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

Real 2 HOMES REALHOMES.COM

JULY 2021

easy g updates for all budgets

BEFORE AFTERS

+

50+ pages of inspiring homes and gardens

10

steps to your dream bathroom

GOING GREEN

best buys Patio paving Outdoor seating Alfresco cooking

Eco-friendly project tips

SUMMER LIVING Striking extensions that bring the outside in

Subscriber offer Last, though not least, this month’s case studies are some of my favourites so far this year: from a renovated Victorian townhouse owned by an interior architect, where the use of colo is warm yet unexpected, to the lovely Liverpool home with an enviable kitchen conservatory that blends indoors and out.

I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I did – and that you find yourself reading this somewhere in the summer sun!

Get three issues for £3, plus a Joules pencil case set and Dream Journal – see page 8 for more details

kaitlin madden Editor in chief @kaitmadden

REALHOMES.COM

from the editor PHOTOGRAPH MINDY BRIAR PHOTOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATIONS THINGS AIMEE MADE

rniture is one of hobbies. I’ve sprayk-painted and glossed om kids’ beds to side ng tables. But recently, rniture refinishing project I’ve never done before: I stripped the finish off of an old side table, right down to the natural wood. When I was done, I cleaned it up and added a coat of lime wax – no paint to be found.

Having now tackled both types of furniture refinishing, I can definitively say painting is easier than stripping.

But my table was done in an effort to achieve one of today’s biggest furniture trends: bleached wood tones. From Nordic-inspired soft pines to limed oak, light-coloured woods are the materials of choice for furnishings. While you can get the look with a little elbow grease, if you value your time – and sanity – more than I do, you can have your pale woods simply shipped to your door.

See page 36 for some of our favourite bleached-wood furniture and accents to help you get the style at home.

Following the theme of keeping things light, we’ve got a guide to installing rooflights (page 143) – great for making the most of natural light all year round. It’s a mood booster and a great way to save on energy costs.

Speaking of which, if you’re looking for ways to save money at home while also creating a more sustainable space, head to our feature on eco-friendly renovations (page 111). From choosing materials to being energy efficient and incorporating smart tech, we’ve gathered together the best ideas for making your reno planet-friendly.

Meet the team Get to know the people who bring you Real Homes magazine with a monthly question.

This time: where are you dreaming of jetting off to once Covid’s over?

Ellen Finch Deputy editor My trip to Iceland was cancelled when everything kicked off, so I’ll head there – with a scarf and gloves in my case.

Alison Jones Assistant editor Between a travel firm collapse and Covid, my holidays have been jinxed.

NZ will be third time lucky (I hope!).

Anna Morley Style editor Ibiza is a favourite destination. Come July, when baby no.2 is here, I’ll even be able to indulge in a few cocktails.

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Amelia Smith Deputy style editor I love France, so I can’t wait to cycle round pretty Rennes and get croissants from a bakery – yum!

Emily Smith Senior art editor As long as I have a book, a bar and a pool, I really don’t care. Oh, and the family, I suppose…

s t n e t n o c 76

Inside track 13

Style agenda 36

The trend for natural finishes is oh-so 2021; here’s how to keep things pale and interesting

news The latest new homeware and essential design ideas

46 19

49

22

style maths Create a boho-style garden for £100, £300 and £500

do you ban the TV at dinner time?

Two readers share their opposing views on this month’s hot topic

Designer spotlight The independent businesses getting creative with leather

let’s be friends Follow us on social media for daily inspiration

21

wooden wonders

62

colour theory A deep dive into forest green and how it can enhance your home

real home An extension and new layout gave Louise and Sean space to display their vintage finds

66

outdoor chairs

84

garden updates

90

125

The latest ideas and designs for your own outdoor retreat

33 Our edit of the latest designs, whatever your style and budget

35

blissful blues The chalky, dusky shade that has us dreaming of summer skies

65

everyone’s talking about…

The one product we’re obsessed with this month

downstairs loos ... with 5* style! Our big ideas for your smallest room

136 spotlight on U-shaped kitchens How to maximise this underrated layout

36

73

SEE ONE OF THESE? 13

Scan on your phone for more from realhomes.com

s t n e t n co project advice

home life 50

22

45

Style editor Anna Morley shares her loft conversion journey

real home Architect Rob Pollard and his wife, Emma, doubled their space, creating room for the whole family

onwards and upwards

111 eco-friendly renos

73

The Real Homes team solves your design dilemmas

76

A guide to creating a greener home, from tech to materials

your questions, answered 118

10 steps to your dream bathroom

Real home New parents Franky and Jack turned a student house into a colourful family home

How to curate a space that’s perfect for you

125 project news 90

The latest ideas and buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation

real home Kate reconfigured her Victorian property for open-plan living

35

100 a growing success Why more of us than ever are growing our own – and how you can up your green-fingered game

104 real garden

Let natural light flood your home with the best new designs

148

Bek’s DIY skills and creative thinking helped her transform an overgrown garden into a haven

62

143 guide to rooflights

128

focus on paving All you need to know to step outside onto a perfect patio

153 The edit real kitchen Jessica used her eye for design and savvy research skills to create a stylish open-plan kitchen for less

The latest juicers, patterned bathroom flooring and outdoor cooking

16 62 Sunday Project The dried flower cloud we can’t wait to recreate

104

going Eco

49

Look out for this logo on our favourite sustainable picks

157

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Áۭ!ɀ ǔǔƺȸ ƬǼȒɀƺɀ ‫ ׏ב‬hɖǼɵ ‫ ِ׏א׎א‬ȵƺȇ ɎȒ ȇƺɯ Èk (ǣȸƺƬɎ (ƺƫǣɎ ɀɖƫɀƬȸǣƫƺȸɀ ȒȇǼɵِ ǔɎƺȸ ɵȒɖȸ ˡȸɀɎ Ɏǝȸƺƺ ǣɀɀɖƺɀً ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫɀƬȸǣȵɎǣȒȇ ɯǣǼǼ ƬȒȇɎǣȇɖƺ ƏɎ ‫ דאِחگ‬ƺɮƺȸɵ Ɏǝȸƺƺ ȅȒȇɎǝɀِ ¨ǼƺƏɀƺ ƏǼǼȒɯ ɖȵ ɎȒ ɀǣɴ ɯƺƺǸɀ ǔȒȸ ƳƺǼǣɮƺȸɵ Ȓǔ ɵȒɖȸ ˡȸɀɎ ɀɖƫɀƬȸǣȵɎǣȒȇ ǣɀɀɖƺِ ¨ƏɵȅƺȇɎ ǣɀ ȇȒȇ‫ٮ‬ȸƺǔɖȇƳƏƫǼƺ ƏǔɎƺȸ Ɏǝƺ ‫ٮג׏‬ƳƏɵ ƬƏȇƬƺǼǼƏɎǣȒȇ ȵƺȸǣȒƳ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ƺɴƬƺȵɎǣȒȇƏǼ ƬǣȸƬɖȅɀɎƏȇƬƺɀ ƏȵȵǼɵِ «ƺƬƺǣɮƺ ɵȒɖȸ ǔȸƺƺ hȒɖǼƺɀ ¨ƺȇƬǣǼ !Əɀƺ ƏȇƳ (ȸƺƏȅ hȒɖȸȇƏǼً ɯǝƺȇ ɵȒɖ ɀɎƺȵ‫ٮ‬ɖȵ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ɀƺƬȒȇƳ ȵƏɵȅƺȇɎ ƏǔɎƺȸ ɵȒɖȸ ǣȇǣɎǣƏǼ ɎȸǣƏǼ ƺȇƳɀِ JǣǔɎ ɯǣǼǼ ȒȇǼɵ ƫƺ ɀƺȇɎ ƏǔɎƺȸ Ɏǝƺ ɀƺƬȒȇƳ ȵƏɵȅƺȇɎ ǝƏɀ ƬǼƺƏȸƺƳِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ƬƏȇƬƺǼ ƏǔɎƺȸ Ɏǝƺ ǣȇǣɎǣƏǼ ɎȸǣƏǼً ɵȒɖ ɯǣǼǼ ȇȒɎ ȸƺƬƺǣɮƺ ǣɎِ çȒɖȸ ǕǣǔɎ ɯǣǼǼ ƫƺ ƳƺǼǣɮƺȸƺƳ ɀƺȵƏȸƏɎƺǼɵ ɯǣɎǝǣȇ ‫ ׎ה‬ƳƏɵɀ ƏǔɎƺȸ ɵȒɖȸ ɀƺƬȒȇƳ ȵƏɵȅƺȇɎ ǝƏɀ ƬǼƺƏȸƺƳ ƏȇƳ ǣɀ ȒȇǼɵ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ Èk ɀɖƫɀƬȸǣƫƺȸɀِ Xǔ ɀɎȒƬǸ ǣɀ ƺɴǝƏɖɀɎƺƳً ɯƺ ȵȸȒȅǣɀƺ ɎȒ Ȓǔǔƺȸ ɵȒɖ Əȇ ƏǼɎƺȸȇƏɎǣɮƺ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ɀƏȅƺ Ȓȸ ǕȸƺƏɎƺȸ ɮƏǼɖƺِ IȒȸ ǔɖǼǼ ɎۭƬɀً ɮǣɀǣɎ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺɀƳǣȸƺƬɎِƬȒȅٖɎƺȸȅɀِ IȒȸ ƺȇȷɖǣȸǣƺɀ ȵǼƺƏɀƺ ƬƏǼǼ‫ גגڷ ي‬٢‫׎‬٣ ‫ ِב׏׏׏ בבב ׎בב‬ nǣȇƺɀ Əȸƺ Ȓȵƺȇ xȒȇ‫ٮ‬Iȸǣ ‫ח‬Əȅ‫דٮ‬ȵȅ Èk Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓȸ ƺȅƏǣǼ ǝƺǼȵ۬ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺɀƳǣȸƺƬɎِƬȒȅِ !ƏǼǼɀ ɎȒ ‫ ׎בב׎‬ȇɖȅƫƺȸɀ ɯǣǼǼ ƫƺ ƬǝƏȸǕƺƳ ƏɎ ȇȒ ȅȒȸƺ ɎǝƏȇ Ə ȇƏɎǣȒȇƏǼ ǼƏȇƳǼǣȇƺ ƬƏǼǼً ƏȇƳ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ǣȇƬǼɖƳƺƳ ǣȇ ɵȒɖȸ ȵǝȒȇƺ ȵȸȒɮǣƳƺȸ‫ټ‬ɀ ƬƏǼǼ ƫɖȇƳǼƺِ

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

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

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

REALHOMES.COM

SUBSCRIBER COPY WRAP IMAGE Getty

inside track FEATURE ANNA MORLEY AND AMELIA SMITH

Step outside into serene tranquillity and squeeze the most out of the long summer days with the latest outdoor collection from Ikea. Get those holiday vibes at home with crisp blues and pure whites, inspired by Greek islands and the Mediterranean ocean.

It’s a timeless colour combination that’s simply made for summer, and makes us feel calm just by looking at it.

Take a break Get away from it all in your own garden with more sunny day updates from Ikea

Ikea Högön parasol, £35, Altappen floor decking, £9, Ikea

REALHOMES.COM

Refresh and revive

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

Fejka artificial potted plant, £29

Gamlehult footstool with storage, £60 Kryddpedar plant stand, £19 Skarrild rug, £60

Fnittrig plant pot, £2.50

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Äpplarö reclining chair, £45, Ikea

Glow up

DRAWER & ORDER

Silio five-light brass pendant flush, £119

There’s nothing like the feeling of having everything in its place, and these file drawers from Bisley are ideal for home work spaces – the perfect blend of fun style and office order. In a rainbow of colours and range of sizes, they’re a joyful and tidy statement.

Sunflower yellow multidrawers, from £75, Bisley

The latest Silio collection from Lights & Lamps celebrates all things curvy. The arched edges and spherical shapes offer a smooth, organic feel, while the metallic finishes ensure the lights look as good switched off as they do on. We see these above an elegant dining table or in a hallway.

Silio five-light matt black and opal pendant flush, £99

Bookworm Design the Home You Love: Practical Styling Advice to Make the Most of Your Space by Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed ( £25, Ten Speed Press) If you’re starting with a blank canvas and not sure where to go with your decorating, this is for you.

Lee and Emily, founders of interior design company Havenly, have compiled their expert knowledge into one succinct, beautifully illustrated book. From deciding on the best colour palette to buying the right-sized rug for your space, it’s full of insider knowledge and tips to curate a winning scheme.

Dream collab Leaf Envy and Soho Home have joined forces to create a collection of houseplants and handcrafted pots.

The range is inspired by the plants found in Soho Houses across the globe.

From fiddle-leaf figs to Chinese money plants, the edit features six plants varying in style and size, so whether you’re a newbie plant parent or a seasoned pro, there’s one for you. Prices start at £34

Limewash hack

Sydra all-weather rattan garden side table, £175, OKA

Spend v save Find that perfect perch for your alfresco morning coffee or summer cocktail with a shapely rattan side table that’s an investment… or a bargain.

Rust-Oleum Chalkwash in Light Concrete, £44 for 2.5ltrs, with Chalky Finish wall paint in Steamed Milk, £36 for 2.5ltrs, B&Q Glide print by Ceres, £59

Whether you’re looking to complete your gallery wall or make an impact with one stand-out piece, we’ve found your latest one-stop-shop. Heal’s is home to a brand new collection of artwork from some of the most exciting and dynamic artists in the field. From abstract shapes to painterly florals, add a dose of zingy pleasure to your walls for an instant refresh.

Circuit print

by Ceres, £59

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Aruba rattan side table, £49.99, Very

#SOREALHOMES

All Saints print

by Elizabeth Power, £119

Picture perfect

SEE MORE OF THE LATEST RELEASES, IDEAS AND TRENDS AT REALHOMES.COM/NEWS

The earthy and rustic look of limewash on our walls is having a moment in the interiors sphere.

Now Rust-Oleum has launched a chalkwash paint in eight shades that’ll help you create the look in two simple steps. First, apply a base coat with a roller. Then paint on a second coat using crisscrossing brush strokes for an artisanal matt effect.

Nina print

by Elizabeth Power, £179

Hessian bunting, £1

Hanging brass planter, £1.50 ECO CHOICE

Plant pot power Insect house, £2

FINAL FLOURISH The right finishing touches can make your garden feel like another ‘room’. This industrial-look solar lantern, hessian bunting and brass planter are stylish yet pocket-friendly buys from Poundland.

Outd door plant pots can be a little lacklustre in comparison to indoor ones, but sustainable plant pot company Elho is set to change that. The new Fuente collection boasts subtle and intricate patterned designs in a range of sizes and colours, fit for the most modern or traditional of gardens. They’re totally recyclable and made from 80 per cent recycled materials as well.

Solar hanging lantern, £6

Fuente rings pot and Fuente grains pots, from £14.49 to £43.19, all Elho

Bunny Tales in Teal and Cherry Blossom, £40 I’m With Her in Skin Tones, £38 NEW BRAND

Gingham checked plates, from £7.99; tea towel, £11.99 for pack of two; paper napkins, £5.99 for pack of 20, all Zara

Check mate Gingham says innocence and fun, so we’re glad to see it gracing homeware and fashion collections alike for summer ‘21. Zara Home does it especially well with plates, napkins and cushions, adding a hint of quintessentially British charm to both our homes and gardens. Now to complete the look with some strawberries and cream...

Jungle Is Massive in Sweet Pink, £38

Wonderful walls Lust Home boasts a whole new realm of colourful and quirky wallpapers that live up to the brand’s motto of ‘anything but ordinary.’

Their in-house designers draw ideas from popular culture, wanderlust, and activism for maximalist wallpapers that spread positivity – from 60s psychedelia to empowering female forms. The pastethe-wall prints are easy to hang and sustainable, too.

Spring Fling in multicoloured on pink, £38

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Expert advice Ripping up and starting again? For garden design help and landscaping tips, our advice features are chock-a-block with info. Looking for a smaller project?

Try our guide to creating a living wall – it’s easier than it looks! realhomes.com/advice

g n i d n e r t w o n # Abena rattan coffee table, nde

ES.COM M O H L A E R N O Y NIT JOIN THE COMMU FOR ALL YOUR HOMES INSPIRATION AND ADVIC E

get involved Aqua blue hammock with tasselled fringe, £79, Cielshop

PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK (TOP)

AL FRESCO LIVING

We’re following… @our.crafty.home. Nic and Martin have turned their little Welsh terrace into a cosy and creative space, and their feed is full of artsy ideas and DIY updates – plus a houseplant or two!

Brea black garden chair, £275, Rockett St George

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For the next few months, w we’ll be spending more time outside – so it’s time to whip your garden into shape.

From ideas for compact sspaces (even balconies!) to th he best patio furniture and cosy fire pits, head to our h hub for all your inspiration. realhomes.com/garden

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Fancy being featured on our IG – or even the pages of this magazine?

Use #sorealhomes in y your social media posts and you might just catch our ey ye…

THE BIG

DEBATE ‘When we’re too

YES

tired to talk, I might suggest that we watch TV’

‘At mealtimes

Sara and Ben Swift (@thelittlehouse_ broadstairs) live with their two children in a 1930s detached house in Surrey ‘I’m not averse to the kids having the TV on while they’re eating. I think you do what you need to do and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. We have a breakfast bar area in the kitchen and there is a television there, as well as in the lounge area.

‘It’s a lovely idea to be sat round the table chatting about our day, but in reality, certainly for us, we eat at different times to the kids.

They might be watching it at the breakfast bar while I’m still cooking or doing something in the kitchen and I’ll ask them what the programme’s about. Or I might have the news on and they’ll ask me what’s going on. When there were daily briefings, we would quite often have those on as well. I might have it on when I’m grabbing lunch, as a bit of company.

‘While the pandemic has allowed us to eat together as a family more, there have been times when we were too zonked out with homeschooling and everything to chat. I remember sitting down with my husband and him asking “How’s your day been?” and I just physically couldn’t talk!

Then I’d suggest watching something, or having dinner on our laps in front of the TV. ‘I am different about not allowing devices at dinner. Those are a bit more individual and you don’t always know what the kids are looking at.

Otherwise, the option of TV is there, though it’s not always taken up – it depends how everyone’s day has been.’

we should just enjoy each other’s company’

FEATURE ALISON JONES

NO

Julia and Si Pulford (@house.by.the.park) live with their two children in a Victorian terraced house in Mossley Hill, Liverpool ‘We’ve got an open-plan kitchen-diner and there is absolutely no television set up there. And when we sit down for a meal, if the children come in with an iPad or phone, everything is banned – it’s a no-go zone. It was never up for debate – my husband and I never had that conversation. It’s just something we have always agreed on, that this is family time.

‘As our children get older, we know this is the only time we’ll get them to spend with us, so we try to make it about the four of us. It’s not always easy – it can be stressful, and there may be an element of wanting to get back to whatever they were doing – but that’s part of being a family.

