Ytggfghjyjjhg

win! electric showers, lawnmowers, cordless cleaning kit, an overnight break & more www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

onlY

HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM

brIllIaNt 9 9 £1. 724 bargaIN buys

JUNE 2019

& ideAs to steAl

Exciting new recipes for the best BBQ ever

How to...

3 Lay a new lawn 3 Create a small space getaway 3 Keep toddlers safe in your home

Gorgeous craft projects for your home & garden

Amazing

reader homes Bright and breezy décor ideas for every room

WIN! £5,92o0f worth PrIZES

COLOURFUL FAMILY THREE-bED k ELEGANT VICTORIAN VILLA k FUNKY GEORGIAN TOwN HOUSE k

Style your way into summer...

3 Hot new trends for alfresco entertaining 3 Discover the latest easy-peasy paint effects 3 Create a stunning contemporary bathroom 3 Update your kitchen with the latest smart tech

Quality bathrooms without splashing out

Photo Lizzie orme

Welcome

EDIToR’S LETTER

Goodness me, how are we halfway through the year already? But at least now summer is well and truly here we can start really enjoying life alfresco.

In this month’s issue we’re embracing the summer (and praying for a heatwave), with lots of ideas to help you enjoy spending more time outdoors and some inspiring ways Our Craft Editor Sophie has designed some gorgeous travel accessories for you to mak to fill your interiors with sunshine e in this issue. See them on page 60. and colour.

If you love gathering your family and friends round for a get-together in the garden, then you’ll love our ideas on page 38. From a funky tropical party vibe to a grown-up soirée we’ve got plenty of ideas for decorating your outdoor space to make it the ultimate place to spend time this summer.

And, if you’re looking for ideas to feed your guests, then check out this month’s mouth-watering recipes. God of the grill, DJ BBQ, shares his favourite burger recipes with us on page 96, while curry aficionado Dan Toombs has some fantastic ways to give veggie dishes an Indian has fallen for Tilda, our Editorial Assistant, e range. Find Lov k pin spin on the barbecue (p.100). in Treat yourself or a loved one Oliver Bonas’ pretty e 85 one of her fave pieces on pag If you want to bring some sunny this month with our amazing subscriber offer. See page 92 colours into your home, then check out for more details. our ever-so-easy paint effects on page 44. Meanwhile, over on page 22, we head to the Med to find inspiration from their bold patterns and rustic textures to transport your rooms to sunnier climes www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk whatever the weather. facebook.com/yourhomemag And, if you fancy exchanging @Your_Home your home for one in the sun, instagram.com/yourhomemagazine find out how to do a pinterest.com/yourhomemag house swap on p.16.

SubScribe noW for a great deal

Follow & share with us

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

Contents

74

Explore Lucy and Ben’s colour-filled family home

47

Check out the latest colourful kitchen accessories

38

Enjoy entertaining alfresco

100 22

Indian flavours to enjoy outdoors

Med-inspired home décor

June at home 5

Pg 5

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

11 Household hints Follow our helpful tips and see our best buys this month 17 Consumer news We focus on holiday house swaps, plus savvy ways to save money 18 Enjoy the great outdoors with the latest camping kit Get back to nature with our pick of the best gear

Decorating

Pg 21

22 Trend alert: Modern Med Holidayinspired hues and rustic textures will transport you to sunnier climes

Makeovers

Pg 26

26 Remie loves her new room as much as I do Jo created a Scandistyle nursery with a mountain mural 30 We were limited by both space and layout Laura created a pretty haven for her growing daughter 34 Together we’ve designed the perfect teenage pad Kate brought boho styling to a brand new bedroom

Kitchens & bathrooms Pg47

Reader homes

Pg 73

74 Our white box home now glows with colour Lucy has lived in London and LA, but is now creating an artistic abode in a tiny Oxfordshire hamlet 80 I saw beyond the dated Fifties time warp Sarah has transformed a jaded Victorian villa into a warm and welcoming family home 86 I discovered that it’s okay to inject bright colour into a period property Ellie’s period house pops with splashes of hot pink

48 Smart ideas for a high-tech hub The latest kitchen innovations will save you time and money

38 Garden party Create an outdoor space that’s perfect for entertaining

52 We swapped our bath for a double vanity unit Sarah and Jon created a luxurious scheme with clever cost-cutting cheats

44 8 quick and easy paint effects Create stunning works of art on your walls with a few simple supplies

54 Modern love Bring your bathroom up-to-date with the latest contemporary looks

Have you missed an issue?

