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BRISTOL 0117 949 4260 dicksonkitchens.com TAUNTON 01823 924 407 hdmkitchens.co.uk
EDITOR’S LETTER
S teal-worthy ideas from our readers’ homes! p77
Welcome The news might not be cheerful at the moment, but that doesn’t mean your home can’t be – spring is nearly here so it’s time to refresh and renew! Flip to page 20 for the season’s most uplifting colour trend and then page 38 to learn how to bring vibrant pieces into any scheme. I know that many of you have children in the house to keep busy at the moment – if they love baking then we’ve a round-up of stand mixers (p46) that will take most of the mess out of fairy cakes, and you’ll find some fab kits to help them unleash their creativity (plus burn off some energy!) in Craft Stash Must-Haves (p72). If you’ve not been into the office for almost a year now, then we have a couple of features you’ll love – learn how to trim your WFH expenses on page 12, and then turn to page 42 for some gorgeous home-office styling ideas and advice. Finally, our reader homes and living room makeovers are full of inspiring ideas – find out how Lara Hall injected personality into her new-build (p78) and see how Emma Rogers created her bright and beautiful living space (p28) on a budget. Stay safe and well, everyone!
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE Save a massive 25% on the shop price when you subscribe this month. See page 36 for details.
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38 Colour your home happy for spring!
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Editor Mel Sherwood Features Editor Michelle Grady Production Editor Thomas Poad Staff Writer Sophie Demetriades Editorial Assistant Ella Rhys-Jones Designers Sally Bufton, Beth Charlton Lucas Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Editorial Assistant Thea Jeffreys Advertising: Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Business Development Manager Sophie North Brand Sales Executives Phil Wallington, James Beckett Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts
Ad Co-ordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike Marketing & Production: Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Assistant Gemma Balding Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Junior Production Co-ordinator Georgia Tolley PR Manager Toby Hicks Publishing: Managing Director Marie Davies Promotions and Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau
Contact Your Home at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST General Enquiries Tel 0117 927 9009 You can email the magazine at yourhome@immediate.co.uk For subscriptions: yourhome@buysubscriptions.com UK: 03301 358962 Overseas: +44(0)1604 973748 © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2021, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. Your Home is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT
Editor’s portrait Philip Sowels
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Contents 20
102
24
Lynn Hewitt turned her living room from bland to bold with retro style and colourful accessories
Celebrate the season with fresh recipes
Jump on the Golden Hour trend
38
Bring positivity to your home with a pop of colour
42
Add smart style to your home office
March at home 6
This month we love Discover our favourite buys and virtual events taking place in March
9
Household hints Give your home a spring clean with our tips and tricks
6
38 Colour your home happy for spring Use an upbeat palette, bright accessories and statement furniture to bring plenty of positive vibes to your space 42 Create a home office that works for you Boost your productivity with these style-savvy additions for your workspace
12 Smarter shopper We show you how to save money when working from home
Makeovers
14 Consumer news Discover how to get the best deal on your car insurance
24 24 We love spending time in our 1960s-style space Lynn Hewitt turned a bland living room into a retro space
46 Buyer’s guide We give you the cream of the crop when it comes to choosing the perfect stand mixer
28 My multi-use space sings with colour Emma Rogers created a bright and beautiful family room
Decorating
19
20 Trend alert Invite a spring glow into your home with the Golden Hour craze
32 Our chic take on Miami pastels is calm and sleek Rachel Bloomfield put a twist on the retro Florida style
Kitchens & Bathrooms
49 50 Ready, steady, cook! When speed is of the essence, these kitchen accessories will be your go-to gadgets 54 The kitchen is now the best room in the house Kate Turner turned her narrow kitchen into a spacious room 56 Top brass Switch up your bathroom’s look with a new shower head and taps
Reader homes
77 78 Our modern boho home is filled with bargain buys Lara Hall mixed plants and thrifty finds in her new build 86 We modernised a neglected shell With modern touches and period features, Cara Mills revamped her Victorian home
Plus! 12-PAGE T PULL-OU GUIDE
MAKE IT EASY! Update your space with homemade projects and new skills
62
Make a trio of gardening gifts for Mother’s Day
64
This month, upcycle a bedside table
92 We made our house a happy home Sadiyya Quader transformed her house into a dream home with a renovation
36 Subscribe to Your Home Save 25% when you sign up
Food & Entertaining 101
60 Win! Enter our prize draw for your chance to win a sink worth £1,500
102 Celebrate spring! Bring the new season to your dining table with fresh recipes 106 Make-ahead meals: Five-step flatbread Try this family-friendly basic
Home Improvement
111 112 Add kerb appeal with a practical porch Pep up the front of your property
Gardening
117 118 In your garden this month… Find the best greenhouses for your plot
Don’t miss out! 8
Letters Your latest décor projects
66
Sew a simple patchwork pouffe
73 Coming next month Take a sneak peek at our April issue 122 Prize draws Enter for your chance to win lots of amazing prizes 124 Shopping guide Here you’ll find where to purchase everything in this issue 130 Boutique speak We catch up with Ebi Sinteh, co-creator of Our Lovely Goods
Have you missed an issue? Call 0330 1358962 to order back copies
Plus, check out… 64 DIY masterclass Learn how to prep your walls for painting or papering 70 Ask the experts Your home improvement questions answered 72 Craft stash must-haves Discover the latest craft news and products
THIS MONTH WE LOVE
RETRO REVIVAL We’ve seen a huge midcentury style revival over the past year and that’s not set to end anytime soon. Apartment Living, one of Habitat’s SS21 trends, incorporates geometric designs, vibrant pops of colour and classic wooden furniture for a retro-inspired look. Designed with small spaces in mind, this collection prioritises functionality but that doesn’t mean it lacks in style. Burnt orange, mustard and teal converge with stripped back wooden flooring and sturdy metals for a contemporary take on the hallmarks of midcentury style. Available online at Sainsbury’s Home, Argos and Habitat.
FOR STOCKISTS SEE P124
we love… Make the most of March with the best things to do, see and buy this month
Instagram inspiration Polka dot wallpaper? Check. Colour pop furniture? Check. Enviable shelfie style? Also check. For a succinct guide on fun-loving maximalist interiors, head to @homewithsisi on Instagram. Forget low-key and dull, Sisi is all about creating a ‘cheerful environment’ full of ‘bright colours, anything gold and bold patterns such as animal prints’. As she lives with chronic illnesses and spends a lot of time in hospital as a result, Sisi wants to come home to a space that reflects her spirit: ‘joyful, colourful, relaxing and full of hope’, and we think she’s achieved just that.
6
yourhomestyle.uk
Refresh your home We all know about the Chinese practice of Feng Shui. Now, for the Japanese take on home organisation and thoughtful living, look no further than Simplicity at Home by Yukimo Sekine with Jenny Wapner. Discover how to curate your home the Japanese way with tips for everything from decorating and organising to cooking and entertaining. It’ll also take you through seasonal décor with advice on how to choose the right linens for summer, flower arranging for spring and the art of cosy layering for winter. And once you’ve created the perfect home setting, there’s a host of delectable recipes to enjoy on an evening!
Photo Nao Shimizu
THIS MONTH
Benson blue table lamp, £20; jacquard flatweave half-moon rug, £50; Loft living table, £35; mid-century faux floral snake plant, £16; mid-century geo embroidered cushion, £16; mid-century pouffe, £35; mid-century shaped vase, £10; old school vintage office chair, £50; Paloma saffron yellow knitted cotton throw, £45; platform bed, £99, geometric printed bed set, £21; regency grey velvet cushion, £35; industrial desk with mesh magnetic back board, £140; Play yellow paper shade, £10; mid-century espresso cup set, £10, all Habitat
Simplicity at Home by Yukimo Sekine, published by Chronicle Books for £21.99, is out on 21st February
THIS MONTH WE LOVE
GREAT IDEAS FOR… Mother’s Day
Nesting time Create the ultimate sleeping sanctuary with new luxury bedding brand, The Needo. There’s nothing better than the feeling of opulent hotel bedsheets and that’s exactly what you get with this range of 100 per cent cotton bedding. Available in percale and sateen finishes with thread counts between 300 and 500, the pieces are snug yet breathable. Designed to last, the bedding offers you luxury without the hefty price tag. Go on, treat yourself! Prices from £22.
14th March
Spoil the special lady in your life with these gorgeous gifts 70s style smoked glass vase, £28, Rockett St George
Caribbean Waters diffuser, £35, FYG
Ambient lighting Create a tranquil working environment with The Balance Collection from Hex and Ginger. The candle range has been created with focus and balance in mind, a welcome addition to any spaces that you’d like to keep stress-free. Made from soya beans, the biodegradable candles are available in four alluring scents. Lime and Bergamot is citrusy with a hint of spice, while Cedarwood and Vanilla is a woody, sweet scent that’ll create a warm and cosy ambience. Basil and Peppermint is one for the outdoorsy type while the aromatic blend of Oudh, Amber and Cedarwood is rich and calming, ideal for meditation. Each candle costs £20, hexandginger.com.
Give your home a botanical boost without even having to step outside with Beards & Daisies. The online houseplant store offers all your horticultural heart could desire delivered straight to your doorstep. Whether you’re after a plant that’s pet-friendly or need one that’s pretty much unkillable due to a string of plant care mishaps, Beards & Daisies carefully categorises its offerings for a seamless and simple user experience. If you’re a real plant fanatic, you can even sign up for one of the houseplant subscriptions for £24.99 a month. You’ll receive a surprise plant each month along with a perfectly fitting ceramic pot.
Personalised 850g Cadbury bar, £14.99, Getting Personal
Visit beardsanddaisies.co.uk to view the full range Karlsson Sensu steel analogue wall clock, £55, John Lewis & Partners
Geo throw, £49, Sofology Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
PLANTS IN THE POST
Tulip subscription, from £20, Smith & Munson
March 2021
7
GET IN TOUCH
Your Home needs you! We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so send us your letters, tips, projects and photos. This month’s prizes are provided by Mermaid Gin.
Letter of th monthe
CUT-OUT COUTURE Lockdown brought out the paint and brushes in my home, and I thought I would be adventurous and try stencilling. The front door area was my first effort followed by our tiny hall... not too bad for a pensioner with two knee replacements. Linda Allred, by email Your Home says What a transformation, Linda! Your intricate stencilling looks incredible – an entranceway that’ll be the envy of all your neighbours.
★ Linda’s letter has won her a bottle of Mermaid Gin worth £40!
Staycation in style I decided to brighten up the breeze block planting trough around our patio with some Mediterranean-style tiles. I’m delighted with them! As winter approached, I also replaced the tired carpet in our sun room with artificial grass to complement the forest mural. Even though I’m in Scotland, my Mediterranean patio has me dreaming of holidays abroad! Sue Houston, by email
Organisation station After seeing the beautiful kitchen islands in your December issue, I thought I’d send a photograph of my budget baking bundle! We already had the piece of marble for the top of the island as well as the wood. The shelves hold my trays, boards and bowls, while the drawer holds all the small baking items that get lost elsewhere. We got the food mixer from eBay, the scales from a charity shop and my husband made the wooden trug to hold the large kitchen tools. Tucked underneath is a duckboard for me to use when I need extra height, as I’m only 5 foot. The most expensive part of this project was to have the marble cut to size and polished, which cost £40. Jacquie Parker, by email Your Home says This is such a lovely idea, Jacquie! We love how you’ve utilised the space.
Your Home says We love your new floor, Sue – it’s so vibrant! Your garden room is the perfect relaxation spot.
Drink up I was looking for a place to store all my drinks bottles. I stumbled across this trolley; however, the original gold shade was not in keeping with my copper and grey kitchen. With a little bit of paint and a mirror base, it is now the perfect addition to the kitchen! Jade Smith-Sykes, by email
Get Online Tweet us your pictures and comments @your_home or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/yourhomemag
Your Home says Jade, this is a gorgeous drinks trolley! The copper paint looks so glamorous with your glassware.
EMAIL YOUR TIPS, PHOTOS AND LETTER TO: yourhome@immediate.co.uk. Letters can be posted to Your Letters, Your Home magazine, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST, but we may not see them for some time as we are currently working remotely. Letters may be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be 8 returned. yourhomestyle.uk
Courtesy of Mermaid Gin, the writer of this issue’s letter of the month will receive a bottle of Mermaid Gin worth £40. The three runners-up will each receive a Mermaid Gin miniature gift set worth £15.99. Find out more about Mermaid Gin at isleofwightdistillery.com.
Household
HINTS
Regularly dust the window area to prevent build-up
Freshen up your home with our handy tips and tricks
HOW TO... wash your curtains
• Before you begin, check the washing label to see if your curtains are fully machine washable. Lightweight fabrics, such as cotton, usually are. If that’s the case, continue with the following steps. If not, or you have any concerns about home washing, a dry cleaner might be a better option.
• To start, remove all hooks and shake off any dust. Then, pop your curtains in the washing machine with your usual laundry detergent. Set the machine to a ‘delicates’ cycle or a cool wash with a slower spin. If your curtains are particularly delicate and you’re worried about damaging them in the machine, opt for a hand wash (probably in the bath due to their size).
• Now that your curtains are clean, it’s time to dry them. To avoid mould or musty odours, it’s important that you allow them to dry thoroughly. If it’s a warm, dry day, hang your curtains on the line until they’re 95 per cent dry. Alternatively, hang them up to dry inside or tumble dry if the wash label permits. Iron when they’re still slightly damp, working lengthways on the inside of the material, then hang immediately to avoid any creases.
• If you don’t already, incorporate a weekly curtain vacuum into your cleaning schedule. This will get rid of any residual dust or cobwebs and keep them in tip-top shape after a deep clean.
Buy it once If you’re in need of a new toaster that’s going to last a lifetime, look no further than Dualit. Handbuilt in the UK, the 4 Slice Newgen Toaster is an ideal size for families. It boasts defrost and bagel settings and the controls allow you to heat one, two, three or all four of the slots. It’s also a planet-friendly purchase as Dualit offers fully repairable or replaceable parts, so there’s no need to ever throw it away. There are over 20 colours, too! Priced at £199.15 from Dualit.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones Main image Stitched
It might seem like a tiresome job, but do you know when you last cleaned your curtains? Dust and odours build up over time, so an annual (or more frequent) wash is a good idea. Follow these easy steps that’ll have your curtains looking good as new in no time…
HACK Limescale can be a real nuisance. To descale your showerhead, white vinegar is your saviour. If your showerhead is removable, place it in a large container, cover with vinegar and leave to soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, rinse with water and use a toothbrush to scrub away any remaining limescale. If your showerhead is fixed, don’t fret. The process is the same as above but uses a plastic bag instead of a container. Simply half fill the plastic bag with vinegar, place over your showerhead and secure with a string. Soak and then rinse as above.
March 2021
9
BEST BUYS FOR... food prep Transform cooking into a hassle-free experience with these nifty food prep tools. No laborious chopping required…
1.
1. Mix up everything from bread dough to egg whites with this compact stand mixer. It even has an inbuilt timer to keep you on track! MixStar, from £159.99, Morphy Richards
2.
2. Slice veggies for a crunchy, fresh salad with this mandoline, or delicious potato chips! OXO handheld mandoline slicer, £15, Amazon
4.
3. Weigh both liquids and dry ingredients with precision using these contemporary scales. Electronic dual dry and liquid platform scales, £22.99, KitchenCraft 4. Bake in style with these sophisticated copper measuring cups. Measuring cups, £5.50, Habitat
3.
5. Impress your friends with this herb chopping set worthy of any professional chef! Stelton ‘Rig + Tig’ herbs chopper and chopping board, £42, AMARA
6.
5.
Purbeck lunch box in Ink, £15, Garden Trading
WE TEST… Tefal handheld garment steamer, £149, AO.com This speedy steamer has a handy support panel, plus a hanger to grip your garments while they’re being steamed. After a fiddly initial set up, it’s quick and easy to use and, with three levels of steaming, you can choose the best intensity to ensure a crease-less finish. For those living in hard water areas, this steamer features technology to prevent limescale from building up over time. The pole collapses down after use, but you’ll still need a bit of space to store it, as it’s not that small.
7/10 10
yourhomestyle.uk
6. Forget plastic containers, this lunch box is made from natural spun bamboo.
CLOTHES STEAMERS
We considered: Did it de-crease garments? Was it simple to use? Was it a good size?
Fridja handheld travel clothes steamer, £79.99, Lakeland This steamer is the one for you if you’re constantly on the go for work – no more useless hotel irons! Its compact size makes it compatible with hand luggage and you can even swap out the water tank for a water bottle to enjoy travelling a little lighter. It also comes with a collar press and foldaway hanger so that your garments remain in tip-top shape. After a couple of minutes heating up, the steamer is good to go and successfully removes creases from clothes. Watch out for a few water splatters though!
9/10
Steam&Go handheld garment steamer, £60, Philips Sleek and compact, this steamer will have your clothes looking just as smart as it does, and comes with a protective mitt, a brush attachment for thick fabrics, and a heat-resistant bag for storage and travel. It works horizontally and vertically, so is great for tricky areas like collars and cuffs, and is safe for all iron-able fabrics, so even silks can be crease-free. The 70ml water tank makes it lightweight, but it’ll need refilling if you have a few garments to de-wrinkle.
8/10
Express Steam handheld garment steamer, £59.99, Morphy Richards If you’re often pushed for time or realise you’ve grabbed a creased blouse minutes before a Zoom call, then this is the steamer for you. Ready to use in just 35 seconds, you can revive a shirt or skirt with ease, with a secondary hole to tackle cuffs and collars, plus the Turbo setting will remove stubborn creases that bit faster. While its 260ml water tank makes it light to use, you might need a larger model to tackle an entire load of laundry.
8/10
A-Z OF DECORATING from Anaglypta to Zoffany
OPEN TO THE TRADE AND PUBLIC SINCE 1904
Over 170 stores nationwide
brewers.co.uk
CONSUMER NEWS
SMARTER
shopper
Style any with our W workspace F tips on pagH décor e 42
Easy ways to save the pennies while you earn them working at home
SAVE MONEY WHEN
working from home
Claim tax relief for expenses If you’re required to work from home, and your employer isn’t covering your expenses, you may be entitled to claim tax relief on £6 a week. Apply online through HMRC’s dedicated microservice, and 2020/21 tax year’s relief will be applied via your tax code if you’re eligible. Review your bills Use comparison websites to make sure your current energy and internet tariffs provide the best value, particularly if you haven’t reviewed them since before you started working from home. Switching your internet provider alone could save you up to £69 a year, says thinkmoney. Don’t leave tech on standby According to Energy Saving Trust, it’s estimated that the average UK household spends £30 per year leaving devices on standby, so it’s worth being vigilant about turning them off at the end of the working day (or when you’ve finished your post-work Netflix binge-watch). Invest in a coffee machine If you can’t start the day without a caffeine fix, why not use that extra time in the morning not spent commuting making your own? Many coffee machines use pods with a cost per cup of around 20p-60p, a fraction of a pricey takeaway.
Studies have shown that attentiveness is increased by 70 per cent when plants are present in a room. Source Beards & Daisies
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yourhomestyle.uk
SMART SAVINGS In swapping the office for home working, many of us have traded smart attire for comfy loungewear – but there’s another, pursefriendly change you can make to your morning routine. Using a hairdryer for 10 minutes daily uses 73 kilowatts of energy, so leaving your hair to dry naturally could save up to £13 a year. That’s enough for this colour-block pad, £12 from Papermash.
Feature Michelle Grady
Fab find
Take notes the eco-friendly way with plantable, sustainable pencils by Sprout, which have a small seed capsule at the tip. When the pencil is too short to use, simply plant it and watch it grow. The Mindful Thoughts edition includes five pencils, each with different plant seeds in the tip and emblazoned with an encouraging slogan – just what we need to get us through our to-do list. Find them on Amazon for £9.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The future of breast cancer C
Right now, Cancer Research UK scientists are working on groundbreaking research – your pledge could protect the future of such projects
ancer Research UK (CRUK) is the only charity researching over 200 types of cancer, including various forms of breast cancer, the most common form of the disease in UK women. There are around 55,200 new cases of breast cancer in the UK each year. Right now, 76 per cent of people survive this disease for 10 years or more but, with your help, CRUK can improve this further. There has already been great progress in this field. In the 1970s just four in 10 women survived breast cancer for 10 years or more, but CRUK’s efforts have helped to double this number – this is an amazing achievement that could not be done without generous funding. Donations from the public enable CRUK to fund scientists, doctors and nurses so that pioneering work can help to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, as well as care for patients to the highest standard. It is thanks to its generous supporters that the charity has been able to play a key role in developing eight of the world’s top 10 cancer drugs. CRUK is now the leading independent cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information. This funding will ensure that this progress continues. However, due to COVID-19, fundraising saw a large drop in 2020. This has put
future research at risk. But if you pledge to leave a gift to the charity in your Will, you can secure some of the future income that CRUK needs to continue its lifesaving work. Gifts in Wills fund over a third of the charity’s research, which means they are absolutely vital to the work CRUK do. Currently, one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. CRUK’s ambition is to accelerate progress and, by 2034, see three in four people surviving the disease for 10 years or more. There are several different types of gift you can leave to the charity in your Will. After you have taken care of your loved ones, you can leave a specific amount of money or item from your household. The most valuable type of gift you can leave is a ‘residuary gift’. This is a percentage of your estate, which will retain its value and won’t be affected by inflation. By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help get research back on track so we can beat cancer for future generations.
Charity registration numbers: England and Wales (1089464); Scotland (SC041666); Isle of Man (1103); Jersey (247)
The research happening now Over the last 40 years, CRUK’s work has helped to double breast cancer survival. In 2019-2020, the charity spent over £30m on breast cancer research, funding the below projects, among others. • Research into blood tests to monitor the growth rate of breast cancer, so that patients can be given the best treatment at the most effective time. • Working to give patients a bespoke treatment for the best possible chance of survival. • Studies to identify which women are likely to develop breast cancer as a result of a condition called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) – saving unnecessary treatment and improving the quality of life for women with DCIS. If you pledge to leave a gift in your Will, you will help to protect the future of life-saving research projects just like these.
To find out more, request a free Gifts in Wills Guide. Visit cruk.org/willsguide or call 0800 077 6644 March 2021
13
CONSUMER NEWS
FOCUS ON:
Car Insurance
Save £££s on car costs by shopping around and getting the best deal
HOW TO... cut the cost of car insurance We all know that car insurance is a must, but how can we get the right amount of cover without paying a fortune? With a little research and a spare hour or two, it’s easy to cut the cost.
• Don’t just auto-renew when the time comes, always phone up your insurer and ask if they can reduce the price. Insurers rely on the fact that many drivers don’t bother to question the new premium or take the time to call around for a cheaper quote.
Is it cheaper if I pay monthly? No, it will end up costing you more overall so where possible, always pay an annual sum. If you can’t afford to pay yearly in one go, a credit card with a low interest rate will still work out cheaper than paying your insurer with a monthly payment plan, as their interest rates tend to be pretty high.
Shall I bother with protected no-claims and other add-ons? Protecting your no-claims bonus is always worth doing. It may cost a little extra and you usually can’t do it until you’re about four years in but it’s definitely a good thing as you can keep the discount on future insurance
policies, even if you’ve had to make a claim. It’s probably cheaper to get your breakdown cover separately elsewhere, however, so double check.
Can I switch insurer before my renewal is up? Yes, you can swap providers at any time during the year and you can save money doing so. If you have to cancel an existing policy, always make sure the new one starts immediately so there’s no gap where you’re not insured. You should get a refund for the rest of the year from the old insurer but they may charge a cancellation fee.
USEFUL CONTACTS
• Compare prices as well as cover levels at compare themarket.com, confused.com, gocompare.com, moneysupermarket.com, directline.com and aviva.co.uk. · Find further advice at uswitch.com. · There are also some helpful tips at thisismoney.co.uk and money.co.uk.
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yourhomestyle.uk
• Third party isn’t always the cheapest option. It may be the minimum legal requirement but it only covers the driver you bump into plus their car and many insurers will actually give you a more favourable price if you choose comprehensive as your cover option.
• The optimum time to renew is said to be 20-26 days ahead and it can potentially save hundreds of pounds. Never leave it until your renewal day, as the cost options might not be as favourable and you’ll pay more as a result.
•
If there’s more than one car in your family, ask about a multi-car policy as many providers offer incentives for adding more cars, even with different renewal dates.
If you do one thing..
• Adding a second and even third named
driver can bring the cost down, especially if they have a clean record and years of experience. They don’t have to live in the same house as you either. Use price comparison sites – they quickly show you the difference in Your job title can also make a lot of premiums and levels of cover. Try those difference to the cost of your policy so listed in Useful Contacts (left), and go try tweaking the wording to see if that to Direct Line and Aviva directly – brings the cost down. they aren’t on comparison sites
•
and may offer a much cheaper rate.