‘We’re never stuck for conversation. It does seem to flow. We ask the children what they’ve been up to at school, what they want to do tomorrow or at the weekend, just normal stuff. Occasionally there are arguments; they seem to flow as well!

‘We only have one television and that’s in the living room. We’ve got laptops and iPads if the kids want to go and watch their own shows. They’re at an age now when they have their own interests.

‘Mealtimes are important. I tell the kids that this is something they’ll look back on with fond memories, even when they’re having arguments or being told off for burping or talking with their mouth full. The four of us are together and we should just enjoy each other’s company for half an hour or 45 minutes, and I think they’d probably say that they do.’

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Is the TV barred from your kitchen-diner to encourage family chat? We ask our readers

NEXT MONTH: DO YOU LET YOUR PETS HAVE FREE REIN OVER YOUR HOME?

Do you ban the TV at dinnertime?

Adding a conservatory extension to the back of the house means that the kitchen is far more social and connected to the dining area, which suits the family much better. ‘Changing the layout has made the place really feel like home as we’ve been able to put our own stamp on it,’ says Louise.

Table, Loaf. Bench, Ebay.

Chairs, Hay. Light, Tom Raffield at John Lewis & Partners. Black metal shelves, Ikea

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The property A four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Liverpool project cost £35,000

Extended Period Terrace

Treasure trove Adding an extension and reconfiguring their layout gave Louise Potter and husband Sean a house that works for them – and that showcases their collection of art, vintage finds and Scandinavian pieces

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FOR BUDGET-FRIENDLY EXTENSION INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

The owners Louise Potter, an interior designer, her husband, Sean, their daughter, Martha, and Elvis the Jack Russell

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Removing a wall in the kitchen allowed Louise and Sean to increase the number of units and create a peninsular for the hob.

The cabinetry carcasses are from Howdens, while modern painted doors from Naked Doors create the illusion of a bespoke finish.

‘Most of our base units are drawers; things don’t seem to get hidden at the back as much as they do with cupboards,’ says Louise.

Cabinets, Howdens.

Cupboard/drawer doors, Naked Doors, painted in Worsted, Farrow & Ball. John Martin sign, local antiques market

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REALHOMES.COM

WORDS LAURIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

Below One wall in the kitchen has a bank of tall cabinetry with the fridgefreezer, larder, dishwasher and ovens. Next to it, open shelving has been made from contrasting walnut timber and is used to display everyday essentials such as tea and coffee. ‘We had these shelves made instead of having more wall cupboards to help the space feel more open,’ says Louise.

eople say that you just know when a house is the right one for you as soon as you walk in – and that was definitely the case for Louise Potter when she went to view her Victorian four-bedroom property.

Moving from Tunbridge Wells in Kent to live with her now husband, Sean, in Liverpool, Louise was instantly drawn to the house’s period features, such as the stained glass doors and windows, along with some of the original fireplaces. The previous owners had purchased the house from a lady who had lived there since the 1920s and, luckily for Louise and Sean, had gone on to renovate it, which meant all the hard work had been done for them. ‘It wasn’t to my taste but it did mean that we didn’t have to spend our first few years in Liverpool doing DIY on the weekends,’ says Louise. ‘And on the plus side, all the difficult jobs, like replastering, sanding floors and stripping doors, had already been finished.’

Changing the layout slightly to suit their family was top of the couple’s wish list, with plans to extend the kitchen and transform their bare yard into a little oasis in the city. Louise turned a spare bedroom into her office, while the living room at the back of the house was changed into a snug, leaving the front room as the main space for entertaining. By far the biggest challenge for the couple was the kitchen and dining area remodel, which took about three months to complete. ‘We spent years deciding what to do and eventually settled on adding an off-the-shelf conservatory,’ says Louise.

‘We knocked through from the kitchen and dining room, where there was an existing large sash window. Although I designed the space, we hired a builder for the main building work, while Sean carried out all of the plumbing. Extending the kitchen with a standard conservatory rather than something bespoke was very cost effective.’

Not all went smoothly, however, and an issue with the floor ended up doubling the cost of the tiling. ‘We’d hoped we would be able to pull up the old quarry tiles and level the floor with the hallway,’ says Louise, ‘but the ground underneath them was very loose. This meant that the conservatory ended up being much lower than I wanted, which really bothered me at the time, but I don’t really notice it so much now.’

With the newly extended space creating extra room in the kitchen, a peninsular was added to house the hob, while open shelves have been used in place of wall cupboards to make the area feel even more open. ‘It’s a lovely light space,’ says Louise, ‘especially in the morning when your first view is through to the outside.’

A lover of Scandinavian design, Louise admits the pale, minimal interior she craves can be tricky to achieve as she’s drawn to junk shops and vintage treasures. Instead, the house has been given a vintage Scandi vibe, with its original features shown off and some great pieces of furniture that Louise has picked up from antique fairs and been lucky enough to come across from her job in the interiors industry. ‘I love the long bench in the dining area I got on Ebay’ she says. ‘I was looking for something to paint but it turned out to be the perfect colour already.’

A lot of the artworks dotted around the couple’s house are by Louise, who sells prints from her company, CitySpace, in local shops and on Etsy. Elsewhere, you’ll find accessories from shops such as Rose & Grey, Rockett St George, Arket and John Lewis & Partners – all go-to places for the couple when it comes to homeware.

‘It’s nice to be at the stage now where we’d only change furniture rather than decoration,’ Louise muses. ‘I always plan to be more minimalist, but “stuff ” creeps in! We’ve taken our time and only put things in that we love, rather than following a trend. Your house is where you should feel comfortable – you need to let it grow with you.’

The work to the kitchen has opened up the back of the house and it feels like the garden is now an extension of the living space. A change of floor tiles marks the beginning of the conservatory extension, while the walls have been clad in tongue-and-groove timber panelling. A variety of plants pave the way from this sunny space outside to the garden.

Pendant light, Nook London. Hexagon floor tiles, Domus Tiles.

Plants, Root Plants.

For similar stools, try the Revolver by Hay

B E FO R E

The garden had been repaved when Louise moved in and a large timber shed took up much of the space.

‘We removed the shed and Sean made it into the “garden room”,’ says Louise.

‘We made two new brick planters from reclaimed bricks (some from the wall taken down to create the extension) and then we filled the garden with plants.

During lockdown, Sean also built a “garden kitchen” under the kitchen window using a reclaimed sink.’

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Outdoor rug, Rockett St George. Yellow chair set, John Lewis & Partners.

Grey table, B&Q. Grey chairs, Marks & Spencer

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Below The Victorian house features two living spaces.

This is the back lounge that Louise and Sean use most nights to watch TV. ‘It used to be my office,’ says Louise, ‘but we moved that upstairs and the snug was furnished with items we already had elsewhere in the house.’

Chair, Ercol. Cushion, Orla Kiely. H artwork, Gayle Mansfield Designs.

Lamp, Habitat

Left and above The fireplace in the living room had been painted over but the previous owners stripped it back to reveal the pink marble underneath, saving Louise and Sean a job. ‘We chose the wall colour as it made a complete change to the rest of the house and I thought it’d work with the marble,’ says Louise. ‘This used to be our family room,

MOVED IN August 2011

Project timeline

but we now use it more for entertaining.’

Walls painted in Sweeney Brown, Claybrook Studio.

Arlo sofas, John Lewis & Partners. Rug, Cox & Cox. Coffee tables, Russell Pinch and Unto this Last. Ladder shelf unit, Marks & Spencer.

Corner shelving, Content

by Conran. Dried flowers, Mary Mary Floral Design

FIRST MEAL COOKED IN KITCHEN May 2018

KITCHEN STARTED February 2018

BATHROOM INSTALLED July 2020

GARDEN FINISHED June 2020

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Below and right The main bedroom has been painted in a soft neutral shade that lets the coloured accessories sing. ‘I painted the wall behind the bed in a colour I liked on the swatch card but hated it once it was up, so changed it to Egyptian Cotton by Dulux,’ says Louise. ‘We painted the floorboards white and created a built-in wardrobe

Above The bathroom was the last room to be refreshed and the couple looked at lots of new layout options.

They eventually decided to keep everything in the same place but increased the size of both the bath and shower.

‘Investing in a decent shower

by using an old one that was too big for the space and adding a skirting to it. We painted it to match the wall. This room used to be quite dark and now it’s lovely and light. It’s much nicer to wake up in!’

Bedspread, Lucy Tiffney. Bedside tables, Ikea. Walls painted in Egyptian Cotton, Dulux

was definitely our best buy,’ says Louise.

Shower, Hansgrohe.

Shower screen, Victoria Plum. Vanity unit, Lusso Stone. Floor tiles, Claybrook Studio.

Mirror, Rose & Grey

THE PLANS GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

B E FO R E

AFTER

DINING RO O M

H A L LWAY

AFTER

K I TC H E N DINER

K I TC H E N

EN

BAT H RO O M

H A L LWAY

BEDROOM

B E D RO O M HOME OFFICE

LIVING RO O M

SNUG

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LIVING RO O M

B E D RO O M

B E D RO O M

Costs & contacts Extension £14,500 Kitchen fittings and appliances £12,000 Furniture £4,000 Bathroom £3,500 Garden £1,000

}

Kitchen Howdens, howdens.com Kitchen cupboard doors Naked Doors, 01328 854 534, nakeddoors.com Prints CitySpace, thisisworkspace.co.uk

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Got a project of your own? Enter our awards for your chance to win £1,000

S I T BAC K & R E L A X Take some time out just for you and soak up the sun in a statement solo seat. We’ve compiled the latest designs for any style and budget

SAVE

SPEND

Acapulva chair, £45, Homebase

Weave chair, £79.99, Homesense

Garden armchair, £140, Maisons du Monde

SAVE E

Deck chair in Geo orange, £40, Habitat

Deck chair in Aerobics stripe, £115, The Stripes Company

Floral madness deck chair, £149.99, Perkins & Morley

Charles Bentley outdoor footstool, £25, Wilko

Otteron/Innerskar outdoor pouffe, £40, Ikea

Nomad Tarifa footstool, £189, Weaver Green

SPEND

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SAVE

SPEND S

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

SAVE

SPEND

Hanging chair, £249.99, JYSK

Apolima rattan effect egg chair, £411, B&Q

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Teardrop hanging chair, £525, Cox & Cox

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2

ECO CHOICE 3

4

12 9

5

6 7 11

8

ECO CHOICE

10 0

B L I S S F U L B LU E S FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

There’s a new hue in town that’s giving us all the positive feels. Charmingly chalky, this dusky pale blue will have you dreaming of hazy summer skies 1 Eyre three-way pendant in chrome with pale blue Arco shades, £65, Iconic Lights 2 ‘Be Bold’ Printable modern wall art, £4.50, Albert Moon 3 Powder Blue Breatheasy coloured matt emulsion, £18 per 2.5 ltr, Crown Paints 4 Hasle stoneware pie dish in Flintstone Blue Granite, £49, Broste Copenhagen 5 Paris Blue Door wall art, from £9.95, Desenio 6 Hector dome small blue table light, £195, Original BTC 7 Meri Meri Simply Eco bamboo plate, £8.25, Scandiborn 8 Prussian Blue 200TC cotton bundle, from £108, Loom & Last 9 Tiny Inka cups, £14 for two, and Tiny Inka bowls, £16 for two, OYOY Living Design 10 Kya blue wine glass, £26 for four, Next 11 Recycled plastic rug in Sky, from £39, Braided Rug Company 12 366 Concept armchair, velvet collection in Sky Blue, £735, Lime Lace 13 Lovett velvet pouffe, light blue, £89.99, Beliani 14 Herringbone Capri blanket, £45, Weaver Green

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13

NEXT MONTH – ADD ARTISTIC FLAIR WITH SPLATTER-EFFECT HOMEWARE

14

INTO THE WOODS The trend for natural finishes is oh-so 2021, and paler woods are the preferred material of choice. Curating a relaxing environment in your interior is simple with nature’s perfect accent

calm scene Rattan and jute provide definition and texture to this look. The pale wood furniture is elevated by the darker shades around it, ensuring the scheme doesn’t look washed out.

Flloyd natural cane armchair, £295; Flloyd natural cane stool, £135; black metal twin floor lamp, £295, all Graham & Green

LAYERING UP Picking up on the everpopular Nordic aesthetic, these textures and tones make the perfect Scandi backdrop. To emphasize this further, position light wooden furniture pieces against a similarly toned wall.

Tranquil sideboard, £450; Inky Blue II framed print & mount, £25; Type 2 framed print & mount, £120; Leaf table lamp, £100; Garden Trading Stratton indoor plant pots, £15 for two; rattan stool, £125, all John Lewis & Partners.

For similar wall panels, try Dove grey peel and stick wood wall panels, £46.99, The Wood Veneer Hub

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

REALHOMES.COM

Top Tip To add impact to this serene scheme, choose stronger coloured accessories in on-trend shapely silhouettes

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Top Tip Try a new take on classic stripes by positioning wood panels vertically. Doing so will help draw the eye upwards

SUBTLE STATEMENT If walls could talk… or floors, for that matter. Wood makes an impact wherever it’s used and can be perfect as a base covering for your surfaces – and, just like in nature, combines seamlessly with stronger colours, too.

Top Tip Keep the natural look going by pairing woods and marble finishes. These timeless materials create a cohesive design

REALHOMES.COM

Left Mustard Yellow linen duvet cover, from £99, and linen housewife pillowcase, from £18, Secret Linen Store. For wall panels, try Alaska self-adhesive planks, £49.99, Nature Wall Above Signature Tempus Soothe, Stucco Quartz and Stucco Indigo in Aspekt Small laying pattern, from £70 per m2, Amtico. For a similar wood and metal table, try the Coventry, £154, Maisons Du Monde Above right Natural Oak SlatWall Panels, £129.99 per panel, Nature Wall Right Tileworks Bianco Oro, £69.95 per m2, and Tileworks Boreal Natural, £49.95 per m2, Original Style

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dress to impress View the world outside through natural wood slatted blinds to bring another layer of nature into your home. Dressing your windows in this way will soften the boundaries between inside and out as well as providing crucial privacy.

Moonstone Wooden Venetian solid basswood 50mm slat made-tomeasure blind, £22.25, Blinds2go. For a similar chair, try the Modica accent armchair, £199, Made

Top Tip Pick up on natural tones by continuing through the rest of the scheme. This chair and pendant light tie into the look

TRANQUIL BLEND This calming, streamlined look has blossomed into the scheme du jour in the kitchen. Smooth cabinetry with pale wood finishes can be coupled with minimalist handles for a clean, contemporary finish.

REALHOMES.COM

Frojered bamboo drawer fronts, from £9 each; Voxlöv/Odger table and chair, £479, Ikea

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Henry oak dressing table, £159, Dunelm

Pink and wood jug, £5, George Home

Straw-seat stool, £99.99, H&M

‘Love Grows Here’ framed wall art, £65, Oliver Bonas

Wofi Liam pendant light, £72.60, Lighting Style

French Connection Hoxton three-seater sofa in Rose, £999, DFS

S I M P LY ST Y L E D Lainey stool, £33.99, Wayfair

Keep it light and opt for furnishings that celebrate the pared-back beauty of wood Monty oakeffect ladder shelf with drawer, £139, Very Bosham dining table in solid oak, £249, Noa & Nani

Eldon boucle footstool, £419, Soho House

1930s-style black and natural wood dining chair, £125, Ciel Shop Interiors

Bronx mirror shelf, £150, Next Umage Jazz lampshade light in oak with natural cord, £309, Dowsing & Reynolds

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T h e p r oj e c t j o u r n a l

Onwards & upwards

Once the scaffolding went up, the workers were soon on top of things

PHOTOGRAPHS ANNA MORLEY

Style editor Anna Morley’s loft is taking shape. There are men, dust – but perhaps too many pivot windows ‘You’re always talking about the loft,’ Lonny, our four-year-old, said accusingly the other day. He has a point. There’s been a lot of discussion about this project, now in its fifth week and cruising along at quite a pace.

We currently have six windows in place, a new staircase, a skip on the front garden (killing the grass), a plethora of electrical points and markings on the floor where the bathroom walls will be. And yet it’s been a relatively smooth process.

Yes, there’s been noise, draughts, sawdust, a makeshift door, dust sheets, Capital radio, plus a few unexpected holes in the ceiling, and it’s all happening while we’re both working from home – but it’s been pretty slick.

The arrival of the scaffolding kicked things off. Three guys built a giant tower at the front of the house, in less time than it took to drink the coffees I made them. Next on the scene were the two joiners, who knocked politely on the door and were met by a naked Lonny as I cleaned a toilet.

Post-awkward meet-and-greet, the timber planks arrived and were fed into the loft via the hatch. A hole was created in the side of the roof on day three, so the team could access the space via the scaffolding.

I managed to tune out the drilling , but the sawdust coming through the light fixtures was harder to ignore.

I inspected the progress and was surprised by the amount of insulation and additional wood there was. They obviously knew what they were doing.

Day five they took the loft ladder away – maybe to stop me peeking. Then the steel came (this was important), which got winched up the side of the house.

Day eight, another hole was made, this time in the ceiling, and two men with seriously speedy carpentry skills built and fitted the new stairs. It was impressive how quickly a staircase can materialise, but with the door opening

45

With the timber supports in place, the loft room starts to reveal itself

The speedily built stairway to a heavenly new space

constantly and four people working on the house, it was busy and freezing.

Next, onto the crucial layout. We’d been given a basic floor plan and head honcho Aaron discussed this with us.

Standing in the dark, wood-filled loft, I wished for some visuals to help understand what’d work best. I turned to Joel of Joel LaRosa Design, who whipped up a beautiful en suite scheme using SketchUp, giving us ideas for finishes and spacial planning. As a result, we’re building the wall out to incorporate a long shelf plus an alcove in the shower – so I’d highly recommend investing in a designer’s help.

The day finally arrived where we could see the sky through a Velux window – and a new angle of the neighbour’s garden. Our biggest challenge has probably been the windows. It’s a minefield of options.

We chose 10 square pivot opening ones early on, but it dawned on us that there was a better product for our four-window feature. Since no holes had been made for this, we reordered two fixed panes to go under two existing pivot windows. This felt safer for little ones – and any clumsy big ones, too.

This was not our only last-minute change. We’ve also tested the limits, both on various return policies and our relationship (my 11th hour epiphanies and apparent lack of focus have been generously pointed out to me by Michael). The first shower enclosure and screen had to be reordered after we realised it didn’t need to be so big – again discovering the importance of understanding the space prior to clicking ‘buy’.

But, all things considered, it’s been fine. The joiners will be here until mid-next week. They’re good guys and will be missed. The sawdust and Capital radio? Not so much.

designer designer spotlight

spotlight Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world.

This month, we look at the many practical and beautiful uses for crafted and painted leather Sally Tooth, Konoc

Plant hangers, £45

Q A

How would you describe your busine ess in a sentence?

We’re an award winning leather accessories brand that represents simplicity, quality and style, with a real attention to detail.

Q A

Where did you come up with the idea for Konoc?