Call 01206 851117 to order back copies

PLUASGE!

12-P PULL-OUT GUIDE

Make it easy!

Pg 59

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

60

62

Food & entertaining

Pg 95

96 Banging burgers These recipes from DJ BBQ’s new title, The Burger Book, promise to hit the spot 100 Indian flavours to enjoy outdoors Dan Toombs’ barbecue dishes from his latest book, The Curry Guy Veggie

Home improvement Pg 105 106 Give yourself a small space getaway Create a gorgeous retreat with helpful advice from the experts

Gardening

Pg 113

114 In your garden this month…

With the garden flourishing, follow our checklist of jobs to get the best out of your veg plot and flower beds

Don’t miss out!

9

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

Get ready for summer with our DIY travel makes

Upcycle an old ladder into a garden display

Stitch a handy garden toolbelt

92 Subscribe to Your Home Take out a subscription this month and you could win a copy of Living With Flowers by Rowan Blossom 111 Win! This month we’re offering eight lucky readers a brand new electric shower each, worth £180!

64

118 Giveaways This month’s amazing prizes include an overnight stay in Eastbourne, a new lawnmower and a case of vegan-friendly wine

Plus, check out...

120 Shopping guide Find out where to buy everything in this issue

66 DIY masterclass Learn how to lay turf for a flawless lawn

128 Eco news Discover the latest ideas and top buys for a greener lifestyle

68 Ask the experts We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with some help from the pros 70 Craft stash must-haves The best creative buys and workshops

Pure and Sophisticated

Say hello to Hardwick A beautiful Ash skinny shaker, available in 25 painted colours. Enhance your kitchen design with key storage features from The Signature Collection.

Hardwick Highland Stone with Lava

North Blackburn Bury Doncaster Fleetwood Grimsby Harrogate Leeds Lytham St Annes Macclesfield New Mills Northallerton Retford Sheffield Wirral York

01254 693765 01204 772870 01302 364809 01253 283786 01472 343853 01423 862286 01133 910179 01772 631316 01625 464955 01663 746851 01609 780289 01777 707656 01246 416642 0151 6321670 01904 479792

Midlands Coleford Dudley Duffield

01594 809682 01384455755 01332 842534

Gloucester Hampton-in-Arden Henley-in-Arden Hereford Leicester North Leicester South Ludlow Northampton Nottingham Stamford Towcester Wolverhampton Worcester

01452 310451 01675 442705 01789 488899 01432 262820 01530 833960 01455 561200 01584 871960 01604 385050 01159 842842 01780 654321 01327 358180 01902 710545 01905 335408

East Anglia Ipswich Norwich Royston

01473 742200 01603 666161 01763 271991

South Abingdon Arundel

01235 554773 01243 696700

Basingstoke Bideford Bourne Bourne End Bradford-On-Avon Brighton East Bristol Camberley Chelmsford Cheltenham Chingford Dorchester Esher Fareham Folkestone Fordingbridge Godalming Hazlemere Helston Hemel Hempstead Horley Ingatestone Ivybridge

Order a copy of our brochure at: masterclasskitchens.co.uk

01256 810460 01237 423444 01778 420700 01628 528712 01225 783118 01273 628618 01179 246002 01252 522400 01245 392792 01242 251113 0203 9031813 01305 520848 01372 467464 01329 223406 01303 647022 01425 650235 01483 424466 01494 718585 01326 565522 01442 803303 01293 786116 01277 350800 01752 897800

London - Fulham 0207 3840511 London - Perivale 0208 6162722 London - Watford 01923 369706 Lymington 01590 678767 Polegate 01323 409222 Purbeck 01929 422345 Ringwood 01425 484731 Romsey 01794 338555 Sailsbury 01722 328777 Seaton 01297 22559 Sherborne 01935 817111 Staines upon Thames 01784 463909 Storrington 01903 741004 Taunton 01823 256369 Tiverton 01884 257919 Tring 01442 827997 Uckfield 01825 766976 Wadebridge 01208 813231 Waterlooville 02392 176380 Whitstable 01843 593069 Winscombe 01934 844144 Witney 01993 704105 Wokingham 0118 9783393

Worthing

01903 201901

Wales Aberdare Abergavenny Cardiff East Cardiff West Dyffryn Ardudwy Haverfordwest Hay-on-Wye Nefyn Newport St Asaph Swansea

01685 813869 01873 850911 02920 485888 02920 593969 01341 242015 01437 763623 01497 821374 01758 721081 01633 252187 01745 582786 01792 790088

Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey

01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750

The sweetest pick

Feature Emma Thompson

Celebrate the first blush of summer with a quintessentially English Strawberry Fair at Brogdale, Kent. You’ll get to try rare and heritage berries such as Brogdale Delicious, Reine Des Vallees and the delightful Snow White; enjoy a fruity afternoon tea and take part in the many traditional fair games and family friendly activities.