Feature Hayley Gilbert Image Getty Images
Frequently asked questions..
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Wren Kitchens went the extra mile for us With the help of Wren Kitchens, Gabrielle and Calum transformed their canal boat into a stunning space to cook and socialise in Meet Gabrielle and Calum, owners of unique canal boat 2 Crew and a Cockapoo
T
he kitchen is a place to flex your culinary expertise, but it’s also so much more than that. As well as being functional, it’s the social heart of the home – and achieving a space that encourages this is at the top of Wren Kitchens’ tick list. Whether your room is big or small, Wren Kitchens will work with you to create a design that’s suitable for any space and place. To be inspired by Wren Kitchens’ carefully curated designs, check out Gabrielle and Calum’s unique canal boat refurbishment. Their home is part of the #Wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations.
STEP ONE When Gabrielle and Calum went into their local Wren Kitchens showroom, they had a challenge for designer James Ware. They were on the hunt for a modern kitchen complete with a full range of home comforts, all of which needed to be installed onto a wide-beam canal boat. The new kitchen was part of Calum’s larger renovation plan for the boat, which meant that the couple had a clear vision for their home. This consisted of an industrial-style kitchen that would not only complement the overall aesthetic of the boat’s interior but also fit within its tricky dimensions. This was a challenging brief, but one that Wren Kitchens was more than happy to take on.
For more inspiration, search #Wrenovation 16
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‘They were one of the only companies that weren’t afraid of our design’, says Gabrielle.
STEP TWO After speaking with James, the couple opted for a Milano Elements kitchen. The handleless design of the Milano units was a great way to save space on the compact canal boat and the smooth lines of the modern design worked wonders for their vision. ‘We wanted to go for an industrial feel throughout the boat and when our designer saw the space, he suggested we go for a Milano Elements style as this would complement the look we were hoping to achieve,’ recalls Calum. However, it was the sleek finish of the Metallic Night Elements range that really sealed the deal on the design for their boat, 2 Crew and a Cockapoo.
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Wren Kitchens suggested Gabrielle and Calum opt for a Milano Elements kitchen with a Metallic Night Elements finish to complete the dream look
Another element of the kitchen that Gabrielle and Calum have fallen in love with is the new dishwasher. ‘Living on a boat and having a dishwasher isn’t really something that usually goes hand in hand, but it’s one of my favourite things about the kitchen’, reveals Gabrielle.
STEP THREE Once the kitchen renovation was complete, Gabrielle and Calum had time to reflect on what they love most about their new space. ‘It’s lovely to see that our boat has now been made into a home and it’s just so glorious to be able to have your friends over and cook a meal – it’s a really great space to be in,’ explains Calum. The couple are incredibly pleased with their renovated room and are grateful to Wren Kitchens for bringing their vision to life. ‘Wren Kitchens went the extra mile for us. From a design perspective, they were above everyone else,’ says Gabrielle.
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Feature Sophie Demetriades
Wren Kitchens catered to the couple’s taste with an industrial-style finish
WINTER
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The beautiful Langham 3 Seater Sofa in Varese Pale Moss. Handmade in the UK. 2119+ 5 star reviews
To request a brochure call free on 0808
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www.SofasBySaxon.com
Decorating Go eco with our top sustainable suggestions and check out the latest décor trend
Mini trend: Refined rattan Spring 2021 sees a resurgence in rattan furnishings, but not as we know them. This new wave of rattan homeware features clean lines and smooth curves so you can weave a sophisticated mid-century modern air into your living space. Thanks to these modern shapes and polished finishes, this formerly retro trend has been revived with a contemporary twist that will strike the perfect balance between refined chic and up-to-date style. Tapu king-size headboard halfmoon in Black and Natural rattan, £129, MADE
Rattan screen, £120, Habitat
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Kotak rattan mirror, £78, Oliver Bonas Rattan sideboard in oak, £599; Scandi round oak mirror, £180; Littala Nappula plant pot, £61; LSA international epoque round vase, £65; Broste Copenhagen Asger vase, £40; West Elm ceramic bottle vase, £21.75; Serax Costa pot in Honey, £42; Dartington crystal cushion posy vase, £30; Rectangle U shopper basket, £30; House by John Lewis Callum ceiling light, £30, all John Lewis & Partners
Sustainable sofa
PAINT THE TOWN GREEN
Meet the Pioneer sofa – the new couch that has been made with style, comfort and the future of the planet in mind. The sofa has been created with recyclable springs and yarns as well as sustainably sourced timber to enable you to invest in an eco-friendly piece of furniture. Additionally, the sumptuous seat cushions have been made from recycled plastic, plus the brand has invented Sofology’s Sofa Rescue service, in partnership with Clearabee, to ensure that any couch that needs to be replaced can be responsibly recycled and repurposed.
Architects’ Satinwood paint in Salvia, Glass II, Canvas I, Deep Water Green and Clean White, £31 each for 750ml, Paint & Paper Library
To add a luxe finish to almost any surface, choose Paint & Paper Library’s brand-new collection of high-quality, eco-friendly paints. The price point might be a little high but with these paints, you truly do get what you pay for and then some. The Architect’s Satinwood paints are water-based and have a subtle satin sheen that looks stunning when used on wooden furniture. We recommend you purchase a 750ml pot and turn your attention to the wooden trims in your home, such as the skirting boards, and polish them off in one of Paint & Paper Library’s vibrant shades.
Pioneer four-seater sofa in Sage Green, £1,499, Sofology
March 2021
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STYLE FILE
TREND ALERT…
Golden hour Give your home a springtime glow with this mood-boosting look that’s loaded with yellow hues, luxe metallics and plush textures
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eel the Sun shine in the comfort of your own home with this uplifting look that’s all about amping up the glow-factor. Move over cool-toned greys – yellow is the colour of the moment as we all seek to make our homes as warm and welcoming as possible. We’re talking ochre, turmeric, honey, lemon, daffodil and of course, mustard. Whether it’s a lick of paint,
a striking sofa or a more subtle touch with a cushion or vase, you can easily weave the yellow trend into white and beige interiors. Be inspired by the mellow hues and geometric shapes of the 70s. Curves are crucial – decorate to your heart’s content with circles, arches and scallops. A little glitz is also a must. For metallics, take cues from the golden age of Hollywood. Gold adds the
glamour while maintaining that richness and warmth. Go all out with a splashback or feature wall, or jazz up wooden furniture with delicate metallic hardware. Texture is key. Tactile fabrics like velvet, cotton and suede up the ‘wow’ factor while rustic woods, rattans and natural materials keep the look rooted in nature. And of course, don’t forget the houseplants and greenery!
For a subtle take on the look, opt for neutral walls and furniture with vibrant pops of rich gold and mustard yellow Isaac three-seater sofa in Alabaster brushed linen cotton, £1,640, sofa.com
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STYLE FILE Dusky pink walls pair beautifully with copper pendant lights and stripped-back wood Tegola elite click luxury vinyl tile in Copper, £42.99 per sq m, Carpetright
Clockwise from top left: Honey hemp fabric, £55 per m, Stitched. Rattan mirror, £20, George Home. Pale Gold Breatheasy emulsion, £18 for 2.5L, Crown Paints. Yellow velvet cushion, £12.99, M&Co
Ridotti natural raffia and burnished brass floor lamp, £100, Lights and Lamps
Go for gold with plenty of metallic details. A statement dining set or a delicate vase – don’t hold back with the gold accents! Carafe clear glass, £15; Solomon hammered brass small vase, £25; Dora ribbed blue glass tumblers, £8 for a set of four, Nona stoneware side plate, £28 for a set of four; brass four-seat set with chairs, £430; Lowena ceiling light, £120, all Habitat Tufted spot throw in Mustard, £22, Habitat
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Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Yellow tide glass vase, £42.90, Beaumonde
Belotta ceramic vase, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
STYLE FILE Combine scalloped yellow chairs with bold injections of gold for a luxe finish Vivian bar stool in Old Gold, £109; Tropics teapot, £12; decorative cane easy fit pendant, £25; metal bread bin with bamboo lid, £18; recycled glass carafe, £8; metal canisters with bamboo lids in sloth, crane and tiger, £6; Sage coastal kettle, £40, all Dunelm
Luna cushion in Ochre, £8, B&M Dutchbone Botanique plant stand, £46, Cuckooland
Cabana woven place mat, £4, Matalan
Surround a turmeric yellow sofa with natural textures to make it the star of the show Guy three-seater sofa in simply velvet in Vintage Mustard, £599, DFS
Clockwise from top left: Iittala Teema honey pasta bowl, £17, Amara. Forn Studio abstract composition on terracotta print, £45, Rose & Grey. Citrus Zing paint mixing silk, £16.42 for 1L, Dulux. Coral velvet cushion, £12.99, Homesense
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STYLE FILE
GOLD RUSH Make your home shine with these glitzy goodies
Lever one light brass task table lamp, £29, Lights and Lamps
Spend Vs Save Pols Potten PPno.2 Fauteuil in Smooth Ochre, £847, Amara
If you’re not one for fullimpact interiors, dip into the trend with lemon yellow crockery and napkins
Honey tile dispenser, £5, George Home
Arc dining table, £999; Scandi dining chair, £299; Broste Arild flowerpot, £15; House Eat 12-piece set, £52; pasta bowl, £10; medium bowl, £9; dip bowl, £6; Robert Welch Radford cutlery 24-piece set, £135; spot stem wine glass, £8; linen napkins in Ochre, £15 for two, all John Lewis & Partners
Small gold clock, £9.99, Homesense
Thread gold through your design to tie the look together. You could even try a little DIY wall design using gold paint! Lacey armchair, £250, Next
Pimlico Blush Pink carpet, £11.99 per sq m, Carpetright
Hestia set of two gold finish metal planters, £60, Very
Amber glass lamp, £20, George Home
Arch candle in Honey Gold, £29, Rose & Grey
Mango wood serve bowl, £15, Habitat
Carrara Bijoux gold bath sheet, £43, Amara
March 2021
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
We love spending time in our 1960s-style space Soothing blues and statement wallpaper have helped Lynn Hewitt turn a bland living room into somewhere everyone wants to be
T
aking on a four-bedroom, terraced 1960s house in Hampton, south-west London, in need of some care and attention nearly 20 years ago was something Lynn and Anthony Hewitt were happy to do. ‘We could see enormous potential and we love the style, the huge windows and the big, open rooms,’ Lynn recalls. Since moving in, the couple have remodelled their way through the house room by room, and had sons, Tom, now 14, and Greg, 11, along the way. Spread over three storeys, with the bedrooms at the top, and a newly created large kitchen-diner on the ground floor level, it was the living room that kept being put to the back of the list.
Two years ago, Lynn, a marketing consultant, and Anthony, a theatre development director, transformed the old kitchen into their new main bedroom, and turned the small third bedroom into a study and guest room, and felt like the living room was letting down the rest of their home. ‘It’s the hub of the house as you have to go through it to go upstairs or downstairs, but it just didn’t hang together. Every other room had a real sense of character, but this was just a bit of a mess. We wanted to create a calm environment for our busy family to unwind in and breathe life into the room,’ Lynn explains.
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, Break up bold imal white in m walls with a the print shelving unit sowhelm doesn’t over the space.
Lynn took a risk with geometric wallpaper, and it paid off! It provides a retro backdrop for her 1960s furniture and accessories
To tie the scheme together, Lynn found a vintage coffee table in a local charity shop and made blue cushions in the same fabric as the window seat
Before
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles
Lynn pulled this large living room, which was previously a mishmash of styles and colours, back to its sixties origins with geometric wallpaper, smoky blue tones and plenty of gold touches
total cost £2,184 March 2021
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
STEP ONE The first stage was to choose a confident colour palette, and Lynn was set on a serene blue. ‘We wanted something soothing, but not bland. It’s a large room so we can get away with it, and some wallpaper was also on my essentials list,’ says Lynn. Working out the budget, Lynn realised they would need to keep the sofas, which were several years old but still in good condition, and the wooden blinds, which would have been expensive to replace on such large windows. ‘But they all went with what I had in mind, so it was fine.’
Good ideesa, !like
ac Reflective surf rround, add su e Lynn’s fireplac rest amid the te in ed at st under , and keep the ls patterned wal and airy. scheme light Talk about attention to detail! Lynn has filled her vintage-style magazine rack with yellow publications to carry the same sunny hue throughout
For a budgetfriendly, bespoke look, make new window seat cushions yourself like Lynn. Use the original covers to create a pattern and get the perfect fit
Lynn has given her much-loved, mid-century sideboard a polish and dressed it with lots of retro-style items like lamps, vases and plants
STEP TWO Wanting to keep the look authentic to the house, Lynn was thrilled to find some retro, 1960s-style patterned wallpaper she loved, in a blue tone, and was able to match it to a deep, smoky blue and a lighter grey as her two colours for the walls. ‘Before, we only had a tiny bit of wallpaper over the fireplace in colours that didn’t go with anything else, but this time I decided to go really bold and put it on two of the walls. It was a bit nerve-wracking as it’s so dramatic, but we love it,’ reveals Lynn. She replaced the dull wall lights with two gold cage lights for a bit of glamour and brought in the arc lamp she’d been storing in the garage. STEP THREE Comfort was at the top of Lynn’s list as well as style, and the flooring was very important. ‘We had beige carpet before, which we didn’t choose, so it was great to pick something we wanted,’ says Lynn. The couple invested in a hard-wearing carpet, which is 80 per cent wool and springy underfoot, in a grey-blue hue. The retro sideboard they’d had for years also stayed, and Lynn found a matching coffee table for £20 in a charity shop. ‘I love mid-century furniture and I’m great at finding a bargain. Plus, I love the idea of things being reused,’ adds Lynn. 26
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER To style the dark-grey sofa, Lynn has chosen light, contrasting cushions in plain yellow and subtle patterns so they harmonise with the bold wallpaper
ROOM PLAN
5M
Goodhtsifodr esoam!ething
lig es Swap wall nn’s vintage sconc y e L glam like asonably inexpensiv – it’s a re change a room’s way to ambience.
5M
THE DETAILS The wood tones of the sideboard and bannister bring warmth and contrast to Lynn’s smoky blue wall
STEP FOUR The seat under the window was the last big thing for Lynn to sort out. ‘I found some gorgeous blue fabric that also added some texture, recovered the seat and made a load of cushions myself, which was very satisfying,’ she reveals. With the basics in place, Lynn embarked on an accessories-
buying spree, sticking to metallics and yellows as her base colours, picking up cushions, vases and plant pots. ‘I was careful not to buy anything too patterned as I didn’t want it to clash with the wallpaper, which is the star of the show. We all love being in here together now,’ Lynn says.
3 OF THE BEST... mid-century modern £25 from Habitat A mustard lamp will brighten up the room even when it’s not turned on.
£25
£11
£42 from John Lewis & Partners Mix and match colour pop vases in unusual shapes for a quirky sideboard display.
£11 from George Home Tie together a scheme with two-tone textiles, like this tactile, textured, woven striped cushion.
£42
CARPET
£662
WALLPAPER
£300
FURNITURE
£160
PAINT
£286
FABRIC
£340
LIGHTS
£176
MIRROR
£40 £220
ACCESSORIES
TOTAL
£2,184
shopping list Lavaliers Low Wave wallpaper, £75 a roll; walls painted in Juniper Ash and Clockface intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 per 2.5L; woodwork painted in Juniper Ash and Clockface intelligent eggshell, £66 per 2.5L, all Little Greene. Dimensions Heathers carpet in Silver Chalice, £26.49 per sq m, Brockway. Ashby fabric for window seat in Indigo, £85 per m, Zoffany at Style Library. Astro glass and gold metallic wall lights, £88 each, Maisons du Monde. Cream Geometric Foil cushions on window seat, £10 each; Ochre leaf effect vase, £14; Ochre leaf pattern tea light holders, £2 each; Fifth Avenue gold vase, £14; Bamboo plant in white pot, £22, all Dunelm. Harlequin mirror over fireplace, £40; gold cushions, £10 each, both TK Maxx. Palm tree pattern cushions, £6.99 each, H&M Home. White glass table lamp, £119, West Elm. Circular tables, £80 for a set of three, Homebase. Coffee table, £20, charity shop. Magazine rack, £60, John Lewis & Partners.
March 2021
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
My multi-use room sings with colour Emma Rogers turned a large, bland space into a bold, bright and practical family room, perfect for dining, playing and relaxing
‘T
he amazing brick feature wall was what sold this house to us,’ recalls Emma Rogers, a part-time teacher and macramé artist, @macrame.emma on Instagram, who is based in Bristol. ‘The large windows cast a lovely light on the bricks and although we’d seen numerous places, this room was a game changer.’ But Emma and her husband, Mark, a glazier, spent all their money buying the place, so renovations had to wait. ‘We sat on a lilo for six months before we could afford sofas and our table was a piece of MDF on an old tyre,’ laughs Emma, ‘but as the children, Annabelle, now nine, and Alana, six, came along, we began to think about improving the room.’ The couple knew it would need to work hard as a lounge, playroom, workspace and dining area.
Before STEP ONE The first thing the couple did was clear out the room so they could start painting. ‘We gave away our old sofas and put the rest in the spare room. Then we painted the whole space with cheap, white B&Q paint, as I knew I wanted to retain the loftliving feel. We did three coats, but it gave the walls a lovely finish, and then we re-glossed the painted beams and sanded the exposed wooden ones to refresh them.’ 28
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total cost £4,014
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
The bright colour and retro feel of this IKEA chair ticks both of Emma’s main interior styling loves, and the side table, found for £10 in IKEA’s Bargain Corner, is one of her many purse-friendly finds
Good idea!
Use decorative di baskets as extra p-dyed st perfect for keep orage – ing spare blankets and th rows to hand.
Emma is always looking for interesting, vintage finds, including the sideboard she bought in a charity shop for £45. She’s styled it with insect motifs to reflect her passion for the natural world
Emma made the macramé hanging, and found the brass lamp on the street. It doesn’t work, but she loves the look of it. The rug, from Rug Vista, is the same pink as her wedding shoes; one of the many personal touches she’s added
STEP TWO Once the painting was complete, Emma turned her attention underfoot. ‘The original floor was whitewashed, but as the years went by it became scuffed, and there were big gaps which the kids would post coins through. I used to joke that it was shabby rather than chic, so knew changing the floor was key to transforming the room.’ Emma chose a small company called WyseWood to supply the floor. ‘This was the major spend,’ she admits, ‘but the company’s products are beautiful and great quality, and I knew we mustn’t skimp as the floor is so important in such a big space.
March 2021
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Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson
‘I like the quirkiness of upside-down living’
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
Emma loves bright, clashing hues and is fascinated by how they look and work together – something she’s used a lot in her scheme
Good teidruegsato! zone
Use neutral ju in a colourful, different areas e, and choose open-plan spac signs to decorative de . add interest
Emma bought this table and chair set years ago from Gumtree for £30, and it’s followed her around most of her homes. Initially it only needed a clean, though she plans to give it a fresh lick of paint in the future
Emma loves to bring the outdoors in and uses plants as accessories, changing their position regularly to freshen things up in the room
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We chose engineered oak boards and paid professionals to lay it as, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that I don’t like doing DIY – I like choosing the accessories!’ The floor was levelled first as it was on a slant, and Emma admits that getting the extra-long beams up the stairs was a nightmare. Then, after the boards were oiled, they couldn’t walk on them for another ten days, which was pretty challenging as the family were living out of their small kitchen.
STEP THREE With the essentials in place, it was time to invest in key pieces of furniture. Emma had never bought a large piece of furniture before and fell in love with the process – going to John Lewis and choosing the colour, fabric and style of the sofa, ‘and, although I gulped at the price, we knew it was a ‘forever’ piece.’ She had to measure the size really precisely to make sure it would get up the stairs, and it still only just squeezed through the gap. It took about eight weeks to arrive so the family had quite a long period with no sofa to sit on, ‘but we spent the weeks sliding across the shiny new floor and the kids did a lot of pretend ice skating,’ she recalls. STEP FOUR It’s a big room that has a lot of functions, so Emma had to think carefully about planning the space to best suit her family and their day-to-day lives. ‘I didn’t want a TV covering the brick wall, which determined where the sofa went, so then it made sense to put the dining table under the window, and the sideboard against the brick wall. I like the quirkiness of upside-down living and, when we finally moved back in and the light streamed into the room, the transformation was amazing. Although it felt like a long four months at times, the wait was totally worth it.’
Good idea!
Multicoloured splash of colour candles inject a to IK EA candlestic the trio of black ks, w has added to with hich Emma vi yellow and turq brant uoise accessories. The pachira plant in the corner came from IKEA, and Emma sources her pots from charity shops and car-boot sales and displays them in her handmade macramé hangers
ROOM PLAN
6.0M
5.5M
THE DETAILS £26
PAINT FLOORBOARDS
£1,200
FURNITURE
£1,768 £701
RUGS
£60
PLANTS
£259
ACCESSORIES
TOTAL
3 OF THE BEST... butterfly motifs £25 from Mint & May This magnified photo showcases the stunning detail of the Agrias Claudina butterfly – and gives you plenty of colour options for your scheme.
£25 £49
£49 from Sophie Allport An intricate wing design and punchy hues make this tactile knitted cushion a bold addition to a sofa.
£12 from The Contemporary Home Place your morning cuppa on one of these four bright butterfly coaster designs for a stylish way to protect surfaces.
£12
£4,014
shopping list Leyland Tradesman white matt emulsion paint, £26 per 1.5L, B&Q. Unfinished engineered oak boards, from £45 per sq m, WyseWood Flooring. Otley Grand fourseater sofa, £1,399, John Lewis. Pachira potted plant, £35; Strandmon wing chair, £199; Dekorera candlesticks, from £9 each, all IKEA. Pink Gabbeh loom Two Lines rug, £434, Rug Vista. Colours Elma flatweave natural rug, £16, B&Q. Rozza patterned oval jute rug, £140, La Redoute. Round handmade jute rug, £111, Etsy. For a similar mirror, try the Yearn framed mirror, £109, Dunelm. Insect prints, from £45, from a selection at Graham and Green. Sideboard, £45, Salvation Army Furniture Charity Shop. Ercol ladder rack coffee table, £75, eBay. Gold flamingo lamp and shade, £10 in a charity shop, originally from Debenhams.
March 2021
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
Our chic take on Miami pastels is calm and sleek Wanting to create a luxury holiday feel in her living room, Rachel Bloomfield has put together a British take on the retro Florida look
I
n need of more space for their family of five, plus Mollie the dog, Rachel Bloomfield was thrilled to close the deal on a Victorian semi, located just up the road from their previous property in Hither Green in south-east London, two and a half years ago. Rachel, a television producer, and her husband, Mark Burgin, a building company owner, had done everything they possibly could to their previous terraced home, and it was time for a move with their daughter Ella, 19, and sons Sam, 13, and Bruno, 11. ‘Mark and I are a great combination, as I’ve got all the interiors ideas, and Mark is the practical side, telling me what is actually possible and carrying out a lot of the work himself, so we can keep the costs down, especially in lockdown. Usually I have to wait for a gap between jobs for anything to get done in our own house, but lockdown has given us the chance to finish several projects, including the living room,’ she admits. Rachel knew that every single room of the dated interior would have to be tackled, one by one, and was especially excited to create a relaxing, grown-up living room with a touch of glam. ‘I had this idea in my mind of Miami pastels, pinks, blues and greens mixed with gold, but I knew Mark would need a little working on to go full-on pink on the walls.’
Before
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Good idr einteare!sting
t fo Keep an eye ou ther. Rachel has toge vases to group vases with delicate gathered bright ers to add little pottery flow ur to the bursts of colo sideboard. With an eye for quirky design, Rachel spotted this fun zebra print in a local shop and had to have it. Its serene gaze is perfect for this relaxed reading corner The slogan print above the sofa sums up Rachel’s feelings towards her new-look room, and brings together all of her chosen colours in an ombré rainbow
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
total cost £4,760
Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles
Welcome to Miami! Rachel has used a palette of pale pink, grey and gold to transform a dated living room into a Florida-inspired, grown-up haven
March 2021
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LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER STEP ONE Mark’s building skills were much needed at the initial stages of the renovation. He removed the 1970s-style arches at either end of the room and turned them back into straight alcoves, as well as replastering and building a cupboard underneath the shelves at the garden end of the room. The couple also had to replace some cornicing. ‘Luckily, Mark knows great people like Errol, who’s one of a dying breed of tradesmen, who makes moulds from your existing cornicing to replace sections to match,’ says Rachel. The floor was sound, so the couple toned down the shiny stain with polish and were ready to move onto Rachel’s domain – decorating the space.