It started on the beaches of Thailand – Konoc is translated from the Thai for Bird Feather. My fiancé, Jay, taught me how to hand sew leather when we lived in Ko Samui together almost 10 years ago.

We were completely self taught, selling our makes at night markets and eventually getting our own shop in one of the villages.

We created leather goods, jewellery and tie-dye tees in our beach hut in the day and then drove down to the markets

46

on our vintage Vespa with a sidecar full of all our creations.

Our customers were mainly holidaymakers, but we had a great relationship with the locals, too. We drank mojitos together and bought their food while selling to the passing tourists. It was a different life back then. I loved it, but I also love how it’s evolved into what it is now.

Q A

What’s your favourite thing about what you do?

Sitting at my desk, listening to music in my home studio while working with the leathers, suedes and a rotary knife, is pure bliss for me. I love putting colours together or coming up with new ideas. I never use a sketchbook or make templates – I dive straight in with creating it in leather. It always comes together quite suddenly, evolving as I go.

Q A

Why do you like working with leather as a material?

I love to use leather in its simplest forms, not overcomplicating the designs and letting the leather ‘do the talking’. We use British-sourced, high quality, thick leathers for our products in a wide range of classic and contemporary colours. A big part of our brand identity is the personalisation. Embossing into the leather gives a unique finishing touch.

Q A

What has been your proudest moment – or moments – so far?

I find this question so hard! I’m such a perfectionist, and as a business, we’re constantly growing, learning and changing with the times. I guess I’m proud to have been able to ride the waves of the

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA MURRAY/ AMY WHITTINGHAM (KONOC); MAX BARNETT/LUCY JAMES (HUNG); CAPTURE BY LUCY (BON)

Napkin holders, from £10

Texture is crucial to an interior scheme, thanks to its ability to add ‘visual depth’ tto a space. From F plyw l wood to brass and cork to marble, the options for adding it are more exciting th han ever – but have you thoughtt about leather?

It might seem s like an unusual opttion for your home, but leathe er can add a quirky, contemp porary edge to a room sc cheme. It’s versatile, too: fro om shelf straps to doo or pulls, there are plentyy of ideas out there for inte egrating it into your scheme. This month we speak to designer Sally Tooth, who does amazing things with this humble yet versatile material.

Natural drawer pulls, from £14

Seek out the hide Meet two more independent businesses doing smart things with leather

Personalised door wedge, £30

BON

Shelf straps, from £55

NOT NOW door tag, £20

last 12 months as a business and mother of tw wo. There have been ups and downs, but to still be here and growing feels like a huge achievement. I’m very thankkful for that.

Another big moment was being nominated by Holly Tucker (founder of Not on o the High Street) for an award last year. To be recognised and celebrated like that felt overwhelmingly special.

And being in the position to be building autiful home studio in our new a bea garden, so we can get staff in to help as the business continues to grow, feels prett tty exciting – I can’t wait for that!

Anything else we need to know?

We’ve got more products launching soon and some really cool collabs coming up, too. It’s been a crazy start to the year, but I’m so excited to see what happens next!

A Black drawer pulls, from £14

Follow Konoc @we_are_konoc and shop the products online at konoc.com.

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HUNG studios

@hungstudios ‘Hung was started during the first lockdown to solve the problem of accommodating all my plant children – there are a lot of them!’ says owner Tamzin Lillywhite. ‘Our products bring colour and a bit of playfulness to anyone’s home, and make space for more plants. I’ve worked with leather for years; it’s a versatile material that always looks amazing. It lends itself really well to plant hangers as it’s so strong. We’re now expanding our range with vegan leather options, as well as more home and lifestyle accessories.

Plant hangers The business was start from £16, just supposed to be Hung Studios something that would keep us occupied during lockdown, so I’m really proud that it’s now selling all over the world – and that people seem to love the hangers so much.’ hungstudios.co.uk

REALHOMES.COM

Starling personalised keyring, £20

@_bonmaison_ ‘BON sells bright, bold homewares and fabrics with a hint of neon,’ says owner Jody Myerscough-Walker.

‘I started it after I graduated from Winchester School of Art, where I studied a BA in printed textiles. I always knew I wanted to draw and design, and was inspired by trips to France to visit my parents, where “bon” was a word often used in Hockney Franglaise conversations to leather pot, describe anything pleasing. £21.50, BON BON is my passion project and my chance to explore, experiment and create freely. I have no limits as I’m not working for someone else: if people like what I do, that’s a bonus! I hand stitch our leather pots myself, and I love the finish you can achieve with leather paints. The transfer of rich colour onto white leather is really beautiful, and it’s enjoyable to paint on. I was pleased to reach the finals of the Mollie Makes Awards 2018 in the category of Product of the Year with my leather pots. It felt like a real achievement.’ bon-maison.co.uk

STYLE

maths Create a boho garden scheme, whatever your budget, with our edit of the latest buys and how to combine them

Global market plastic patterned tumblers, £3 each, Sainsbury’s

£300

+

+

Bergfink hammock, £15, JYSK

Global scatter cushion, £24 for two, Argos

£81

+

£19 19 9 le left e over for some barbecued goodness for the whole family

+

Medium galvanised lantern with TruGlow candle, £29.99, Lights4Fun

+

Kafi woven resin garden coffee table, £175, La Redoute Vienna blush throw, £31, Hey Baby Hey You

+

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

£500 Fab Hab Kilamanjaro outdoor rug, £59.95, Cuckooland

Cleo rose in and outdoor rug, £61.95, Benuta

+

=

Gutte black recycled cotton cushion, £52, Beaumonde

+

= £297.94 £2.06 left over for an ice cold beverage to truly unwind

Brommo lounger, £80 for a pair, Ikea

= £472.45

+

Puebla macramé parasol, £280.50, Maisons du Monde

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£27.55 left over for an outdoor speaker to set the right vibe

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£100

Mayfield rattan tray, £36, Garden Trading

dream Renovation

SEEING

double Rob and Emma Pollard’s once poky 1970s house is now unrecognisable after a major redesign, with twice the space for their growing family rchitect Rob Pollard and wife Emma were on the hunt for a project when they found a threebedroom 1970s home in a village near Rye in East Sussex. Rob had ambitious plans for totally transforming the chalet bungalow into a sleek and boxy four-bedroom timber-clad property. After buying in 2016, shortly before their daughter, Olivia, was born, they lived in it for two years before starting work. This allowed time for them to develop and tweak ideas for this radical revamp. The project began in 2018, and they rented locally while work went on – even staying with Rob’s parents for the final month after unexpected delays. Finally, in the summer of 2019, the family, now including new baby Imogen, moved back into their dream home as a band of four…

B E FO R E

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Profile The owners Rob Pollard, co-director at RX Architects, his wife, Emma, and daughters Olivia, four, and Imogen, two The property A four-bedroom revamped 1970s detached house near Rye, East Sussex project cost £220,000 plus VAT

Rob says…

Emma says…

‘We lived in the original building for two years before work began and our ideas developed over that period. The original building was a series of quite a few rooms, but they were all very small and dark.

Our plan was to knock them through downstairs to open up the space. We removed the pitched roof and added an entirely new first-floor structure on top of the original walls before cladding it all. It was a costeffective way to essentially double the space we had.

‘It was quite a stressful project because I was two years into setting up my new architecture practice, RX Architects, when it began. We had a toddler and Emma became pregnant again, which all added to the pressure of getting the project done not only how we wanted, but on time and on budget.

Fortunately, the builder was someone we’d known professionally and personally for many years, so we were in good hands.

‘Everything went pretty smoothly until near the end. Our plumber did the first fix but was called to another job that was delayed, which meant our original nine-month target date was pushed back a month. Also, when the glazing arrived on the lorry, we hadn’t realised we needed to supply our own lifting equipment.

Six of us tried grabbing the corners and carrying the glazing off the lorry, but the doors wouldn’t budge because some of them weighed over 700kg! I ended up driving around local plant companies and begging to hire equipment. While it wasn’t funny at the time, it makes us laugh to look back on.

‘Because I had a lot of contacts I could call in favours from, we saved a fair bit of money throughout. We also used leftover cladding to line the interior porch wall and make a boot-room storage unit, and clad the rear face of the kitchen island and the dining room wall with excess floorboards. We overclad the original 1970s stairway with new maple boards for a low-cost transformation.

‘With lots of research and by knowing good suppliers, you can get some very good rates and savings.’

‘We bought the house with the intention of doing a project – we saw it as a blank canvas. We wanted something we could add some value and personality to while creating something specifically for us.

‘The process marked some real milestones in our lives. We were visiting the project with Olivia during her toddler years, and before long we were walking around the site with me pregnant and getting bigger by the day! The project makes us reminisce about our family growing more than the build itself.

‘For us, moving out and renting was essential. When you’re living on site during a project it can take over and become all-consuming, so it’s good to have some distance.

It reduces stress levels in what is already a fraught process, and the costs of renting are undoubtedly no more than the extra costs of builders having to work around you and taking longer to do it.

‘Luckily, we both agreed on most things throughout the project, though we didn’t think we would initially. We had strong ideas but settled on things quickly. Rob was in charge of design/ architecture and project management while I concentrated on the timings and decorating choices.

‘We love living in the house – we designed it completely to suit us and our lifestyle, and it really works. We have a large kitchen/dining/sitting room downstairs, as well as a separate playroom and spare bedroom. Upstairs, the girls have matching bedrooms with large windows – Rob set the sills at 400mm so they can stand and see the views out. They then share a large family bathroom.

We could have fitted another bedroom in upstairs but wanted to have a big master suite – so instead we created a large bedroom, walk-through wardrobe and spacious en suite with a skylight over our shower.

‘Our favourite part of the house, though, is the openplan space overlooking the garden. It works so well for us as a young family.’

‘WE LOVE THE HOUSE. WE

DESIGNED IT

CO M P L E T E LY TO SUIT US AND

OUR LIFESTYLE,

sitting tall ll 1

2

Pull up to the bar with a stylish stool, just like Rob and Emma’s 1 Natural woven rattan bar stool, £278, Cielshop Interiors 2 Mitcham plastic kitchen stool, £69, Cult Furniture 3 Longdale pink velvet bar stool, £129.99, Lakeland Furniture 4 Arte metal bar stool, £50, Habitat

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3

4

WORDS AMY MAYNARD PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD GADSBY SHOPPING EDITS EMILY SMIITH

AND IT WORKS’

Units, Chartwood Design, painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Work surfaces, Silestone.

Tap, Crosswater.

Appliances, Bosch.

Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball. Pendant lights, Made

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REALHOMES.COM

Clockwise from left Vast glass doors flood the space with light and charcoal units offset the pale walls and worktops.

Left and below Excess oak floorboards clad the dining room wall.

Dining table, Maisons du Monde. Chairs, Furnwise.

Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball.

Pendant lights, Industville

Structure £72,000 Glazing £32,000 Plumbing and electrics £21,000 Roof £20,500 Driveway/patios/landscaping £19,000 Kitchen, including appliances £18,000 Flooring and tiling £9,000 Decoration £9,000 Cladding £7,500 Bathrooms £6,000 Demolition £6,000 Architect RX Architects, 01797 217220, rxarchitects.com Kitchen and built-in wardrobes Chartwood Design, 07545 238800, chartwooddesign.com Glazing Russell Timber Technology, 0141 958 0444, russelltimbertech.co.uk

Table, Alexander Rose. Chairs, John Lewis & Partners

REALHOMES.COM

Costs & contacts

Above and left The couple have made an extended entertaining space with a patio and wooden awning.

The open-plan space suits the family perfectly, and Rob has achieved his aim of bringing the outside in. ‘Our plan was to bring in much more light and connection to the garden,’ he says.

Sofas, Made. Coffee table, RCC Furniture.

Side table, Maisons du Monde. Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball. Oak flooring, UK Flooring Direct

Ellen’s top tip Velvet sofas look great, but can quickly become battered and bruised if exposed to kids, pets or spills. Brush and vacuum weekly to remove dust, hair and crumbs.

Cotton or polyester velvet can be cleaned at home with a specialist cleaner.

Below Rob had the idea of cladding the old staircase in maple rather than replacing it, saving money.

Table service Get ready for the day – or night – at an elegant dressing table

Lali dressing table, £549, Made

Bronx metal dressing table, £250, Next

New Boys Cavill dressing table, £445, Oliver Bonas

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Fresco dressing table, £399, Swoon

This image and left Instead of creating an extra bedroom upstairs, the couple decided they wanted a large master suite, complete with en suite and walkthrough wardrobes.

Bed, Made. Dressing table and bedside tables, Maisons du Monde. Back wall painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Chair, Ikea

Below The guest bedroom sits tucked away from the open-plan space on the ground floor, complete with access to the garden.

Bed, Swoon. Throw, Ikea

Above While dark tones can often make a room feel smaller, the use of large tiles in this case actually creates an illusion of space.

Sanitaryware, Crosswater.

Vanity unit, Drench.

Tiles, Tiles Direct. Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball

DEMOLITION/STRIP OUT STARTS Nov 2018

Project timeline

SUPERSTRUCTURE COMPLETE Jan-Feb 2019

TIMBER AND STEEL FRAME GO UP Dec 2018

TOTAL KITCHEN FIT OUT May-June 2019

GLAZING AND ROOF GO ON March-April 2019

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WORK COMPLETE August 2019

INTERNAL DECORATION, DRIVEWAY, PATIOS June-July 2019

Fo r e s t g r e e n Soothing, bold and rich, we reveal the psychology behind our love affair with this sumptuous shade, and share how it can boost your well-being at home

P

icture the scene: you’re strolling through a forest, green leaves swaying above your head, tall trees stretching as far as the eye can see, a tranquil silence broken only by bird song. Sounds relaxing? Forests are inherently calming spaces. The Japanese practice of forest bathing is an increasingly popular mindful activity that involves simply being in a forest and noticing the elements in aid of relaxation. Several studies* have proven that even just looking at a picture of a forest can make us feel less stressed. It’s human nature: ‘Taking things back to our primitive roots, green forest equals food, which equals survival,’ says Karen Haller, global authority in the field of behavioural colour and design

psychology and author of The Little Book of Colour (karenhaller.co.uk). It’s no wonder that we’re so drawn to this particular shade. Our instincts tell us that forest green is good.

And this is supported scientifically, too. ‘Green falls in the middle of the visible colour spectrum, meaning our eyes require little to no adjustment to be able to see it,’ says Karen. When faced with green, our eyes don’t have to work hard, so our response is calm.

When incorporating forest green into our decorating scheme, then, we should use it in rooms where we want to relax and unwind. ‘Forest green works really well in bedrooms because its darkness absorbs light to blur hard edges,’ says Rob Abrahams, co-founder and CEO at COAT Paints (coatpaints.com).

It’s the colour for you if:

Botanical Noir Flat matt emulsion paint, £37.99 for 2.5ltrs, Crown

1 You love nature 2 Forest walks make you feel happy and calm 3 You want somewhere to hunker down and snuggle up 4 You want to feel more relaxed at home 5 You’d like to create a statement

Trailing Ivy Premium Blend paint, £28 for 2.5ltrs, Valspar Alcazar Forest wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown Buckingham matt emulsion, £30.04 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux

‘It doesn’t stimulate t s nd therefore creates a cosy ing,’ How we use forest green paint can have an impact, too. ‘Forest green is a really intense, enveloping shade, and I love to see it on all four walls to get that full forest vibe,’ says Sophie Robinson, interior designer and colour expert (sophierobinson.co.uk). ‘If you go all out with forest green, rather than use a few hints of the shade here and there, it can be really dramatic. Painting all your living room walls will create a cocooning feel that’s rich yet peaceful.’

Tropical watercolour As with all colours, the position of Monstera art print, your room in relation to the sun must £35, Abstract House be kept in mind to achieve the desired effect. ‘North-facing rooms tend to be colder and calmer in colour, so you need to balance this out with earthy greens with a yellow undertone,’ says Natasha Bradley, colour and interiors expert at Lick (lickhome.com). ‘South-facing rooms are much brighter, so a green with grey undertones will balance out the sunlight for a harmonious space.’

So, at both a primitive and Bettina cushion, £70 for two, Sweetpea & Willow scientific level, forest green promotes a feeling of calm, and how you use the shade can maximise this soothing effect. But colour is just the beginning – a house Vanessa three-seater plant boom and velvet sofa, £350, Habitat penchant for letting in natural light is all evidence of our desire to tune in to the ebb and flow of nature; to use our homes as a space to escape, slow down and relax.

The perfect pairing to forest green

the Bold palette

Elevate your scheme with either contrasting or harmonious hues 63

The rules Do Be brave – use it abundantly for a space that’s relaxing and cocooning all at once.

Combine with gold or brass hardware.

Brighten the scheme for summer with contrasting pinks or oranges.

Don’t Combine with blue or your room could end up looking like a world map.

Scrimp on texture to bring your forest feel to life.

Use in rooms where you want to feel energised.

the neutral palette

REALHOMES.COM

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH *STUDIES BY GRAHN AND STIGSDOTTER, AND WON SOP SHIN

Irish Clover Aura matt paint, £29 for 940mls, Benjamin Moore

Sometimes we come across a product we just can’t stop thinking about – and we want to share it with you. Here’s what we’ve fallen for this month SERVE UP COLOUR

FEATURE EMILY SMITH

#SOREALHOMES

Dust down the garden furniture and grab the charcoal: it’s officially barbecue season! If you’re looking to inject some brightness and fun into your al fresco scene, look no further. These jewel-coloured enamel salad servers from Bombay Duck come in coral, mint and chartreuse, and will make tossing your salad a whole lot more fun. But don’t panic if colour’s not your thing – you can also pick up a pair in classic cream or cool mid-grey.

FIND MORE BRILLIANT BUYS FOR ENTERTAINING OUTSIDE AT REALHOMES.COM/GARDEN

Style crush

Agnes enamel salad servers with brushed gold, £29.50 for a pair, Bombay Duck

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GARDEN U P D AT E S Decorate and furnish your extra summer room and prepare your space for fun alfresco affairs – or moments of quiet escapism – with the latest buys and design ideas Touch of texture Freshen up your walls or conceal poor-quality brickwork with a rendered finish. Once dry, complete the cement coat with white paint to echo a Mediterranean feel.

Indoor outdoor An array of potted plants and comfy cushions used both on patios and in living spaces will create a seamless transition between indoors and out (weather permitting).

All plants from £19.99; pots from £13.99, Beards & Daisies. For similar cushions, try Sainsbury’s Home and Next

The power of paint Achieve a sunbaked look reminiscent of holidays to far-flung destinations by teaming a palette of faded terracotta with sunny yellows and barelythere pinks.

Light & airy Further the feeling of grandeur by installing a mirror on a fence or wall, giving the illusion of more garden.

Gothic outdoor mirror, £30, National Trust

Red Earth No.64 in exterior eggshell, £73 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball

Royal ext wood fini Cashmere, for 2.5ltrs, Protek

FFT-008 exterior wood & metal eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltrs, Mylands

Bejmat tiles in lavender and white, 88p per tile, Otto Tiles

Summer brights

Statement backdrop

Keep essentials close to hand with this cheery yellow table.