Tickets start from £4; find out more at www.brogdalecollections.org.

This month we love...

Home-grown goodness

For stockists see page 120

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

Hidden gem: Laura Ashley

The Tea Room, Coventry

Take yourself off to a beautifully restored Victorian manor for a unique afternoon tea with a palpable sense of history. The tea room is tastefully decorated in signature Laura Ashley style and if anything takes your fancy, you can hunt it down at www.lauraashley.com. Expect traditional treats, including a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and fruit preserves, and an irresistible sweet selection by dedicated pastry chef, Chris Murrow – all created using seasonal produce.

Find Laura Ashley The Tea Room at The Chace Hotel, London Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 4EQ, or head to www.lauraashleythetearoom.com/coventry.

Reader treat

Get the most from your garden and kitchen with help from 40 of the world’s top chefs in The Garden Chef.

Focusing on sustainable, seasonal and fresh ingredients and reducing waste, this book contains more than 80 imaginative garden-focused dishes from Michel Bras, Skye Gyngell, Alice Waters and many more. Recipes include fresh peas, rooftop mint and fried bread; steamed bass with cockles and summer pistou; and elderflower fritters with honeycomb and salt. Plus, you’re sure to be inspired by stunning photography. l Two lucky readers will win a copy of The Garden Chef. To enter, send your name, address and contact details to Garden Chef Giveaway, Your Home, HBM UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU by 30th June 2019.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

5

GREAT IDEAS FOR...

Pride month

LGBT pride is happening worldwide. For more info visit www.prideinlondon.org t

Wear your heart on your sleeve with this enamel pin

Pride pin badge, £2, British Heart Foundation

Be inspired Find beautiful and unique art you’ll love while supporting independent artists, all via the friendly and unpretentious online art marketplace, Artfinder. From paintings and prints to collages and sculptures and with prices from as little as £20, it’s easy to find the perfect piece to display proudly in your home or give as a gift. Find out more at www.artfinder.com.

t

Show your colours with this adorable bright flag Noodledollnelly rainbow banner, £25, Bobby Rabbit

Thanks, Dad!

t

You’re singing it in your head, aren’t you?

Unless your old man is really into beer, tools and golf, finding the perfect gift for Father’s Day each year can be a struggle. Luckily, the selection at Sainsbury’s this year gets that dads have different tastes (but they’re all equally embarrassing). For a sentimental gift we love the Cheeky Monkey Plush, £6, while the Financial Burden mug, £3.50, is a great tonguein-cheek option. Pop in store before Father’s Day on 16th June, or visit www.sainsburys.co.uk.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow print, £12, And So To Shop

Rainbow balloon arch kit, £24.99, Ginger Ray

Throwing a party this month? You’ll need one of these!

t

t

Plant seeds of love in this sweet hanging pot Chasing Rainbows hanging planter, £9, Sass & Belle

6

‘It’s the wrong trousers, Gromit!’

Bristol Children’s Hospital’s charity, The Grand Appeal, is calling on supporters far and wide to ditch the dress code for Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day on Friday 28th June. Parade your pyjamas in the playground, shimmy round your office in sequins or just have some fun in funky flares; any money you raise will go towards medical equipment, research, family accommodation and support as well as an incredibly important arts, music, play and entertainment programme for young patients. Get your free fundraising pack at www.grandappeal.org.uk/events.

June 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Your home needs You!

get in touch

H

We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so send us your letters, tips, projects and photos and win! this month’s prizes are provided

by Broste copenhagen.

H

H letter of H the month H H

A room of one’s own “two years into my home renovations, i met the most wonderful man. to begin with, Barry was a complete DiY novice, but after reading your February issue, Barry made my dreams come true by turning the spare bedroom into an office. We went to B&Q and purchased a worktop for the desk, and the football shirt is one Barry was presented with some years ago. i just want you to know that Your Home really does inspire others to have a go!”

Michelle Morris via email Your Home says it’s wonderful to hear from our readers, and we’re so pleased that you and Barry love the magazine, Michelle. We are loving your guest room transformation, especially that lovely table lamp! Best of luck with the rest of the home renovations.