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original If you have an s that match the pick accessorie done with pink l has tiles, as Rache and blush and s ia tt se in po ts. cream plant po
STEP TWO With the living room being so much bigger than the one in their previous house, Rachel knew she’d have to buy new furniture. The only thing they brought with them was the grey velvet sofa, bought several years previously but still in good condition. ‘I was set on pink walls, which Mark wasn’t too sure about, but when I suggested painting the woodwork grey, he could see the scheme come together. Also, it was a way of blending in the grey sofa,’ says Rachel. With the walls previously a deep yellow, it took many coats of undercoat and a colour blocker to get them prepared for her soft pink, but once it was finished, it inspired Rachel to start looking for furniture. She searched online and found some bargains on eBay. ‘I got the sideboard and the pink velvet and gold chair at a great price, as they were unused returns, so that’s a good tip. And the pale blue velvet chair was a great price anyway.’
Emma’s builder husband Mark made a bespoke cupboard that sits next to the fireplace, and Emma painted it in the same pink as the scheme for a seamless look Sofas can be pricey to replace, so copy Rachel and work an existing couch that’s in good condition into your new scheme with carefully chosen cushions
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yourhomestyle.uk
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Give your F re of glamour nch doors a touch w handles. Ra ith new statement ch with art de el has updated hers co-style s found onlin wans she e.
Rachel has made the most of a bright window – with a statement sideboard and a luxe velvet chair, she can sit and enjoy this calm, sunny spot
ROOM PLAN
4.9M
9M
THE DETAILS RADIATOR
£1,100
FURNITURE
£1,774
PAINT
£160
LIGHTS
£846
PRINTS
£159
MIRROR
£300
ACCESSORIES
£421
TOTAL
£4,760
shopping list
STEP THREE With the major furniture sorted, Rachel was keen to invest in an authentic radiator. ‘There were two white panel radiators either side of the French doors that had seen better days and stuck out like a sore thumb. Luckily, at the other side of the room, the radiator was a classic design, so we matched it with a similar one.’ Rachel then brought in white marble and gold touches to create her Miami-inspired scheme, with a sleek coffee table and Sputnik-style lights.
STEP FOUR Choosing the final bits and pieces to complete the makeover was a joy for
Rachel. ‘I love to browse around shops or look online, and I sourced each one of the cushions separately – they’ve all got some interesting detail on them or a different texture,’ she reveals. A framed quote in pastel colours sits over the sofa, and a picture of a zebra caught Rachel’s eye in a local shop. She was also able to put her collection of flower vases, ceramic houses and Japanese wooden dolls on show, which she’d picked up over the years and had been tucked away in boxes. ‘It’s so lovely having everything out on display. There’s deliberately no television in here, so it really is a room for relaxing.’
Classic radiator in Volcanic finish, £1,100, Bisque. Natalia chair in Dusky Blue, £299, Dunelm. Pink armchair, West Elm return, £350; Swoon Herning sideboard return, £400, both eBay. Marble coffee table, £540, Maisons du Monde. Carrara marble side table, £185, Onske. Distressed medallion pouffe, £90, John Lewis & Partners. Art Deco brass swan door handles, £40; Eiffel Tower lamp and shade, £149, both Rockett St George. Dexter Sputnik pendant lights, £199 each, Marks & Spencer. Sphere and Stem floor lamp, £299; grey velvet cushion, £65; pink round velvet cushion, £30, all West Elm. Walls painted in Pink Ground estate emulsion, £49.50 per 2.5L; woodwork in Downpipe estate eggshell, £64 per 2.5L, both Farrow & Ball. Vintage Berber cushion, £68, Yonder Living. Mirror, £300; leopard print cushion, £70, both Susan Clark Interiors. Red and grey striped cushion, £60; flower vases, £30 each, both Anthropologie. Zebra picture, £150, Mrs Robinson. Word print, £9.27, Rock Maple Sugar on Etsy. Plant pots in Pink and Cream, £19 each, Arket.
3 OF THE BEST... ombré accents £29.99 from Very The graduated shade of this fringed throw is reminiscent of hazy summer sunsets. Drape it over a chair for a relaxed, beachy vibe.
£29.99
£20 from Louise Mead Display a piece of art on your sofa with this print cushion based on an original painting in a grey palette that’ll work in many schemes.
£108 from där lighting
£108 £20
This pink lamp base has been dipped in blues and greens, so each one is unique. Pair with cushions, pots and a throw in similar shade to create a relaxed reading nook.
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STYLE ADVICE
COLOUR YOUR HOME HAPPY
g n i r p S r o f Bring positivity and personality to your space with uplifting colours and statement furniture
C
olours can instantly cast a certain mood over a space and, as we move into spring, we encourage you to create an upbeat and stimulating atmosphere with vibrant shades in the form of statement décor. Bright tones, such as warm red, serene green, sunny yellow, sky blue and blush pink, will provide an uplifting feel that you can easily replicate in your own home – and we show you how…
Dark blush pink and sunset yellow are a match made in heaven when it comes to creating a bright, cheerful space. Cushion collection, from £29.50; Downbridge marble lamp, £95; Printed yellow velvet bedspread, £135; Flora azure dusty pink velvet double bed headboard, £495, all Oliver Bonas
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Jaipur mustard rug, from £70, John Lewis & Partners
STYLE ADVICE Floral duvet set, from £10, George Home
Ovie ceramic bird lamp, £45, Oliver Bonas
Chalk paint in Antoinette, £21.95 per 1L; chalk paint in Old White, £21.95 per 1L; chalk paint in Scandinavian Pink, £21.95 per 1L; chalk paint in Olive, £21.95 per 1L, all Annie Sloan
Ara floor lamp white marble base in Pink, £99, Cult Furniture
Pink and green for spring will never go out of fashion. Introduce this colourway with bedding by choosing intricately patterned sheets in this vibrant combination.
Spring to life
Tuck chair, £349; stacked cane side table, £99; cotton velvet cushion in Dark Spruce, £20; square jute pouffe, £79; Shallot ceramic table lamp, £60; Sky jute rug, £140; recycled cotton Chindi rug, £90, all John Lewis & Partners
This is the season of new beginnings and, while fresh colours help to bring this soulful sentiment into your home, think about patterns, too. Soft, delicate florals and countryside animals are staples of springtime, so welcome these into your abode by combining cheery shades with seasonal prints.
There’s nothing stopping you from making your scheme even more striking with shiny metallic touches, like this stunning table lamp. Gigi table lamp in Pink, £35; Jungle luxe wallpaper in Navy, £12 per roll; Anya large sideboard, £499, all Dunelm
A bright and beautiful armchair will elevate a low-lit corner, especially one like this coral coloured number. Add a blue contrasting cushion and let it pop against the chair. March 2021
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Feature Sophie Demetriades
Moss green dragonfly cushion, £26, Mint & May
STYLE ADVICE Cordelia glass table lamp white marble base in Amber, £59, Cult Furniture
Fox & Ivy coral floral mug, £5, Tesco
Sophie Potter botany framed prints, £95 for a set of two, MADE
Hilary yellow stoneware vase, £6.99, Dobbies
Give your walls a refresh with a striking wallpaper that’s packed with leafy motifs. Mid-century sweep upholstered king-size bed frame, £799; Juliette wallpaper, £40 per roll; canopy chair in Mustard Velvet, £549; marble side table, £199; Rio cushion in Green, £50; cotton velvet cushion in Ivy, £25; cushion in Evergreen, £60; Gooch luxury distressed Kazak rug, £700; Show wood four-drawer chest in Jade Green, £499, all John Lewis & Partners
This scheme packs a punch with its burnt orange and deep navy combo – an energetic palette that creates a stimulating space. Kota armchair in Orange, £129; Edric cushion, £35; mid-century record holder table, £42; mid-century shaped vase, £10; midcentury small glass candle, £6; mid-century printed shade, £12; Half Moons black and white reversible flatweave cotton rug, £95; mid-century pouffe, £35, all Habitat
Colour block Bold colour on the walls will give the space an inviting and vibrant feel, but this works best in large rooms. If your space is more compact, then choose a strong, bright hue and limit it to one wall or a chimney breast, for example. This will add an eye-catching focal point in the room without it being too overpowering. Equally, if you’d rather opt for a patterned wallpaper over paint, then this technique will work just as well to create an upbeat atmosphere.
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STYLE ADVICE Combine bright shades with pastel tones to balance out the scheme. This sheer pink shower curtain and the matching bathroom accessories would pair well with vibrant yellow, green and blue tones. Misty rose mandala shower curtain, £6; Pink and gold reactive glaze dispenser, £5; Pink and gold reactive glaze tumbler, £3; Misty rose pompom border bath mat, £9; Seagrass belly basket, £8; Misty rose textured tassel tile cotton towel range, from £4; Natural elephant print cotton towel range, from £4, all George Home
Moby accent armchair in Yolk Yellow, £299, MADE
If you want to keep the cheerful colours going all year round, then invest in this sofa from DFS. Its cinnamon velvet fabric will have you sitting pretty in a lap of luxury. Enchanted left-hand facing two-seater corner sofa in Cinnamon Velvet, £1,199, DFS
Fox & Ivy tribal loop cushion in Terracotta, £10, Tesco
Mid-century printed cushion, £12, Habitat
Perhaps the most evocative spring hue is green – bring it into your home and blend it with a few dark blue accents to create a stylish and enriching space.
Feature vases in Mauve and Burnt Orange, £32 for a set of two, Very
Banana leaf wallpaper in Green, £10; Deco sideboard, £199; Decorative cane table lamp, £35; Equatorial wall mirror in Gold, £35; Ceramic tiger head vase, £12; Ceramic giraffe head pot, £8, all Dunelm
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DECORATING IDEAS
CREATE A HOME OFFICE
that works for you
Work smarter with these style-savvy office additions to boost your productivity
W
hen your commute is a short walk down the hallway in your own abode, maintaining a work-life balance starts with a home office that’s not only distinct from where you relax, but is filled with colour and personality to keep you motivated, too. So, whether you have a dedicated room or a multi-use space, create a practical office scheme that isn’t all work and no play with these useful must-haves and fun flourishes. For a clutter-free office, go for an open desk. Add storage underneath, or keep it clear for easy switching between tasks. This one is solid wood, so easy to paint if you fancied a change Milton table, £149.99; Pendle chair, £59.99, both Furniture and Choice
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XXXXXXX It’s easy for an office to feel impersonal, so make yours look more ‘you’ with a curated display of vases, plants and candles on a space-saving wall unit Large circle shelf, £15; geometric tealight holder in Navy, £3; string of pearls, £7, all Dunelm
Plant pals make the best WFH colleagues as they enhance your focus, purify the air, reduce stress and brighten up the place with their green foliage Areca palm, from £19.99; Kentia palm, from £39.99; Maidenhair fern, £13.99, all Beards & Daisies
With comfy high-density foam padding covered in plush pink velvet, this office chair will add a little luxury to your working day Clement office chair in Pink Velvet, £99.99, Lakeland Furniture
Blue is associated with calm and concentration. Display flowers in this dappled vase for a double hit of mood-boosting blooms and colour Alis vase in Reactive Blue, £15, John Lewis
Feature Michelle Grady
This cute cube pen holder will jazz up your desk with on-trend terrazzo texture Terrazzo pen holder, £8.50, Rose & Grey
Open, minimal storage will give the illusion of more space in a petite room. This rustic unit is made from recycled scaffold boards for an industrial feel RAW bookcase, £165, Garden Trading
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DECORATING IDEAS Brighten up the wall above your desk with a neon light that’s both fun and functional Neon sign, £69.99, Lights4fun
Colour tip ‘Deep shades of violet stimulate the imagination and soothe the mind, while intense blues and greens create a sense of balance and serenity to help you concentrate on the task at hand. Along with abundant riches and success, gold tones represent wisdom and positivity.’ Experts at Dulux Combine mellow neutrals with a soft accent hue for a stress-busting scheme with style. Painting a contrast desk wall will help define your work zone Dulux matt emulsion in Coastal Grey, Brave Ground and Midnight Garden, £29.16 per 2.5L, Dulux
Laminate is a durable and budget-friendly flooring option for a high-traffic home office. This white laminate has a distressed finish for the illusion of characterful real wood Quattro 8 Loft White laminate, £28.99 per sq m, Carpetright
This cushion’s serene, earthy sunrise hues make it an uplifting way to add comfort to a home office Sunrise cushion, £8, George Home
Stop office clutter invading the rest of an open-plan space with a desk you can easily fold away at the end of the working day
Add a hard-wearing jute rug under your desk for warmth and texture, with ornate detailing for a homely, boho vibe
Hideaway wall desk, £349, Bisley
Jute oval mat, £125, Oliver Bonas
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XXXXXXX Good lighting is essential to reduce eye strain. Install a pendant light like this geometric design over your desk for a valuable extra light source that looks super chic Cubik painted electric pendant in Matt Black, £72, Iconic Lights
Keep documents (and the latest copy of your favourite home magazine) in this glam wire holder, which can be hung on the wall to free up desk space Gold wire document organiser, £21.95, Martha Brook
You won’t be able to resist clockwatching with this sunny yellow dial Mid-century wall clock in Mustard, £20, Habitat
Fill your workspace with inspiring slogans to keep you going on busy days
Find money-saving WFH tips on p12 and advice on lighting your office on p70
Poster, £7.95, Desenio
Improve your focus with an adjustable task lamp. This grey gloss design is sleek and Scandiinspired for a spacesaving lighting solution Frederick task lamp in Grey and Copper, £70.80, där lighting
These practical, compact drawers can slot next to or under a desk for paperwork and stationery, and tick the style box too with their vintage-inspired locker design Marlborough drawer unit in Ink, £165, Garden Trading
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BUYER’S GUIDE
8 OF THE BEST:
Stand mixers We find high-quality mixers that offer the best value for baking lovers
N
ow that we are back at home so much, it’s time to brush off the recipe books and refresh our sourdough and banana bread baking skills! If you are a keen cook, then perhaps it’s the perfect time to invest in a stand mixer, or upgrade the one you already have. It will make life in the kitchen much easier. These mixers often come with multiple attachments, including a whisk for cream, a beater for eggs and a dough hook for bread. A stand mixer is more powerful than a hand-held version, and can cope with a larger quantity of ingredients. Generally, they also create less mess than a hand-held blender too, as they come with large stainless-steel bowls that should keep all of the ingredients contained during mixing. Before buying a stand mixer, Marketing Manager at KitchenAid, Simon Langley, recommends that you ask yourself these questions: ‘How many people am I preparing food for? What kind of cooking do I want to do? How much countertop space do I have? How important is the design and colour to me?’ If you’re a keen cook who loves a spot of batch baking, you’ll need a mixer with a large bowl capacity and a powerful mechanism to stir more ingredients. If versatility is important
to you, then look for a mixer with plenty of different attachments – there are lots of clever gadgets to choose from, but usually only two or three will comes as standard with the mixer, so you’ll likely have to purchase them separately. Such add-on attachments often include accessories such as a meat grinder, an ice cream maker, a pasta roller and shaper, a vegetable slicer, a juicer, a spiralizer and a food processor, among others. With regards to counter space, Simon advises, ‘If worktop space is a bit tight in the kitchen, then a mixer with a smaller bowl is the way to go as this will be easier to store away, too. KitchenAid’s 3.3L stand mixer is a good example of this as it’s just as versatile as a larger option but it’s both smaller and lighter than many models and it also features a compact stainless steel bowl.’ Simon also points out, ‘Both durability and value for money are incredibly important when choosing the right model for you’. So, don’t be tempted to splash out on a high-end model with an abundance of tech-savvy gadgets if you know you’re not going to use them – consider what you want to use the mixer for and make your decision based on that.
4.8L ARTISAN STAND MIXER, £499, KITCHENAID This mixer is certainly at the higher end of the budget, but if you’re a keen cook or baker then you won’t be disappointed with your purchase. The Artisan mixer has all of the components you need and then some with two mixing bowls, numerous attachments and a pouring shield.
• 4.8-litre and 3-litre bowls • Pouring shield • Tilt-head design • Attachments include a six-wire whip, flat beater, flex-edge beater and a dough hook
• A further 15 optional attachments
Jargon, busted Feeling baffled by all the terminology of stand mixers? Allow us to enlighten you…
Tilt-head This type of mixer has a head that raises so you can easily change the attachments, remove the bowl or add ingredients before locking it back into place.
spills. It also prevents messier ingredients such as flour dust and icing sugar from spreading over your kitchen.
Flat beater or paddle Essentially the equivalent of a wooden spoon, this helps to fold the ingredients for gentle mixing.
Bowl-lift These mixers tend to be taller and
Flex-edge beater or paddle This
the head is fixed. The bowl has clamps on each side that allow it to be raised and lowered by turning the notch on the side so you can add ingredients to the bowl with ease.
tool combines a flat beater with a spatula and is great for creaming and beating ingredients.
Pouring shield This fits onto your mixing bowl so you can add ingredients without any
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Dough hook This hook-shaped attachment is best when a lot of force is needed to mix the ingredients, which is often the case when kneading bread dough.
MISTERCHEF PROFESSIONAL ELECTRIC KITCHEN 1,400W FOOD STAND MIXER, £135.99, AMAZON Take the hassle out of preparing your next meal with the MisterChef mixer. It has an incredibly quiet 800-watt motor, three useful attachments and it’s also dishwasher-friendly, which makes cleaning up afterwards a breeze.
• 5.5-litre stainless steel bowl • Attachments include a beater, dough hook and whisk
• Dishwasher safe • Transparent cover included to prevent splashes • Six speed settings
MIX TILT-HEAD 3.3L 5KSM3311X, £349, KITCHENAID For anyone who has limited space in the kitchen, this mini mixer is your calling. Although it might be small, that doesn’t mean it compromises on the key features. The smooth, tilt-head model not only comes with all of the most frequently used attachments, but it also has a specially engineered beater that pushes the ingredients to the centre of the bowl so that whipping is mess-free and creates a consistent mixture.
• Compact design • 3.3-litre stainless steel bowl • Planetary action: pushes the ingredients to the middle of the bowl • Available in nine different colourways • Includes a whisk, dough hook and beater
JLSM628 STAND FOOD MIXER IN SILVER, £175, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS This mixer has a generous six-litre bowl that comes with a handy splash guard to prevent spills. What’s more, this mixer includes a 1.5-litre blender, which you won’t find with many other models.
• 6-litre stainless steel bowl • Splash guard • 9 speed settings • 1.5-litre blender • Three attachments including a beater, dough hook and whisk
KENWOOD BY MARY BERRY CHEFETTE STAND AND HAND MIXER, £84.99, ARGOS For a mixer that gets the job done efficiently, choose the Kenwood. Its five speed settings and pulse function will ensure you blend ingredients with minimal mess. Plus, this model comes with the seal of approval from star baker Mary Berry.
• Five speed settings • 3-litre bowl • Pulse control • 350-watt motor • Includes whisk, dough hook and
SUNCOO FOOD MIXER 1,400W HOME STAND MIXER, £109.99, AMAZON This mixer will make baking your favourite sweet treats as easy as pie with its tilt-head stand. It also includes three attachments and a large bowl, making this model an absolute bargain.
• Tilt-head design • 6.2-litre stainless steel bowl • Six speed settings • Splash guard • Includes whisk, dough hook and beater attachments
SMEG SMF03RD STAND MIXER IN RED, £399.99,VERY
PRECISION STAND MIXER IN BLACK, £275, CUISINART
This stylish stand mixer includes three attachments, and its retro design will look stunning on your worktop.
If you’re mixing large quantities, this 5.2-litre bowl might fit the bill. The splash guard will prevent spillages, while the many speed settings will give you plenty of control.
• Three metal attachments • 10 speed settings • 4.9-litre stainless steel bowl • Soft-start control • Comes with flex-edge beater, suitable for creaming ingredients
• 12 speed settings • 5.2-litre stainless steel bowl • Splash guard with a pour spout • Flat paddle for mixing included March 2021
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Feature Sophie Demetriades
beater attachments
Kitchens
Be inspired by this month’s lively accessories and easy updates
& BATHROOMS New neutrals As more of us look to create a space that encourages mindfulness and relaxation at home, neutrals are making quite the comeback. Whether you prefer cosy beiges or sleek, sophisticated greys, Magnet has introduced a brandnew selection of neutral kitchen colourways. Pebble, a warm matt beige, exudes farmhouse charm and pairs beautifully with rattan accessories for a country chic look. If it’s a more industrial, minimalist design you’re after, Dove Grey is a muted pale grey that looks stunning with metallic hardware and mosaic tiles. Magnet kitchens start from £2,068, visit magnet.co.uk to view the full range.
FANCY FEET Inject some fun-loving flair into your bathroom with these quirky motif bath mats. Ideal for the luxe décor lovers, the gold and white designs will look particularly special in a glam marble bathroom or, if your style is more playful, the cheeky slogans make a fun addition to a scheme that pops with colour. Made from plush cotton, these mats are ultra-absorbent and delightfully soft underfoot. Both bath mats are priced at £25 from Rockett St George.
Splash of style
SWITCH IT UP For a kitchen or bathroom update that makes a difference, switch out lacklustre tiles for a statement alternative. Verona is here to satisfy your tile cravings with two new collections: Sunburst and Hope. With a soft colour palette and attention-grabbing linear design, Sunburst is made to stand out. The hexagonal tiles fit together like a jigsaw so you can create a unique geometric design that won’t be seen anywhere else. We also love the glossy rectangular tile, Hope. It comes in five shades and has a distressed finish that’ll complement rustic-style kitchens or sleek bathrooms. Prices start at £42 per sq m from Verona.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Now your kitchen can get a taste of Laura Ashley’s luxurious and timeless design with this new splashback range. They’ll give your kitchen a new lease of life without the need to splash out (pardon the pun) on a complete overhaul. For an intricate floral design that screams Grandmillennial, choose Lisette Flint or to achieve the ultimate contemporary look, go for Copper, a high gloss metallic. The splashbacks are made in Britain from toughened safety glass and they can all be applied by yourself. Prices start at £125 from splashback.co.uk.
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KITCHEN IDEAS
READY, STEADY,
cook!
When you need to whip up meals in a hurry, these kitchen gadgets, appliances and layouts will help speed things along
W
e’ve all got busy, hectic lifestyles so when it comes to cooking dinner for the family, anything that can help save time is a must. From kitchen layouts that provide quick and easy access to ingredients and cookware, to appliances and gadgets with time-saving features and functions, there are plenty of ways to make meals in minutes. Start by having a good clearout of your current kitchen kit to streamline storage and make everything easier to find. Move herbs and spices closer to the cooker or hob, keep utensils in a container on the worktop or on a hanging rail and have your pots and pans on standby. You’ll soon see the difference a little careful planning can make.