The top features a removable tray and the legs conveniently fold, making it easy to store and transport.

Splashbacks aren’t just limited to indoor kitchen settings, so why not jazz up an outdoor prep area with eye-catching tiles?

Opt for a thin stripe laid horizontally for the feel of a wider space and a look that’s effortlessly fun and stylish.

Profile planter This curvaceous silhouette can be stood either way to accommodate plants in all shapes and sizes.

Hourglass plant pot, from £59, Heal’s

Rive Droite bistro tray table in lemon, £30, Garden Trading

Gather round This cotton canvas picnic rug has been coated with UPF50+ to keep your print vibrant. Complete with a woven carry strap, take the comfort of your garden to the park, too.

Wandering Folk emerald forest picnic rug, £139, Antipodream

Super sit-out Tapping into the trend for laidback living, the low lounge chair in green blends g beautifully among outdoor plants.

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Metal lounge chair, £99.99, H&M Home

Social hub

DIY garden bar

As the evening draws in, light the fire and gather round to keep warm. Mosaic detailing adds a Mediterranean feel to the Madeira fire pit, £299, Marks & Spencer

Bring vacation vibes to your garden this summer and transform a humble potting bench into a stylish drinks station. A lick of paint and a selection of elegant glasses is all this simple structure needs to instantly fashion a home bar. Position potted herbs on the shelves to keep drink garnishes to hand throughout cocktail hour.

Business & Pleasure Co 70s Panel Cinque umbrella, £289, Amara

Perfect pop up Whether you’re looking to throw shade on lazy lunches or lavish lounging, create a vintage look with a cotton-fringed parasol in muted colours or a sweet stripe

Compact fringed parasol in blush, £360, Cox & Cox

Process potting table, £374.99; beverage dispenser, £14.81; cocktail shaker, £45.96 for two; Erne saucer Champagne flutes, £24.06 for four, all Wayfair. Rust-Oleum chalky furniture paint in Dusky Pink, £15 for 750ml, Homebase

Put your feet up While the afternoon away on this stylish daybed. A statement addition to a boho-style garden, the foldable design makes for easy storing come winter.

Sole bamboo reclining daybed, £399, Beaumonde

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1. If using an old piece of wooden furniture, sand it down to remove any previous paint or varnish and clean off any dust with a cloth.

2. Next, choose an area that’s well ventilated and out of direct sunlight. For a super-smooth finish, use a brush to paint on a primer, then allow to dry.

3. Apply two coats of your chosen colour. Paint along the grain of wood as quickly as you can in an overlapping sideto-side motion.

Allow to dry in between coats.

4. Paint on a sealant or finishing wax.

This will up your bar’s durability and make it easier to clean.

5. Allow to dry, then grab your glasses and begin putting your outdoor bar of dreams to good use!

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

How to paint an outdoor bar

Sail shade gazebo, £299; pastel sling chair, £39 each, both Dobbies

Chic canopy Rig up a sail shade over your entertaining space for the ideal secluded spot to enjoy relaxing in all day long.

Flexible setting Add a pop of colour to a monochrome scheme with statement seating. These sling back chairs are lightweight, too, making them easy to move.

Outdoor oasis Offset black decking and white walls with lush greenery. Go large with tropical, leafy plants, such as banana palms and ferns, to add impact, depth and interest.

Automatic ambience Hang solar fairy lights from trees or fencing to enjoy your garden after sundown.

Simply place the solar cells in a sunny spot and they’ll switch on at dusk.

Soft furnishings Rugs and cushions instantly add comfort to a space. To make them suitable for outdoor use, look for weatherproof materials and water resistant fabrics.

Ivy dark grey right hand garden corner bench, £1,399; Ivy grey garden coffee table, £249; geometric Terrazza garden rug, from £89, all Danetti. For similar cushions, try Dunelm

Slim slats Spruce up your patio and create a spacious feel with horizontal slatted fencing.

This contemporary choice provides privacy and a sturdy structure for trailing plants.

Linger for longer

Barr-be-quick

Fashioned from a woven bamboo frame and topped with a grass-effect roof, this bar will bring a dose of Tiki-style fun to your back garden.

Gearr up for summer with th his budget-friendly grill – the fuss-free and compa act design is ideal for smaller s spaces.

Ke ettle BBQ, £12, Poundland

Bramhall outdoor swan neck light, £20, Iconic Lights

Garden storage

Rust-proof planting

Make a home for outdoor cushions and throws when not in use with this handy cabinet.

The spacious work surface caters for all your outdoor tasks, including food prep, laundry hanging or potting plants.

Install lighting

Grow a selection of your favourite leafy plants in an oversized planter for a modern feel. The matt black exterior has been treated with anti-rust technology gy for a functional finish.

Fit a wall light to cast an ambient atmosphere and add extra security to your home. A classic swan neck design will bring a decorative element.

Davey lighting exterior bracket light, £225, Original BTC

Consuela square metal garden planter, £399, La Redoute

#SOREALHOMES

Kolbjorn cabinet, £65, Ikea

FIND MORE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR GARDEN AT REALHOMES.COM/GARDEN

Habitat Beach bar gazebo with stools, £350, Argos

Instagram-approved trend: cosy DIY pallet sofas We’ve spotted a growing trend online for do-it-yourself snuggly seating, and we love it. Here’s our roundup of ideas to turn the humble wooden pallet into something spectacular. @keelieslife

@chapelstreethome

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@thatriversidelife

The design

Need our help?

Got a DIY dilemma? Want to settle a domestic style dispute? Send us your questions on social media or email us at rhsubmissions @futurenet.com

Whether you’re torn on two paint colours or are debating whether to extend upwards or outwards, the Real Homes team is here to answer your questions At your service

HANDY HOME HINT

Kaitlin Has plenty of reno advice from her own home remodel Ellen Has practical tips and tricks to make life at home a little easier Alison The go-to for all things DIY, with tons of wisdom to impart Anna Our style guru has all the answers to your questions Amelia Has her finger on the pulse of all things kitchen and bathroom Emily Real Homes’ resident colour expert is a lover of bold hues

Q A

Pots and plants, from £9.99; elephant figurine, £9.99; Grusha grey glass windlight, £2.50, all Dobbies

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REALHOMES.COM

Meet the people ready to help with your dilemmas

When should I be repotting my houseplants?

It can be tricky at times to know exactly what your houseplant needs – is it thirsty, does it have too much or too little light, or is it potbound? One sign of the latter is continual wilting, even when you’re maintaining a good watering schedule. You can also take your plant out of its pot and check for big roots wrapping around the shape of the pot – if you see them, it’s time to rehome.

It’s best to do this in spring or early summer, so you’re in luck! Choose a pot the next size up (you want a couple of inches of extra room) and add small stones at the bottom for drainage.

Untangle your plant’s roots, remove excess soil, then pot up in fresh soil.

COLOUR ADVICE

Elegant Cranes wallpaper in Powder, £85, Eleanor Bowmer

STYLE ADVICE

Q

Q A Inka dessert plate, £18.75 for two, and Mizu water carafe, £40, both OYOY Living Design

How can I style up my outdoor table for summer to make a real impact?

Create a feast for the eyes by adopting the layering rule. Start with a tablecloth, then add tableware and glassware in symmetrical groups. Don’t be shy with linen napkins, placemats, carafes with colourful fruits, foliage in vases or smaller plants in pots plus tealights (or battery lights) along the length of the table for evening sparkle.

Cushions and throws will provide more texture and comfort, too.

My daughter’s chosen this wallpaper for her bedroom, but I think it could overpower what’s quite a small space if it’s on all four walls. Could I pair it with a paint colour instead?

It’s all about getting the right balance when it comes to a small room. Painting the walls in a light colour will make the ceiling appear high and the room larger while making the wallpaper the star. Try painting the walls in either of these two shades to create the perfect girly space.

A Calamine estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball

Green 01 matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Lick

SMART TECH ADVICE

Q A

How can I make my home more secure with smart technology?

Making things more visible can be an aid to protecting property.

Lights that react to movement will illuminate the dark corners outside your house while cameras can record unwanted visitors. The obvious presence of both might deter potential intruders. And if they don’t, they’ll capture useful information like faces and licence plates. These systems can connect to your phone or tablet so you can see what’s happening, even if you’re not there. You can also engage with visitors as if you are. Smart lighting DB1C smart you control remotely can make your video doorbell house appear occupied. Cameras in with AI human doorbells are a 21st-century answer to a detection, £119.99, Ezviz peephole. And if you haven’t got a real guard dog, Boundary’s new smart alarm can make k you ur speakers bark like one.

PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES (FAR RIGHT)

Levantine tableware collection includes sharing platters, bowls, dip dishes, trays and table linens, prices from £4, John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose

Glass York wall light, IP20, £295, Davey Lighting

BATHROOM ADVICE

Q A

I’ve been looking for new bathroom lighting for ages, but can’t find any that look good and are suitable for a humid space. Any suggestions?

Bathroom lights can be tricky, but we’re seeing more designs creeping through that look good enough for use anywhere. The light’s water resistance is measured in IP ratings; check yours is high enough – from IP20 up to IP65 – for where you want to put it.

Here are my picks for an industrial or elegant feel...

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Alma bathroom spotlight, IP44, £40, Garden Trading Frihult wall lamp, IP44, £25, Ikea

RENOVATION ADVICE

Q

When should you call in a pro? I’m tackling a kitchen reno and can’t decide whether it’s worth bringing someone in to help plan it all.

As an eager DIYer, I’ve struggled with this myself. However, after years of successful and not-so-successful outcomes, I now know my limits. They are: > Knowing the difference between decoration and design I tackle anything that’s pure decoration, like choosing furnishings, wallpapering and even tiling. But as soon as a project requires design expertise, like space planning or moving walls, or it has some sort of functional element involved (like creating a proper kitchen layout), I call in a pro. This is because design projects are usually more permanent (and expensive).

You can easily repaint a wall if you don’t like the colour, but it’s harder to change the layout of a brand new kitchen if you realize you didn’t plan for enough storage. > Avoiding anything that could literally blow up in my face If it’s something that requires electrical or plumbing work (beyond swapping out a light fixture or toilet) I call in a pro. If a project could cause a flood or a fire in my home, I don’t touch it. > Hiring a pro to ensure compliance If a project requires planning permissions or an inspection, it’s also a good idea to default to an expert, since you’ll want to make sure your work will be approved.

A

renovated townhouse

CREATIVE

colour New parents Franky Ridgeon and Jack Mayhew turned a dated student house into a colourful family home

Profile The owners Franky Ridgeon, an interiors architect (storeyboard.co.uk), her partner, Jack Mayhew, who runs a company selling sustainable meat products, and their one-year-old son, Max The property A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Greenwich, London project cost Approx. £152,100

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The peachy colour choice of the kitchen gives it a unique look, complemented by the deeper accent shade in the wall units and blind Kitchen units, Naked Kitchen.

Wall cupboards.

Kerris Farmhouse Pine. Work surface, Unistone

ranky and Jack don’t like waste, so they agreed to renovate their Victorian townhouse using as many reclaimed materials as possible. These included the pine floorboards, sink units, taps, radiators and a reclaimed brick patio. ‘We hate the thought of just adding to the ever-growing amount of stuff in the world,’ says Franky. ‘By shopping around and finding new uses for things, we also saved quite a lot of money.’

Their new house was the perfect property to renovate, and Franky, an interior architect, couldn’t wait to use her skills on it. ‘It belonged to my parents, who ran it as student accommodation for 15 years,’ says Franky. ‘They were looking to sell at the time we were looking to move from our apartment to somewhere bigger, so it made sense for us to buy it.’

At that time, the house had two double bedrooms and one small bedroom on the first floor, with the family bathroom on the ground floor. ‘From the front it’s a beautiful property, but at the back there was an unsightly extension,’ says Franky. ‘The room layout inside wasn’t ideal either. The rooms were very small and crying out to be opened up into a much lighter modern living space – for ourselves for as long as we live here and for other families in the future.’

Franky and Jack moved in with friends while building work was carried out. Their plans for the property came under permitted development, including knocking down the old extension and building a new one, reconfiguration of the layout and a loft conversion that added another bathroom and double bedroom.

The couple also reinstated the original entrance hall and created plenty of built-in storage. ‘A house can never have too much,’ says Franky. ‘I used space under the eaves, created a niche in the entrance hall wall for coats, a box seat for shoes, and built cupboards anywhere there was an alcove.’

Further space was saved by creating pocket siding doors between the sitting area and snug, which can be turned into a quiet reading room, a TV room or children’s playroom. In a nod to the property’s history, Franky designed a serving hatch-style window between the old dining room and kitchen so that light shines through the ground floor. It also creates a sight line to the garden from the front door.

While the house was stripped back to a shell, the builders replaced all the electrics and plumbing, replastered and laid reclaimed floorboards. Franky and Jack bought kitchen units and bathroom fittings, adding feature wall tiles and using reclaimed furniture to create basin counter tops. ‘Work was delayed several times by lockdowns, but we moved into the house last summer and finished the rest of it while living here,’ says Franky. ‘The major work and decorating was done – it was just a case of tackling any snagging issues.’

She introduced big blocks of colour to make the final transition from former student house to welcoming family home. ‘We were working to a budget so I didn’t want to spend money on expensive wallpapers,’ she says. ‘We went for statement wall colours instead, which can be painted over for a fresh look.’ The only compromise was in the tiles. Franky is a fan of Emery et Cie, who supplied the bold choice of decorative finishings in the family bathrooms.

‘I wanted the house to be fun and comfortable,’ she adds. ‘I’m used to working with clients, so it was different working on our own house. You have to step back and be quite objective when it comes to the renovation side, then develop your own style in the décor and finishings.

Apart from lockdown, the renovation was quite straightforward, so the rest of it was about introducing character with colours, furniture and ideas personal to us.’

The result is a home that’s warm, cheerful and unexpected. ‘It’s a feel-good house,’ says Franky. ‘We’re delighted with how the renovation has transformed it so dramatically from a rather dated student house into a family home for the future.’

‘ I T ’ S A F E E L-

GOOD HOUSE.

WE’RE DELIGHTED WITH HOW

WE’VE CREATED A FA M I LY H O M E

FOR THE FUTURE’

Above right, far right and right The ground floor rooms have been opened up to create a sense of light and space. Bold splashes of colour contrast with paler tones, adding depth and interest while allowing the natural materials to shine. A serving hatch-style opening takes the view from the front door to the back garden.

just peachy Create a a warm and vibrant a home like Frank and Jack’s with these e on-trend peach hues 1

2

3

4

1 Kitchen Disco paint, £40 for 2.5ltrs, COAT Paints 2 Soft Peach matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux 3 Canvas Resistance Durable matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown 4 Made x Lick Paint Pink 02, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Made

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WORDS HEATHER DIXON PHOTOGRAPHS MATT CLAYTON

Walls painted in Invisible Green, Edward Bulmer. For a similar range, try Rangemaster.

For a similar kitchen wall unit, try Melody Maison. Stairs painted in Swedish Blue, Designers Guild

TOP TIP Wall-hung plate racks are ideal for upcycling and customising – with the bonus of adding storage and character

The muted blue of the radiator works well paired with the bare plaster, left unpainted for a raw look.

Radiator, Wickes, painted in Swedish Blue, Designers Guild.

Floor tiles, Bert & May. Corner sink, Victoria Plum. Light switches, Varilight

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Costs & contacts Extension and remodelling £47,800 Loft conversion £45,000 Materials, fees, etc. £35.000 Windows and doors £10,000 Kitchen £10,000 Bathrooms £2,500 Floors £1,800 Interior architect and project management Storeyboard, storeyboard.co.uk Builders AS Builders, as-builder.co.uk Kitchen units Naked Kitchens, 01328 838 854, nakedkitchens.com Windows/doors Velfac, 01536 313 552, velfac.co.uk Flooring Reclaimed Antique Pine Flooring, 01274 649 704, reclaimedantiqueflooring.co.uk

Left Green paint and glazing make the dining area leading to the terrace bright and fresh.

Walls painted in Invisible Green, Edward Bulmer.

Dining table, chairs and bench, Kempton Market.

Cushion, Molly Mahon.

Wall lights, Pooky, with shades, Etsy Right The three-storey townhouse features a new extension and loft conversion with slate cladding. The patio is created from reclaimed bricks bought on Ebay.

Cushion, Wicklewood.

Wall light, Vinterior.

Panelling and shutters, Shutterly Fabulous. Floor, Reclaimed Antique Pine Flooring. Rug, La Redoute Right Pocket doors, which slide neatly into wall cavities, divide the snug and main sitting area.

Rug, La Redoute.

Walls painted in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball.

Sofa reupholstered in Andrew Martin and Fermoie fabric

REALHOMES.COM

Above Edward Bulmer’s Malahide walls add warmth to the snug.

The armchair was a gift.

Below Franky made the shade and picture frame to tie in with the cushion.

Romo Fabric curtains made by Ruffets Interiors.

Headboard upholstered in Christopher Farr fabric.

Drawers, Swoon Editions

The scalloped headboard adds a modern twist to the more traditional style of this room.

Headboard upholstered with Blithfield fabric.

Pine side drawers, Ebay. Lampshade, Pooky. Walls painted in Rolling Fog, Little Greene

Left Painted floorboards lend a softness to the nursery.

Curtains, Andrew Martin. Rug, La Redoute. Cot, Ikea

Amelia’ss top tip

Randomly placed tiles add a splash of colourful fun to one of the two bathrooms. Franky fitted the sink into an old sideboard, adding an antique radiator and brass shower fitting and taps to create an eclectic feel.

Tiles, Emery & Cie. Sink, Lusso. Shower fittings, Enki.

Radiator, Ebay

The bathroom is the smallest room in the house, so it’s a great place to go big and bold with your décor. Patterned tiles protect from splashes and create an instant statement – like the way the colours used here reflect the land and sky.

DOWNSTAIRS LOOS W I T H 5 * ST Y L E !

Adding a downstairs cloakroom can transform your home’s functionality and desirability – not to mention save wear and tear on your staircase or knee joints.

Get big ideas for your smallest room with our must-read guide to lovely little loos…

C

onsidering its diminutive size and unglamorous purpose, a downstairs loo is one of the most desirable rooms on property buyers’ wish lists.

Perhaps not so surprising if you’ve ever lived in a house without one – and we’re talking most homes built between the 1930s and 1980s – and have experienced the pain of having to schlep upstairs multiple times a day, or have youngsters with hopeless bladder control (RIP stylish stair runner). A lack of a downstairs loo will ratchet up the cringe factor when you have guests, knowing they’ll peer into messy bedrooms en route upstairs. More worryingly, it can painfully affect the value of your property: nearly half of buyers won’t consider a property without one, according to Checkatrade.