Off the shelf Raise the bar

Before

“i’ve always dreamt of owning a breakfast bar, and with a bit of space to fill in the kitchen i thought i’d take the opportunity to make one. that very same day i picked up a cheap second-hand pine sideboard.

We sanded and stained some building timber for the worktop, changed the handles, removed one of the doors, painted the unit and a pair of stools to match. i am so happy with the result!”

Natacha Chohra via email Your Home says this breakfast bar is a complete triumph, natacha. the dark teal colour matched with the light wood is so on trend – we’re very jealous!

“After adding a conservatory to our kitchen, we blocked up our original back door. i wanted to leave the top half as an alcove, so we used some leftover worktop and brackets from eBay to create some shelves. i then styled them with my favourite collection of charity shop and auction buys, alongside chopping boards and faux plants. i hope you like it!”

Julie Steptoe via email

Your Home says We love your new shelves, nikki! the upcycled tea set is a fab way to repurpose your sentimental items. Congratulations on a great make.

Your Home says What a fab idea, Julie! you’ve made a great little storage space and we love your old-fashioned scales.

Congratulations from the whole team.

H Natacha’s letter has won a cutlery set, worth £64.50, from Broste Copenhagen.

Send us your projects and photos and you could be next month’s winner!

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

Send your tipS, photoS and letterS to: letters editor, your home, hubert Burda Media uK, the tower, phoenix Square, Colchester, essex Co4 9hu or email yourhome@burdamagazines.co.uk l letters

That’s nif-tea!

“My parents were having a clear out when they gave me a gorgeous vintage tea set that belonged to my grandmother. After spending hours on Pinterest looking for inspiration, i picked up some small houseplants from my local garden centre and planted them in the teacups to place on my new Sainsbury’s home shelves. i’m so glad i’ve been able to give my heirloom a new lease of life.”

Nikki Knight via email

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

this month’s prizes are provided by Broste Copenhagen. the letter of the month will receive a tvis 16-piece gold-effect cutlery set, worth £64.50. three runners-up will each receive a gold-effect cake knife, worth £39.50. For more information, visit www.brostecopenhagen.com.

life, made simple

Roller Blind Dawn Chorus Slate

blinds-2go.co.uk

Our top tips and buys to keep your home clean and organised

HOW TO... clean your tech Here are our top tips on removing grime from your gadgets while keeping them safe from harm screens – Furniture polish and glass cleaner can damage the anti-reflective ✓ TV coating that many TV screens have, so instead dust with a microfibre cloth, dampening it a little if your screen has fingerprints. Remove the batteries from the remote and clean around the buttons with compressed air. If there are sticky marks on the buttons, use a solution of one part each of isopropyl alcohol and water, and clean with a slightly dampened microfibre cloth.

Phones and tablets – Your phone or tablet is likely to have a fingerprintresistant coating which is easily damaged by abrasive cleaning, so gently clean it with a non-textured microfibre cloth, very lightly dampened with distilled water.

Remove the cover and ensure everything is completely dry before replacing it.

Laptops and desktops – Unplug and turn off your laptop or desktop before using compressed air to blast between the buttons of the keyboard to remove debris. Clean the buttons with a slightly dampened microfibre cloth, or if they are visibly dirty on your desktop keyboard, use a solution of one part each of isopropyl alcohol and water. Use the same solution to slightly dampen a cloth and clean the mouse all over. Clean the screen using a specific cleaner and a dry microfibre cloth.

Consoles and controllers – Dust your console with a dry microfibre cloth, using a cotton bud to sweep over any crevices. Use the same isopropyl alcohol solution as above to clean the controllers with a barely dampened microfibre cloth, and cotton buds to clean around the buttons.

Earphones – Clean the earphones and wires with a slightly damp microfibre cloth. If you have wireless EarPods or AirPods, then use a dry cloth instead.

Then take a small ball of sticky tack and use it to dab the earphone grille clean.

✓ ✓

✓

Feature Laura Higgins Main image iStock

✓

Q&A Can I use a wok on an induction hob?

Yes you can, but as with all pans you will need to make sure it has an inductionsuitable base. As an induction hob just heats the pan it is in contact with you will need to choose a flat-bottomed wok, rather than a rounded one, and the base should be magnetised – look out for the coil symbol on the base or the packaging.

Your wok should either be stainless steel with a magnetised base, enamelled steel, or cast iron.