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A boiling water tap provides instant 100˚C water, ideal for cooking up pasta or rice as well as making hot drinks. Some of the latest models can even supply sparkling water, too Flex boiler water tap in stainless steel, £1,300, Quooker
For a fuss-free way to make mouth-watering soups in as little as 21 minutes, this handy appliance is just the thing. It even has integrated scales so you can weigh out all the ingredients without having to rummage around the back of the cupboard for your old scales Perfect Soup Soup Maker with Scales, £79.99, Morphy Richards
KITCHEN IDEAS Look for ovens with time-saving features such as this built-in design with a Turn&Cook function, which automatically sets the correct cooking time and temperature from over 80 recipes and cooks to perfection in just one hour Aria KFW 3844 H IX oven, £269.99; MWI 3443 IX microwave, £349, both Indesit
Invest in a mini food processor that can help with chopping, mixing, blending, slicing and grating, all in one machine. Useful for vegetables, breadcrumbs, grated cheese, dips, sauces, batters, pastry and cake fillings, too Easy Prep Pro, £125, Cuisinart
With a large capacity to feed the whole family, this multi-cooker makes it quick and easy to create delicious one-pot meals, sides, snacks and desserts with seven cooking functions – pressure cook, air crisp, slow cook, bake/roast, grill, steam and sear/sauté Foodi MAX 7-in-1 multi-cooker, £229.99, Ninja
You can spend more time concentrating on the cooking if you’re not worrying about cleaning the surfaces at the same time. Look for specialist kitchen paint with a greaseproof formula that stops splashes soaking in, so you can wipe away mess in seconds Sapphire Salute Easycare kitchen paint, £18.68 per litre, Dulux
Feature Hayley Gilbert
Make light work out of prepping large volumes of onions, peppers and more with this handy gadget, that can easily be stored in the drawer after use Vegetable chopper with Easy-Pour Opening, £22, OXO
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KITCHEN IDEAS Gadgets and gizmos can really speed up your food prep. A compact mandoline with two slicing options, this nifty piece of kit has an ultra-sharp blade that effortlessly slices fruits, vegetables and cheese Adjustable V-Blade slicer, £49.95, Microplane
Take the stress out of mealtimes with an oven designed to cook and preserve food for up to seven days. Ideal for busy households and those who like to batch cook, this model stores food at specific temperatures, safeguarding it against bacteria and keeping it at the optimum level for nutritional benefits, too H-KEEPHEAT HSO450 SV compact steam oven, £1,400, Hoover
Reclaim time in your evening by choosing an appliance with a variety of cooking options. This model offers 11 functions so you can cook, sauté, steam, slow cook, sous vide, keep warm, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate, all fast and easy at the touch of a button Duo Crisp & Air fryer, £179.99, Instant Pot
An eye-catching island is perfect for food prep and serving up meals, while having it positioned opposite the cooker or hob allows you to simply turn from one to the other when cooking Locano Touch kitchen in Grey Slate and Navy Blue, from £5,000, Lifestyle Kitchens
MAGIC TRIANGLE ‘Create a smart working triangle [between the sink, hob and fridge] to ensure you can multitask with everything close to hand and effortlessly move around defined zones. In open-plan layouts, consider an island with a bank of storage and central cooking hub.’ Sophie Devonald, Designer at Lifestyle Kitchens
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KITCHEN IDEAS When you don’t want the hassle of smoke filling your kitchen and you need something that’s easy to clean, check out this smokeless grill with a detachable plate that simply pops into the dishwasher Smokeless grill, £69.99, George Foreman
Save time by going cordless. This stylish range of gadgets allows you to prep food wherever you like, all in a fraction of the time. One charger works with all the appliances and when fully charged you’ll get 20 minutes of continuous blending, whisking, mixing or mashing – more than enough for a speedy supper! 3-in-1 cordless hand blender, £130, Cuisinart
SPACE TO WORK ‘One of the most important things to consider is having a practical, large preparation area, close to the cupboards and sink.’ Mark Mills, Managing Director at Trend Interiors
A bank of built-in appliances makes it easier to switch between your white goods when cooking. Position a fridge-freezer beside the oven, microwave and steamer for keeping your fresh ingredients in arm’s reach Soft Matt Slab kitchen in Springfield Light Oak, from £5,000, Trend Interiors
You may think a slow cooker is far from what you need for speedy suppers but the joy of these is that you can prepare everything before you head off to work – switch on and come home to a ready-made dinner Sous Vide slow cooker, £99.99, Russell Hobbs
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KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM
The kitchen is now the Kate Turner got stuck in to transform her dated and narrow kitchen into a
INSIDER INFO WHO LIVES HERE? Office worker, Kate Turner, bought the twobedroom terraced house in Hull in 2017.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE ROOM? It’s a very sociable space and a really cheerful room to spend time in. I like being able to open the double doors in summer and step straight outside.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE PROJECT? Always budget for more than you think you will spend and allow for it taking twice as long as you thought it would.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD ROOM? It was all very dark and dingy, and everything felt very separate, narrow and closed-in. You had to go through the dining room to get to the utility space, which was very impractical.
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ate Turner was no stranger to renovating – her parents had done up several houses when she was growing up – but even she was daunted by the state of the kitchen and dining room of her very first home. ‘I bought it at a good price knowing it needed modernising, but the previous owner had done nothing to it in 40 years,’ says Kate. ‘The kitchen was unusable; it was so dated and not very clean. The dining room was small and dark and there was an odd little utility at the end of it. It wasn’t practical.’ Kate lived with her parents nearby while she did the building work. ‘I couldn’t have lived here,’ she says. ‘It was a complete mess.’ She hired a skip and stripped out the old units, carpets and fittings. With the help of her dad and a family friend, she then knocked out the stud walls in between the three small rooms to create one large, L-shaped living space. At the same time, they knocked down the low kitchen ceiling to make it look more spacious and turned the downstairs toilet at the end of the kitchen into a utility area. The dining room window was rotten so they took it out and extended the opening
so they could fit a concrete lintel in ready for the double doors. These open directly onto a small patio and allow a lot more natural light to flow into the room. It took a whole day for Kate to knock off old plasterwork to reveal the original brick fireplace in the dining room, before she employed a plasterer to skim the rest of the space. ‘I laid the floor tiles myself and straight away the room started to look exactly how I envisaged it from the outset – light, bright and modern,’ says Kate. ‘I was working to a pretty tight budget, so I shopped around for the units, sofa and table, which were the main pieces of furniture. I wanted to keep everything simple and uncluttered.’ Kate painted the whole room white to keep everything as light as possible and added finishing touches with wall tiles, artwork and soft furnishings. ‘As soon as the kitchen was finished, I moved in,’ says Kate. ‘I was lucky to have the help of my dad and be able to stay nearby during the renovation – the weeks of hard work have paid off. It’s gone from being the worst part of the house to my favourite room.
KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM
best room in the house modern, spacious area that is flooded with plenty of warm, natural light
KEEP IT SIMPLE Wall cabinets could have made the narrow kitchen seem like a corridor, so Kate chose base units only to maximise the space
MIX AND MATCH DIFFERENT TEXTURES Kate picked up a sledgehammer to remove the old plaster from the fireplace and expose the stunning original brickwork underneath
RAISING THE ROOF While taking out walls to create one large space, Kate also took down the old low ceiling to make the kitchen feel light and open
SHOP FOR BARGAINS Kate teamed a modern table with secondhand chairs from a charity shop to furnish the dining room, and she added artwork by her mum to the walls
shopping list
total cost:
Feature Heather Dixon Photos Dave Burton
Double doors, £1,500, Travis Perkins. Refine Dune natural floor tiles, £48 per sq m, Johnson Tiles. Hancock dining table, £399, Barker and Stonehouse. Nikea Sephia wall tiles, £30 per sq m, Al Murad. Red rug, £12, The Range. Grey rug, £30, B&Q. Scandinavian grey sofa, £400, Maisons du Monde. Pendant light shades, £25 each, George Home. Radiator cover, £300, Jali. Relief wall art, £750, Heather Burton, Yorkshire Artist. Metod kitchen units, £51 each; 60 x 80cm Sävedal doors, £19 each; Matälskare extractor fan, £195, all IKEA
£5,394
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BATHROOM IDEAS
TOP BRASS Go with the flow and switch up your bathroom’s style by upgrading the taps and shower head
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ew basin and bath taps add polish to the bathroom while improving functionality, and there are plenty of options for every budget. To find the right fit, you’ll need to consider the water pressure as some types are only suitable for high pressure systems, and the number of tap holes or whether they’ll be mounted on a wall, countertop or, in the case of baths, on stand pipes. Finishes range from shiny or brushed chrome and gold to matt black and white, and for a completely coordinated look, why not swap your shower head at the same time?
Modernise your bathroom’s look with a sleek rain shower. Compatible with a mixer shower and suitable for a wall or ceilingmounted arm, this 200mm square head provides an impressive downpour Kelsey square fixed shower head, £29.99, Triton Showers
SHOWER POWER ‘When shopping for a fixed shower, first and foremost consider the height of your ceiling. Ideally this should be at least 2.4m to get the full effects of a rain shower-style experience. The larger the shower head, the higher water pressure you will need. Also, look out for eco options that can use around 9.5 litres per minute of water – much less than a standard head without impacting performance.’ Paul Bailey, Senior Category Manager at Grohe UK
Generous proportions and a powerful spray make this shower head the next best thing to standing under warm rain in the Tropics Idealrain fixed round Rainshower 300mm, £426, Ideal Standard
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BATHROOM IDEAS
The perfect partner for a freestanding tub, this standalone brass mixer comes with a handset and is controlled by a single lever Pesca floor standing bath shower mixer in brushed brass, £499, Bathrooms to Love
Make a stylish statement in an enclosure or wet room with this white shower head, which looks equally good as part of a modern monochrome scheme or contrasted with colourful tiles MPRO matt white 200mm shower head, from £219, Crosswater
Remer Kiss chrome finish mixer with hand shower and holder, £119, NotJustTaps
Go for gold to give a traditional bathroom an opulent feel that will stand the test of time Claremont deck-mounted bath shower mixer, £649; Claremont Regent three tap hole mixer, £414, in gold with white accent, both Burlington
‘Victorian rolltop baths remain a crucial component in a 2021 chic bathroom but will be harmoniously blended with modern taps and the latest tech in terms of shower heads. One trend we are likely to see push through is a matt white finish. Gold and charcoal will also remain extremely popular, especially when teamed with bolder colours.’ Sophie Schofield, Co-owner, Ribble Valley Bathrooms From soft water droplets to full massage mode, you can change the jet pattern of this hand shower in one quick click. It’s a cinch to clean too, as dirt and limescale deposits simply rub off the flexible silicone nozzles Radiance Select E hand shower 120 3 jet in matt black, £136, Hansgrohe
Warm up your bathroom by trading up a cool silver-tone tap for this shimmering copper model, in a modern square shape with an unusual vintage-style finish Satin Copper Square deck-mounted bath filler, £222, Trend Interiors
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Feature Andrea Dean
If you’re after a tap with a spray head that leaves your arms free for bathing the kids, this wall-mounted bath/shower mixer is a brilliant buy
TREND FORECAST
BATHROOM IDEAS With its wide, open spout that allows water to cascade out gently, this waterfall tap offers spa-like luxury at a bargain price GoodHome Kellan one lever chrome-plated waterfall mono mixer tap, £75, B&Q
SHOP WISELY ‘Traditionally taps have been made from high quality brass and that remains so for top end brands. Taps that are unbelievably cheap won’t be made from good materials or be longlasting, so choose wisely. You get what you pay for – so buy the best that you can.’ Phil Etherden, MD, The Albion Bath Company
Give your bathroom an instant luxe feel with this matt gold monobloc mixer, designed for sinks with a single pre-drilled tap hole Deck mixer tap, from the Harrogate collection, £184, One of One Bathrooms
If you like a classic crosshead tap, but want something to fit in with a modern scheme, choose these shiny streamlined mixers, which work wonderfully teamed with twin basins Salino chrome three hole wall-mounted mixer taps, £420 each, Utopia Bathrooms
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Introduce a touch of hotel chic to the room by investing in this contemporary understated mixer, which boasts a curvy flat spout and lever Solitude wall mounted mixer tap with plate, finished in gleaming chrome, £245, Asquiths Bathrooms
With low-rise handles and gentle curves, this mixer tap operates smoothly and suits both free-standing and built-in baths Bristan Hourglass three-hole deck bath chrome plated mixer tap, £250, Wickes
BATHROOM IDEAS
A sensor tap is a hygienic choice for a busy household, as its infrared technology will automatically turn on the water when your hands are underneath the spout, so you don’t need to touch it at all Arezzo brushed brass infrared sensor wall-mounted mixer tap in brushed brass, £169.95, Victorian Plumbing
Twice as nice – pair a matt black countertop basin with a matching tap to bring depth and a modern touch to your bathroom Senso three hole wall-mounted basin mixer, £417, Ribble Valley Bathrooms
Hidden nozzles in this innovative halo handset angle jets of water to create large, dense droplets that maximise body contact for an invigorating showering experience Aurajet Aio Handset in chrome, £108, Methven
BALANCING ACT ‘The key concern when buying taps is balancing functionality with design. Considerations such as durability, practicality, and plumbing/ installation are all at the forefront of customers’ minds when purchasing any form of brassware. However, as a prominent and key feature of any bathroom, it is also essential that taps are design-led and visually appealing, too.’ Juan Pillay, Marketing Director at Crosswater
Ideal for family bathrooms, this mixer tap incorporates anti-scald technology. A thermostat ensures the temperature doesn’t exceed 45ºC, and the hot water automatically shuts off in the event of the cold supply failing Thermassure Anti-Scald lux mixer tap, £149, NotJustTaps
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PRIZE DRAW
WIN! One of two SCHOCK by Rangemaster sinks For a sleek minimalist look, opt for Polaris, a crisp and eye-catching white The nifty drainer lines encourage water to flow into the bowl
2 LU C KY S WINNER
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e’ve teamed up with Rangemaster to offer you the chance to win one of two Waterfall sinks in Polaris, worth £860 each, from the new and exclusive SCHOCK by Rangemaster collection. Designed with practicality in mind, the granite sink is easy to clean, food safe, and made with a patented antibacterial surface to keep germs at bay. THE PRIZE SCHOCK by Rangemaster boasts a total of 14 attractive sink designs, 14 colours, and a selection of bowl configurations and sizes to beautifully complement traditional or
contemporary cabinetry. The Waterfall sink is one of these designs – its sleek, smooth finish comes in five inspirational colours including Polaris (pictured), Magma and Silverstone. The Waterfall 1.5-bowl design in Polaris will create the ultimate statement in your kitchen, with sleek drainer lines inspired by natural waterfalls to effortlessly carry the water from the drainer to the bowl, reducing spills on your worktop. Handmade in Germany by SCHOCK, the original inventor of the granite sink, these sinks are enhanced with UV protection to prevent their colour from fading over time. To meet the
demands of the modern family kitchen, they are functional and hard-wearing, but also pleasing to the eye. They are also backed by a 25-year warranty for complete peace of mind. FIND OUT MORE For more information and to explore the full range, visit schockbyrangemaster.co.uk.
TO ENTER, visit yourhomestyle.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you’d like to enter and fill in your details. The closing date is 31st March 2021 at 11.59pm. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prize does not include installation. 10 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 11 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 31st March 2021. 12 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 13 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days via email. 14 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 15 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 16 The prizes are as stated above. 17 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 18 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home March 2021 Giveaways, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared. 19 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.
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y s a e T MAKE I
YOUR HANDY
Pull-out guide Craft stash . 2 7
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Find crafty buys to help keep the kids happy
66. 62. MAKE, DO & CRAFT
68. DIY MASTERCLASS
This trio of gardening makes includes herb labels, a kneeling pad and painted plant pots – a thoughtful gift set for Mother’s Day, or any greenfingered loved one.
Learn how to prepare your walls for painting – cracks in the plaster and holes from shelves be gone!
64. REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE Refresh your bedroom’s décor with our easy upcycled bedside table project – it only takes a weekend.
70. ASK THE EXPERTS This month’s pros reveal how to: cut your energy and water bills; grow your own vegetables in a small garden; and light up a home office space.
66. SEW SIMPLE Stitch a stylish
72. CRAFT STASH MUSTHAVES We give you the low-down
patchwork pouffe and put your feet up! Buy new fabric, or make the most of leftover scraps for a thrifty make.
on the latest crafty news, as well as the best buys that will have little ones embracing their creativity.
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MAKE, DO & Make mum’s – or any loved one’s – day with this trio of gardening gifts
Mother's Day 14th March
Don't forget!
Top tip
Projects and step photos Becki Clarke Photos Phil Sowels Styling Sally Bufton
Add accents to your pots with nail polish – use glitter varnish for a metallic pop or clear for a subtle sheen.
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PAINTED POTS
HERB LABELS
Transform plain terracotta pots into wonderful window sill showpieces
Bring some order to a herb garden or kitchen window planter with these pretty pointers
SHOPPING LIST
SHOPPING LIST
✔ Terracotta pots ✔ Spray paints in a range of colours ✔ Posca paint marker pens
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Begin by spraying your plant pots with a base colour of spray paint. We’ve chosen pink, white and yellow to cover the outside and inside rims of the pots, but you could create tonal backgrounds by mixing two shades together. Leave to completely dry. Once dry, you can begin decorating the pots with the paint markers. For a simple graphic pattern go for spots or stripes, working around the pot. If you’re not very confident working straight onto the pot, practice your ideas and placement on scrap paper first. You can add abstract shapes to your pot design, too. To paint the leaf motif, draw a curved line to create a stem then draw elongated teardrops from the stem. Fill the leaves with block colour or draw a vein pattern. Leave the pots to dry before filling with plants.
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✔ Wooden planter sticks ✔ Tombow dual brush pen ✔ Posca paint marker pens ✔ Washi tape Lay your wooden sticks side by side on an even surface. Attach a length of washi tape across the planter sticks, about 2-3cm from the non-pointed edge. Paint the taped-off section with marker pens and leave to fully dry. Remove the washi tape from each stick. Practice your calligraphy on a scrap piece of paper using the thicker end of the brush pen. To create thick strokes, apply more pressure on the pen, and use less pressure for thinner strokes. Write each letter with a mix of thick and thin strokes. Once happy with your lettering, write the herb names on the wooden sticks. Use the thin end of the pen to add foliage motifs after your lettering. Draw a curved line upwards and add teardrop shapes from the stem to create a botanical motif with your pen.
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KNEELING PAD Make weeding woes a thing of the past with this stylish project to keep knees happy!
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SHOPPING LIST
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✔ 40 x 30cm foam pad ✔ Wipe-clean fabric, such as oilcloth (enough to cover your foam pad) ✔ 10 x 6cm thick fabric (for the handle) ✔ Sewing machine or needle and thread ✔ Scissors Begin by cutting your fabric to fit the size of your foam pad. Fold the fabric in half and align the foam pad against the fold. Measure 5cm of excess fabric around each of the three remaining sides and cut out. Turn the fabric onto the wrong side and stitch together the two lengths either side of the folded edge to create a pillow shape. If you are using a thick material it may be easier to use a sewing machine. Turn the cushion cover right side out and insert the foam pad. Loop the handle and pin to the inside of the cushion cover. Fold the top edges of the cover inwards to create a flat edge and sew the cover shut, securing the loop to the cover. Remove the pins, to finish.
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REVAMP, REPAIR,
SHOPPING LIST
✔ Angled sanding block ✔ Assorted sandpaper sheets ✔ Clamps ✔ Dustpan and brush ✔ Paintbrushes ✔ Paint roller ✔ Palm sander ✔ Pencil ✔ Pliers ✔ Retractable knife ✔ Spray bottle ✔ Tape measure ✔ Universal saw ✔ Workbench ✔ Furniture paint ✔ Interior wood varnish ✔ Mitre adhesive ✔ Paint tester pots ✔ Panel pins (25mm) ✔ PVA glue ✔ Ultra-grip primer ✔ Non-structural hardwood plywood (for the panels) ✔ Dust sheet, gloves, goggles and a dust mask
Recycle
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Have fun with wallpaper and paint effects for a creative cabinet makeover
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e love a thrifty project, and this cabinet upcycle is money-saving in more ways than one – not only are you giving an unloved piece of furniture a new, on-trend lease of life, but you can use leftover paint and materials to do it. We replaced our cabinet’s lattice panels with plain ones, got creative with a vintage paint finish, and lined it with wallpaper for a surprise pop of print; use what you have to create your own bespoke, budget-friendly design. Start by placing the cabinet on the workbench and ensuring your space is well-ventilated and protected with a dust sheet. Also ensure you wear goggles, gloves and a dust mask to work on your cabinet. Remove any cabinet fixtures that you’d like to replace, such as handles, latches and locks. Or, if you are keeping these, remove and clean them. Our cabinet has lattice doors that we decided to remove and replace with plain panels, and we also decided to add a panel to the open back. Sand down your unit to remove any rough edges and prepare the surface, including the more intricate areas; using an angled sanding block will help with this. Brush down the cabinet to get rid of any dust. To replace the lattice panels and add the back panel, first measure the height and width of the frames and back, then mark out the dimensions on a sheet of plywood. Use the built-in square on the back of a handsaw blade to draw straight cutting lines for each panel. Clamp the plywood firmly to the workbench and carefully cut along each cutting line with the handsaw. To attach the new panels, use a paintbrush to apply the PVA glue to the
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door frames and back, adding a dab of mitre adhesive and then spraying with activator. You can also use 25mm panel pins to fix the panels in place. Hold the panels in place to adhere, wipe away any excess glue, then leave to dry. Using a brush, apply a liberal base coat of primer to the entire cabinet. Once the primer has dried, lightly sand the cabinet by hand using an angled sanding block for a smooth finish. Brush away any dust. Work the top-coat paint into the recesses of the cabinet and drawer, using a paintbrush to focus on corners, beading and decorative trims. Once the nooks are evenly coated, paint the larger surfaces with a roller. Paint the exterior and interior of the cabinet. Leave to dry, then apply the second coat. For a vintage look, first mix a slightly darker coloured tester paint with a little water to create an inky solution. Pour it into a
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spray bottle and spritz it onto the exterior from a distance. Using a cloth, wipe the solution from the flat surfaces, leaving it to settle in the recesses of the wood. Once dry, seal with varnish, using a clean brush to apply thin, even coats, then leave to dry. To line the cabinet with wallpaper, measure the surface area you’d like to line, then mark out your pieces using a pencil and ruler. Carefully cut the pieces out then check the size and trim to fit if needed. Water down a small amount of PVA glue and apply it to the cabinet using a brush. Lay the wallpaper in position and smooth it out. Replace any new or removed original fixtures and features to your cabinet, such as handles, latches and drawers, to finish.
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This project was created by Wickes. Find more upcycling and DIY ideas at wickes.co.uk
Try out different paint effects to find one you like – if you’re not happy with the result, you can just sand it back and start again!
Top tip
Photos and project Wickes
Examine your unit for any cracks, splits or deep scratches. These will need to be glued and pinned back together or filled with wood filler.
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Add a playful touch with this patchwork floor
pouffe!
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e show you how to bring spirited style to your space with a homesewn pouffe. This project is super easy to stitch, so newbie crafters won’t be left behind, plus its patchwork sides are a great way to use up leftover material from other makes or a wardrobe clearout.
SHOPPING LIST
✔ 1m each of faux suede in 5 colours ✔ High-density foam, 40 x 60cm diameter ✔ Sewing machine ✔ Sewing needle ✔ Matching threads ✔ Metallic gold piping tape ✔ Scissors ✔ Pins ✔ Pressing iron ✔ Tailor’s chalk ✔ Super glue (optional)
Trace around one end of the high-density foam with tailor’s chalk to get an accurate circle on the wrong side of the lightest-coloured suede fabric. You will need to add a 1cm seam allowance before cutting the fabric. Cut two circles; these will become the top and bottom of the pouffe. Cut 13 triangles, measuring 62cm tall and 28cm wide at the base. Remember to add a seam allowance of 1cm on each side of the triangle. For variety, cut three sets of triangles in three different colours and four triangles in a single colour. Pin and sew the triangles right sides together (RS) on opposite sides to create a patch detail that will sit around the pouffe. To do this, place one triangle against the next, reversing the position each time. Alternate the different colours to create contrast on the patchwork. Join the last two triangles through the middle and trim off any excess fabric. Iron the seams open on the wrong side of the fabric with the iron set to a medium heat. Remember to turn on the ‘steam’ function to avoid burning the fabric. Pin and sew the metallic gold piping on one side of the sewn patchwork. Align the edge of piping tape to edge of the seam, keeping the folded side inwards. Pin and sew one full circle to the side with the gold piping on a 1cm seam allowance. This will become the top of the pouffe. Sew the
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circle along the edge to close one end of the patchwork pouffe. Turn inside out to reveal the right side. Place the sewn patchwork and circle piece over the high-density foam and cover entirely. Ensure you pull the edges to sit around the foam evenly.
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To finish and close the bottom of the pouffe, fold the ends of the second circular piece inwards and hand-sew to the bottom side edges of the patch piece. Alternatively, use super glue to join the bottom circle to the side of the pouffe, taking care to not leave any residue.
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Top tip
Project and feature Priscillia Okpan Photos Phil Sowels Styling Sally Bufton
Before sewing, make sure you press the seams open then steam-iron them; this will give them a professional finish when you turn the pouffe onto the right side as there won’t be any bulk in the seams.
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DIY masterclass How to prep your walls like a pro
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he key to an excellent paint or wallpaper finish is in the preparation. Cracks, which are a common occurrence in properties of all ages, and holes from old picture hooks, fittings or shelves, are easy to fill in yourself and, if you follow our expert advice, you’ll be guaranteed a professional outcome every time.
Top tip
SHOPPING LIST
Make sure you pick the right filler for your task – choose ‘deep-repair’ for holes up to 20mm in depth or ‘fine surface’ for minor cracks.
✔ Seriously Good double protection dust sheet ✔ Essentials masking tape ✔ Ultimate snap knife or Ultimate chisel knife ✔ Essentials brush ✔ PVA glue ✔ Filler ✔ Ultimate filling knife ✔ Ultimate fine sandpaper ✔ Cork block ✔ Seriously Good microfibre cloth
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How to fill a crack in a wall
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OPEN IT OUT
Before you can fix the crack properly you need to open it out so the filler will have a surface to bind to. Use a snap or chisel knife to rake out the crack and open it into a V shape. With the crack open, use a brush to clean away loose dust.