The good news (again according to Checkatrade) is that installing a new downstairs loo can cost as little as £800 per square metre, less if you’re prepared to do the painting and tiling yourself. Furthermore, the investment can add nearly five per cent to the value of your home, not to mention its saleability. Cashback! It’s unlikely you’ll need planning permission, unless the project is part of an extension or you live in a listed home or Conservation Area. But you will need building regulation approval, with a completion certificate

for if you ever sell. Some councils require any new groundfloor toilet to be fully accessible to wheelchair users, which is desirable but may restrict your location options.

Speaking of locations, the soil pipe position is often the decider – the toilet must connect with external sewerage in the shortest, straightest route possible.

A macerator-style pump could save the day. Floors will usually need to be lifted to add hot and cold water from the kitchen or a bathroom above. It might not be worth the expense of connecting a radiator in a room you don’t linger in.

Finding space for a whole new room is rarely easy.

Start by checking the space under the stairs (headroom allowing) or consider sectioning off a small area of hallway or laundry room. Moving a living room doorway can be enough to free up space for a small cloakroom at the end of the hall. Aim for a footprint of at least 130cm x 70cm.

If you need space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, consider knocking through to a garage or outhouse, or adding a modest extension. Checkatrade says the average cost will be around £1,250 per square metre. Finally, if there’s an opportunity to install an external window, grab it. Nothing makes a small room feel smaller than lack of natural light.

Hide away unsightly things with a compact but stylish vanity unit

Enhet / Tvållen washstand, £158, Ikea

The Bath Co. Camberley satin grey corner vanity unit, £215, Victoria Plum

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Milano Oxley Golden Oak vanity unit with basin, from £329.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Arezzo matt blue floor-standing vanity, from £199.95, Victorian Plumbing

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON

Space saver

Classic English pantry by deVOL, prices start from £3,000

Top Tip Carving out WC space in a pantry or utility means double functionality. Add a discreet access door in the panelling.

Scan to discover more ways to style your downstairs cloakroom

Cedarwood cloakroom basin with bottle trap, £125; Cedarwood short-projection WC with slim soft-close seat; £305; Cielo cloakroom basin mixer tap, £72, Bathrooms to Love

Measure it up Choosing the best-sized sanitaryware for your small room is crucial, but don’t forget to think practically. A tiny narrow basin is okay if the space calls for it, but be prepared for more water outside the bowl than in, especially where little children are involved. Go bigger if you can. A corner-mounted design could help with access into the room.

Check out short-projection or cloakroom toilets. They tend to be around 60cm deep compared to the standard 62cm, providing valuable knee space.

Top Tip

Make every inch of surface work hard with vibrant wallpaper. Whimsical, dramatic or just plain wow – how bold will you go?

Tropical Fish wallpaper in Navy, £40 for 10m roll; West Elm metal loop mirror, £99; white marble soap dish, £8; scallop shell hand towel, £15; Trinity marble sideboard in brown, £449; Abode Harmonie wall-mounted two-hole bathroom mixer tap in matt black, £314, John Lewis & Partners

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Better Bathrooms Valencia wall hung toilet, £299.97; and Grohe Cube basin, £189.97, are similar.

Transition Tortora floor tiles, £29.99 per m2, Tile Choice

PHOTOGRAPH JEREMY PHILLIPS (LEFT)

Head for height If your house is semi or fully detached, installing a toilet under the stairs is generally easy because the soil pipe often runs externally on the same wall as the staircase runs inside. Position the toilet under the lower stairs, with the cistern towards the foot of the stairs, and the basin at the highest point. You can sit down to use the loo but stand to wash hands. Measure the tallest member of your household to see if they can comfortably use the facilities without their head touching the stair treads above.

Granley cloakroom basin and pedestal, £312; Granley closecoupled standard height WC and cistern, £438, Heritage Bathrooms

HAYLEY BLYTHE DENTIST

‘The house had been rented for several years before we bought it. The downstairs toilet (and the whole house) was very tired and desperately needed livening up.

We reconfigured the cumbersome boxing in behind the loo to make it less invasive. Then we looked at colours. My interiors style is generally very calm and neutral, but I wanted to go a little bolder in this room. We trawled endless paint charts before settling on De Nimes by Farrow & Ball – we just love the dark blue tones. I left the colour short of the ceiling to give the illusion of a picture rail and increased height. The blue tiles complement the walls, and they were also on sale at B&Q – always a bonus. My heart was set on a purpose-made bathroom vanity unit with integrated sink, but our budget didn’t stretch so we bought an under-the-sink unit from John Lewis’ Croft Collection, replaced its veneered top with solid oak work surface left from our kitchen reno and plumbed in a counter-mounted sink. The result is so effective and at a fraction of the price! I’d love a more stylish radiator but I’m pretty pleased with what we’ve achieved.’

Insta: @townhousediaries

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Barcelona 55 basin, £585.34, Victoria + Albert Baths. Design by 2LG Studio

HANNAH YOUNG

PHOTOGRAPH MEGAN TAYLOR (RIGHT)

CHARITY FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR

Thurlestone cloak offset vanity unit, £615; Carlyon vanity basin, £195; Chrome Expression cloak mono basin mixer, £235, Imperial Bathrooms

Above Edinburgh undermount open washstand, £1,450; Hanover wall lights, from £70 each; Buckingham mirror, from £290; panelling painted in Mist eggshell, £54 for 2.5ltrs, all Neptune. Design

by Sims Hilditch

Clear the clutter Include storage provisions for toilet paper and some cleaning products/air fresheners. A slimline vanity unit with cupboard could provide it without taking up floorspace. If you’re building out stud walls, consider a mirror cabinet between the joists above the basin or toilet cistern. A wall-mounted soap dish or bottle will keep the basin clear.

Open up For downstairs toilets opening to the hallway, a smart reno move is to build in a pocket door, which slides across rather than pivoting out into oncoming children. A barn-style sliding door, which fits above an existing door frame, is a simple retrofit solution.

In period homes that don’t suit such modern mechanisms, consider bi-folding panelled doors or a pair of narrow doors that open centrally.

Don’t forget… not to get caught short Bathroom basket, £46.50, The Norfolk Bay Company

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‘This room was a beige, woodchipcovered nightmare when we first moved in. Randomly, it had two doors to go through before you got to the loo. Removing the spare inner door helped it feel less claustrophobic. I originally wanted quite a masculine, Victorian feel and painted the basin alcove in a dark, contrasting colour. However, it lacked texture, so I changed tack and wallpapered it in Graham and Brown’s Bouquet instead. The alcove isn’t straight in any direction, so the task was extremely challenging – the air was pretty blue at points – but it’s definitely not masculine now! While I love a room that’s fully wallpapered, in this small space, just wallpapering the alcove created interest without overpowering. It also draws the eye to the side of the room, which helps it feel wider. I chose green for the tiles and paint for its nice vintage feel. I’m considering changing the white tiles to green, as I ran out of green ones and popped white on in the spur of the moment. I’m still not sure if I like them. My top advice for decorating a downstairs loo is to go as wild as you like with colour and texture – I love a paint that extends over the ceiling and skirting, or a bold wallpaper. Also, make sure you order enough tiles!’

Insta: @theoldredhouse

renovated Terrace

EYE FOR

DESIGN Reconfiguring the downstairs of her Victorian home allowed Kate Kozina to create a practical family space that fully embraces open-plan living

Dusky pink accents contrast with navy blue walls to add a feminine edge to Kate’s living room styling. ‘I’ve tried to make the space feel brighter by hanging a large mirror above the fireplace and choosing a reflective copper coffee table to bounce light around the room,’ she says.

Walls painted in Maritime No.236 marble matt emulsion, Mylands.

Sofa and armchair, Swoon Editions. Coffee table, Maisons du Monde.

Floor lamp, Made. For a similar vase, try the Afa round grooved glass vase, La Redoute

Above and right ‘Elena suggested hanging a trio of pendants above the table to give this part of the open-plan layout a clear purpose,’ explains Kate.

‘They make a beautiful feature and light up the middle of the house on darker days.’

Dining table, Maisons du Monde.

White pendant, First Choice Lighting. Pink pendant, Naken Interiors. Miniforms

grey pendant, Nuastyle. Walls painted in Maritime No.236 Marble matt emulsion, Mylands.

Oak-effect laminate flooring, B&Q. Vase, Ikea Above right A Scandi-style sideboard provides additional storage.

‘The gallery wall showcases our best family memories,’ says Kate.

Sideboard, Swoon Editions. For similar frames, try Desenio

Right ‘My father kindly made the decking for the garden,’ says Kate.

‘We love hosting barbecues in the summer and this space is perfect for entertaining as it leads straight out from the kitchen.’

For similar decking, try the Nevou spruce deck board, B&Q. Festoon lights, Lights4Fun. For similar chairs, try Wayfair

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FIND MORE STYLE AND DECORATING INSPIRATION AT REALHOMES.COM/DESIGN #SOREALHOMES

aving had their hearts set on this part of Richmond, Kate Kozina and her husband Gregory couldn’t believe their luck when one of their favourite streets came onto the market within budget.

‘Being in close proximity to one of the local outstanding primary schools was at the top of our priority list,’ says Kate.

‘The house offered the space we needed and the scope to put our own stamp on it without the need for a huge renovation.’

Structurally, the property needed little changing to suit the family’s vision, aside from removing a toilet on the ground floor to open up the space. By taking out this awkward section, the whole of the downstairs now flows seamlessly from the living area right through to the kitchen. ‘When it came to designing the downstairs space, we knew openplan was best suited to our young family,’ Kate says. ‘We love to host friends and family so having a link between the kitchen and dining areas was important to us, as it means we can all be together when one of us is cooking. Using the same flooring throughout has also helped the space to feel unified.’

Kate called in the help of interior designer Elena Creswell to pull the whole look together and help with the spatial planning of the new downstairs layout. ‘Enlisting Elena’s help opened us up to lots of new ideas,’ she says. ‘It was invaluable having the expertise of someone who knew the best places to source things to suit our taste and budget.’

Elena, who began work on the project soon after the family moved in, was given a brief to combine Scandinavian style with a modern country edge to the interior. ‘Kate wanted to create a contemporary family home with a cottage feel to fit in with the surrounding properties and the area they were living in,’ says Elena. ‘The kitchen was the biggest challenge as we had to work around the existing plumbing within a relatively small space and design something that would flow into the open-plan area, too.’ Dividing the kitchen into two separate zones – one housing the cooker and fridge, the other the sink and storage units – made the best use of the space and has given both walls strong visual appeal.

Keen to keep the cosiness of the house, Kate chose dark wall colours in the living areas and bedroom, yet retained a modern edge with sleek, Scandi-inspired furniture. ‘I found an old Victorian-style electric fire, which I cleaned up and had fixed to sit as a focal point in the living room to retain some of the period charm,’ she says. ‘This, teamed with the contemporary furniture, such as the copper coffee table, creates the balance I was hoping to achieve.’ To tie the whole house together, Kate picked out a few design elements that have been continued throughout the interior. ‘Hexagons feature in the porch, the kitchen and the family bathroom so help to create a subtle link,’ she explains. ‘Elena even sourced some hexagonal pendant lights for the kitchen, too.’

Being a florist means that Kate loves being surrounded by fresh blooms. ‘Foliage is an inexpensive way to build up the base layer, and then I add colourful stems to tie it in with whichever room it’s going to be displayed in,’ she says. ‘Even a simple vase arrangement on the dining table makes it homely.’

Thanks to the reconfigured downstairs layout, the house now offers the family-friendly space Kate and Gregory envisioned. ‘Bringing Elena on board has made the whole redecorating process run smoothly and it’s been wonderful seeing the ideas brought to life!’ says Kate. ‘We know we’ll be very happy here for a long time to come.’

Profile The owners Kate Kozina, creative director and co-founder of Fine Stems London (finestems.co.uk), her husband, Gregory, a stock broker, and their two daughters, Varvara, eight, and Stefania, six The property A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house near Richmond, greater London

Kate chose a basic white gloss Ikea kitchen to keep costs down and customised it to her taste. Interior designer Elena incorporated open shelving, hexagonal tiles and copper touches White gloss kitchen, oak worktops and sink, Ikea. For similar knobs, try Pushka Home. Copper wall clock, Idyll Home.

Oak-effect laminate flooring, B&Q

Right Sleek white gloss Ikea units with wooden worktops will suit the family for years to come. ‘I didn’t feel the need to splash out on a designer kitchen when we could achieve the look

kitchen,’ she says.

AWA Faucet Fleaker mixer, local stores at Ebay. White gloss hexagon tiles, Walls & Floors. For similar tumblers, try The Conran Shop

we wanted for a fraction of the cost,’ says Kate.

For a similar oven, try the Mattradition white oven, Ikea.

Fridge-freezer, Appliances Direct.

Pendant light, Made

Drip dry Let your plates dry naturally by stacking them on a dish rack like Kate’s ,

Borough dish rack, £45, Garden Trading

Antique brass dish rack, £55, Heavenly Homes & Gardens

Hay dish drainer, £35, Nest

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Joseph Joseph Y-Rack, £40, John Lewis & Partners

REALHOMES.COM

WORDS AND STYLING CASSIE PRYCE PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES SHOPPING EDIT EMILY SMITH

Left Simple wooden shelves, sourced from a local timber yard, provide storage and display Kate’s favourite tableware. ‘The white-washed finish ties them in with the

A fresh palette of white and mint green has been used in the bathroom to keep it feeling airy and contemporary.

‘The introduction of subtle hexagonal shapes adds interest without overwhelming the small room with pattern,’ says Elena.

Marble-effect hexagon tiles, British Ceramic Tile via Tilers World.

Blue wall tiles and hexagon white gloss mosaic tile, Tiles Direct. Wall-hung drawer unit, Soak.

For a similar mirror, try Oliver Bonas

Contacts Interior design Elena Creswell Design, elenacreswell.com Kitchen Ikea, ikea.com Paint Mylands, 020 8670 9161, mylands.com

Below Sliding wardrobes make the best use of the remaining bedroom space, while a wall mirror reflects light

Right and above Deep blue walls give a warm, rich tone to the master bedroom. ‘The upholstered bed frame softens the look, along with plenty of textiles such as throws, cushions and a statement rug,’ says Kate. ‘I wanted this space to feel relaxed yet still have personality.’

Walls painted in Mystified emulsion, Valspar. Bed, Made.

For similar wall lights, try the Ogilvy swing-arm wall lamp, Made.

For similar bedside tables, try the Douglas, Swoon Editions. For a similar throw, try The British Blanket Company. Picture ledge, Ikea

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around this darker corner of the room.

Wardrobe doors, Ikea. Round mirror, Maisons du Monde

Below The en suite shower enclosure was chosen as both doors fold inwards, meaning it doesn’t take up space – a clever feature in this compact room.

White metro wall tiles and white and black dot mosaic tiles, both Topps Tiles. Mirror, Ikea. For a shower, try the Arezzo round thermostatic shower, Victorian Plumbing

Above A grey or white backdrop means a child’s room can easily be updated with colourful accessories and soft furnishings when it’s time for a change.

Bed frame and bedside table, Ikea. Brass hare cupboard knob, John Lewis & Partners. Där Lighting Effie table lamp, Abbeygate Lighting

Take Mat Get soft feels underfoot with a well-placed mat by the bath or shower

Castle Raspberry Scallop bath mat, £35, Antipodream

‘Peachy Clean’ bath mat, £19.99, Red Candy

Discovery textured geometric cotton mat, £9, George Home

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‘Get Naked’ tufted bath mat, £6.99, B&M Store

The girls share the loft bedroom and it includes separate areas for sleeping, reading and working. The canopy makes a den for reading bedtime stories.

Desk and chairs, Ikea. Canopy, Smallable. Walls painted in Inox Absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene. For a similar rug, try Maisons du Monde

A growing SUCCESS There’s something so wonderful about planting, picking and eating your own homegrown produce, as Jennifer Morgan discovers

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IMAGES GETTY

Sarah Raven (sarahraven.com), whose new podcast Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange, with Arthur Parkinson, is available now.

‘We all care now about food and flower miles, taste and individual character of what we’re picking, eating and smelling. We’ve seen an increase in demand for seeds, as gardeners take pleasure in growing from the earliest stage; it gives a sense of hope and achievement that many of us are longing for.’

Fellow podcast member Arthur adds: ‘I like to grow my own produce because it’s my way of being above the supermarkets, with variety, goodness and supporting the bees through having my own little garden oasis. It’s about colour, beauty and living life each day.’

Sounds good – where do we sign up? Interior designer Amy Jones (gretamae.co.uk) moved outside last summer. ‘It was always something I wanted to do,’ she says. ‘When we moved from London to Shropshire, I had dreams of being self-sufficient, but it’s only in this last year that we’ve had enough time on our hands to sort out the garden.’ Amy now has large raised beds, a cold frame, potting table and – thanks to Facebook Marketplace – a greenhouse. It’s been an expensive new hobby, both in terms of time and money. ‘I didn’t

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REALHOMES.COM

M

ove over DIY: we’ve become a nation of GYO-ers with a reignited passion for harvesting our own fruit and vegetables. During the first week of lockdown last year, there were more than one million web visits to the RHS Gardening advice pages, and a third of these specifically visits to ‘grow your own’. And while we were quick to order compost, raised beds and tomato plants, we’ve embraced a slower love of gardening that shows little sign of wilting a year on, with over 6.6 million posts tagged #growyourown on Instagram.

It seems we’ve re-found our connection with food, as landscape architect and allotment owner Victoria Wade (victoriawade.co.uk) believes: ‘I think more than ever we want to know where our food is coming from – there’s a real desire to reconnect with the land.’

Slow gardening (a term coined off the back of the Slow Food movement of the 1980s, founded by Italian Carlo Petrini) means gardeners savour everything they do, using all of their senses and through all seasons, regardless of garden style or size. Basically, it’s an attitude rather than a checklist of things to do… or not.

Slow gardening is satisfying, not a chore.

And it’s this renewed appreciation in the mindfulness of gardening that has appealed to so many over the last 12 months or so.

‘The pandemic has really encouraged people to grow their own food, having more time to connect with nature and spend outside,’ says Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell, author of Grow your Own Food (Cico Books, £12.99). ‘If you can’t easily pop to a shop to buy a salad for lunch, then it’s easy to see the appeal of growing it yourself, even if it’s just in a pot or window box. It’s enjoyable, productive and therapeutic.’

‘Our allotment really kept me sane last year,’ adds Victoria. ‘During lockdowns, it was the only place we were allowed to go when the restrictions were really strict. It was our sanctuary from all of the madness going on in the world – we were so lucky.’

But the allotment has also brought Victoria, her husband, Joe, and their young daughter an amazing sense of community: ‘Everyone is really generous, sharing their knowledge and produce. We swap lots of plants and veggies, which I love!’

‘I’m lucky that my own personal passion – growing things outside to bring in – has become fashionable again,’ says

think it would be, but it has added up,’ she says. ‘It’s been worth it, though, as it has taught me patience and to slow down. I always want everything yesterday, but plants work to their own schedule.’ If Amy feels a little stressed or needs to take a work break, then she heads to her greenhouse to take a look at her plants. ‘It calms me down while being very exciting at the same time,’ she says.