Laura’s choice ‘These new Elasti-Fit bin liners from Bacofoil fasten neatly onto your bin, ensuring they don’t slip down. The seam is on the side, rather than the bottom, to prevent the bag splitting when full and, if that wasn’t enough of a selling point, they’re triple layer thickness to prevent spills. We’re sold!’

Bacofoil Elasti-Fit bin liners, £2.49 for 10 x 50l bags, available from Tesco

Tefal Everest wok, £36, available from Dunelm, Amazon, Shop Direct and independent cook stores

Great buy

What to look out for

Help to clean up the environment at the same time as your home with the Greener Cleaner range of household cleaning products. All made from 100 per cent recycled material – 60 per cent recycled plastic and 40 per cent wood pulp, the range includes every brush you could need for keeping your floors, surfaces and dishes free from dust and dirt, including dusters; utility brushes; pot, pan and dish brushes; a telescopic broom and dustpan sets. On top of this, one per cent of the company’s sales goes towards protecting the oceans through organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage.

This monTh ▲ if the amount of baby wipes you get through on a day out horrifies you, then you might want to consider these reusable bamboo cloths backed with colourful cotton. use them to wipe up spills, or with a drop of water as a wet wipe to clean grubby hands and faces

▲

These insulated lunch boxes will keep your lunch hot or cold for up to six hours. available in two sizes: 600ml which has two 300ml containers, or a 1l which is made up of two 300ml and one 400ml containers, all of which have leak-resistant lids

greener cleaner brushes, from £2.49 for a pot and pan brush, www.greenerc.com

freddiefoxandco eco bamboo reusable wipes, from £12 for three, Etsy

▲

These stylish water bottles from Wilko are just £5, but look like they have a more expensive price tag. in on-trend colours and designs, they can keep drinks hot for up to eight hours and cold for up to 12

Vaya Tyffyn lunchbox, from £43, Vayalife.com

▲

Keep one of these stain devils push & Wipe pods in your bag to deal with stain emergencies on-the-go. The wipe will get to work quickly on many types of stains, including coffee, fat, oil, chocolate and jam

double wall 500ml bottle, £5, Wilko

dr.Beckmann satin devils push & Wipe, £2.50 for three

We test... fans

Things We considered l Did the fan run quietly? l Could the fan oscillate? l Did it have any other functions?

We tried a selection of cooling fans, here’s what we found… chillmax air, £49.99, Jml This is a compact little box that can be popped on a bedside table (it also had a handy night light). As well as cooling, it also humidifies – you fill the tank with water and it draws hot air in and blows out fresh, cool air. It can run between 8-12 hours before it needs refilling, depending on which speed you chose – low, medium or high. The vent can be moved up or down but the range isn’t very far, ideal for a smaller room.

7/ 10

7/ 10 12

Bionaire ToWer fan, £49.99, argos It was fiddly to set up the base on this fan, but once it was fully assembled it could easily be tucked away in the corner of a room. It did oscillate, but not very far, although it still provided a good range. It had three speeds, all of which were fairly quiet, it also had a natural mode (a breeze-like function), and a sleep mode for keeping you at the right temperature. It had a handy control, which could be stored within the unit, and time settings for when you want it to automatically switch off.

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

dimplex 360 cooling fan, £59.99, argos This had several settings, and although it at first looked complicated to use, it was in fact very simple. The remote control, which stores within the unit, was handy at night, as was the sleep mode which varies the speeds throughout the night. It was a little noisy when on high speed, but not on the low and medium settings. You could chose how far it oscillates, from 30º-360º, and change the direction of the fan too. It also had a natural mode for an outsidestyle breeze, and a timer function.

9/ 10

dyson pure cool, £399.99 This was the priciest fan we tested but does much more than just cool the room. Its other function is to purify the air, removing common pollutants from the air in the room, and allowing you to keep an eye on which pollutants are in the air, and temperature and humidity levels. The fan itself oscillates to 350º, has several fan speeds and is relatively quiet when running, especially when set to night mode. This is a fantastic buy for gadget lovers, or those with allergies, but perhaps not suited to those who just want a cooling fan.

8/ 10

cordless power. made by STihl.

—

READY FOR ANY CHALLENGE

COMPACT CORDLESS SYSTEM WITH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY Spring time – the time when tasks are emerging everywhere in the garden. Be ready to take on the challenge with tools from the STIHL COMPACT Cordless Power System. All the tools in the system are designed to be easy to use, light-weight and also quiet.