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There is some debate over the next step. For small cracks in good plaster (plaster that is not falling apart) you can skip this stage. However,
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for larger cracks or cracks where the plaster has been crumbling, dilute some PVA glue in water, then paint the solution into the crack with a brush. The PVA seeps into the plaster making it more solid and more reliable when adding the filler in the next step.
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Apply some filler with a filling knife. Add the filler into the crack by working the blade along the length of the crack. Scrape off excess by
wetting the filling knife blade and scraping from the centre to edge along the length of the crack. Check the filler packet instructions and leave to completely set and cure.
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When the filler has cured, use some sandpaper and a cork block to sand the filler down until smooth. Clean the surface with a microfibre cloth to make sure there is no dust remaining. You are now ready to paint.
How to fill a hole in a wall
PROTECT THE ROOM Before undertaking either of these DIY projects, we recommend you protect the room you are working in. Move furniture out of the way or out of the room entirely and use a dust sheet to protect the floor. Tape the sheet in place using some masking tape.
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CLEAN IT UP
Remove any nails, wall plugs or screws that might still be stuck inside. Once these have been removed open the hole out using a snap or chisel knife. This will let the filler bind to a surface. Clean away loose dust with a brush.
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SEAL LARGER HOLES
For small holes you can skip to step 3, but if you have a wide or deep hole to repair, use a chisel knife to scrape away any loose plaster and neaten the edges of the hole. Dilute some PVA glue in water and apply to the hole. This will seep into the plaster and make it more solid for filling.
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Apply some filler with a filling knife. Add the filler into the hole using the knife’s curved blade. If the hole is very wide or deep you might have to build up several layers. Follow the filler package instructions. It is often necessary to add a layer of filler in 10mm-deep sections and then leave it to cure before adding the next layer.
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When the filler has cured, use some sandpaper and a cork block to sand the filler down till smooth. Then remove any dust with a microfibre cloth. You can now paint over, and the hole will be gone forever!
More advice These guides were put together by the decorating team at Harris, a specialist company that has been producing quality paint brushes and rollers for over 90 years. For more expert advice and to view the range, head over to harrisbrushes.com.
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Ask the
EXPERTS
Our team of experts answer all your home improvement questions
I’m currently redecorating my home office and I’m not sure what to do with the lights – what are the key considerations when lighting a workspace? Caroline Williamson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Matthew Currington, Technical Director of The Lighting Superstore, says… Poor lighting can not only affect your productivity, but it can also cause headaches and eyestrain as well as neck, back and shoulder strain. It’s essential your home office space is illuminated correctly throughout the working day, especially during the dark winter months.
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Where possible, angle your desk towards a window – even better if it’s east-facing – so that you can maximise the number of working hours in daylight. Scientific research suggests that morning people work better and are more productive, so optimising this already favourable time could be your ticket to success. If window-facing isn’t possible in your workspace, make sure you include an LED natural light desk lamp along with your overhead lighting, as this will help you stay focused all year long. When choosing which style, select a task lamp that has an adjustable stem and head, together with a dimmer switch, so that you can be in control of your lighting levels throughout the day to reduce eyestrain and keep your mood up.
I’m using so much water now that I’m working from home. How can I try to reduce my water usage? Anna Stevens, Hampshire Martin Walker, CEO of Methven UK, says… With many of us unexpectedly working from home for so long, it’s no surprise that there has been an increase in our household bills, including water. However, there are a number of ways you can limit your water consumption and significantly reduce your next bill. Firstly, look at replacing your existing shower handset as not only will this transform the look of your bathroom, it could also save you a lot of water and reduce those bills. The eye-catching Aio collection from Methven, for example, has an optimised flow rate of 9 litres a minute to help minimise water usage. Methven’s patented Aurajet technology offers a water-efficient shower handset that doesn’t compromise on your showering experience. It’s also time to replace any dripping taps that have been driving you mad for months and wasting water unnecessarily. The Amio Mini Basin Mixer from Methven, which has a RRP of £92.60, is an ideal choice for a tap upgrade as it's suitable for all plumbing systems. The single lever flow and temperature control makes the tap easy to use by all the family while helping you to reduce water usage as you can find your optimum temperature with ease.
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How can I remove wood chip wallpaper and is there anything I should be cautious of before tearing it off the walls? Helen Sturgess, Bath A Jason Hines, Director of Trading for Decorating at Homebase, says… Wood chip wallpaper hates water, so the best way to remove it is to thoroughly soak the wall and keep it moist. This will loosen the paper and paste, allowing it to come away from the wall more cleanly Preparation is important. As it gets wet, wood chip will turn mushy and sticky so, before starting, line your floor with dust sheets that can be thrown away. To start, make plenty of cuts into the wood chip when it’s dry using the edge of a steel blade stripping knife. Once scored, use a large paintbrush or roller to generously soak the wood chip with warm water. Adding wallpaper remover or washing up liquid to the water will reduce the run-off and allow more water to be soaked up. You may want to repeat this step two or three times to make sure the wall is thoroughly moist. Apply the steamer to the wood chip wallpaper, starting from the ceiling and working down the wall. Our top tip – work on one wall at a time, keeping the wall moist to aid the steamer. Once removed, wash the walls and fill in any chips or cracks so that they're ready for your new paint or wallpaper.
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I enjoyed growing my own vegetables last year, but only managed a few tomatoes and some potatoes as we’re restricted on space – how can I make the most of my small garden? Greg Horton, Wrexham Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director and resident gardening expert at Dobbies Garden Centres, says… A compact space still offers many opportunities to grow your own and containers are a brilliant way to grow a variety of fruit and vegetables. Salads, tomatoes and garden herbs can all be grown in containers and pots. Before deciding on what to grow, it is best to check how much sun your outdoor space gets as this will dictate what will thrive. You need at least five to six hours of full sun a day to grow the biggest variety of vegetable plants. Also consider how sheltered the space is from wind as plants will dry out quickly in windy conditions. One of the quickest vegetables to grow from plant to plate is cut-and-come-again salad greens. They don’t take up much room and, as the name suggests, they give multiple pickings. Raised beds are perfect for growing small plots of vegetables and they also require less
bending and kneeling for gardeners. Soil tends to be warmer meaning a longer growing season and the walls protect the plants from being stepped on, and it’s easier to spot and remove
My energy bills are high now we’re all home so much. How can I make my heating system more efficient in an attempt to reduce the cost? Andy Viner, Blackpool Natalie Wathan, Product Manager at Drayton, says… Time at home will inevitably lead to a marked increase in energy bills, especially as over 80 per cent of a home’s energy consumption is used for heating and hot water, and we use these two more than ever during the colder winter months. To help control your bills, it’s worth investing in a smart multi-room heating system that will save you money as well as make your home feel more comfortable. The Wiser system from Drayton uses intelligent radiator thermostats to allow you to create individual time and temperature schedules for each room in the home. By only heating the rooms that are being used, a smart multi-zone system like Wiser is estimated to save up to 39 per cent on energy usage, compared to a heating system with time control and a basic room thermostat. App-controlled smart heating systems also have the added benefit of allowing you to remotely turn your heating off or delay it from coming on when your plans change. They can also give you visibility on the amount of energy
you are using every day. With the Wiser system, the Insights feature gives you up-to-date feedback on how to optimise your heating and, importantly, save energy and money. They also offer clever energy-saving features like Wiser’s Eco Mode. This smart mode learns how well your home retains heat and how it responds to outside weather changes. It then turns your boiler off sooner while still keeping your desired room temperature, saving households up to 7 per cent on energy usage. Wiser is suitable for use with combi and conventional heating systems, with kits available to control heating only or heating and hot water. Recommended retail prices for Wiser start from £139.99 for a Thermostat Kit 1 (room thermostat, hub and app) and £219.99 for a Multi-zone Kit 1 (room thermostat, hub, app and two radiator thermostats). Individual Wiser radiator thermostats retail at £44.99. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
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unwanted weeds. Almost any vegetable can be grown in raised beds, from carrots and parsnips to leeks and courgettes. Allotment gardening on your very own doorstep!
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WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS! If you have a DIY or maintenance
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CRAFT STASH Check out the latest crafting news, workshops and brilliant buys
must haves
Workshop A WARM WELCOME Embrace the arrival of spring by attending the Lakes and Fells Easter wreath-making workshop on 24th March (subject to current Covid-19 regulations). The class costs £55 and will provide you with all the tools you need including sprigs, berries, flowers and locally sourced foliage, to create a welcoming wreath for your home. The Cumbria shop also has plenty of other courses too, such as crochet, upholstery and dressmaking, to name a few. Check them out at lakesandfells.co.uk.
PAINT WITH PLANTS For an eco-friendly way to unleash your child’s creative side, choose this amazing natural fabric art kit. The £19.50 set includes everything a youngster needs to decorate a calico cotton flag and a set of bunting using vibrant powdered plant dyes. To find out more about this fun-filled activity kit, visit thedenkitco.com.
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Learn something new Crafts can help us feel calm and relaxed, and few more so than weaving. This £48 wooden tapestry kit from And So To Shop is the first step for those new to weaving, and each component has been chosen with quality and sustainability in mind. In the set, you’ll find a ready-warped tapestry frame, a bobbin, a fork, a yarn needle, one ball of cotton warp for your next weave and dowelling, along with at least three coloured woollen yarns.
CRAFTS FOR KIDS Getting creative with stitching isn’t just a pastime reserved for adults, at least not with this Sew Your Own Elvis the Elephant kit from Rex London. The £8.95 set is a super fun way to introduce a child to sewing and the kit includes everything they need to get started, from the elephant template and cotton, to the pins, needles and even the scissors.
Pen pal
With the world becoming more and more dependent on technology for communication, the art of letterwriting has become a rare and nostalgic activity. But Wildflower Illustration Co is set to change all that. The small Cotswolds-based business aims to welcome back this slice of slow living with its beautiful subscription kits, which include three watercolour-painted greetings cards, a sheet of illustrated stickers and a bookmark or mini art print. The Wildflower Paper Club subscription starts from £14 a month, plus gift options, too.
Next month in…
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g-f homes furllesh ideas to st of e al
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*All features subject to change
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IDEAS YOU’LL LOVE! Sprin
Celebrate Easter in style with our thrifty finds
Unleash your creativity with our simple craft projects
Delicious, easy-to-make feasts for all the family
On sale 2nd March 2021 To subscribe, call 03301 358962 or visit BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM
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Reader homes Peek inside properties packed with fresh ideas for decorating updates
Show off your hard work in Your Home
92 A sleek extension transformed Sadiyya Quader’s home into her dream property
Have you just finished decorating your home? If so, we’d love to see your photos – and, who knows, it may even be featured in a future issue. You can share them on instagram using #YHlovemyhome and #YourHomemagazine, or email yourhome@immediate.co.uk
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Lara Hall has given her new-build character with creative paintwork
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Modern minimal meets timeless traditional in Cara Mills’ light and bright Victorian villa
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REAL HOME
Our modern boho home is filled with bargain buys! Using plenty of plants, natural materials and vintage treasures has helped Lara Hall transform an empty white shell into a stylish, family-friendly house
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hen Lara and Shaun Hall were looking for a new home, they had three main requirements: the property needed to be large enough for their growing family, they wanted a south-facing garden, and, lastly, they wanted a house that was close to the countryside. ‘We chose Coalville as it’s near to one of the highest points in Leicestershire,’ explains Lara, ‘so the surrounding area has great views and it’s ideal for family walks. It ticked all of our boxes.’ The couple fell in love with their new-build house, with its light interior, spacious rooms and big corner plot in a cul-de-sac, and moved in May 2018. As a new-build, there were no major building works to be done, and the couple asked for the house to be painted in a brilliant white, rather than the almond white or magnolia colour that most new-builds tend to be, to give them a blank canvas. ‘It was a brilliant white, empty shell,’ says Lara, ‘and I couldn’t wait to start adding all the personal touches to it that would turn it into a home.’
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COME ON IN... Always looking for budget-friendly updates, Lara has added a freestanding breakfast bar in the kitchen for extra worktop and storage space. It was an IKEA find that she painted in Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball to match the dining area
WE ARE Lara Hall, a home organiser and owner of Lara’s Maison Amour (@lara. maison.amour), my husband, Shaun, a HGV driver, our three daughters, Ava, nine, Macy, six, and Ivy, three, plus our chihuahuas, Ralph and Rex, and our house rabbit, Boris.
OUR HOME Is a detached new-build in Coalville, Leicester, that was built in 2018 and has four bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen and dining space.
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lace h unusual ouseplants in top of kit spots, such as on chen an unexp cabinets, for e ct e d of colour. pop
BEST BIT ABOUT LIVING HERE Is the rural setting and all the lovely countryside. I’M MOST PROUD Of my bargain buys. I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money to make a home beautiful. SHOPS I LOVE ARE HomeSense, Wilko and IKEA – oh, and I love a car-boot sale!
FIRST FLOOR Living room
Kitchen
Feature Laurie Davidson Photos Simon Whitmore
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Dining room
Bedroom
SECOND FLOOR
Bedroom
Lara has chosen a high-gloss finish for the cabinets from Symphony Kitchens. ‘I love all the light that comes in from the bay window and French doors, and it’s nice being able to look out at all the greenery while I cook,’ says Lara
Ensuite
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Bathroom
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REAL HOME Lara has painted an arch to frame the wicker shelving unit for a unique feature. The pinky colour is Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball, the same shade used on one of the other dining room walls
A mix of pink and green accessories complement the natural materials in the dining room – cushions from Matalan line the bench seat for extra comfort
Downstairs, a playroom and living room sit on one side of the hallway, while an openplan dining space and kitchen sit on the other. Lara was keen to use colour to separate the two areas, while keeping them cohesive, so painted one wall in the dining room in Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball, a light pink shade, while in the kitchen the couple opted for a light grey, hi-gloss cabinetry from Symphony Kitchens and kept the walls white. ‘This room is where we spend most of our time,’ says Lara, ‘and it’s very family-friendly. We have a small utility off the kitchen and large patio doors that open out to the garden.’ It is predominantly paint that Lara has used to transform her home and, while many of the walls have been kept white, she has added coloured motifs and shapes to some areas for interest, along with upcycled furniture to add a hit of colour. ‘I did make the mistake of painting one wall in the living room in a dark green,’ she recalls. ‘I hated it and it only stayed for two days before we painted it back white. Now I’ve gone for a pale green stripe instead, using Earth Green emulsion by Wilko, which is much more subtle and runs across two of the walls. The light green colour ties in with all my greenery and plants, too. I’ve actually lost count of how many I have – I seem to pick up a plant everywhere I go!’
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‘We love a cheeky gin night, which encouraged the purchase of our Art Deco drinks trolley. It was another trusty bargain find on Facebook Marketplace for just £50!’ enthuses Lara. The co-ordinating lamp is from Wayfair and the textured jute rug is from IKEA
REAL HOME ‘I bought our wooden dining table from Facebook Marketplace, but it’s originally from IKEA,’ reveals Lara. ‘It has a matching bench seat that’s ideal for the kids or guests.’ The dining chairs were another Facebook Marketplace buy and the clock is from Oak Furnitureland
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REAL HOME Lara has contrasted fresh white walls with lots of accessories in natural finishes. ‘I love all the different textures and earthy tones in the living room, as they create a relaxing vibe,’ says Lara. The ceiling lights are from IKEA and small green pouffe is from Kaikoo
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REAL HOME To create a cosy corner, Lara painted a light green stripe on two of the living room walls, using Earth Green paint from Wilko. She bought her cane shelves from a friend’s parents and the artworks are from IKEA
Lara painted this gifted cabinet in the same dark green that she originally used to paint a feature wall in the living room for an easy, budget-friendly upcycle
The area underneath the stairs is a welcoming and practical spot. Lara snapped up the bench at a car-boot sale, while the rug is from Dobbies and the wall hanging is from @hitchandknot_macrame
Lara’s modern boho style showcases her love for natural materials – you’ll see lots of wicker, hessian and bamboo furniture and accessories around the house, many of which she collects from car-boot sales, Facebook Marketplace and charity shops. ‘Our home is full of little treasures that I’ve found. The latest – and best – are my bamboo chairs that were left out the front of someone’s house with a sign saying they were free!’
‘Moving furniture around is a great way to change the feel of a room without spending any money’ Upstairs, Lara’s creative streak continues with each of the girls’ bedrooms decorated in fun ways, using soft muted colours, paint effects and wall decals. ‘Macy’s bedroom is the next to get an overhaul,’ says Lara. ‘I’m going to change the mint-green scheme and swap the bunk beds for a double bed, to make it more grown-up for her.’ In the main bedroom, Lara painted an arch design
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Framed photos, prints, plants and decorative objects sit on a picture shelf above the bed. The green paint used for the semi-circle behind the bed is Green Earth by Wilko
‘The main bedroom is a really good size, which was something that was on our list of must-haves when looking for a new home,’ Lara recalls. The bed linen is from OnlineHomeShop.com
Lara utilised the area inbetween the en-suite and window with a dressing table, using a shelf with drawers to prevent the room feeling cluttered. The Ekby Alex shelf with drawers is from IKEA and the mirror is from The Range
on the wall behind the bed to frame the headboard. This, as well as the other wall motifs around the house, she painted purely by eye. A shelf sits above the bed and houses more plants, pictures and treasured finds, which change regularly. ‘I love swapping around the accessories in each room on a weekly basis to keep things interesting,’ she says. ‘And moving furniture around is a great way to change the feel of a room without spending money.’ Everywhere you look in the Halls’ home there is something to see – small displays, pictures, plants and styled-up areas – yet the overall feel is anything but cluttered. ‘It’s all about preparation and creating stylish rooms that tell a story,’ Lara explains. ‘I truly believe you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make a home beautiful.’
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IDEAS TO STEAL Choose a bamboo pendant shade for a welcoming glow Sinnerlig pendant lamp, £40, IKEA ‘We had lots of fun designing this room for our eldest daughter, Ava. It was the start of the colour-blocking obsession,’ Lara laughs. The macramé wall hanging is from The Range
Hang some faux foliage for a splash of easy-care greenery Hanging plant in cement pot, £10, Matalan
Good idea ! Paint
Use a soft pink shade for a subtle statement wall
abstrac a wall to t shapes onto add and inter colour est.
Salmon Pink paint, £29 for 2.5L, Valspar
Display a single stem in a simple ceramic vase for rustic charm The painted triangle in Ava’s room runs across two walls and zones the desk area. The desk is from IKEA and the framed poster is from Homesense
Millicent two-tone ceramic vase, £38, Artisanti
Choose furniture in natural colours and textures for a boho feel Natural rattan side table, £139, Cielshop Interiors
‘I love a bargain – my bamboo chairs were left out the front of someone’s house with a sign saying they were free!’
Create a cosy sanctuary with bedding in a mood-lifting yellow hue Stonehouse Ochre duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £36, Dunelm
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REAL HOME
We modernised a neglected shell Blending contemporary touches with period features, Cara Mills renovated and restyled her Victorian family home in greater London
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hen Cara Mills and her husband, Alex, found out they were expecting twins, the clock quickly started ticking for them to find a forever home in which to raise their young family. ‘At the time, we were living in a twobedroom maisonette in London and knew that it simply didn’t have enough space for four of us,’ recalls Cara. ‘We’d previously renovated the maisonette though and were keen to take on another project, as we knew it would be the best way to allow us to create a home that suited our needs in the long run.’ The couple narrowed down the search area to Surbiton, Surrey, as Alex had grown up there and it offered both a quick commute into London for work, yet plenty of green space to enjoy at the weekends. Having not been updated in over 18 years, a project was certainly what this Victorian villa presented. Everything needed completely ripping out and the property underwent some significant structural changes in order to create the space and layout the couple wanted. ‘We renovated the house in three stages from when we purchased it back in 2013. It was spread over four years and we saved up money in between the different phases,’ explains
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Cara used a mixture of modern and traditional pieces to give the living room a contemporary yet sympathetic update. The navy sofa, from Love Your Home, is a dramatic focal point
REAL HOME
The couple replaced cornicing, picture rails and ceiling roses that had been removed by previous owners. ‘I’d always had my heart set on a Victorian house,’ says Cara, ‘so it was a priority to bring back as many period features as possible’
COME ON IN...
Cara has styled her alcove shelves with a few key pieces in metallics and monochrome for an uncluttered look
WE ARE Art director and graphic designer, Cara Mills, husband, Alex, a sales director, and our twin girls, Bella and Mya.
OUR HOME IS A five-bedroom detached Victorian villa in Surbiton, Surrey.
MY TOP TIP IS To DIY as much as possible to help keep costs down. We painted the kitchen units ourselves to save money.
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR Main bedroom
Living room
Kitchen Bathroom
Bedroom Dining room
Feature and styling Cassie Pryce Photos David Giles
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When ch pared-back oosing sofas for a velvet fabr scheme, consider a ic in Cara’s. Th a jewel hue like ey’ll pop neutral wa against lls.
LOFT Attic space
Snug
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REAL HOME Double doors flood the kitchen-diner with daylight, so Cara painted a dramatic feature wall to add depth to the bright, airy space. ‘We chose country-style furniture to tie in with the Shaker cabinetry in the kitchen and blend the room together,’ she says
Cara. ‘When we first bought the house, we had two weeks before the twins were due so frantically called in the decorators to plaster and paint the walls and get it into more of a liveable state. It also soon transpired that the house was once used as three bedsits, which meant the piping was a plumber’s nightmare and added yet another hurdle to the already mammoth task ahead!’ Three months later, phase two of the project began, which involved removing a chimney stack that was awkwardly positioned through the centre of the house. This allowed the kitchen and dining room to be opened up, becoming one spacious room – the open-plan layout Cara and Alex dreamed of. It also meant the family bathroom on the first floor could be enlarged, making room for a bath and separate shower enclosure. ‘We stayed with family while this work took place’, says Cara. ‘With two toddlers in tow, it wasn’t practical to be living on site without a kitchen while the new one was being installed.’ Fast-forward three years, and the couple were ready to tackle the final part of the
‘I like to mix old and new pieces, but curate them to work together.’ Cara sourced the dining chairs for less than £100 each at Maisons du Monde, with a white painted finish to match the kitchen units and dining table for a co-ordinated scheme
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Use a r defined e ug to create a at open-pla ing area in an n kitc dining ro hen and om.
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‘There’s a lot of satisfaction to be had from doing parts of a project yourself.’
REAL HOME
The wooden butcher’s block was left by the previous owners. ‘I painted it in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe and replaced the handles for a quick upcycle,’ says Cara
Cara and Alex installed a brand-new kitchen as part of their renovations. They had the bespoke kitchen made by Harvey Jones in Fulham and picked out the marble worktops from a local stone yard. ‘We painted the units to save money and chose Ammonite by Farrow & Ball for a clean and modern finish,’ Cara explains
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renovation. Extending into the loft space created two more good-sized bedrooms, as well as another bathroom, utility room and attic storage space. ‘Luckily, we have a long landing on the first floor, which meant a new staircase could be installed fairly easily, without needing to eat into any of the existing bedrooms,’ says Cara. ‘The plan is that this new loft space will eventually become bedrooms for each of the girls, Bella and Mya, when they’re older. For now, however, we’re using the space as a guest bedroom and a cosy snug, with the twins still sharing a room on the first floor.’ The couple took the opportunity of having builders on site to replace the single-glazed windows throughout the house, which greatly improved the warmth and efficiency of their heating and marked the last big update that the house needed. Restoring the property’s period features and preserving the character and history of the original building was something that was important to Cara, as the house dates back to 1910. During the renovations, fireplaces, coving and picture rails were all seamlessly worked into the interior design of the house, and the couple reinstated ceiling roses that
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Cara upcycled this chest of drawers, inherited from her in-laws, using Annie Sloan chalk paint and new brass cup handles to give it a modern-meets-classic makeover
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Paint ju furniture st one item of as a in a whit n accent piece eo bedroom r neutral scheme.
Cara found a local joiner to make the bespoke wardrobes, maximising the storage space in the alcoves
Soft greys, whites and pinks give the bedroom a serene feel, complemented by a Loaf bedframe. ‘We painted the floorboards white to make the room feel more spacious,’ says Cara.
