond Group Creative Director Georgia Hibberdine Executive Editor Heather Young Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers Acting Commercial Editorial Operations Director Lizzie Hudson Associate Editor Ginevra Benedetti Style Editor Michela Colling Houses Editor Ruth Corbett Decorating Editor Nicky Phillips Senior Features Editor Stephanie Durrant Features Editor Holly Walsh Acting Features Editor Lisa Fazzani Food Editor Rose Fooks Head Of Art Operations Alison Walter Deputy Art Director Emma Jackson Designer Charlotte Holland Group Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor Sarah Farley Head Of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub-Editor Amy Hodge Senior Sub-Editor Linda Blakemore Senior Sub-Editor Chloe Hay General Enquiries 020 3148 7154 ADVERTISING Publisher and Head Of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara Advertisement Manager Sharon Goode 020 3148 7631 International/Luxury Account Manager Carol Bunce 020 3148 7620 London Sales Manager Ruth Roscorla 020 3148 7639 Inserts Canopy Media Sales and Management 0845 544 1857 Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett 020 3148 2511 Business Director Kim Milroy REGIONAL ADVERTISING Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720 Insert Sales Manager Katherine Brown 07464 544375 Regional Digital and Creative Media Director Lucy Gugas 0161 601 3734 MARKETING, PR & DIGITAL Head Of Marketing Sian Cupid 020 3148 6487 Deputy Head Of Marketing Laura Timms 020 3148 6239 SUBSCRIPTIONS Senior Subscriptions Manager Anita Baghapour 020 3047 1985 One-year full subscription rate (12 issues), including p&p: UK £28.99 Europe €31.99 USA $41.99 Rest of world £27.99. Credit-card hotline (UK) 0330 333 1113 Overseas enquiries +44 (0)330 333 1113 email help@magazinesdirect.com INTERNATIONAL LICENSING Style at Home is available for licensing. Contact the Licensing team to discuss partnership opportunities.

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JANUARY 2021 | 121

Love it

LOOK WHAT YOU STYLED

A gold coffee table adds a hit of glam to @carlaelliman’s cool living space

Not sure what we love most: @cedar.tree. house’s gorgeous sink or her cute pooch

Loving the block colours on @all_things_interior_’s stairway walls

This month we’re loving

#SAHSTYLISTS

In need of some interiors inspo? Check out our Instagram hashtag – share your pics and tag @styleathomemag to join in

@lovebuilds_no28 is bang on trend with her pampas grass wreath

Who needs a blind if you have hanging plants, right @lessisboreinteriors?

SAH fave @lucyhamiltonathome serves up bathroom inspo in spades

We love a good upcycle and this painted piano hits the spot @renovatingcherryhill

The monochrome shelving display looks super smart here @buttonandbark

Why bother with a hotel when you have a room like @michael_s_homeandlifestyle?

122 | JANUARY 2021

On the side.

Shop our full range of over 1,000 designs online at swooneditions.com

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Furniture for the home obsessed swooneditions.com 020 3319 6332

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