If you’re a complete novice, then Deborah says to start following gardeners and growers on social media, chat to other gardeners and even sign up for an allotment. ‘Whenever I’m asked by new grow-your-own-ers what to grow, I suggest leafy grow-cut-and-come-again veg such as beetroot, leaf celery, lettuce, red kale, rocket, sorrel and spinach,’ says Sarah. ‘And work on your soil. Tempting though it is, don’t just plant the seeds any old how; the soil will probably need improving if you haven’t cultivated your plot before. Veg likes a loving environment – light, airy and full of goodness. A small soil lump size is crucial.’

And you don’t need a huge space, either.

‘Salads are easy in pots or boxes, while micro greens are fun to grow,’ says Deborah. ‘Think seasonally too: I always grow lots of garlic and

chillies to last the winter. If you only have pots, then try herbs – perennials are very useful – or, depending on the size of your container, you could grow beans and peas.

Just keep pots well watered and fed. Start off with a rich compost and add some well-rotted manure or mushroom compost.’

You need to be vigilant, though, as Deborah adds: ‘Inspect for slugs and snails regularly.’

When it comes to successes, Victoria’s had different heroes each year. ‘Last year our peas were absolutely spectacular (I grew the variety “Blauwscholler” for the first time), and the year before that, we had a bumper crop of courgettes,’ she says. ‘Every year something different thrives, which is what makes gardening so much fun… and a little frustrating, too. If you are new to gardening, then start with plug plants if the thought of seeds scares you. Get your confidence up and keep going.’

‘Picking your own crops – whether veg, salad or herbs – is easily and instantly rewarding,’ says Sarah. ‘It ties you to the place, on that day and in that season, which, it seems, is just what more and more of us are looking for.’

5 ways to Get green fingers Ready to get started? Here are five tools you’ll need

1 A fork and trowel set will see you through most light gardening tasks, including prepping pots for planting. Burgon & Ball hand trowel and fork, £11 each, National Trust Shop

2 A pair of gardening gloves is crucial for any task, from weeding to picking fruit. Sicilian lemon cotton grip gloves, £6.99 for three, Crocus

3 k Protect your knees from pain and dirt with a cute kneeler. Bees gardening kneeler, £20, Sophie Allport

4 Keep p your plants hydrated – and use collected rainwater for extra eco points. Galvanised 10ltr watering can, £40, g Garden Trading

5 d Stash the fruits (and veg) of your labour in a stylish basket.

Bolga bamboo shopping basket, £55, Lola & Mawu

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Garden makeover

Earthly delight

Bek used DIY skills and creative thinking to turn her splitlevel, overgrown garden into a multiuse outdoor haven

F

aced with a multi-level layout in the garden of her 18th-century farmhouse, Bek Tainton wasn’t quite sure where to start. The plot was a manageable size but in poor shape. The lower part was a paved walk-through to the back door, with steps up to a terrace, some mature shrubs and trees and a bit of lawn.

Everything was very overgrown, with brick walls to the rear covered in ivy.

Keen to transform the garden into an extension of her home’s living spaces, Bek soon worked out a way to maximise the potential of the different zones and levels. She wanted to keep the established trees and shrubs, as well as the old brick walls, while adding interest to the underused area by the house and creating a low-maintenance cottage garden that would attract wildlife and suit the country vibe of the family’s old farmhouse. Here, she tells us how she did it…

Profile THE OWNERS Bek Tainton, a textile artist (@ohsewlovely2000), her husband, Andrew, their children Esme, 16, and Noah, 14, and Zira the cat THE PROPERTY A 300-year-old farmhouse in Somerset TOTAL PROJECT COST £670

B E FO R E

STYLISH TOUCHES

‘Once the hard landscaping was finished, I worked on building up the “outdoor room” effect, making seat pads and cushions for the benches and upcycling a little wooden coffee table I’d unearthed in the garden. My best find was an old, discarded window frame, which we’ve turned into an outdoor mirror that looks amazing on the brick wall.’

FIRST STEPS

‘Top of my wish list was a lovely seating area where we could put our feet up. The terrace was the obvious spot, and I was keen on the idea of some outdoor sofas. The ones I liked were way out of our budget, but luckily for me, Andrew is amazing at DIY. He designed and built the wooden bench seats to fit perfectly into the corner. We applied deck oil and removed the ivy above, exposing the lovely old brickwork and opening up the space.’

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Contacts Garden products Amazon, amazon.co.uk; B&Q, 0333 014 3098, diy.com; Sainsbury’s, 0800 636 262, sainsburys. co.uk; Wickes, 0330 123 4123, wickes.co.uk Fabrics for seating Fabrics Galore, 020 7738 9589, fabricsgalore.co.uk; The Millshop Online, 01604 875062, themillshop-online.co.uk

ADDING FEATURES

‘I wanted to make something of the lower level as it was just paved, with nothing to look at. The garden table and chairs from our old house fitted nicely at the far end. As I now had a dining zone and comfy seating on the terrace, I decided on decorative touches in the area near the back door. A friend had made rustic display shelves from a salvaged wooden ladder, and I was keen to create something similar. The shelves are just scaffolding boards, and I dressed them with vases, pots and accessories I already had around the house.

We’d used the wooden trolley for drinks at our wedding – it was a bargain find at the local recycling centre.’

‘The idea of a pretty cottage garden really appealed, and I wanted a low-key, unstructured look with plants and flowers to attract birds, butterflies and bees.

We were keen to keep the mature shrubs and an old apple tree, and we rescued a beautiful pink climbing rose that was being overwhelmed by ivy. I didn’t know much about gardening to begin with, but I researched online to find out when to cut back plants, and how much sun and water the different varieties like.

A hydrangea I bought has been happier since I moved it into a more shaded position, and we’ve saved a little fig tree we found by putting it in a sunnier spot. It’s been quite a learning curve.’

REALHOMES.COM

GREEN FINGERS

REAPING THE REWARDS

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Got a project of your own? Enter our awards for your chance to win £1,000

shopping list Timber for bench, scaffold boards and blue slate chippings, Wickes.

Timber cladding for bench exterior, B&Q. Festoon lights, Sainsbury’s. Patio heater and mason jars, Amazon. Studio G dotty grey fabric, Fabrics Galore. Fryett Bergen ochre fabric, The Millshop Online.

Other cushions, from a selection at Homesense

WORDS AND STYLING ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

‘The different sections make the garden feel larger, but it’s still really manageable.

We’re outside as much as possible, for meals, relaxing and entertaining friends.

It’s gorgeous in the evenings, too, as I’ve got solar lights in all the trees and a little patio heater for after dark. We’ve even got an outdoor projector and a white sheet for film nights, which the children love. It’s given me masses of satisfaction, and I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved.’

A DV E RTOR I A L

Brush away the years and perfect your deck What to do 1. Remove all the outdoor

Update your decking with a fresh new feel A coat of paint or stain will protect your wood, making it look like new ooden decking is positioned to get the best of the summer – the perfect suntrap for dressing with a cushion-strewn outside sofa or alfresco dining set.

However, its exposure to the sun can lead to fading, while the cold, wind or rain can cause it to weather, warp or even weaken. But you can take steps to restore and protect it by giving it a

W

Seriously Good 2” Shed, Fence & Decking Brush, £2.70, Harris

clean and a coat of paint, sealant or stain, and it will look like it has just been laid.

Harris painting and decking tools are available from DIY stores. For stockists details, go to harrisbrushes. com/stockists. For more information about Harris decking and exterior woodwork application and care products, go to harrisbrushes.com

Harris Ultimate Shed, Fence & Decking Swan Neck Brush, from £12.91

furniture on your decking to see if any sections are rotting or damaged and need to be fixed.

Sweep with a broom to remove any leaves or dirt that might have built up over the year.

2. To ensure the wooden decking panels are clean, wash them in a mixture of sugar soap and water, using the broom to spread the mixture around. This should remove minor algae and mould build-up. Try a Seriously Good Wire Brush with Scraper if there’s a lot of mould or algae. Speciality cleaners can also be very effective and are available from DIY stores. When you’re finished, allow the surface to dry 3. If you have artificial grass or stone slabs close to the decking, lay a tarpaulin sheet down to catch any paint drips. Begin painting by going around the far edges of the decking with a Seriously Good 2” Shed Fence & Decking Brush. These hard-to-reach areas usually receive less protective coatings and are often the places where moisture and rot start, so make sure they are well covered. It’ll also give you a neater finish.

4. Once you’ve finished the edges, move on to the rest of the decking. Work from the edge furthest away from the house or so you can get off the decking without walking across the freshly painted surface. For speed, use an Ultimate Swan Neck Shed S Fence & Decking Brussh. If you don’t want to kneel or stoop brush to to paint, attach the b the Ultimate Extensio on Pole.

Click together and pa aint.

5. When the whole su urface is covered, allow itt to dry.

Replace th he furniture and d enjoy your g good-as-new d decking!

Project t

of the month Preserve the future and save on your running expenses with green building techniques. We look at ways to update your home with the latest sustainable thinking

or more efficient building materials.

Age-old materials and methods are also being reintroduced to help create a more natural and sustainable environment inside the home, while sometimes the best thing you can do when it comes to certain aspects of your project is nothing at all. Here’s an example of how you can achieve a green and contemporary home that’s perfect for modern life.

#SOREALHOMES

WORDS IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI PHOTOGRAPHS JIM STEPHENSON

he benefits of creating a green home have been touted for decades now. Not only can an efficient property help you save money on energy bills, but you can also feel good about yourself for doing your bit to help the planet. Each year architects, engineers and scientists find clever new ways to make it easier for us to do this, whether it’s the addition of renewable technology

FOR MORE INSPIRING TRANSFORMATIONS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

ECOFRIENDLY RENOVATION

SEE HOW THIS EX-COUNCIL HOUSE WAS STRIPPED BACK TO MAXIMISE ITS SPACE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY 111

GLOSSARY

PLANNING PERMISSION A request made to the local council to carry out building works on your property or garden.

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT Works that can be undertaken on a property or garden without needing to request planning permission.

PARTY WALL A shared interior or exterior wall that separates two adjoining buildings; built on the boundary line, it demarcates ownership.

SMART HOME SYSTEM A series of interlinked components that allow you to control lighting, heating, appliances and other devices via a smartphone using internet connection.

VOCS Volatile organic compounds, emitted as gasses from certain compounds like paint, varnish, adhesives, carpet, and particleboard. Some can cause short- and long-term health problems.

CARBON NEUTRAL A point at which any carbon emissions created in one place are saved in another. For a home, this means high energy efficiency, including insulation and glazing, and using renewable energy.

Fabric first This sustainable approach is all about maximising the design, layout and materials of a build or refurbishment to improve elements such as the thermal performance of the building. For instance, making sure to pack in heaps of insulation.

The result? Less reliance on extra, energy-sapping systems – and more savings on your bills.

Informed approach When homeowner Bernadette found this 1980s ex-council house, she saw the potential to use its existing features to create something unique yet functional.

‘I’m familiar with the Bermondsey area – particularly Bermondsey Street, the markets at Maltby Street & Spa Terminus, and of course the riverside south of the Thames, which is what appealed to me about the house’s location. Internally, the house had a somewhat eclectic and loud décor and required total modernisation. Looking past the existing decoration, I could see the space could be transformed into a modern home on the doorstep of a vibrant area.

‘I was clear in my initial spec that I wanted to maximise the use of space in the property. The existing structure allowed my architects, Ana and Bogdan, to scale back the Heat it up property to its foundation and reconfigure the Look to eco heating options to existing layout without keep your home cosy. Solar water removing or adding heating uses the sun's energy and anything unnecessarily, generates around 60 per cent of your to reduce waste. home's hot water; it costs between This utilised space £4,000 and £6,000 to install. Air source far more effectively, heat pumps convert energy from the creating clean lines air, while ground source versions use throughout, and clearly energy stored in the earth; they demarcated areas for can cost from around £8,000 and £13,000 respectively. living/working/relaxing.

B E FO R E

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‘While minimising the structural interventions required, the design added space by paring back the ceiling to the roof, increased light within the house, and somehow connected the front and back garden. These elements combined make the home feel significantly larger than what it was and offers an urban oasis in a central location.

‘I think the addition of the utility room is such a clever design for such a small space. The boiler is in a somewhat odd location, and was previously accessed from the kitchen. Now, we can access it from the living room via a separate utility room that contains the washing machine.

The boiler set up is the original communal pre-fed water tank system, which provides enough heat to allow efficient and sustainable drying of clothes. The bathroom upstairs was relocated to sit right above the tank, so it heats up the floor there, too, almost like underfloor heating. It's superb!

‘More generally, the lighting throughout the house, and specifically in the hallway, is perfect. Using bare plaster meant we didn’t need to paint the walls, which saved money and resources. I didn't live in the house before the work started but moved in during the first Covid lockdown when building works were at a stage where the house was just about habitable. This proved beneficial in that I was able to focus on the interior decorating and making the house a home while the works were finalised.’

Orientation You can use the position of your house to enhance its sustainability credentials – for instance, by installing more windows on a south elevation to help capture winter sunlight. Your choice of glazing and its position can maximise natural daylight, helping to make your interior look brighter, and could also save you money on your electricity bills.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reclaim it If you’re working with a period property, consider what you could save along the way. For example, do you really need to change the flooring? There are ways to salvage solid floors such as real timber, which can be sanded and varnished, and to freshen up tiles, by replacing missing pieces with lookalikes.

Cost & contacts Architect Vatraa, 0753 501 8051, vatraa.com Builder Tomasz Zmelty, 020 8378 5502, tzbuilding.co.uk Project cost Around £200,000

Aside from the materials you use to physically build your home, and the supplier you use to fuel it (switching energy supplier is one of the best things you can do to lower your carbon footprint), the biggest single change you can make in your home is to reduce what you buy new and use what you already have. This applies to smaller items like accessories, but also to bigger things such as kitchens. For example, if you like the layout of your kitchen, don’t scrap the whole thing just to replace it like-for-like: keep what you can (i.e. the unit carcasses) and refresh it with new doors (try Plykea or Naked Doors) or worktops.

Waste less If you're intent on removing an external wall, consider whether you might be able to reuse the unwanted materials in the garden for other walls, to create edging or as part of the building material if you are extending.

Focus on smart tech

Interior finish Opt for a scheme that incorporates efficient and eco-friendly appliances, fittings and finishes, such as water-saving taps, flooring that has been sourced from rapidly growing plants like bamboo, or lowVOC paint.

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Learn more about solar panels – a great source of renewable energy

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Using a smart system could save energy as well as cash, helping you control everything from heating to air quality to make your home healthier for you and the planet. Smart lighting, as well as being a useful security tool when you’re on holiday, can be operated via remote or app, and can sense when someone’s left a room and turn off lights when not in use. Smart heating controls will monitor and change the temperature in a room or zone, set by you to reduce usage – so you might have the heating turned off in lesser-used rooms, like spare rooms. And while not smart tech per se, an air purifier can eliminate odours, pollutants and bacteria from the air to help maintain good air quality.

A DV E RTOR I A L

Colour for the home that cares for the Earth Crown is balancing our need to refresh and renew with positive actions to cut waste

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e decorate to make our homes more beautiful, welcoming and relaxing spaces to live in – but we don’t want to do it at the cost of the planet we live on.

We are becoming acutely aware of the impact that our actions can have on the environment, and that even something as simple as painting a wall can come at a high cost in terms of wasted product and discarded empty paint containers.

Committed to the environment

For the past 12 years, Crown has put thinking green at the heart of its paint production through its earthbalance scheme. It has committed to being more sustainable and less wasteful in

every aspect of its paint production, from how it’s made to its packaging and even the way it’s sold in stores and decorating centres.

During that time, Crown has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and its overall electricity consumption (the latter by 15 per cent), cut packaging waste by approximately 15 per cent, and recycled more than 800 tonnes of paint cans.

The company has also reduced the amount of waste going to landfill, with 65 per cent of it being reused or recycled. Plus, it’s benefitted deserving community projects – with

an impressive 39,000 litres of paint being redistributed for use through Crown’s Kick out the Can, Can Back and Nimtech schemes.

Cutting down on waste Two years ago, Crown launched paint containers made from 100 per cent recycled post-consumer waste (PCW) – the first paint manufacturer in the UK to do so. This far exceeds the industry standard of just 25 per cent!

The process of making the containers involves separating polypropylene plastics – such as shampoo bottles, yoghurt pots and empty water bottles – from unusable plastic, saving thousands of tonnes of PCW plastic ending up in landfill.

Mark Lloyd, sustainability manager for Crown Paints, said: ‘We’re very proud of the earthbalance scheme and everything it’s helped us achieve over the years. We have worked hard to ensure staff from across the whole business are on board and engaged with the scheme and, as a result, earthbalance is now a central part of our culture at Crown Paints.

‘Our scheme has been recognised for numerous national awards and we believe it’s made a real difference to our environmental credentials as a company. We’re constantly looking for new ways to improve, and the earthbalance scheme will remain a key part of the company ethos.’

A long history of expertise

Established in 1777, Crown has a rich heritage with more than 200 years of paint-making knowledge and skill poured into every tin produced. The royal seal of approval was given in 1949, when Crown received the Royal Clockwise from left easyclean® matt emulsion in Mellow Sage, Powdered Clay, Blue Gravel and Botanical Extract, £25 for 2.5ltrs, Crown

Warrant. Based in Darwen, Lancashire, with its paint manufacturing done in Hull, there is a growing network of Crown Decorating Centres around the UK and Ireland. For more details about Crown and to explore its range of paints and colours, go to crownpaints.co.uk

Sunset collection encaustic cement tile, £162 per m2, Otto Tiles & Design

1 0 ST E P S TO YO U R

DREAM BATHROOM Turn a tired old bathroom into your base of tranquillity with some stylish upgrades. We tell you how

1 Location, location, location If yours is a terraced house of a certain era, there is a chance your bathroom is downstairs, accessed through the kitchen. Are you tired of semi-clad people dashing through while someone’s cooking? Would you sacrifice part of or a whole bedroom to move the bathroom upstairs?

According to research by insurer Direct Line, two bathrooms to every three bedrooms is the ideal ratio. So, if you’re adding onto your house, you need easy access to a bath or shower room on at least two levels.

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Find more style trends and tips to update your bathroom

Bathroom blues Begin with the cons of your bathroom; the loathe list that you are desperate to change. Is it the tiny plastic tub that you can’t relax in? The no-power shower that’s just a tepid trickle enclosed in a clammy, clinging curtain? Are your separate bath or basin taps either always too hot or too cold? Decide your priorities for your dream bathroom and you can plan exactly what you want to fit into what might be a compact room, and how best to allocate your funds.

Calming natural tones, storage, inset shelving and a tucked away toilet can make a bathroom blissful.