REAL HOME Cara has kept the décor in the girls’ room neutral and added colour with easy-to-change accessories. ‘It’s a lovely, big space for the twins to spend time in, and I have a lot of fun styling it with playful patterns,’ she says
‘We currently use this room in the loft as a snug for watching movies – the deep sofa and shaggy rug, from La Redoute, make it a really cosy spot,’ enthuses Cara
IDEAS TO STEAL Brighten up a deep-blue sofa with a scattering of on-trend yellow cushions Novan plain yellow cushion, £12, B&Q
Stackable cases in pastel shades are a cute, retro storage option for a child’s room Miko The Panda And Friends storage cases, £24.95 for three, Rex London
Go for ornate, vintage-inspired tiles for a periodmeets-modern bathroom scheme
had been removed in several rooms. ‘Alex and I sanded and varnished the original wooden floors throughout and painted the upstairs floors white,’ says Cara. ‘It was back-breaking work but there’s a lot of satisfaction to be had from doing parts of a project yourself.’ When it came to designing each room’s scheme, Cara, an art director and graphic designer by trade, had a clear vision and pulled together a mixture of different styles to complement the property’s history, yet introduce some more contemporary touches. ‘I like to mix old and new pieces,’ she explains. ‘Rustic and vintage styles work well with this property and I’ve found that hunting in antiques shops is a great way to pick up unusual finds at bargain prices.’ Cara’s background in design proved useful as she created moodboards for each room – these helped to make sure that she and Alex were on the same page, and were helpful when it came to communicating clearly with tradespeople. ‘I took inspiration from all kinds of places, including homes magazines and Instagram, where I have my own dedicated interiors account, @ginandinteriors, to share ideas and decorating advice.’ Working through such a sizeable project, alongside raising their twin girls, has been
Tangier Antiqua décor pattern floor tiles, £39.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors
Use a chic tray to group together co-ordinating decorative pieces World Menagerie Berry vanity tray, £35.99, Wayfair
a labour of love for Cara and Alex. The couple can now sit back and relax in their comfortable home, and reflect on the hard work that has got them to this point. ‘I sometimes can’t believe how much we’ve achieved since buying the house, but tackling the renovation in stages certainly helped it to feel more manageable’, says Cara. ‘The family home we’ve managed to create is a million miles from the neglected, dated shell we took on seven years ago.’
A large velvet footstool for two can double up as a luxe coffee table Oops-A-Lazy footstool in Old Blue, £595, Loaf
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We made our house a happy home
The front of the house has had its pebbledash covering removed and returned to brickwork, and the front door has been smartened up with a lick of Farrow & Ball’s calming Parma Gray paint
A failed house move gave Sadiyya and Ryan Quader the impetus to think big and totally transform their existing property into a home they love
H
aving rented for two years while saving money towards their own property, Sadiyya and Ryan Quader were very careful when it came to choosing a house. ‘We were renting in Dulwich after we got married, and we had an offer accepted on a tiny two-bedroom place there, which unfortunately fell through when the sellers
The couple’s dream kitchen was installed in the light, bright extension by Brayer Design and painted in Little Greene’s Dock Blue. Sadiyya styled the island with West Elm globe lights and French Connection stools
pulled out. Our rental place was about to be sold so we decided to widen the search.’ Both the couple’s families are based in north London, where they went to school, and they met when Sadiyya was sixteen. So, when they started to look further afield in south London and Surrey eight years ago to get better value for their money, there was
REAL HOME A retro telephone table from Bombinate provides a stylish extra seat in the kitchen, and abstract prints from The Poster Club bring together all the colours in the room
‘We wanted a traditional kitchen in painted wood, with oak flooring and lots of light.’
COME ON IN...
WE ARE Sadiyya Quader, 37, a tax director, husband, Ryan, 36, an international audit director, son, Ishaan, nearly two, and Mushu the cat.
OUR HOME Is a three-bedroom Victorian semi, which we moved into in May 2013 on the outskirts of Kingston, Surrey.
MY TOP TIP Is to do research, research, research! Whether with home magazines, Pinterest or Instagram. The Instagram interiors community is so resourceful, people are really friendly and offer such good advice. Sadiyya created two defined areas in one space with her dark kitchen and pastel dining area, adding elements of each palette into the separate zones to tie them together. The chairs are from Maisons du Monde, and Sadiyya painted the table legs to fit the new scheme
IN OUR SPARE TIME WE like to watch a box set in the living room once Ishaan is asleep. On weekends we like to cook curries and bake. In our first son Nivan’s memory, we also raise money for First Touch at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, a charity that supports sick and premature babies and their families.
MY FAVOURITE ROOM Is the open-plan kitchen, with its natural light and the view into the garden. We have made so many memories during lockdown and look forward to entertaining once the pandemic is over.
Living room Kitchen
SECOND FLOOR
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Rather than st colour when chooick to one si go for a mix of co ng chairs, Sadiy ya to give lours like you accessorising op lots of tions.
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Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles
FIRST FLOOR
REAL HOME A contemporary version of a larder cupboard has been built into Sadiyya and Ryan’s kitchen scheme to keep the clean, uncluttered lines they love
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To copy Sad kitchen, pain iy ya’s blue t cabinets and your existing add handles for a new gold pu friendly updat rsee.
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REAL HOME general shock from their relatives. ‘It was like we were suggesting moving to the other end of the country rather than across London! Neither of our families could believe it.’ Sadiyya came to look at their present house on the outskirts of Kingston on her own in March 2013, and it was an instant hit. ‘I saw two that day, one in Wimbledon and this one. Although the house was covered in pebbledash and had a bright orange kitchen and 1970s fittings, I knew straightaway it was the one. It was much bigger than the house in Wimbledon, with three bedrooms, a large garden and plenty of room that we could extend into. Plus, it was in its own community which had shops, cafés and transport links nearby.’ Having missed out on previous properties, and desperate to get away from rentals and create their own family home, Sadiyya rang Ryan and told him they had to go for it. ‘He said he trusted me and we offered the full whack on the spot, without him seeing it!’ The couple moved in two months later and spent money on some basics, planning
Sadiyya and Ryan are both keen cooks, so plenty of built-in storage keeps things sleek and tidy. They chose a solid oak floor from The Natural Wood Floor Co. for durability
Along with her pastel crockery, Sadiyya tracked down a set of gold cutlery from La Redoute, which matches the handles on the kitchen units
ea! your d i d o o G ockery to echo iyya
cr ad Choose scheme, like S bowls colour h her pastel has wit and plates.
The couple’s day-to-day crockery, from Habitat, is kept neatly in the larder cupboard so it’s easy to grab a bowl or a mug when needed
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REAL HOME
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‘He said he trusted me and we offered the full whack on the spot, without him even seeing it!’ to do bigger projects further down the line. ‘We put in a new kitchen and bathroom and painted everywhere, but we put thoughts of extensions to the side for a while.’ Although the couple now happily has son, Ishaan, nearly two, they very sadly lost their first son, Nivan, when he was just five and a half months old and then suffered a miscarriage. After this double tragedy, the couple decided they wanted to move. ‘We felt it was time for a fresh start in another 96
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property, but the market was against us. We put the house on the market in February 2018 and we found somewhere to move to – it was actually smaller than this – but the chain unfortunately collapsed and the worries about Brexit were also stopping people from committing.’ At around the same time, the couple consulted a miscarriage expert, who told them the upheaval of moving house wasn’t a good idea. ‘So, we decided to stay and go ahead with our extension and
renovation plans instead, and to turn this into a happy home.’ After making the decision to stay, Sadiyya found out she was pregnant with Ishaan, who was born the following April. While the pregnancy progressed, the couple began drawing up their plans, consulting an architect and sorting planning permission for the large extension at the back of the house to provide them with a kitchen-diner and a substantial wet room downstairs. ‘We wanted
REAL HOME
‘We’ve still got the family bathroom to renovate, but we’re going to just relax and enjoy it for a while.’ Continuing the pastel palette, the couple created a grown-up living space with a pink velvet sofa from Cult Furniture, dressed with Farha cushions from Dunelm, and a classic Oka lamp Ishaan’s mini toy kitchen is from IKEA. Sadiyya painted it in the same Dock Blue by Little Greene as the main kitchen
Sadiyya has created a relaxed space in the living room for playtime with Ishaan, which can be tidied up easily. Chairs from Lombok and Laura Ashley create a comfy reading spot
Good idg meeaans! you
A reversible ru up the look can easily switch ange the of a room and ch s. accent colour
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‘We like to cost everything up first and plan the finite detail before we start anything.’
A mix of neutral hues and colourful accessories, including an Elodie Details rug, create a calm yet fun-filled space for Ishaan Sadiyya’s favourite pastel tones and taupes are combined in a stunning blanket by Lucy Tiffney in the main bedroom
In the spare room, a desk from Tikamoon and matching chair from Maisons du Monde double up as a guest dressing table, styled with vases from Dunelm
a traditional kitchen in painted wood, with oak flooring and lots of light, and we found a local company, Brayer Designs, which gave us what we wanted.’ The couple spotted Scarlet Building Solutions from nearby New Malden on Checkatrade. ‘We like to stay local if we can to support the businesses around us. SBS Solutions gave us a detailed breakdown of everything, so there were no surprises.’ With Ishaan a babe in arms, the project began in earnest. ‘We moved into an Airbnb for a while when he was four months old because I have a dust allergy and we didn’t want to take any chances, although the builders were very clean and tidy.’ The couple admit to being very methodical when it comes to the renovations. ‘We like to cost everything up first and plan the finite detail before we start anything. We’re both used to fine detail with work.’ Following the completion of the extension in August 2019, Sadiyya and Ryan have worked their way through the house, decorating in pastels and updating each room with new
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IDEAS TO STEAL
Good idea ! Use c
ont unique b rast tiles to creat order ea simple m in an otherwise onoch bathroom rome .
Make your plants truly stand out with a metallic pot Pedestal plant pot set, £26.50, Red Candy
Go for a pretty pastel theme with accessories like this tea towel Blue Tit on Blossom tea towel, £9.98, Mosney Mill
In contrast to the soft schemes in the rest of the house, Sadiyya has gone for an industrial-inspired bathroom, with a black ceiling, white Walls & Floors tiles, Lusso Stone sink and Crosswater fittings
Introduce tonal hues into the kitchen with coloured lights Huckleberry Black over table lights in Blue, £96, Iconic Lights
Soften a sleek modern scheme with delicatepatterned blinds Floral Ink Linen Punch Roman blind, from £27.95, Blinds 2go
The wall of balloons was created by specialist muralist Brendan Armstrong and Ishaan’s cot is from Mamas and Papas
pieces of furniture and accessories. With the interior finished, they knew they had to turn their attention to the exterior. ‘The front and side were pebbledashed, which wasn’t attractive and looked a bit grubby, so we found UK Performance Restoration locally, which returned it all to the original sparkling brickwork. It’s so much better and we smartened up the front door with new paint.’ Sadiyya documents the changes on Instagram, @surreyonthemove. ‘We’ve still got the family bathroom to renovate, but we’re going to just relax and enjoy it for a while.’
A coffee table in grey adds a retro touch Elbar coffee table, £99, MADE
If real oak is out of your price range, try wood-effect tiles Sevenoaks French Oak wood effect tiles, £29.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors
FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 124
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Food & drink Our favourite foodie finds this month plus turn over for fresh spring recipes
3 ways with... Rosemary Make the most of this versatile herb with sweet and savoury dishes ✱ To make a delicious rosemary focaccia, put 300g strong white bread flour, 7g sachet fast-action yeast, 3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp sea salt in a bowl. Add 175ml water and mix to a sticky dough. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth. Tip into an oiled bowl and prove for 1 hour. Knead briefly and place on an oiled rectangular baking sheet. Leave to rise for 30 mins. Make dimples in the dough, drizzle with 4 tbsp oil and sprinkle with rosemary sprigs and sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes. ✱ For a simple midweek dinner, marinate 8 lamb cutlets in 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 crushed garlic clove and 4 chopped rosemary sprigs. Toss 400g sliced new potatoes in 1 tbsp olive oil and roast at 220°C for 15 minutes. Add 4 quartered vine tomatoes, 2 sliced red peppers, 2 rosemary sprigs and return to the oven for 10 minutes. Place the lamb cutlets in the dish and cook for a final 10 minutes, turning halfway. ✱ For a refreshing rosemary orange gin fizz, add 1 sprig of rosemary and 3 chopped orange slices to a cocktail shaker and mash with a muddler. Add 50ml gin, fill with ice cubes and shake well. Strain into a tall glass with more ice and top up with tonic. Garnish with a slice of orange to serve.
this month we love… Ward off the last of those seasonal colds with Quarterpast immunity teas, £4.99. Each tea is loaded with natural ingredients loved for their immunityboosting powers. For a classic flavour combo, go for the Lemon with Ginger and Honey or branch out with the Hibiscus with Ginger and Manuka Honey. Prices start at £4.99.
Try me…
Eat me…
Buy me…
Cookie dough that comes ready-to-bake – does it get any better? Doughlicious’ cookie dough is 100 per cent natural, gluten-free and bakes in just 15 minutes. The new Red Velvet & White Chocolate cookie is right up our street! Prices from £3.99.
Enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza from the comfort of your own home with Rudy’s Pizza’s new bake-at-home offerings. Choose from all the classic Italian flavours including Calabrese, Portobello and Margherita con Bufala, From £6.90.
Do you always make your lunch in a rush? Then, The 5-Minute 5-Ingredient Lunchbox (£14.99, Abrams & Chronicle Books) by Alexander Hart is for you. With just half an hour of food prep, you’ll have a week’s worth of delicious, healthy lunches to enjoy!
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Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
If you do one thing this month...
Save time and reduce your waste with The Tastesmiths’ fresh ingredient curry kits. They contain all the hard-tofind ingredients and spices you need to rustle up a restaurant-worthy dish at home and everything is perfectly portioned! Just add your choice of meat, fish or veg and some kitchen staples and you’ll have yourself a mouth-watering curry in no time. Why not make an Indian feast for all the family with the Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh and Onion Bhaji kits? Priced from £2.75, tastesmiths.com.
FOOD & DRINK
CELEBRATE SPRING! Call in the new season with this selection of fresh, seasonal recipes that are sure to put a spring in your step
Chilli glazed salmon skewers YOU WILL NEED ✔ 2 tbsp Thai chilli jam ✔ 400ml tinned coconut milk, shaken well before opening ✔ 1 tsp tamarind paste ✔ 1 tbsp lime juice ✔ 1 tbsp fish sauce ✔ 1 kaffir lime leaf, thinly sliced ✔ 4 x 200g skinless salmon fillets, pin boned and cut into 3cm cubes ✔ 1 tbsp sunflower oil
DIRECTIONS ■ In a small saucepan over a medium heat, bring the chilli jam and coconut milk to a simmer. Add the tamarind paste, lime juice, fish sauce and kaffir lime leaf then simmer for a few more minutes to reduce. ■ Preheat a griddle pan or barbecue to a medium heat. Thread the salmon cubes onto eight metal skewers and brush both sides with the chilli glaze. ■ Brush the grill rack or pan with the sunflower oil and cook the salmon, turning regularly, for 3-4 minutes until charred. Brush with more glaze once cooked and serve with coconut rice and green salad. Recipe and image courtesy of The mymuybueno Cookbook by Justine Murphy. Published by Meze for £25.
PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4
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FOOD & DRINK
Chicken and spring veg in tarragon broth YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1 chicken stock pot ✔ 6 tarragon sprigs, 3 roughly chopped ✔ 2 skinless chicken breasts ✔ 4 small Charlotte potatoes, sliced ✔ 150g pack baby topped carrots, halved ✔ 135g baby leeks, trimmed and cut into 3cm chunks ✔ 240g frozen or fresh garden peas ✔ 3 tbsp crème fraîche ✔ ½ lemon, zest and 1 tbsp juice
DIRECTIONS
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 3-4
■ Put the stock pot in a pan with 1 litre boiled water and whisk until dissolved. Add 3 tarragon sprigs, bring to the boil, then take off the heat. Add the chicken breasts to the hot stock, cover and leave for 15 minutes, turning halfway. ■ Lift the chicken out of the pan and rest on a plate, loosely covered with a sheet of foil. Discard the tarragon, bring the stock to a simmer and add the potatoes and carrots. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the leeks and simmer for 5 minutes more. ■ Add the peas and simmer for a final 2 minutes. Take off the heat and stir through the crème fraîche, chopped tarragon and lemon zest and juice. Season. Slice the chicken and divide between bowls, then ladle over the veg and broth. Recipe and image courtesy of Waitrose – thousands of recipes can be found at waitrose.com/recipes
Smoky tofu tabbouleh YOU WILL NEED ✔ 225g smoked tofu, crumbled ✔ 1 tsp sumac ✔ 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed ✔ 200g buckwheat ✔ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ 1 lemon, juice and grated zest ✔ ½ cucumber, seeded and diced ✔ 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and diced ✔ ¼ red cabbage, thinly shredded ✔ 15g fresh mint ✔ 20g pomegranate seeds
■ Toss the crumbled tofu with the sumac and garlic. ■ Cook the buckwheat in 450ml water in a covered pan until tender. Fluff up the grains with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp olive oil and the lemon zest and juice. Leave to cool. ■ Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and stirfry the tofu for 2-3 minutes. Fold the tofu into the buckwheat along with the cucumber, yellow pepper and red cabbage. ■ Pile onto a large serving plate and scatter with fresh mint and pomegranate seeds.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
DIRECTIONS
PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4
Recipe and image courtesy of The Tofoo Co., tofoo.co.uk March 2021
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FOOD & DRINK
Spinach and feta frittata YOU WILL NEED ✔ 6 eggs, beaten ✔ 4 tbsp cream ✔ Fresh dill, roughly chopped ✔ Pinch of flaked sea salt ✔ Black pepper ✔ 1 tbsp sunflower oil ✔ ½ red onion, peeled and sliced ✔ Large handful of baby spinach ✔ 100g feta, cut into 1cm cubes
DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. In a bowl, mix the beaten eggs with the cream, dill, salt and a grind of pepper. Set aside. ■ Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat, then add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until starting to soften. ■ Add the spinach to the pan and stir until it starts to wilt, then add the feta cubes. ■ Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the pan and gently stir everything together so it is all well distributed. Allow the frittata to cook on the hob for 1 minute until you see the edges start to firm up. ■ Place the pan in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until just set in the centre. ■ Remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes. Using gloves, turn it upside down to transfer the frittata onto a board or alternatively serve it straight from the pan. Cut into wedges, season again and serve.
PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 4
Recipe and image courtesy of The mymuybueno Cookbook by Justine Murphy.
Lamb leg steaks with crushed peas, dill and feta
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED ✔ 400g small Charlotte potatoes, halved ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil ✔ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✔ ½ lemon, zest and juice ✔ 4 lamb leg steaks ✔ 1 tbsp unsalted butter ✔ 1 Echalion shallot, finely diced ✔ Salt ✔ 400g frozen peas ✔ Handful shredded mint leaves ✔ Handful chopped dill ✔ 50g feta, crumbled
DIRECTIONS ■ Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Simmer the potatoes for 12-14 minutes until tender, then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, mix the oil, garlic and lemon zest and rub all over the lamb steaks. Season. ■ Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the lamb for 3-4 minutes on each side. Lift out and set aside covered with a sheet of foil. Toss the potatoes into the hot frying pan and fry for 2 minutes, stirring, until just coloured. Season and take off the heat. ■ Meanwhile, in a small pan, heat the butter until it’s foaming. Add the shallot and a pinch of salt and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add the peas and 1 tbsp water and cook for 3-4 minutes until piping hot. Take off the heat and crush with a masher, then stir in the herbs, most of the feta and lemon juice. ■ Pile the potatoes, peas and lamb onto plates and scatter with the remaining feta. Recipe and image courtesy of Waitrose – thousands of recipes can be found at waitrose.com/recipes 104
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FOOD & DRINK
Maple-sweetened rhubarb meringues YOU WILL NEED ✔ 200g rhubarb, chopped ✔ 60ml maple syrup, plus extra to drizzle ✔ 6 egg whites, room temperature ✔ 300g sugar ✔ 2 tsp cornflour ✔ 1 orange ✔ Pomegranate seeds
DIRECTIONS
PREPARATION TIME 25 minutes COOKING TIME 55 minutes SERVES 12
■ Add the rhubarb to a pan with the maple syrup and cook for around 10 minutes until the rhubarb has softened and the sauce has thickened. Set aside to cool. ■ For the meringue, preheat the oven to 150°C/Gas Mark 2. Line a tray with baking parchment and draw 12 2-inch circles. Turn the paper over so the ink doesn’t rub off onto your meringues. ■ Add the egg whites to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Mix on low then increase to medium until the egg whites form foamy peaks. Add the sugar a few tbsp at a time until incorporated and the meringue becomes stiff and glossy. ■ Mix in the cornflour then spoon the mixture into your circles, flattening the middles to hold the maple rhubarb later on. ■ Bake for 35-45 minutes, making sure they don’t brown. Once the time is up, turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for 2 hours – don’t open the door in that time. ■ Once ready, pile high with the rhubarb compote. Top with orange segments, pomegranate seeds and a generous drizzle of maple syrup. Recipe and image courtesy of The Mother Cooker for Maple from Canada, maplefromcanada.co.uk
Lemon mille-feuille YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1 pack vegan puff pastry For the lemon curd ✔ 4 lemons, zest of 2 and juice of 4 ✔ 2 tbsp cornflour ✔ 100ml aquafaba egg alternative, such as OGGS ✔ 150g caster sugar ✔ 3 tbsp margarine ✔ 2 tbsp dairy-free milk For the whipped cream ✔ 150ml aquafaba egg alternative ✔ ½ tbsp cream of tartar ✔ 30g caster sugar For the topping ✔ Fresh berries ✔ 2 tbsp icing sugar, to serve
PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 20-25 minutes SERVES 4
DIRECTIONS ■ Pop all the lemon zest into a pan with the cornflour on a very low heat. ■ Whisk up the aquafaba with a fork for 30 seconds in a cup and add it to the pan. Give it a gentle stir with a hand whisk. ■ Add the lemon juice and sugar and increase to a medium heat. Continuously stir the zesty mixture until all the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat ever so slightly at this point and keep stirring for 7-10 minutes until it reaches a super thick consistency. ■ Add the margarine and dairy-free milk to give it a glossy finish. Transfer to a sterilised jar, leave to cool then place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set. ■ Once the lemon curd is set, preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Cut the puff pastry into 12 equal rectangles. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay the pastry on top. Lay another piece of parchment paper on top of the pastry and weigh it down with a second baking tray. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool. ■ Meanwhile, make the whipped cream. Using an electric whisk, whisk the aquafaba on a high speed. After 2 minutes, add the cream of tartar. Once the peaks become stiff, slowly add the sugar and continue to mix on a high speed until thick and creamy. Gently fold in 3-4 tbsp lemon curd. ■ For each of the 4 mille-feuille, sandwich 3 pastry rectanges with lemon cream between each sheet. Top them off with another layer of cream and some fresh berries. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve. Recipe and image courtesy of OGGS, loveoggs.com
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MAKE-AHEAD MEALS
Five-step flatbread
Save fo
For a quick, easy and versatile recipe, try making this family-friendly dough
er Place the t a l flatbreads individually into
freezer bags, seal shut and store in the freezer for up to a month. To stack one on top of the other, place a sheet of wax paper in between each flatbread then put them into a large freezer bag – this will make it easier to pull them apart when you defrost them. When it comes to reheating, wrap each one individually in aluminium foil and heat under the grill for 10 minutes.
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FOOD & DRINK YOUR BASE RECIPE
Five-step flatbread PREP 30 minutes COOK 25 minutes MAKES Up to 12
YOU WILL NEED plus extra for dusting ✔ 1 tsp baking powder ✔ 2 tsp flaked sea salt ✔ 300g Greek or coconut yogurt ✔ 1 tbsp olive oil 1 In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add the yogurt and olive oil then mix thoroughly with a spoon until it all comes together to form a dough, which should be quite sticky. 2 Dust a clean work surface with flour, turn the dough out onto it and knead for a few minutes. Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with a damp tea towel, then leave for 20 minutes to rest. 3 Again, dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour, then divide the rested dough in half and split each half into three or six equal pieces, depending on whether you are making them large or small. 4 With your hands, gently pat the dough to flatten it out, then use a rolling pin to flatten each piece further. 5 Place a griddle over a high heat and, once hot, lay the first flatbread into the dry pan. Cook for around 1 minute without moving, then turn it over and cook for 1 minute on the other side. Ensure the dough is cooked through and has charred lines. Transfer the cooked flatbread to a warm plate. Repeat with the remaining flatbread.
f
To make these flatbreads from scratch, try this recipe. In a bowl, sift 200g self-raising flour and ¼ tsp salt, add 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 100ml tepid water, then knead for 2-3 mins to form a smooth ball of dough. Cover with a towel and rest for 5-10 mins. Separate the dough into four equal parts and roll out on a floured surface. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan; when it starts to smoke, cook each flatbread for 1-2 mins on each side until golden.
h res
✔ 300g self-raising flour,
Make it
For other delicious recipes, purchase The Mymuybueno Cookbook by Justine Murphy,
RECIPE ONE
Flatbreads with tuna salad and tahini
PREP 25 minutes COOK 10 minutes Serves 4
YOU WILL NEED For the salad ✔ 1 Little Gem lettuce, finely sliced ✔ ½ chilli, finely chopped ✔ 2 baby courgettes, thinly sliced ✔ 3-4 small tomatoes, chopped into four
✔ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ Squeeze of lemon ✔ Pinch of sea salt and ground pepper ✔ 4 pre-made flatbreads For the tahini ✔ 1 tbsp tahini ✔ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ 1 tbsp white wine vinegar ✔ ½ tsp mustard ✔ lemon juice For the topping ✔ 2 x 145g tins tuna chunks ✔ Handful of coriander leaves, finely chopped ✔ Pinch of chilli flakes
freshly ground black pepper. Taste, and add more fresh chilli if needed. 2 For the tahini sauce, put everything in a bowl and whisk, then add cold water to achieve the desired consistency. 3 To serve, place a flatbread on each plate. Top with the salad and half a tin of drained tuna on each, as well as plenty of tahini sauce. Sprinkle with coriander and chilli flakes.