But they don’t compromise on performance. They are powered by a high-performance lithium-ion battery that can be used in all the tools in the system. That’s real cordless power. Made by STIHL.

AVAILABLE FROM APPROVED STIHL DEALERS AND SELECTED GARDEN CENTRES. STIHL.CO.UK/CORDLESS

TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING STAIRCASE WITH NO MESS, NO FUSS AND BEST OF ALL NO BUILDING WORK

GLASS, STEEL & TIMBER DESIGNS NO STAIRCASE TOO LARGE OR SMALL BRITISH DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP NO BUILDING WORK TYPICALLY INSTALLED IN 1-2 DAYS 10 YEAR GUARANTEE BUY NOW PAY IN 12 MONTHS*

visit nevillejohnson.co.uk for our latest brochure

or call 0161 873 8333 QUOTE CODE Y-YH72

*Buy now pay in 12 months finance offer is available on orders over £2,000 +VAT. Finance is subject to status, terms apply.

Renovating your staircase into an exquisite feature is much easier and less costly than you’d imagine. In just 1-2 days and with no building work, we will transform the heart of your home, and add value to your property with a stunning, handcrafted staircase. All in a style to suit you and your budget.

THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Savvy ways to...

Smart savings Switching your bank account to one which pays a welcome fee is a great way to secure a little bonus. At the time of printing, First Direct is offering £100 to new customers opening its 1st Account. Terms and conditions apply, so always check the small print. And why not use that £100 to treat yourself to IKEA’s Kullarberg desk – the perfect place to catch up on paperwork?

toddler-proof your home Whether you have young children yourself or grandchildren that come to visit, it’s important to make sure that your home is as safe as possible. We asked the experts at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (www.rospa.com) for their top tips: n While some things such as safety gates and cupboard latches can be invaluable, the reality is you don’t need to spend a fortune. Lots of the most valuable things you can do are in fact free.

For example, an old towel can serve as a door jammer and getting into the habit of putting hair straighteners away after use or keeping hot drinks well out of reach doesn’t cost anything. n Drawers and shelving make wonderful climbing frames and wardrobes a nice hiding place, but unfortunately the furniture can easily fall on top of children. Always fix heavy furniture to a wall with safety restraints. For flat screen televisions place them on a wide, stable base that is designed to accompany the set and use anti-tip straps. n Children can easily be strangled by blind cords.

The safest thing is to fit a blind that is safe by design, which means that it doesn’t have looped cords. Keep curtain and blind cords short and use cleats, cord tidies or clips to keep them out of reach. Similarly, don’t hang drawstring bags where a child could put their head through the loop. n Always keep dangerous medicines and cleaning products high up, out of reach and ideally locked away. Liquid laundry capsules are bright, squidgy and can, to a toddler, look just like sweets. n Stairs should be carefully maintained and well-lit. Damaged or worn carpet should be repaired or removed. Make sure balustrades are strong and don’t have any footholds for Source: Hillarys climbing, and fit a safety gate (to standard EN 1930) at the top and bottom of stairs.

FACT FILE

Feature Lisa Hibberd Image iStock

YH fab find You may find it surprising to learn that pets consume around one fifth of the world’s meat and fish, and the carbon paw print of a dog is more than that of a 4x4 vehicle. In response to these findings, Yora has launched a more sustainable dog food which is 100 per cent natural, free from artificial preservatives and made with highly nutritious insects, as well as vegetables, making it a good choice for pets and the planet.

Yora, from £14.99 per 1.5kg bag, Pets Corner

83% of Brits have spent money on display items such as books, in order to make themselves seem well-travelled or much more intelligent to guests.

tech news GoPro’s latest line-up of lifestyle cameras includes three models to suit all budgets. The top-of-the-range HERO7 Black is a little pricey for our liking at £379.99, but the entry-level HERO7 White, costing £179.99, is a more affordable option that still offers all the features and functions you need to capture those on-the-go moments. Tough, tiny and waterproof up to a depth of 10 metres, you can even tell this 1080p camera what to do using voice commands. For a mid-range buy, try the HERO7 Silver, with 4k recording, priced at £279.99.

›› www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

15

Try something different this summer and go for a holiday house swap for a home-from-home experience

I

f budgets are tight this year but you’ve always fancied visiting a different part of the country, or even somewhere abroad, taking part in a house exchange could be the answer. As well as bagging yourself a free holiday, you’ll have someone house-sitting your property who could potentially look after any pets and water the plants too!