D-Neo collection bath, from £422.40; basin, from £225.60; vanity unit, from £592.80; wallmounted toilet, from £334.80, all Duravit

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Making space The bathroom doesn’t have to be the biggest room as it’s usually only used by one person at a time for a relatively short period. But you don’t want it so cramped your knees knock against the bath when you use the loo. If bathroom and toilet are separate, can they be knocked into one for a room with space for a bigger suite and more storage? Could an old hot water tank and airing cupboard make way for a shower cubicle? You might consider switching rooms if there’s a spare that’d be better used as a bathroom – though you’d need to lay pipes to supply it with water and possibly move the soil stack.

TOP TIP

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Plan the layout

Rearranging the layout will cost money if water and waste pipes have to be relaid or moved. Consider whether you can make the current scheme work better.

A galley-style arrangement can make a bathroom seem narrow. Running the bath along the shorter wall at the end could open up the centre of the space. If you’re tired of climbing into the bath to have a shower, try moving things around to make room for a cubicle or wet room-style shower. If you can, tuck the toilet away so it isn’t the first thing everyone sees. Choose a door that swings open against a wall rather than into the middle of the room, or look at a sliding pocket door.

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Alison’s top tip

Working out the budget You can expect to pay an average of around £6,000 for a total bathroom renovation, but if you have a tight budget, a makeover is possible from around £2,300. For a real luxury look, the bath alone can cost thousands. When deciding what to spend and where, first take into account the cost of the jobs you can’t do yourself. Unless you’re a skilled DIYer, you’ll need to pay for a plumber, electrician and maybe a tiler for the walls and floor. Then add up the price of bathroom essentials – the suite, bought together or as separate pieces; taps and shower heads; waterproof flooring; bathroom paint, tiling or wall panels; a radiator that’ll double as a towel rail; one or more points of light, and some storage.

Wrap up in a snuggly towel.

Prism white, from £12.50 for a bath towel, Christy.

For a towel ladder, try Elements, £35, Dunelm

Bathrooms look more streamlined if you can hide the pipes. Sink into walls if possible or box in if you can’t. With a frame-style vanity or wall-hung sink, tap connectors might show, so consider wallmounted taps.

Enjoy the shower of dreams in a walk-in shower or cubicle.

Polished Nickel Liberty enclosure with side panel; matt white shower tray and riser kit; 600 Powdered Snow vanity top; Alpine White drawer unit, £4,851.82, all Roman

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FEATURE ALISON JONES

Natural light in a bathroom is a plus, particularly for precision tasks like shaving or applying make up, but so too is privacy. If your window (or windows) overlook your neighbour, invest in frosted glass or retrofit a window film to the bottom half or the whole of the glass.

Waterproof shutters can also partially cover windows.

You could shower under the stars with a rooflight above the cubicle. If the bathroom is windowless, a solar tunnel through the ceiling can bring in the sun. For artificial light, try a mix of ceiling lights and task lighting with wall lights above or around the mirror.

Shower or bath?

The great debate! Does the idea of a luxurious walk-in shower, or even one built for two, trump a long soak in a warm bath? It’s very much a personal choice. For a family with young children, a bath is non-negotiable – the easiest way to get them clean and have fun while doing it. If space is at a premium, removing the bath can allow you to upscale to a more generous shower cubicle or wet room. If you have an eye on house values, removing the bath altogether could affect yours. Compromise could be key – shower baths that are wider at one end now offer a lot more foot room for a more comfortable showering experience. Or what about a bath in the master suite for hotel-like indulgence?

TOP TIP The closer a light is to water, the higher its IP (Ingress Protection) rating needs to be for safe use.

IP44 is adequate for over sinks but IP65 or above is needed for lights close to or in baths or showers.

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Bring in the light

You can go green in the bathroom without bringing back the avocado suite (unless you really want to!).

A power shower is bliss, but can use more water than a bath. An eco showerhead adds air to the water, reducing the amount needed, or try one that pulsates the water to cut the flow rate.

An eco shower can also reduce energy wastage.

Taps with a sensor stop and start automatically, so you don’t leave the water running needlessly while you are washing or brushing your teeth. As for the toilet, look for a water-saving dual flush.

Form Opal in Hex laying pattern, from £50 per m2, Amtico

TOP TIP Underfloor heating can keep a bathroom unobtrusively warm and works under luxury vinyl tile (LVT), tiles and waterproof laminate flooring.

10 Hide it away The bathroom attracts family clutter like metal to a magnet. Smart storage is a priority so you don’t feel stressed looking at gunge-covered product bottles and empty toilet tubes. Mirrored cabinets can bounce light round the room.

An upcycled cupboard makes a unique vanity for towels and cleaning products. Alcoves built into showers or above baths keep things off the floor and offer space for a wine glass.

Use baskets for extra toilet rolls, or show off Instagrammable recycled ones on open shelving.

ECO CHOICE

Pick a bathroom cleaner you’re proud to have on show – and that’s good for the environment.

Rosemary, lemon & juniper berry sustainable bathroom cleaner, £12, Colt & Willow

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Decorating decisions There are no limits to how you can decorate with specialist wallpapers and paints that can cope with a steamy atmosphere.

You might still want to avoid a carpeted bathroom, but anti-slip bath mats and rugs can bring softness underfoot. Tiling is a job you can tackle yourself, but you need to be confident you can make it level and watertight.

Porcelain or ceramic tiles are the most popular options. Natural stone is on-trend but is more porous and requires more upkeep. If you’re eking out your spending, tile round the bath, shower and basin splashback, or add panelling to the bottom half of the room, and then use bathroom paint for the rest of the room. If you’d love a statement wallpaper, buy one that’s water resistant or washable, or protect it with a sealant-like clear matt varnish.

FIND MORE IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR YOUR BATHROOM MAKEOVER AT REALHOMES.COM/BATHROOM

Do away with water pipes beneath the sink with wall-mounted taps. Acme wall tap in unlacquered brass, £420, Aston Matthews

REALHOMES.COM

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Going green

P R OJ EC T

NEWS The latest ideas, trends and essential buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation

Scrub up

BIN THERE We’ll be frank: kitchen bins can look a bit rubbish (sorry!). But not this beauty from Brabantia. Elegantly elevated on four sturdy legs, it comes in a choice of nine colours and will open at a touch. And the best bit? It has three inner buckets so you can sort your waste and recycle efficiently.

Bo Touch Top bin, from £160, Brabantia

Keep pots and pans clean and your ecoconscience clear with kitchen sponges you can compost or recycle Biodegradable sponge with loofah scourer, £8.50 for four, Seep.

No Plastic. No Waste.

None sponges, £8.95 for two, Tabitha Eve

ECO CHOICE

Style and substance matter to Smeg. Its updated Symphony range cooker is born from its work with Guido Canali, the architect for Prada.

It bristles with functions to aid the chef: we particularly like that it can cook a starter, main course and dessert all at once without the flavours mingling. And it self-cleans. Bonus!

The Smeg Symphony gas model is available from June and the induction in July. It costs from £1.999

FEATURE ALISON JONES

In the dog house

The popularity of pets has soared since we all became homebodies. They usually like to stick close to where their humans are, so searches for dog-friendly kitchens in particular are on the up. With an eye on their safety and comfort – and keeping the floor free from trip-hazard beds – Wren is designing kitchens with nooks for dogs or cats to curl up in, and storage for bowls, leads and food. Perfect for your VIP (Very Important Pet).

Milano Stainless kitchen, £4,175, Wren

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Music to a cook’s ears

Bigger is better For anyone who’s ever bashed knees or arms while trying to get clean, a walk-in shower is high on the bathroom wish list.

With their slimline wall profiles and glass panels braced from above, Crosswater’s new Gallery 10 walk-in collection offers a luxurious amount of elbow room, so you can emerge dirt and bruise free. There are 18 configurations and four colour finishes. Gallery 10 corner with fixed deflector (T-bracing Bar) in brushed brass, from £1,295

TASTEFULLY DISCREET

Ultraheat Tilbrook vertical designer radiator in white, priced from £106, Just Radiators

It’s a careful balance between wanting light and needing privacy when it comes to bathroom windows.

Café shutters are the answer.

They cover enough of the glass to conceal you as you shower or bathe, while the top half lets natural light keep the room bright. Made from waterproof polyvinyl or wood hybrid, they won’t warp in the steam, either.

Shutters priced from £299 per m2, Shutterly Fabulous

The heat is on

Staying warm can impact on usable wall space, with long horizontal radiators taking up more than their fair share and preventing the installation of extra cupboards or bathroom furniture. Vertical radiators keep things toasty while occupying a much smaller area of wall. This ultra narrow radiator will appeal to lovers of a more minimal style with width options from 206mm and height from 1500mm.

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Lille Pink

Whale Tail

Lioness

If you have an itch to update, start at the very beginning with the front door. Graham & Brown has launched its first range of paint designed for outdoor use, and it comes in all 366 G&B colourways. The Exterior Eggshell is weatherresistant and durable. Use it on garden furniture and fences, too. It is £34 per litre.

Tropical Escape

First impressions

STAY IN CONTROL

Let there be light

Q A

What is smart heating?

For some, smart heating may simply mean controlling your whole home via one smart thermostat. For others it means being able to monitor, control and change the temp in different rooms, at different times within the home and remotely via a smart device. Some systems have other benefits – like automation and the ability to measure humidity, and learn and adapt intelligently to your heating use and environment.

Orlando wire cage wall light in pewter or brass, from £49, Industville

Take it outside If you can’t spare space in the house to WFH, look at a garden room to provide one. Forest Garden’s Xtend buildings are modular units made with pre-cut Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), tongue and groove panelling and double-glazed windows. The Xtend comes in six sizes and cost from £7,399.99 to £12,599

PHOTOGRAPH @IANSANDERSONTEXTILES (INDUSTVILLE)

STEP IN TIME

Chepstow Distressed Charcoal Oak engineered wood, £133 per m2, Woodpecker

Love original floors but don’t want to spend hours sanding it? Try one that looks pre-worn, like Woodpecker’s Chepstow Distressed Charcoal Oak engineered wood. It has small grooves and marks to give it a feeling of history, but the thickness of the boards means there aren’t the gaps and draughts that come with old flooring.

It is finished with a hard wax oil

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Q A

What are the benefits of a system?

When utilised properly, it’s one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to improve energy ratings in your home, cutting heating bills and reducing CO2 emissions. Some smart heating providers, such as WundaSmart, allow you to ‘smart zone’ your home, so you can turn it off in rooms you don’t use, while heating those you do and monitor your settings, further helping to reduce energy consumption. This is good for the planet, and maintaining the temperature just how you like it

Q A

Can it be retrofitted?

The majority of smart heating systems can be retro fitted to existing heating systems. Most smart radiator heads are suitable for 90 per cent of radiator valves.

For those that aren’t, inexpensive adapters are available. Once installed to your boiler, set-up is simple, especially with an intuitive device, as you just pair thermostats and radiator heads to the system.

Q A

How much Does it cost?

A WundaSmart entry pack is £170 and, on average, a full home system is between £550 to £700. The installation of a smart system by a heating engineer will take a couple of hours, plus time to set up and pair your devices such as thermostats and radiator heads.

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The latest trend smash on our radar is Uptown Rustic, a fusion of minimalist and rustic interiors that’s a style sibling to Insta sensation Cottagecore. This wire cage bathroom task lighting – paired with exposed wood and plumbing for a stylish and contemporary display feature – captures the theme beautifully with its antique chic look.

Sam Jump, product manager at Wunda Group (wundagroup. com), on the advantages of smart heating system

kitchen extension

Spending it wisely Jessica’s open-plan kitchen is proof that a little research and a lot of savvy thinking can go a long way in creating your dream space for less

Profile THE OWNERS Jessica McKenzie (@mckenzie_interiorscapes), a client journey manager for a gaming company, her husband, Mark, an international e-commerce manager, their son, Mason, three, Mark’s daughter, Miya, 11, Jessica’s mum, who lives in an annexe, and their Cockapoo, Bailey

Symmetry was important to Jessica as she was designing her space.

‘I drew a line down the middle of the room and wanted cabinets to mirror either side,’ she says.

Kitchen, Purple Pepperpot. Bar stools, Ebay. Oven, Smeg at The Appliance Depot.

Pendant lights, Ryness.

Pendant knuckle, Heal’s

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom detached 1960s house in Essex PROJECT COST £140,000

As this is such a large room, steel beams were installed to ensure the structure is secure. ‘We had to work around them when we were planning the layout and décor,’ says Jessica.

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ne of the most exciting parts of a kitchen renovation is getting stuck into your ‘to decide’ list. From cabinet colours to worktop materials, there are a lot of decisions to make.

And with every one comes the question– can I, or indeed, should I, save money on this? Knowing where to invest and where to scrimp is of the utmost importance for a successful project.

Like anything, practice makes perfect, and serial renovator Jessica’s open-plan kitchen-diner and living area is a masterclass in style and how to spend money wisely. We chatted to her to share her renovation journey.

Choosing the layout

Reno life

‘When we bought the house, it had been extended to the side, but still had three narrow rooms and a large conservatory,’ says Jessica. ‘We wanted that soughtafter open-plan lifestyle, so we knocked down the walls of the rooms, kept the foundation of the conservatory and turned it into an extension. I wanted to keep one of the walls in so we could have a smaller playroom, but my husband Mark wanted a larger, completely open space. We argued for far too long about this and I eventually gave in. But to be honest, he was right! It was the best thing to open up the space entirely as it makes such an impact when you walk through the door.’

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‘Living through a renovation is an experience in itself. At the end of November we had no back wall, just temporary pieces of plasterboard, and all the ceiling joists were taken out, so it was very cold. We didn’t have a kitchen for about six weeks and we had to wash our dishes in the downstairs loo sink. Takeaways were a real lifesaver at this point! Our builders were brilliant.

They practically lived with us and were here working away until midnight every day, so in the evenings we’d sometimes have a rum and Coke together and have a laugh. We built up a good bond and I really trusted them, which is important when someone’s transforming your home for you.’

WORDS AMELIA SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS MALCOLM MENZIES STYLING JESSICA TAVERNER

Art print, souvenir from Bangkok. Rug, Zara Home. Swoon coffee table, sourced via Ebay

The large-format floor tiles are warmed up by underfloor heating.

‘It’s a must for me,’ says Jessica. ‘I didn’t have that in my first reno and it was one of my biggest regrets.’

Floor tiles, Essex Tile Design.

Tap, Lussostone

Left and right Jessica chose bold colours for the living room furniture to help zone the space and brighten up the neutral scheme. The rich velvets and mango wood furniture bring a feeling of warmth.

Sofa, Habitat. Pouffe, Homesense. Dining table, Swoon on Ebay. Round mirror, Mohd.it

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Kitchen design

Cosying up

Family space

‘As this is such a big space, I didn’t want too much going on to draw the eye in different directions, so I kept the kitchen simple. I looked to the popular kitchen companies for inspiration, and chose a smaller local company to create my idea and save money. I knew gold finishes and wicker would work really well – in fact, I chose the bar stools before the kitchen! We are serial renovators, so a neutral kitchen helps with selling appeal, too. I got all of my appliances on Ebay and The Appliance Depot – they’re ex display or slightly damaged, but you can hardly tell and I saved hundreds in comparison to the high street. Thanks to this, our kitchen came in under budget.’

‘I wanted some bold colours in my living area furniture to create a contrast and add warmth and personality to the neutral space. I love mango wood, which is why I went with the mango wood range from Swoon. All of my Swoon furniture is actually from Ebay – they’re returns and some have tiny scratches on them, but they’re heavily discounted and you still get the great look and quality. I must admit I’m a bit Ebay obsessed – if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my renos, it’s how to save money. I’m into an Eastern, Moroccan vibe at the moment and the patterned rug, rich colours, wicker and rattan materials bring this feel to life.’

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‘This open-plan layout works perfectly for us. My husband is a passionate cook, so he’s constantly cooking. We can look after the kids, take meetings and cook all in one room, which has been very useful during the lockdowns.

The quartz worktop and tiled floor have proved invaluable with the kids: it means they can make a complete mess and I never worry about it as I know it can be cleaned up easily. The one thing I’d changed would be our floor tile grout. We didn’t use flexible silicone grout, so as the tiles have moved with the ground, some of the grout has come away. It’s definitely something worth considering when you’re choosing flooring.’

The balcony opens up the space further, and steps lead down to the main garden area. ‘We installed the balcony as this was required in order to obtain planning permission for the project,’ says Jessica. ‘It’s great to have easy access to outside.’

Egg chair, Daals. Outdoor dining chair, Sklum

my kitchen IN

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favourite thing about your kitchen?

‘My pull-out storage shelf for the kettle and toaster – nicely hidden away so we can leave space for the pretty things!’

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favourite song to listen to while you’re cooking?

‘Bitter Sweet Symphony – it’s a family jam favourite.’ Westwood retro speaker, £64.60, GPO Retro

3 ideal brunch?

‘Bottomless with tons of seafood!’

Speckled champagne flutes, £32.50 for four, Not Just Jugs

4 favourite drink?

‘Wray and Nephew rum is my go-to after a long day – I’m a true Jamaican at heart.’

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Worktops, Purple Pepperpot. Kitchen handles, Pushka Home and Plank Hardware

Costs & contacts Build cost £90,500 Kitchen £30,000 Glazing £15,000 Furniture £3,500 Decoration £1,000 Builder Rae Tully of 3 Gables Building Contractors, 01702 813 310 Kitchen Purple Pepperpot, 020 8275 0202, purplepepperpot.com

REALHOMES.COM

Right Pull-out storage means you can hide away everyday appliances for a more seamless, clutter-free worktop.

go-to recipe book?

‘The River Cafe Cook Book. It’s easily our top UK restaurant, too.’ The River Cafe Cook Book by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers (£25, Ebury Press)

L E T ’S TA L K …

U-shaped kitchens Flexible, practical, and perfect for any size room, this enveloping kitchen layout is one to watch. Here’s how to maximise yours

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ithout doubt, a U-shaped kitchen is one of the most efficient and underrated kitchen layouts there is. Exactly what it says on the tin, the floor units form a U shape or a horse shoe shape, leaving one open end for access. This layout can be used in two key ways. Lining three walls of your room in cabinets is

a popular choice, as it maximises every inch of space and creates an airy and open feel. If your room is big enough, you could position a dining table in the centre. The U shaped kitchen can also be used to divide up an open-plan space. Positioning your U shape to take up half of the room, the central band of units can signal a clear division between

kitchen and dining area. To maximise space further, this central band can double up as a dining table, freeing up the rest of your room for a relaxing lounge. From multifunctional designs to clever uses of colour and pattern, we’ve gathered the best ideas to enhance a U-shaped kitchen, whatever size space you’re working with.

TOP TIP

Pattern pop Sometimes statements are most effective when they’re in unexpected places, and that definitely applies to the tiled sides of this kitchen cabinetry. A welcome pop of geometric pattern in an otherwise simple space gives this room a fun and playful twist. The peninsula worktop is strategically placed at a lower level, making for more comfortable seating for the whole family. For a similar kitchen, try Howdens

two in one If you’re working with a smaller space, a U-shaped design can be a great space saver as some base cabinets can double up as a breakfast bar. This also works to create clear zones, defining a cooking area while allowing you to chat freely across the room. Place bar stools on the outside of the ‘U’ for a practical but welcoming feel. Metod kichen, around £700; Ringhult drawer fronts, £16, Ikea

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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH PHOTOGRAPH JEMMA WATTS (LEFT)

Play with your levels – lower worktops are great for kids, but higher ones create a chic bar feel

Dinner is served This clever adaptation of a Ushaped kitchen incorporates a fully fledged wooden dining table, which can also act as work surface or even a desk.