1 For the salad, put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Season with sea salt and
Recipe and image courtesy of Irini Tzortzoglou, irinicooks.com
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FOOD & DRINK
RECIPE TWO
Turkey kofta flatbreads
PREP 25 minutes COOK 10 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED ✔ 500g 7% fat turkey thigh mince ✔ 20g fresh mint, finely chopped ✔ 1 courgette, grated ✔ 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped ✔ 3 garlic cloves, crushed ✔ 1 egg, beaten ✔ 10g fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped ✔ 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing ✔ Ground pepper ✔ 100g Greek-style yogurt ✔ 250g cherry tomatoes, quartered✔ 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar ✔ 4 pre-
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made flatbreads ✔ 100g Greek-style salad feta cheese, crumbled ✔ 1 cos lettuce, finely shredded ✔ ¼ cucumber, finely chopped ✔ ½ lemon, cut into wedges 1 Preheat the grill to high. Lightly grease a baking tray with oil. 2 In a large mixing bowl, mix the turkey mince, mint, courgette, chilli, 2 crushed garlic cloves, egg and parsley (saving a little to garnish) until evenly combined. 3 Mould the mix into 16 sausage-shaped koftas and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with oil and place under the grill for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until evenly golden and cooked throughout.
4 Meanwhile, mix together the remaining garlic clove and yogurt then season well with pepper. 5 In a separate bowl, mix together the cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and season well with pepper. 6 Warm the pre-made flatbreads according to the Save for Later instructions on page 106. Top the warm flatbreads with the koftas, garlic yogurt, feta cheese, cos lettuce, cucumber and a pinch of parsley. Serve with the tomato salad and a wedge of lemon. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
RECIPE THREE
Radish, ham and ricotta pizza
PREP 10 minutes COOK 2-3 minutes SERVES 2
YOU WILL NEED ✔ 200g ricotta cheese ✔ ½ small pack tarragon, finely chopped
✔ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ✔ 2 pre-made flatbreads ✔ 8 radishes, sliced ✔ 75g Parma ham ✔ 1 handful of rocket leaves ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil 1 Mix together the ricotta cheese and chopped tarragon then season to taste. 2 Spread the ricotta mixture over the pre-made flatbreads. 3 Place under a hot grill for 2-3 minutes to warm through. 4 When they are warmed and slightly toasted around the edge, remove from the grill and top with the sliced radishes, Parma ham, rocket and a drizzle of 1 tbsp of olive oil on each pizza. Feature Sophie Demetriades
Recipe and image courtesy of Love Radish, loveradish.co.uk
WITH THIS FIVE-STEP FLATBREAD, YOU CAN ALSO TRY…
Pork souvlaki, recipe by Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
Feta and spinach stuffed flatbread recipe by AO.com
Chicken shawarma recipe by Belling, belling.co.uk
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INSPIRING IDEAS AMAZING PRICES
LIVING SHOPPING COOKING MAKING STYLING
ONLY
£2.49
Inspiring homes The kitchen-diner transformation was worth the wait as it’s where the family spend most of their evenings. For a timeless look, Lindsey chose cabinets in a soft grey with brass handles
Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Lindsey Hindson, 34, a financial advisor. I live with my husband, Mike, 41, and my daughter, Ellie, 14. Mike’s daughter, Seren, 13, stays with us a lot so she has her own room too.
Style idea Double up a sideboard as a cocktail station
WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bed Victorian semi-detached house in Southampton. This is our first home we’ve bought together, and we moved in 2016. I post interior updates on my Instagram @hillside_ave_. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Everything! The house was an awful sight when we bought it. There was a red lounge, purple hallway, suspended 1970s office ceilings and purple glittery worktops. You name it, they had it. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We stripped the place bare in the initial stages. Creating an open-plan kitchendiner and a spacious bathroom were the biggest jobs. Then I decorated the rooms in a modern style while being sympathetic to the original character of the house.
I knew it would be the PERFECT HOME Lindsey Hindson used subtle colours and cosy textures to turn the dated rooms in her Victorian property into a stylish family home that’s perfect for entertaining
MY STORY We weren’t really looking for a new place, but I saw this house online and noticed that it had an open day for viewing, so I went along on my own. I loved the period features – even though they were all painted red – and the house had so much space that I put in an offer as soon as I left. Once Mike saw it, he got on board and could see the potential the house had to be the perfect home. Being an electrician, Mike did a lot of the work, but we had tradespeople in for the tiling, plastering and gas works. Within eight weeks we had the house stripped, rewired,
MY FAVOURITE PART The kitchen-diner. It’s a fabulous social space for when we have get-togethers, and the glass extension ensures it’s light and bright all year round. Feature and styling Zoe Bishop Photos Lizzie Orme
‘We’ve both really enjoyed turning this house into a home’
replastered and everything painted grey or white, then we were able to start putting our own stamp on it. We were in the house two years before we could afford to do the kitchen-diner, but I didn’t mind waiting as it meant we could save so we could do exactly what we wanted. I don’t really have one particular style. If I like something, I’ll go with it, but I’m happy to change if it doesn’t work out. I spend a lot of time on Instagram swooning over people’s homes. Mike worries if I’m on too long it means I’m planning a change! He’s very patient though and we’ve both really enjoyed turning this house into a home.
7 stylish real life homes and makeovers every issue... plus ideas to steal! Style on a shoestring Mid-century record holder table, £42; mid-century shaped vase, £10; mid-century small glass candle, £6; Kota armchair in Orange, £129; Edric cushion, £35; half-moon flatweave rug, 120 x 180cm, £95; mid-century pouffe, £35, all Habitat
Habitat THROW SOME SHAPES Playfulness meets practicality with these colourful, retro-inspired pieces
Matalan WOVEN WONDERS Go back to basics with these soothing, natural textures
Cabana woven place mat, £4
Hanging shelf, £8 Block colour serve platter, £15
Hyacinth storage, £10 Benson blue table lamp, £20 Sanctuary geo throw, £12
Sanctuary living round mirror, £28
Bamboo lantern, £18; sand timer, £16; drawers, £210; round bamboo shelves, £30; sanctuary palm tray, £4; hyacinth paper basket, £8; rattan planter, £20
Mid-century large embossed planter, £24
Mid-century cereal bowl, £2
HOW TO
Mid-century metal letter rack, £6
style the look
SHOP THE
1
HIGH STREET Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer 6 yourhomestyle.uk
Practical, space-saving but plenty of fun, this new line plays on the popularity of the mid-century trend. The look can be acheived by incorporating several key accessories such as a side table, rug or even a cushion or two. Alternatively, go bold with a statement piece such as this orange armchair. Balance the striking primary colours that make up this trend with a calming white canvas. White walls make the best backdrop if you want a mix of colourful items to pop.
Feature Katie Dutton
Mid-century jacquard geo throw, 125 x 150cm, £25
2
March 2021 7
Also inside this issue... Stunning spring trends revealed, seasonal makes and finishing touches, gorgeous buys on a budget, delicious Mother’s Day cakes, eco spring cleaning tips and tricks and so much more!
March issue out now! Find us on the magazine aisle
Home
Turn over to discover how you can amp up your kerb appeal
IMPROVEMENT Wood you look at this If you’re looking to bring the outdoors into your home, choose natural materials for a style that’s timeless. Swift Direct Blinds’ range of real wood Venetian blinds have that natural touch, and will enhance not only the appearance of your home but also its privacy. For a rustic farmhouse look, choose the deep brown Amazon Taped Fired Walnut blinds (pictured) or for the ultimate Scandi-inspired look, keep things clean and minimal with the Nile Taped Contrast blinds in white and grey. The blinds are made-to-measure, and prices start from £9.60.
Getting hot out here When lockdown ends and we can consider open-air socialising again, this Copper Lantern Patio Heater from Kettler will come in handy. It’ll elevate a drab, neglected garden to a snug and stylish haven that you’ll want to make use of even when it’s chilly. The brushed copper finish works beautifully alongside monochrome garden furniture for a contemporary al fresco set up that doesn’t skimp on the cosiness. The heater is available in three sizes and is priced from £159.
Smart home devices are all the rage at the moment, but none are as important as those that improve your home’s safety. Home security brand, EZVIZ, has just launched the DB1C Wi-Fi Video Doorbell in the UK, a simple and affordable route to improved personal safety and ease of mind at home. The doorbell boasts night vision, HD video quality and 170-degree vertical field view to keep a watchful eye on your home. Plus, link the doorbell to the EZVIZ App on your smartphone and you can video call with two-way talk whenever the bell is rung – even if you’re not in! The EZVIZ DB1C is easy to install and costs £119.99.
SWITCH UP Is your home in need of that little finishing touch? Upgrade plain white switches and sockets to make the world of difference to the overall finesse of a room. Wandsworth Electrical has added 13 new finishes to its collection of lighting accessories and, though they are a luxury buy, their impact on your scheme will be totally worth it. Choose from finishes including Lacquered Polished Brass, Pearl Rose Gold, Smoked Silver and Black Chrome – there really is something to suit every colour scheme. All finishes are available across the full range of switches and sockets. Priced from £35.71, wandsworthelectrical.com.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
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Part of the Designer Classics Collection from Benjamin Moore, this door is painted in Miramichi CC-752, priced £46 for 0.94L
HOME IMPROVEMENT
A block-paving driveway that leads right up to a covered entrance can give your home instant kerb appeal. Prices start at £20 per sq m from Bradstone’s
ADD A PRACTICAL PORCH & BOOST KERB APPEAL Whether you’re looking to sell or you just want a nicer welcome for family and friends, there are plenty of ways to pep up the front of your property
Feature Hayley Gilbert
N
ow that spring has sprung, it’s time to turn our attention to sprucing up the exterior of our homes. Projects like adding a porch, painting the front door and installing new outside lighting can all add kerb appeal while making your home more attractive to buyers if you’re thinking about selling up. A new entranceway will also give a warm welcome to visitors once lockdown is lifted, as well as putting a smile on your face when you come home after a long day. We take a look at the dos and don’ts of porches as well as other ways of making your property more attractive.
CHECK PLANNING PERMISSION
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If you want to add a porch to your house, chances are you won’t need planning permission. This would depend on factors including whether the ground floor area of the porch is three square metres or less; the highest part of the porch is not more than three metres above ground level and no part of the porch comes within two metres of the front boundary and the highway. Any porch exceeding these measurements will need permission, as well as porches for flats, maisonettes and converted houses. If your property is listed, listed building consent may be required, too. If the porch qualifies for permitted development, building regulation approval may not be required (assuming that glazing and electrics comply with the relevant regs). If you do need to submit a planning application, this currently costs £206 in England and £230 in Wales. If you’re in any doubt, contact your local planning department for advice.
Splash out on a new front door – like this from Thames Valley Window Company – to give your home the grand entrance it deserves
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Spruce up the front of your home with a few new purchases. Kingham planter, £100; Farringdon heart, £18; St Ives ship’s lights, £50 each; Original post box in charcoal, £30; Galvanised doormat, £35; Aldsworth welly store, £180, all Garden Trading
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Enhance your home’s privacy and security with Frostbite window film from The Window Film Company, priced from £30
This bespoke porch required planning permission and has Everest uPVC double glazed casement windows either side of a composite door in Raven’s Wing with chrome furniture. Price on application at everest.co.uk
CONSIDER THE BENEFITS
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There are many pros to a porch. If it’s designed and built to a high standard using thermally efficient materials, it can reduce heat loss in your home and help keep the bills down. A porch also provides extra storage space – perfect for shoes, coats, scarves and all the messy bits you don’t want inside the house. They are especially handy if you have a dog, as you can leave the wellies and dog lead in the porch when you get home. Porches can complement your property’s exterior too, adding kerb appeal for visitors and passers-by. As well as giving you a more attractive house, they can even add value. What’s more, it acts as an extra barrier to any unwanted visitors so security is another good reason to consider adding one. Even if it’s simply an overhang above the front door, just think how grateful you’ll be when you’re trying to find the house key in the pouring rain.
Lights in the porch or by the front door add security and a safe, well-illuminated welcome. Swan Neck waterproof brass wall light, £95, Industville
THINK ABOUT DESIGN
EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS
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You want your porch to be in keeping with the style and structure of your property but there’s no reason why you can’t make it more of a statement with something really special or personal. Don’t just choose an off-the-peg box design if you want to make yours stand out. The latest trends include natural-looking porches with treated wooden roofs leaning out from the front exterior standing on two sturdy wooden columns, a burst of vibrant colour with an eye-catching front door and statement knocker or an oversized front door with a clean, contemporary feel. Look at Pinterest for ideas and consider your window, door and roof options. Window frames come in a range of finishes – uPVC, wood or aluminium with decorative and obscured glazing for privacy, roofs in pitched, gable end, double hipped and flat, plus there are an endless variety of wonderful front door designs on offer.
Paint the hallway in a striking colour, like Elemental AF-400 paint, £24 for 0.94L, from Benjamin Moore, to add warmth
As well as adding a new porch, there are plenty of other ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal. Take a look at the front door – is it looking drab? You can either replace it altogether or give it a fresh lick of paint if it’s a timber design. Consider changing the letterbox, doorbell and knocker as well as your home’s number or house name plate, too. Add some smart new outside lighting. Move bins round the back and fix any fences that have seen better days. Check if any guttering needs to be replaced or repaired, wash windows and sills and trim back hedges, overhanging trees and bushes then mow the lawn. Add some potted plants or mini shrubs around the front door and finish with a new doormat. For a bigger project, consider laying new block paving or stone slabs on the driveway, patio or path. Again, complement your property’s existing architecture and choose materials that balance style with practicality.
Cuckooland’s Artsy Oh Hello doormat, £24.95, will give your doorway a pop of colour and greet guests in style
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A lick of paint can give your home an instant update. Door in 10 Year Satin Seclusion, from £37 for 2.5L; surround in Pure Brilliant White Ultra Smooth masonry paint, £29 for 5L; walls in Gravel Ultra Smooth masonry paint, £40 for 10L, all sandtex.co.uk
HOME IMPROVEMENT
For a modern approach, go for an openended canopy roof like this sleek design from Weru. Atris front door in Anthracite Grey with electronic biometric finger scanning for secure keyless access, from £3,500
SET A BUDGET
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EXPERT ADVICE ‘A porch needs to be sympathetically designed so that it is in keeping with the rest of your home and not be oversized or out of proportion with the overall building. It’s important to consider how you’re going to use it before you start. Porches can be multifunctional spaces used for anything from a smart meet and greet area, a place to store coats and shoes or even somewhere to clean the dog off after a long walk, while keeping out the cold and adding an extra layer of security to the home.’ Jill McLintock, Head of Product Marketing for Everest
Building a new porch from scratch isn’t a cheap DIY solution. There’s the cost of the materials to start, plus the labour as well as the finishes, any electricals, the cost of the porch door and maybe even a new front door if you fancy a change or a matching look. According to myjobquote.co.uk, the average cost is £4,000 and it takes one to two weeks. Make sure you use a qualified tradesperson or specialist company and go over all the details including design options, price breakdown and timescale. A lean-to uPVC porch or brick design averages around £2,000-£3,000, an aluminium porch, £2,500-£3,000 and a flat gable roof porch, £3,000-£4,000. If you don’t have the funds right now, there are a few tricks you can use to create a porch effect for less. Think about an open design – just two walls extending out from your front door with a roof can provide shelter. Or how about a storm porch – a small roofed structure that will protect your entrance from the elements? Once you add a potted plant and a new doormat, it can really boost your kerb appeal.
This five-bedroom Nottinghamshire home shows how attractive a porch can look if it complements the rest of the property. It was on the market with Gascoines for £575,000
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USEFUL CONTACTS
● For information on planning permission visit planningporta l.co.uk. ● Find out about lab our costs and timesc ales at myjobquote.co .uk. ● Look for ideas an d inspiration at pinterest.com and houzz.com. ● Check out the lat est front door desig ns at diy.com, doorsup erstore.co.uk and justdoorsuk.com.
ADD A PORCH EXTENSION
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You’ll definitely need planning permission for this but if you have the space, budget, time and inclination, a porch extension can be a wonderful asset to your home, especially if it includes a cloakroom to provide you with a downstairs WC. Expect to pay between around £1,000 and £1,200 per square metre. If space allows, try to incorporate a little boot room or coat cupboard too, so you can hang things up. It will push the price up but having a rooflight in a sloping porch extension roof plus a window in the cloakroom will not only add to its appeal and value but it will also let more natural light into your home.
The garage has been painted in Inky Blue Exterior Eggshell, £25 for 1L, M&L Paints to match the front door for a co-ordinated look
yourhomestyle.uk
CASE STUDY ‘We lost out on a holiday but secured a real asset to our home’
Retired teacher Charmian believes the outlay of around £1,500 was more than worth the expense considering the current value of the property
The countryside farmhouse as it looked in the estate agent’s brochure back in 2012
Feature and photos Gill Rothwell
Moving to a 17th-century stone farmhouse in the heart of the Somerset countryside was a dream for retired teacher Charmian Cowper. ‘I’d always fancied the idea of country living,’ she explains, ‘and of being self-sufficient with a vegetable patch and a few chickens.’ The dream came true with the purchase of Home Farm close to Wells eight years ago. Built in 1648 and originally with a thatched roof, it was ‘structurally sound but had suffered somewhat from the previous owner’s attempts at DIY.’ Putting things right has taken Charmian and her partner, Jules, who is also a teacher, several years. ‘We
just do jobs as needed,’ explains Charmian, and they’re both hands on, tackling everything from decorating to plastering and even putting up a stud wall. The original house has two upstairs bedrooms while a third is in the later single storey addition, which was once the farm’s buttery and now houses the kitchen, cloakroom and a small lobby. With its white rendered exterior and contrasting traditional stone, the property has an attractive outward appearance but Charmian and Jules always felt there was something lacking. ‘It needed a focal point and a way of encouraging visitors to come through the front door, rather than the one that leads into the lobby where we leave our muddy boots,’ says Charmian. ‘The couple had discussed the idea of a porch for some time and when the lockdown put paid to their holiday plans last year, they decided to splash out on some home improvement instead. Online research led them to Shropshire Door Canopies, which offered a range of options at a price they could afford. The Blakemore canopy was ideal for the back door and took less than a day for Charmian and Jules to install. ‘It was quite straightforward as the surrounding wall is flat,’ explains Charmian, ‘whereas the uneven stone wall beside the front door made installing the porch a lot more complicated.’ With the help of a builder friend, who lent them a powerful electric chisel to chip away at the stone, Charmian and Jules managed to put up the Grosvenor porch in a couple of days. They sourced some slate roof tiles from a local reclamation yard and applied three coats of wood preservative, which not only protects the wood but matches it to the existing external doors. For more information about this porch range visit shropshiredoorcanopies.co.uk or call 01691 623737.
The exterior of the old stone and rendered building has two new focal points – a canopy over the back door and full porch framing the front door, both made from kiln-dried redwood
Charmian chose the made-to-measure porch at the front door for both aesthetic and practical reasons – firstly for its kerb appeal and secondly to give callers protection from the elements
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ERYSIMUM
1000’s OF COLOUR-CHANGING FLOWERS ALL SUMMER LONG
rare | unusual | exciting
Gogh's Gold
BUY 3 OF EACH LESS THAN
Paintbox
HALF PRICE
T
HOUSANDS OF BLOOMS held in clusters from late winter to late summer, these easy to grow perennials are loved by bees and butterflies.
Apricot Twist
Incredibly long flowering, good for cutting and rabbit resistant. Prefer well-drained soil in sun or part shade. H: 30-50cm. S: 40-50cm. Fully hardy perennials. Your order is covered by our No Quibble Guarantee and will be confirmed together with a copy of our latest catalogue. Your young plants will be delivered from April onwards.
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Gardening Great buys and advice to help your garden grow
A warm welcome Help to care for the little critters that frequent your outdoor space with the Garden Wildlife Range, a collaboration between the National Trust and CJ Wildlife. Designed to encourage communities to play their part in protecting their local environment, the collection includes homes for hedgehogs and insects, wildlife foods, bird feeders and more. With quality and sustainability at the heart of this collaboration, you can rest assured that you’re doing the best you can for the wildlife visiting your garden. Prices start from £2.49, available at CJ Wildlife and National Trust Shop.
Picnic perfect
Get growing Replace rusty gardening tools with Burgon and Ball’s stylish new British Meadow gardening collection. Against a rich navy-blue background, each piece is beautifully illustrated with wild flowers and butterflies. There’s a pocket pruner and matching holster, gardener’s gloves and even a seed packet storage tin for the organisation enthusiasts. Our favourite piece of the collection has to be the adorable indoor watering can. Crafted from galvanized steel with a graceful long spout, it’s a wonderful gift for the houseplant lover in your life. Prices from £9.95 at annabeljames.co.uk.
DARLING DAHLIAS Cultivate beautiful blooms with the help of farmer-florist Erin Benzakein’s new, extensive guide to growing and arranging the perfect dahlias. With over 350 varieties to choose from, dahlias can be a complicated field to navigate. So, Erin takes you through a comprehensive classification system – an A-Z guide with photos and descriptions, to help you pick the right flowers for your garden. For those who can’t live without a fresh vase of blooms in their home, Erin also offers her top tips on how to arrange the most impressive dahlia bouquets – they’ll have any future guests swooning! Buy Floret Farm’s Discovering
Trim and proper Keep the garden in order without disturbing your neighbours with Bosch’s ProSilence Universal hedge cutters, the quietest corded hedge cutters you can find. The diamond-ground blades ensure a high-quality cut and the ergonomic design means it’s really easy and comfy to hold. Choose from four different models, which offer blade lengths between 50 and 70 centimetres, depending on the width and height of your hedges. Peaceful gardening awaits. Prices start from £149.99 for the Bosch Universal HedgeCut 50.
Dahlias: A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms by Erin Benzakein,
published by Chronicle Books for £18.99, from 18th March.
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Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Why not entertain the kids with a garden picnic this spring? Create a cosy and relaxing ambience with Lights4fun’s Outdoor TruGlow Candle Trio, £26.99, waterproof, LED candles that’ll transform your space. As they remain cool to the touch, you can comfortably sit them on picnic blankets or benches without concern. To complete the look, add a splash of colour with the Yellow Flower Outdoor Micro Fairy Lights, £8.99. You can string them across hedges or loosely interweave them between your table setting for a charming al fresco dining set up. Both available at lights4fun.co.uk.
GARDEN IDEAS
In your garden
THIS MONTH
The cheery colours of spring bulbs, early flowering perennials, trees and shrubs are a sight to behold in March
W
Feature Louise Midgley Photos ibulb
hile the odd day may be mild and sunny this month, beware the frosty nights. Garden centres and online retailers are actively selling tender bedding plants but don’t be tempted to invest in any unless you have a frost-free environment, such as a conservatory or heated greenhouse, to grow them on in. On fine days, take the opportunity to blow away any winter cobwebs and gain some planting inspiration for the year ahead by
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visiting National Trust properties and public gardens that are open and renowned for their creative displays (check they are open before you travel). If you can’t spare the time for a trip out, explore your own garden on a day when those bitter March winds aren’t blowing. Wildlife is awakening and plant activity above the ground changing daily – it’s a magical time of the year. Several deciduous trees burst forth with spectacular blooms this month, from the big
Wildlife is awakening and plant activity above the ground changing daily – it’s a magical time of the year
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W
There might still be a chill in the air, but with a few outdoor textiles you can create a cosy nook to enjoy your garden from
Y
T TRY? O N
Aply a nutritious, organic mulch around the base of roses, climbers and shrubs to sustain them through the growing season.