HOW TO GET YOUR HOME HOLIDAY-READY

Feature Hayley Gilbert Image iStock

Make sure your property is fully prepared for your new guests: l Always be honest about how you describe your home and the local area. l Clean up before you leave, empty the fridge, blitz the bathroom and keep each room clutter-free. l Leave space in drawers and wardrobes and provide plenty of clean towels. l Make up the beds and leave some clean spare bed linen. A welcome pack with bread, milk, teabags, coffee and a nice bottle of wine is a kind gesture. l It’s a good idea to create a book with local information, instructions for any alarms or appliances as well as emergency contacts. l Arrange for a friend or family member to meet and greet the new arrivals.

Q A

Do the sites charge a fee?

Jenny Ross, Truro

Yes, they make their money by charging for membership, which is around £100 a year. Once you’ve signed up, you can take up as many house swaps as you want.

16

June 2019

HOW DOES IT WORK? It’s pretty simple to get started: n First you need to join up to one or more of the specialist sites that offer this service (see useful contacts for details). Join as a full or free trial member and create your listing. n Provide plenty of practical information about your home and the local area as well as lots of lovely photos. n Add information on where and when you’d

HOUSE SWAPS TO SUIT YOU There are various options you can arrange: 3 The most common one is where two members of a site swap at the same time, so you stay in their home while they stay in yours.

3 Another idea is to swap with a member but at different times – this works well with second homes or when you know your home will be empty.

3 A great way to meet new people is to offer a hospitality exchange, where you’ll stay on at the property and host them for a few days.

3 Request a house-sitter or offer your own services for looking after pets and plants.

3 Youth exchange schemes are another option, which can be a great idea if your teens are learning a new language.

HANDY HINTS

A swap is a fantastic way of spending time somewhere new for less. n Quite often, those who live in a city centre are looking for a country retreat and vice versa. n The choice is yours about where you visit – most sites have a huge range of countries so there’s sure to be something for you. n Exchanges are based on trust, so treat someone else’s home as you would want them to treat yours.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

like to swap then use the search tab to look for homes that match your travel plans and property needs. n You can send and receive messages with any potential house swappers via the site’s secure messaging system. n Once you’ve got the perfect match, finalise dates and details then confirm it all using the site’s agreement form.

PLAN AHEAD The most successful house swappers are those who are the most proactive: 3 The more flexible you can be about dates and where you want to travel, the better.

3 People tend to plan short-haul trips about three to six months ahead and long-haul around six to nine months or more.

3 If you already own a holiday home, make the most of it and offer it up for any dates you’re not there.

Useful contacts l Find holiday house swaps at www.homeexchange.com, www.lovehomeswap.com, www.homeaway.co.uk or www.homelink.org.uk. l Try www.in-let.co.uk or www.directline.com for house swap insurance. l Head to www.timeout.com to search for things to see and do in various towns and cities worldwide.

THE A-Z OF DECORATING FROM

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

DECORATING HOMES since 1904

Visit brewers.co.uk to ямБnd your local store

camping kit

Get back to nature with our pick of the best gear to ensure you have a trip that’s both comfortable and stylish s

This spacious six-berth tent is ideal for taller campers as it offers good head height inside. One of the bedrooms converts into two with a removable divider, while both feature BlackOut, which blocks out 99.9 per cent of light, giving you a good chance of a lie in. The interior also provides enough space for a table and chairs in case the weather takes a turn for the worse

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Mackenzie 6 BlackOut tent, around £550, Coleman

I

Little sun solar lamp, £21.50, Hurn & Hurn

Weather and UV resistant, this solar-powered lamp is perfect for festivals or camping trips – you can even wear it around your neck with the matching yellow lanyard. It features a dimmer for adjustable brightness and for every one sold, another goes to off-the-grid communities in Africa

s

18

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Designed in Sweden, this gas stove has two powerful burners with sturdy pan supports which can easily accommodate larger pans.

The oak lid doubles up as a chopping board and protects the burners while in transit, plus it can be folded flat and secured closed with a strap

s

f you’re planning a staycation this year or heading somewhere further afield, sleeping under the stars is not only an affordable way to get away from it all, but is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you prefer to keep it simple with minimal gear, or take as many home comforts as you can, we’ve chosen some of the best buys around to get you kitted out ready for a summer of outdoor adventures.