Three contemporary low pendant lights set the mood and claim this as the social area, allowing the rest of your kitchen (and the pots and pans) to fall into darkness while you’re sitting down to eat.

Kitchen from £10,000, Schmidt

TOP TIP In a smaller space, clever lighting can work wonders in designating functions to certain areas

Country style If a hearty, hub-ofthe-home vibe is what you want from your kitchen, a U-shaped traditional Shaker style has that spacious feel combined with character. Positioning a dining table centrally makes for a layout that’s open and breathable – the perfect space for a kitchen disco. Along your largest wall, swap wall cabinets for open shelving to enhance that living area feel and show off your favourite ceramics. Winchester kitchen in sage, from £2,821, Magnet

TOP TIP If lining all three walls with cabinets, consider rounded edges for a softer, more childfriendly finish

Think triangle One of the most common rules to know about when designing a kitchen is triangulation. This is the idea that when looking at your floor plan, your sink, oven and fridge should make up the points of a triangle. Hence, they are within easy reach of each other, so you can pass food between them quickly and easily – without having to navigate around corners and risk slipping with your saucepan of boiling water. This concept is particularly easy to incorporate into a U-shaped kitchen, most commonly with the kitchen sink beneath the window at the far end, and the fridge and oven on opposing sides. In a smaller space, avoid positioning your fridge directly opposite your oven – if two people are using them at once, they’ll keep bumping into each other.

Placing your oven at eye level, rather than floor level, makes cooking a little easier – and you can watch as your cakes rise!

Colour mix Break up your run of cabinets by introducing distinct blocks of colour. Here, simple matt taupe units contrast with patterned marble to add interest and prevent one or the other from overwhelming the space. Keep your cupboard handles consistent throughout your kitchen to maintain a cohesive scheme. Muted pink walls bring a softness to the look and work to unite the kitchen and dining area.

SchullerTarga kitchen in marble Avorio effect, £10,495, In House

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Work your SURFACE In comparison to a freestanding kitchen island, the shape of this kitchen allows for a more effective use of space, and an easier flow between the kitchen and dining area. By introducing a wooden waterfall worktop to the band of units closest to the living area, this bridges the gap between the two zones and can act as a breakfast bar when needed.

The picture window becomes a focal point of the kitchen area, flooding the room with natural light. Metz matt kitchen in Platinum and Fog, £5,200, Caple

}} Head here for more U-shaped kitchen inspiration

TOP TIP Shorten the length of one run of cabinets like this for an easy flow in an openplan space

Corner order

A glass act If you’re torn between the practicality of wall units where you can hide clutter away, and the airy feel of displaying trinkets on open shelves, glass cabinets are the perfect happy medium. The reflective quality of glass will help to bounce light around your room, while you can show off your favourite glassware without it getting dusty! Here, the miniature metro tile splashback and darker floor units bring a more contemporary edge to the classic Shaker style. Marlborough kitchen in Dust Grey and Graphite, from £12,000, Masterclass

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Unlike many kitchen layouts, U- shaped kitchens, by their very nature, come with two corner units. Often these can be like a black hole for your out-of-date tins and rarely used spices, but when space is at a premium, you don’t want to waste a single inch. Many companies will offer choices of storage within storage, which is especially useful for these tricky areas. There are shelves that rotate around a pole, so you can easily swivel out each shelf to see everything you’ve got. Or you could choose an L-shaped mechanism, which allows you to pull the entire storage space out into sight. For your wall cabinets, the corners are an ideal place to introduce open shelving.

A DV E RTOR I A L

Make light work

Bring focus and style to your WFH space with steel-framed glazing

PHOTOGRAPH NICOLA HICKS DESIGN/CHARLIE ROUND-TURNER/LIGHTFOOT WINDOWS (KENT)

W

ith the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically impacting on how – and where – we work, the small office/home office trend is growing.

But bringing in enough natural light is an important consideration as it is a positive aid to concentration.

‘Evidence suggests our positive well-being depends on frequent exposure to light, and daylight is the most powerful way, especially with more of us working from home,’ says Russell Ager, managing director of steel window and door manufacturer Crittall Windows.

‘The hallmark of a Crittall window is the slender steel frame that is so much slimmer – and therefore admits so much more light – than alternative window systems requiring far larger profiles due to differences in frame material and their relative strengths.’

For more information about Crittall Windows, go to crittall-windows.co.uk, call 01376 530800 or email hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

Beautiful hand crafted aluminium garden furniture

INE G(EISU

Available now from

Jardine Leisure c/o Glen Castings Meadows Mill, Burnley Road, Bacup, Lancashire OL 13 8BZ Telephone: 01706 873 967 . Email: alan@glencastings.co.uk or enquiries@glencastings.ca.uk . Website: www.jardineleisure.co.uk

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Rooflights Whatever your budget, let light into your new extension or loft conversion with a window to the sky

neo Advance rooflight, from £845 excl. VAT, The Rooflight Company

Square roof lantern, from £1,250, Aliwood

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ne of the most appealing things about an extension is the light it brings to the rest of a space. Brightening things up is, after all, one of the biggest reasons for investing in an addition – after the extra space, of course. But to avoid the original part of the room from being plunged into darkness, you’ll need to invest in rooflights.

While a beautiful, fully-glazed roof is a little out of reach financially for most of us, even the simplest, most inexpensive rooflight can transform the feel of a space, and offer up to 40 per cent more natural light than a traditional window. Whether you’re after a simple row of Velux windows or a statement roof lantern, there are dozens of options on offer – and while it can feel overwhelming, the level of

choice means there’s something for every budget, too.

A new extension, loft conversion or even just a dark room can benefit In the frame from a window in the roof, but before you Most rooflights have metal start shopping, frames, while roof lanterns are you'll need to ask often made with timber. The material yourself a few you choose will largely depend on what best suits the period of your property. questions. Are Do bear in mind that timber requires you looking for more maintenance, which can be a a fixed rooflight pain when you have to climb up to or windows that look after it. Metal-reinforced PVC open? Pitched or is also available, but may not flat? Do you want look as effective as some the windows to add of the other options. character or to blend seamlessly with your space? Read on to find out what you need to know.

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Need to know

Q a

How much do rooflights cost?

It varies. A flat rooflight can cost as little as £250, while a roof lantern can be upwards of £1,000. Want a bespoke solution? It could cost upwards of £10,000.

Q A

Do I need planning permission?

Flat rooflights usually don’t, with some caveats; visit planningportal.co.uk for details. Roof lanterns are often considered an extension as they protrude beyond the highest point of the roof, so do need permission.

Q a

What styles are on offer?

Fixed flat rooflights are the most cost-effective and low-maintenance option, and are non-opening.

Electronically controlled rooflights open with the help of a remote control, and are handy for when you can’t reach the rooflight to open manually.

Most will include a sensor to close the window when it rains.

Roof lanterns can be fitted to a flat roof and extend upwards, like the roof of a conservatory. They’re usually made with timber or steel.

Conservation rooflights are ideal for listed buildings and properties in Conservation Areas; they’re more discreet as they sit flush.

RoofLITE+ pitched roof window, from £99.45 for pine, Sterlingbuild

Cabrio® balcony, from £2,133 excl.

VAT, Velux

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Kaitlin's top tip You might be wondering how to keep rooflights clean when they’re far more inaccessible than normal windows. Easy-clean glass is offered with many products, but when the time comes, you’ll need a sturdy ladder and a bucket of mild detergent mixed with water.

Clean with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge.

Below EOS roof lantern, from £1,372.80 incl.

VAT and delivery, Express Bi-folding Doors

Feel the heat Roof glazing can come with special features depending on your needs, including energy saving and heat-controlling technologies. The former is great for east- or north-facing rooms as it keeps the heat in through winter, while the latter helps to keep west- or south-facing rooms from becoming too hot in the summer.

Size it up A rooflight must be of a ‘reasonable’ size to come under permitted development, but unless you want bespoke, architectural levels of glazing, you should be fine. Size does matter, however: you’ll need something that lets in enough light in the right part of the room, without making the space too bright or warm.

}} Scan here for more tips on choosing rooflights

Roof lantern, POA, Korniche

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FOCUS ON

Patio paving Step outside onto a stylish terrace that’s the perfect alfresco living space for summer. Here’s how to achieve it Best for zoning Use patterned patio tiles to zone outside spaces, just as you would indoors.

Combining a curved design like this together with a complementary plain tile turns a dining table into a showpiece. Hardblue grey and decor tiles, 600x600mm, £38.99 per m2, Tile Mountain

Best for a patterned look This eye-catching modular design is deceptively easy to achieve.

Instead of painstakingly arranging different-sized stone tiles, the jigsaw-like pattern is already created on large and durable porcelain squares. The cool grey is on-trend while the weathered edges give it an aged charm. Witton Grey 20mm porcelain paving slabs, £34.95 per m2, Walls & Floors

Best for a bold look Create an impactful terrace layout by using four square tiles to create one large tile.

The Bloc Levato Mono porcelain paving tile has a cementitious effect, for a touch of industrial style that can be softened by the natural look of grass as ‘grout’.

It starts from £34 plus VAT per m2 , The Tile Deck Co

FEATURE ALISON JONES

Three TOP TIPS Plan your paving Is your patio an extension to the living space, a sun trap for lounging in, or the base for an outside kitchen and dining area? Depending on where the sun hits, the best place for the patio might not be directly outside the house.

You’ll also need to factor in existing features that can’t be moved, such as manholes or established trees, and work into the design.

If you’re replacing or relaying your terrace, follow our tips for the perfect patio

Stone that suits Consider what will and won’t work with your home. A rustic style could jar with a contemporary house, while sleek modern tiles might clash with red brick or mellow stone.

Keep things in scale with bigger slabs in a large patio rather than tiny cobbles, and avoid huge tiles on a compact terrace as it can look stark.

Mixing colours and sizes can add impact.

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Material matters Porcelain is hard-wearing, scratch-resistant and won’t fade. Granite is strong and resilient, suiting high traffic areas. Sandstone and limestone have natural appeal with a range of colours and finishes, but can be porous so may need sealing. Slate paving looks modern and is impervious to rain. Durable concrete has a variety of colour and texture options.

Best for a garden link Extend your living space to the garden with tiles that match inside and out.

With glass doors thrown open, this mirrored look blurs the lines of where the room ends and the terrace begins.

Spaces Laneve outdoor white tile, 600x600mm, £56.94 per m2, Topps Tiles

PAVE YOUR WAY You can lay your own patio or terrace. Real Homes’ Anna Cottrell reveals how What you’ll need A spade, trowel, rubber mallet, building tape, wooden pegs (optional), sub base, aggregate, building sand, cement, slurry primer (optional), spirit level.

*See page 151

Best for the environment Add a rustic look with stone-style paving that has a riven surface and fettled edges.

Bradstone’s Ashbourne Eco is made with a new mix that cuts its carbon footprint by 20 per cent; a 30 square metre patio will generate an annual CO2 saving equivalent to three mature trees. It comes in four colours, including York Gold, and three sizes. Price on application, Bradstone

Best for modern style For understated, contemporary chic, try a plank-style porcelain with the subtle grain effect of granite. Lay in a running bond pattern that is emphasised by a striking dark grout. Elegante Granite Porcelain garden paving, 900x450mm, price on application, Brett Landscaping

Best for Character Bring country house style to your patio with pavers from a collection inspired

by National Trust properties. These olive and greytoned traditionallook Stonecast flags are influenced

by Petworth House in Sussex. They cost £57.60 per m2, Westminster Stone

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Preparing the ground Measure and mark out the patio area. If it’s turfed, cut into strips using a spade and save to fill any gaps between the new patio and the lawn. Dig an area 15cm deep – 10cm for your sub base and 5cm for mortar and paving slabs. If you’re laying directly next to the house, the finished patio should be 15cm below the damp proof course.

Creating the right base Fill the bottom of your patio area with a sub-base of hardcore and rake to an even depth of 5cm, then compact by walking on it or by hiring a vibrating plate compactor, going over the entire area twice. Cover with a thin layer of builder’s sand and check that it’s flat and level. You’ll need a layer around 5cm deep above the hardcore when laying pavers.

Making the mortar Mix five parts builder’s sand with one part cement and add water to create a dough-like consistency.

Spray or sprinkle your paving slabs with water as laying dry slabs can dry the mortar mix too quickly. Using a trowel, place a dollop of mortar where the centre of your first slab will go. Start in a corner and work outwards. Put the slab on the mortar and gently tap in with a mallet. Lay in rows, leaving 1cm gaps between slabs.

Use a spirit level as you go so you can correct any unevenness. For porcelain paving, paint slurry primer onto the base of the paver.

Finishing touches Don’t walk over the patio for 24 hours. Once dry, mix more sand and cement in a 5:1 ratio, but don’t wet it. Using your trowel, fill the gaps with the mixture and brush away any excess from the surface.

REALHOMES.COM

GET 20 PER CENT OFF AT TOPPS TILES*

20% OFF

To get your Real Homes discount, just use the code TTHBOUTDOOR20 at checkout

patio tiles at Topps Tiles R

evamping your garden this summer?

Whether you’ve got a secret country courtyard or a chic urban balcony, head to Topps Tiles, where you’ll find an amazing range of outdoor tiles suitable for any garden project. To celebrate the launch of the Everscape range – an amalgamation of ‘forever’ and ‘landscape’ embodied in its spirit – Topps Tiles has

teamed up with Real Homes to offer readers an exclusive 20 per cent discount across their Everscape and Spaces outdoor tile ranges. Extending your style to the outdoors has never been easier, and that sun-drenched patio you’ve been dreaming of is just a few clicks away.

Find out more about the benefits of the Everscape range at toppstiles.co.uk

Terms and conditions: The offer runs from 2 June to 29 June 2021, redeemable online and in Topps Tiles stores nationwide. Only valid for purchase against tiles in the Everscape and Spaces ranges exclusive to Topps Tiles. It can’t be used in conjunction with any other offer, including the Blue Light Card scheme, or to buy sale items. Discount code is for retail customers only and can be used just once per person. Subject to availability. There is no cash alternative.

Order online at toppstiles.co.uk and apply discount code TTHBOUTDOOR20 at the checkout. Find your local store at toppstiles.co.uk/store_finder

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REALHOMES.COM

Take your terrace to the next level with elegant and enduring new tiles that will help you make the most of every day outside

THE EDIT

Juicers Squeeze some fresh zingy flavour and healthy goodness into your every morning with our edit of the best models

REVIEW CORNER

CJF01 citrus juicer, £129.95, Smeg

Sage the Nutri juicer, £127, ao.com

best Juicer

Omega Sana slow juicer in blue, £379, juicers.co.uk

SPECIFICATIONS Best for: Smooth juices

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Power: 1000W Size: 1.25ltrs Dishwasher safe: Yes Centrifugal or masticating: Centrifugal RRP: £164.99 REASONS TO BUY O High power O Large capacity Philips Viva Collection compact juicer, £75, Amazon

Juicer, £99.99, Nutribullet

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REASONS TO AVOID O None!

REALHOMES.COM

Stellar juicer, £116, Horwood

Real Homes’ rigorous testers have tried out the latest models for squeezing your favourite fruit and veg, and the Braun J700 Multiquick 7 juicer came out on top. With a high wattage, it achieves a perfectly smooth texture in just 10 minutes and is able to juice anything from fruit with rind to spinach leaves.

Once you’re done, remove the pulp and pop the removable pieces in the dishwasher for very easy cleaning.

THE EDIT

Bathroom flooring 1

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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

1 Mardi Gras 99 vinyl in York, £19.99 per m2, Carpetright 2 Refin frame tiles, from £50 per m2, Day True 3 Lilypad eucalyptus tile, £69.12 per m2, Artisans of Devizes.

Bathroom, Heritage Bathrooms 4 Check bathroom flooring in slate, £49.99 per m2, Harvey Maria 5 Popham Design Hex star tiles, £109.70 per box of approx 18, BC Designs 6 Stucco tiles in Flax, Putty and Clay, from £70 per m2, Amtico 7 Bronson Vibrant vinyl flooring, £16.49 per m2, Lifestyle Floors 8 Abstract geometric pattern tile vinyl flooring, £59 per m2, Atraflor

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REALHOMES.COM

Be it no-nonsense checkerboard or look-at-me abstract shapes, go patterned underfoot for a fun and vibrant space

FOCUS ON

Outdoor cooking Fire up the barbecue and pizza oven: the sun’s out and food always tastes better when it’s cooked and eaten outside (fact!)

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UNDER

1 Smokey Joe charcoal barbecue in Slate Blue, £89.24, Weber 2 Fyra portable 12 wood pellet pizza oven, £249, Ooni 3 Portable suitcase-style barbecue, £64.95, Annabelle James 4 Forno multi-functional grill, £599, Morsø 5 Stainless steel pedestal round charcoal barbecue, £41.99, John Lewis & Partners 6 Aquaforno portable BBQ, smoker, fire pit, oven all-in-one, £395, Amazon 7 Charcoal oil drum-style barbecue, £50, Wilko 8 Black outdoor barbecue pizza oven, £80, Wickes

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FEATURE ALISON JONES

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£45

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

Create a pampas cloud for your wall

To create your own blissful cloud, head to pampasandbloom. co.uk to order the kit, which costs £56

With pampas grass still the current king of foliage, this extravaganza certainly floats our boat. Part floral display, part wall art installation, it ticks a lot of boxes and could elevate any room of the house. We’d love one in the hallway, living room, bedroom, nursery… okay, everywhere.

We spied it on Justin of @design_at_nineteen’s Insta grid and had to find out more. He used a kit from Pampas & Bloom, but he put his own spin on it to make this unique arrangement.

The kit includes giant natural palms, king spear palm, natural and bleached palms, natural palm spears, hydrangeas, pampas, miscanthus, lunaria, bunny tails and amaranthus, and everything needed to cut and secure the grasses.

What to do: WORDS ANNA MORLEY PHOTOGRAPH JUSTIN COAKLEY @DESIGN_AT_NINETEEN

1. The kit contains floral foam, but

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if you’re using your own collection of grasses, you can try an alternative such as rolled chicken wire.

Keep one side of the foam or wire on a flat surface – this will be the side attached to the wall.

Push in the larger palms around the outside to frame the arrangement Trim your hydrangea stems and place somewhere in the middle.

Add the pampas and miscanthus to fill the gaps; work clockwise so the colours are evenly spread.

Add lunaria and bunny tails as accents, either in groups or as separate stems.

Add amaranthus at the bottom so it hangs vertically.

Use the twine to hang on an existing hook or use a command strip to stick to the wall in your desired spot.

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