GARDEN IDEAS Glorious daffodils stand proud amid Anemone blanda. Plant the bulbs in autumn to reap the rewards come spring
The delicate flowers of the Amelanchier lamarckii burst into life, drawing bees and other pollinators into your garden
stoping
show ra
s fo
blowsy magnolias to the delicate white blossom of Amelanchier lamarckii and early flowering cherries. But it’s the beautiful array of spring bulbs that include narcissus, Anemone blanda and muscari that truly herald the changing of the seasons and the return of warmer days. Plan ahead for cut flowers over the summer months by sowing seeds of hardy annuals that repeat flower but wait until the end of the month when the soil is a little warmer before sowing them directly into weed-free, well-prepared soil. If space is tight grow them in generously proportioned containers. Pot marigolds, borage, Lavatera trimestris and Viper’s-bugloss as these are favoured by a wide variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Ensure tall perennials stay upright in summer by getting supportive structures in place now. Sturdy metal supports will stand the test of time and be robust enough to hold the weighty growth of large specimens. Keep an eye out for weeds to give your perennials the best chance of flowering.
display
Choose a sunny spot in your garden for your daffodils and they will bloom year after year
rg a l Plant y n i our da fodils
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GARDEN IDEAS
1. SIX OF THE
BEST
Grenhouses From petite to palatial, greenhouses come in a multitude of shapes, styles and sizes, with options for all budgets. Once installed, any keen gardener will wonder how they ever managed without one…
1.Victorian Walkaround greenhouse
This unique, free-standing greenhouse with multiple doors allows the gardener access to their plants without having to actually go inside. All greenhouses are supplied in natural Pressure Treated timber and can be customised with an exterior timber paint of your choice. £559.99, forestgarden.co.uk
2.Growhouse Mini greenhouse
Use this compact mini greenhouse to get an early start in the season with seed sowing and propagating plants. The Growhouse is available in natural aluminium or antique cream finish and is fitted with 3mm toughened safety glass. £375, harrodhorticultural.com
The Hidcote may be the smallest in the range of eight free-standing National Trust greenhouses made by Alitex but it still offers serious gardeners heaps of space to grow all manner of edibles and ornamentals throughout the year. £12,950, alitex.co.uk
4.Stramshall Octagonal greenhouse
A high quality, small greenhouse that would make an attractive feature in a traditional garden, all year round. It is made entirely from Western Red Cedar wood and includes many useful features as standard. £3,195, delivered and installed, woodpecker-joinery.co.uk
5.
Shed with greenhouse area
This practical design combines a storage unit for garden tools, seed trays and pots with an attached greenhouse. In addition to its standard range, The Posh Shed Company offers a bespoke service for anybody requiring a custom-made shape or size, which includes installation. £7,260, theposhshedcompany.co.uk
6.SOLARDOME POD
A futuristic, igloo-shaped greenhouse, this option would make a statement in any garden, and would look especially stylish in a modern setting. When not being used to grow vegetables and plants, use it as an outdoor bolthole to relax in. From £8,340, solardome.co.uk
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2.
TRY? OT N
National Trust Hidcote greenhouse
WH Y
3.
Stay out of the heat with this external access hothouse
Put up shade nets in early summer to protect plants from being scorched in hot weather.
3.
4. Position a water butt close to the entrance of your grenhouse – and connect it to the guttering – to make watering less strenuous.
If you've a small outside space or are new to gardening, choose this compact option
temporary garden
6.
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5.
An
ho c t a n gu fe c r e p lar gre nhouse is the
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THROUGH THE GLASS Greenhouses have evolved into multifunctional structures that are more than just a place to nurture plants. When not tightly packed with seed trays, pots and grow bags, they provide the perfect retreat to relax in, with protection from wind and rain and a front seat view to watch the wildlife in your garden go about its business. Ventilation is very important to consider, too. Regulate the heat on warmer days by propping doors and windows open, and insulate the soil in winter.
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EIGHT AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER!
We have fabulous goodies up for grabs this month! Win one of 15 honey gift boxes
15 lucky winners
Buzzy Blends is an independent, family-owned business based in the UK that was created to bring honey to the table with a tasty twist. The unique range of handmade honey is seriously big on flavour and doesn’t compromise on quality, and bees are at the heart of everything Buzzy Blends do. The honey is collected by ethical beekeepers who care for and protect the bees, and the blends are made with no additives or preservatives, just 100 per cent natural ingredients that deliver nutritious goodness. There’s a mix of flavours such as peppermint, chocolate, lemon, ginger and cranberry, and each one has been mixed with nature’s finest ingredients and Buzzy Blends’ incredible natural raw honey. Your Home has teamed up with Buzzy Blends to offer you the chance to win one of 15 boxes. Each box consists of up to nine jars of naturally flavoured honey. For more information, visit buzzyblends.co.uk.
Win a DIY repair kit from Sugru.com, worth £100 What better way to welcome spring than with a fully stocked tool box? Step into DIY season fully armed with a handy Care & Repair Kit from online fixing hub, Sugru.com. Included in the set is the Merchant & Mills Rapid Repair Kit, bike and glasses repair sets, gold iron-on patches, tesa tape, woolfiller pack, a Home Hack Kit, and an eight-pack of Sugru mouldable glue. You have the chance to win one of five kits worth £100 each, and each one is filled with these easy-to-use tools to help you fix all kinds of household items, from clothing and homewares to glasses and bikes. Enjoy a more sustainable way of life and keep your treasured items going a little longer with this useful DIY bundle. For more information, visit sugru.com.
5 lucky winners
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Win one of 10 F-Secure TOTAL home cyber security suites
10 lucky winners
F-Secure TOTAL, worth £99.99, is a premium cyber security package for household devices that has been built with easeof-use in mind. You could win one of 10 of these prizes, which includes F-Secure SAFE that protects users’ online security; F-Secure FREEDOME, which maintains privacy online; and F-Secure ID PROTECTION, which keeps important credentials safe in one secure password manager and identity monitor. F-Secure SAFE protects your devices from viruses and provides a secure connection for your online banking. F-Secure FREEDOME is a VPN that gives privacy when browsing online, while F-Secure ID PROTECTION helps to protect all of your personal data, including passwords and credit card details, by informing you if your data has been breached. To find out more, visit f-secure.com.
Win a year’s supply of Zoflora Maintaining hygiene in the home has never been more important, so to help inspire your cleaning routine, Zoflora is delighted to be offering eight lucky readers a chance to win a year’s supply of their hard-working cleaning products. The Zoflora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant boasts a three-in-one formula, killing 99.9 per cent of viruses and bacteria. It’s also capable of eliminating odours and filling the home with beautiful fragrance for up to 24 hours. For more information as well as tips and tricks on how to use the disinfectant, visit zoflora.co.uk.
8 lucky winners
EIGHT AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER! Win your very own SodaStream
5 lucky winners
Win one of five educational toy bundles
5 lucky winners
Ever dreamed of making your own sparkling water? Well, here’s a chance to win one of five SodaStream sparkling water makers, worth £99.99 each, to make staying hydrated that bit more fun! SodaStream gives you access to fresh fizzy water as each gas cylinder is capable of producing up to 60 litres of sparkling water. Simply fill up the carbonating bottle, click into the machine, push the button, then relax and enjoy a refreshing glass of fizz, or spice things up with a fruity cooler or a zingy cocktail. Once you’ve bubbled away to your heart’s content, exchange your empty cylinder at retailers like Sainsbury’s, Currys and Argos, or have a new one delivered to your door with the SodaStream Sparkle Saver’s Plan*. Visit sodastream.co.uk for more info. *Plan not included in prize.
GeoSafari Jr., from leading educational toys company Learning Resources, is a range of science-themed toys created to inspire a love of learning for your little ones. Learning Resources is giving you the chance to win a bundle of these toys, worth £106 each.* Each prize includes a GeoSafari Jr. Talking Wildlife Camera and GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope. You can take kids on an adventure with the camera, which features the voice of Animal Planet’s Crikey It’s The Irwins co-star, Robert Irwin. This talking camera comes with 130 wildlife images, over 120 facts and 120 quiz questions. The GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope also takes a look at nature with wildlife warrior and co-star, Bindi Irwin. It comes with 20 slides featuring 60 images and 100 facts narrated by Bindi. For more information, visit learningresources.co.uk. *Only able to deliver in the UK.
Win an Overnight Reviver Break for two, worth £554
Win a Flymo EasiLife Go robotic lawnmower
Ragdale Hall Spa is giving Your Home readers the opportunity to win an overnight spa break for one winner and a plus one.* The stay will include a three-course dinner and lunch, breakfast delivered to their room, and use of its facilities, including the Rooftop Infinity Pool, Twilight Bar, Thermal Spa, gym and exercise classes. They’ll also enjoy a 50-minute treatment and robe hire. Why not also buy a Ragdale Hall gift voucher? Starting from £25, the voucher will make a great gift for a loved one. For more info, call 01664 434411 ext. 385 or visit ragdalehall.co.uk. *Sun-Thurs, subject to availability. Prize must be claimed within 12 months of notification. Guests must be 16 and over. Travel is not included. Services and facilities may change in line with COVID-19 government guidance.
Flymo has teamed up with Your Home to give readers the chance to win its brand-new EasiLife Go 150 robotic mower. The tool is perfect for mowing lawns of up to 150 sq m, has a range of cutting heights of 20-50mm, and is operated with a userfriendly Push & Go interface, all of which can be controlled with a smartphone app. The app has a range of useful functions, from scheduling the start time to checking the battery life. The mower also has a compact charging station and a PassageSense feature, which navigates its route around the lawn to ensure it mows every corner, even on gardens with up to 25 per cent slopes. Plus, it has LawnSense and FrostSense functions, so it can adapt to weather conditions. For more information, visit flymo.com/uk.
1 lucky winner
1 lucky winner
To enter, visit yourhomestyle.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you’d like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 31st March 2021 at 11.59pm TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 10 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 31st March 2021. 11 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 12 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days. 13 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 14 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 15 The prizes are as stated above. 16 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 17 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home Magazine March Giveaways, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared 18 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.
March 2021
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Shopping guide A
Abrams & Chronicle Books 01235 759555 abramsandchronicle.co.uk Albion Bath Company 01255 831605 albionbathco.com Aldi 0800 042 0800 aldi.co.uk Alitex 01730 826900 alitex.co.uk Al-Murad Tiles 0113 322 8075 al-murad.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon 0800 279 7234 amazon.co.uk And So To Shop andsotoshop.com Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 713089 anniesloan.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com AO.com 0161 470 1200 ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Arket arket.com Arlo & Jacob 03300 945 855 arloandjacob.com Asquiths asquithsbathrooms.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com
B
B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Bathrooms to Love 0800 877 8899 bathroomstolove.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse 0333 010 2352 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Beards & Daisies 0203 828 9600 beardsanddaisies.co.uk Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Belling belling.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Big Bathroom Shop bigbathroomshop.co.uk Bisley 0203 952 4000 bisley.com Bisque 020 7328 2225 bisque.co.uk Bombinate 020 3950 3532 bombinate.com Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Bradstone 01530 254320 bradstone.com Britton 01322 473222 brittonbathrooms.com Brockway 01562 828200 brockway.co.uk Burlington 01322 473222 burlingtonbathrooms.com
C
Caple 0117 938 1900 caple.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Chronicle Books 01235 759555 abramsandchronicle.co.uk Cielshop 01273 443837 cielshopinteriors.com
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CJ Wildlife 0800 731 2820 birdfood.co.uk Crosswater 0345 873 8840 crosswater.co.uk Crown Paints 0330 024 0309 crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cuisinart 0370 240 6902 cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture 0208 185 6960 cultfurniture.com
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D
DaAl’s daals.co.uk där lighting 01295 672200 darlighting.co.uk Desenio 020 3318 2047 desenio.co.uk DFS 0808 149 3826 dfs.co.uk Dobbies dobbies.com Doughlicious doughlicious.co.uk Drayton 0333 6000 622 draytoncontrols.co.uk Dualit 01293 652500 dualit.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com
E
eBay 0345 355 3229 ebay.co.uk Elodie Details elodiedetails.com Etsy etsy.com Everest everest.co.uk EZVIZ ezvizlife.com
F
Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Forest Garden 0333 321 3142 forestgarden.co.uk Furniture and Choice 0333 015 0000 furniturechoice.co.uk FYG 0208 914 7974 fyghome.com
G
Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk Gascoines 01636 813245 gascoines.co George Foreman 0345 209 7461 georgeforeman.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 direct.asda.com Getting Personal gettingpersonal.co.uk Graham & Brown 0808 168 3795 grahambrown.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Grohe 020 8283 2840 grohe.co.uk
H
H&M Home 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Hansgrohe 01372 472 077 hansgrohe.co.uk Harris 01527 575441 harrisbrushes.com
Harrod Horticultural 0333 400 6400 harrodhorticultural.com Harvey Jones 0800 389 6938 harveyjones.com Heather Burton Yorkshire Artist 01430 431398 heatherburtonyorkshireartist.co.uk Hex and Ginger hexandginger.com Hisense 0113 395 6930 hisense.co.uk Homebase 0333 003 7084 homebase.co.uk Homesense 01923 473561 homesense.com Hoover 03444 995599 hoover.co.uk
I
Iconic Lights iconiclights.co.uk Ideal Standard 01543 413204 idealspec.co.uk IKEA 020 3645 0000 ikea.com/gb Imperial Bathroom 01922 743074 imperialbathroom.com Indesit 0344 8224 224 indesit.co.uk Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk Instant Pot 03331 230051 instantpot.co.uk
J
Jali 01227 833333 jali.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 610 0359 johnlewis.com Johnson Tiles 01782 524000 johnson-tiles.com Juice Electrical Supplies
0333 456 7895 juiceelectricalsupplies.co.uk
K
Kaikoo 0208 904 8806 kaikoo.co.uk Kettler kettler.co.uk KitchenAid 0800 151 0908 kitchenaid.co.uk
L
Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Lakeland Furniture 0161 694 2790 lakeland-furniture.co.uk Lakes & Fells 07763 668184 lakesandfells.co.uk La Redoute 0330 303 0199 laredoute.co.uk Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com Lick lickhome.com Lifestyle Kitchens lifestylekitchens.com Lights & Lamps lightsandlamps.com Lights4fun 01423 816 040 lights4fun.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Loaf 0203 141 8300 loaf.com Lola Design 01904 675514 loladesignltd.com Love Radish 0117 924 7220 loveradish.co.uk Love Your Home 01483 410007
Where to buy everything in this issue love-your-home.co.uk Lucy Tiffney 07580 346759 lucytiffneyshop.com
M
M&Co 0333 202 0720 mandco.com M&L Paints 01730 779911 mandlpaints.com MADE 0845 557 6888 made.com Magnet 01325 744015 magnet.co.uk Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com Mamas & Papas mamasandpapas.com Maple from Canada maplefromcanada.co.uk Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Martha Brook 020 3176 0900 marthabrook.com Matalan 0333 0044444 matalan.co.uk Methven 0800 195 1602 methven.com Microplane microplane.com Mint & May 020 3637 7969 mintandmay.co.uk Morphy Richards 0344 871 0944 morphyrichards.co.uk Mrs Robinson 020 8670 6818 mrsrobinsonshop.co.uk
N
National Trust Shop 0300 123 2025 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Next 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Ninja 0800 862 0453 ninjakitchen.co.uk Not Just Taps 01923 268843 notjusttaps.co.uk Not on the High Street 0203 318 5115 notonthehighstreet.com
Q R
Quarterpast quarterpast.com Quooker 0345 833 3555 quooker.co.uk
Rangemaster 01926 457628 rangemaster.co.uk Rex London 0208 746 2473 rexlondon.com Ribble Valley Bathrooms 01200 440000 ribblevalleybathrooms.co.uk Riso Gallo risogallo.co.uk Rockett St George 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk Roper Rhodes 01225 303 900 roperrhodes.co.uk Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Rudy’s Pizza rudyspizza.co.uk Rug Vista 020 3808 9940 rugvista.com Russell Hobbs 0345 209 7461 uk.russellhobbs.com
S
Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636262 sainsburys.co.uk Sandtex 0330 024 0303 sandtex.co.uk Smith & Munson 01406 363234 smithandmunson.com Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Sofology 0800 140 4040 sofology.co.uk Solardome 023 8066 7890 solardome.co.uk Sophie Allport 01778 560256 sophieallport.com Stitched 0330 808 1787 stitched.co.uk Style Library 0203 4575 862 stylelibrary.com
Susan Clark Interiors 020 8305 2299 susanclarkinteriors.com Swift Direct Blinds 0370 218 7042 swiftdirectblinds.co.uk Symphony Kitchens 01226 446000 symphony-group.co.uk
T
Tesco 0800 505555 tesco.com Thames Valley Window Company 0800 181 698 tvwindows.com The Contemporary Home tch.net The Den Kit Co. 01694 751733 thedenkitco.com The Find Store 0208 850 5210 thefindstore.co.uk The Lighting Superstore 01225 704442 thelightingsuperstore.co.uk The Needo theneedo.com The Posh Shed Company 01544 387 101 theposhshedcompany.co.uk The Poster Club theposterclub.com The Range 0345 026 7598 therange.co.uk The Tastesmiths tastesmiths.com The Tofoo Co. tofoo.co.uk The Window Film Company 01494 794477 windowfilm.co.uk Tikamoon 020 344 55 440 tikamoon.co.uk TK Maxx 01923 473 561 tkmaxx.com Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk Travis Perkins 0333 577 8811 travisperkins.co.uk Trend Interiors 0800 028 4466 trendinteriors.co.uk Triton 02476 372 222 tritonshowers.co.uk
U V
Utopia Bathrooms 01902 406402 utopiagroup.com
Valspar 0344 736 9174 valsparpaint.co.uk Verona 0113 244 4984 veronagroup.co.uk Very 0800 11 00 00 very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk
W
Waitrose & Partners 0800 188 884 waitrose.com Walls and Floors 01536 314 730 wallsandfloors.co.uk Wandsworth Electrical 01483 740384 wandsworthelectrical.com Wayfair 0800 7564357 wayfair.co.uk Weru 01253 341444 weru.uk West Elm 0800 404 9780 westelm.co.uk Wickes 0330 123 4123 wickes.co.uk Wildflower Illustration Co. 07541 229383 wildflowerillustrationco.com Wilko 0800 032 9329 wilko.com Woodpecker Joinery 01889 562 610 woodpecker-joinery.co.uk Wyse Wood Oak Floors 0117 230 6672 wysewoodflooring.co.uk
Y
Yonder Living yonderliving.com
O
Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 oakfurnitureland.co.uk OGGS loveoggs.com Oliver Bonas 020 8059 2414 oliverbonas.com One of One Bathrooms 0330 124 6603 1of1bathrooms.co.uk Online Home Shop onlinehomeshop.com Onske 01273 921 522 onske.co.uk Our Lovely Goods ourlovelygoods.com OXO 0207 949 0115 oxouk.com
P
Paint & Paper Library 0845 880 5844 paintandpaperlibrary.com Panasonic 0344 844 3899 panasonic.eu Papermash 07403 607051 papermash.co.uk Primark primark.com
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SHOPPING DIRECTORY
Highly water resistant Will not flake or peel
GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER
UV resistant Contains no biocides or preservatives Safe for use on children’s toys Easy to apply 5 New colours for 2018
Grand Chesterfield 3 seater sofa £1499 www.treatex.co.uk
Classic Colour Collection Treatex Classic Colour Collection is a high quality opaque wood finish, suitable for many indoor and outdoor applications. Available in 21 colours.
Call now for a brochure or visit
01443 771222 www.thomaslloyd.com
01509 234000 - www.floorsofstone.com enquiries@floorsofstone.com
CLAIM 15% OFF WITH CODE: HEAR T15 Sara Miller Trinket Trays £20
Dartington Deco Vase £33
Emma Bridgewater Apron £20
Heart Bird Bath £8
Wrendale Travel Mug £14
01522 543959 www.purpleholly.co.uk
Sara Miller Notebook £10
Dartington Ruby Flutes £31
@purpleholly
To place an advert here, please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
Smart, stylish and landlord friendly. Shelving, mirrors and clothes stands that fit small spaces. Can be placed and removed on a whim using discreet non-slip silicon pads. All made from smooth, lacquered oak.
Experts in small space living 20 stores | futoncompany.co.uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
To place an advert here, please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
SHOPPING DIRECTORY
Sort yourself out.
SHOPPING DIRECTORY To place an advert here, please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
Direct from the manufacturer
www.sofasofa.co.uk
sofasofa
01495244226
A BIG
Re-Silver Plating Re-Silver Plating
THANKS
(EPNS, Sterling Silver, Copper or Brass base metal) (EPNS, Sterling Silver, Copper or Brass base metal)
REVIVE YOUR SILVERWARE REVIVE YOUR SILVERWARE TURNTHIS… THIS… TURN
TO OUR
INTO INTO THIS… THIS…
• Cutlery Sets/Pieces
• Candlesticks
• Trays and Bowls
• Jugs/Tankards
• Tea/Coffee Sets
• Some Jewellery (please ask)
• Trophies
• + Many Other Items!
• Ornaments
• Knife Handles Replaced
NO OBLIGATION OBLIGATION QUOTES NO QUOTES
To donate to the NHS please go to nhscharitiestogether.co.uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
R P Day & Co Co
2467240 0114 2467240 www.steelcitycutlery.com/plating www.steelcitycutlery.com/plating
To place an advert here, please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
SHOPPING DIRECTORY
Great British Sofas
SHOP OF THE MONTH
Boutique SPEAK We go behind the scenes with Ebi Sinteh, co-founder of online lifestyle shop Our Lovely Goods Describe a typical day
What inspired you to set up shop?
My husband, Emmanuel, and I (Ebi) start the day in our workshop, which is in our garage at home. Once we are up and ready, we head downstairs to the workshop and chat with our team about the plan for the week, which usually involves making candles and skincare or packing up orders. Depending on the season, we may also be testing out new scent blends for candles.
The journey began while I was on maternity leave. For both of us, becoming parents was a driving force behind us thinking more deeply about where our products came from and what impact they have on the environment and our home. Additionally, when curating the items we have in our online shop, we want to make sure that we use products that take the wider world into consideration while also being beautifully designed.
What is your favourite interiors trend?
‘Becoming parents was a driving force behind us thinking more deeply about where our products came from’
I would say that we aren’t super trend driven, but I have noticed that people are moving towards filling their homes with natural textures such as woven homewares and wooden furnishings, which I absolutely love.
What do you wish you knew before you started your business? How many non-creative things you have to become an expert in! Skills like SEO (search engine optimisation), basic website coding and design are all incredibly important but of course, they’re not the most fun tasks to do.
Meet Ebi and Emmanuel, creators of Our Lovely Goods
originally and so my husband and co-founder, Emmanuel, was able to travel there and find some amazing craftspeople to help us create our collection. We also hand make our skincare range using all natural and veganfriendly ingredients.
What are your best styling tips? What can we find in your shop? We handcraft soy wax candles in a range of scents inspired by moments, feelings and places (£20 each). We also have handwoven homeware pieces starting from £11; these are crafted by Nigerian artisans who we work with directly. Both of us are from Nigeria
Look to nature for inspiration. We love to incorporate lots of greenery in our home and styling as it adds a sense of vibrancy and life without being overbearing. We also love to use baskets as a way to style a space and hide ugly things like remote controls and wires. ourlovelygoods.com
My Favourite things
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2
3 Feature Sophie Demetriades
1. ‘My favourite candle is A Quiet Moment in Green Tea, Jasmine and Amber. It’s a sweet and calming scent – perfect for when you need some downtime.’ A Quiet Moment in Green Tea, Jasmine and Amber, £20 2. ‘I absolutely love our open-weave raffia rug; it’s really versatile as it can be used as both a rug or a statement wall hanging.’ Open weave raffia rug, £55 3. ‘We use our placemats every day as they add gorgeous texture to our dining table.’ Handwoven raffia placemats, £25
montpellier-appliances.com
“Great little dryer, fits on our worktop in the kitchen and does it’s job brilliantly” Gary Thorne · Amazon
“It would be difficult to improve on this. It’s basically perfect” David · Reevoo
“It’s small, compact, sleek modern design. I like the two handles for ease of movement” Phil · Currys.com
Basically perfect. But don’t just take our word for it. Montpellier design products with style and function in mind creating appliances for the real world. Our popular MTD30P 3Kg Compact Tumble Dryer is winning countless fans across the UK. Compact and easy to manoeuvre, it can sit on the worktop or hang on the wall. For more information and to find out where to buy, visit our website now.
The perfect balance of function & style. PARTS & LABOUR
© Copyright of Montpellier Domestic Appliances Limited 2021. All rights reserved. E&OE.
Highly Commended in Best New Product Category at the ERT Awards 2020
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designerpaint.com Make your home your own.