Onja stove, £140, Primus

BUYER’S GUIDE s

Offering a generous sleeping area for four, this family tent also features an extended living compartment to store all your camping essentials. It’s easy to pitch, making it ideal for weekend breaks as well as longer trips, and is supplied with a tailored tent footprint to help protect the groundsheet Journey Quad tent, around £289.95, Snugpak

s

An excellent choice for family meals on site, this smart folding table and four chairs set is lightweight and waterproof Orchard 86 table and chair set, £120, Vango

s

This budget-friendly lantern runs on AA batteries and features the latest LED technology for 300 lumens of bright yet natural light. It collapses down to a compact size for easy storage, and it switches on as soon as you lift the top, rather than fumbling around for a fiddly button

Keep the family entertained with this bat and ball set. Play a traditional game or use the Velcro side of the bat instead

s Ensure your pitch is the prettiest with this gorgeous two-person tent which pays homage to the handmade patchwork quilt.

There’s a range of other fabulous designs available, including a world map, leopard print and a bluebell wood Snug as a bug patchwork tent, £399, Field Candy

Take along a cheeky tipple in this pretty hip flask

HeroBeam V3 LED lantern, £13.97, Amazon

s

Midnight garden hip flask, £8.95, Rex London

Tennis with catch ball, £9.95, Rex London

s

Silentnight Sleeping Pod, £65, Go Outdoors

Printed picnic chairs, £39.95 each, Joules

Add a touch of global chic to your pitch with this waterproof rug, which measures 120cm x 180cm

s

There’s no reason why camping can’t be comfortable, and this sleeping bag will add a touch of luxury to your trip.

Almost half as wide as it is long, it gives you plenty of room to move around, and is filled with a double layer of insulation to keep you warm throughout the night.

Internal pockets mean that you can keep your phone and other essentials close by

s Sit back and enjoy the scenery in one of these chairs – they’re as pretty as they are practical

Global Gathering outdoor rug, £30, Talking Tables

June 2019

19

Decorating read on to discover the latest trends in paint effects...

Aurora king-size bed frame, £799; Orson pendant light, £399; royal nomadic rug, £119; Atlantic rug, £399, all Furniture Village

Mini trend:

Starry night

Feature emma thompson

Create an out-of-this world cosmic scheme anywhere you need a calm space for reflecting on the universe… or for simply having some downtime. Recreate the night sky by building up layers of dusky blue and rich midnight navy paint then add a metallic twinkle and plenty of soft furnishings in the form of plush rugs and velvet furniture.

Zodiac cushion, £29.99, we Love Cushions. Grey stars glow in the dark rug, £5.99, B&m. Farrindon steel star, £18, garden trading

Light it up

Play eye spy at Asos

Feminine but not saccharine, the Flora x Fauna collection of handmade lampshades from Love Frankie is luxurious, bold and fun. the shades feature intricate floral, foliage and bird designs on luxurious velvet with the choice of crisp white or metallic gold lining and optional fringing. View the full range at www.lovefrankie.com.

Global online fashion retailer Asos has released its first homeware collection, Asos Supply. It’s designed to fit into a variety of décor schemes with ease, featuring everything from chintzy, quilted soft furnishings to hand-woven wicker baskets and quirky statement accessories.

The collection is super affordable too; this Cheeky Strokes tufted rug is a steal at £36. Visit www.asos.com.

Chartreuse green lampshade with brushed copper lining, from £40; floral mustard lampshade, from £70; floral forest oversized cone lampshade, from £80, all Love Frankie

Through the looking glass If you buy one thing for your living room this month, make it a statement mirror.

It will not only add an opulent artistic element to your walls but make the space look lighter, brighter and bigger. Snap up these intricate metallic beauties from www.jdwilliams.co.uk.

Hestia gold metal mirror, £45; Amazonia metal mirror with leaf trim, £55, both Jd williams home

CheCk out our new deCorating pages at www.yourhomemagazine.Co.uk In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

June 2019

21

Trend AlerT...

Feature Laura Higgins Background wallpaper Itsuki Saffron W380/04, £52.50, Romo

d e M n r e d Mo

Holiday-inspired hues, bold pattern and rustic textures will transport you to sunnier climes We may not always be lucky enough to have the weather to match, but it’s easy to create that laid-back vibe of a sunshine getaway in your own home. You’re looking to create an undone, eclectic scheme with rustic charm that is filled with colour and warmth. A white backdrop is a key feature in Mediterranean schemes but without the warmth of the sun it can look cold and stark. Avoid this by choosing a shade of white on the warmer end of the spectrum and add in plenty of colour from warm terracotta and plaster pink alongside rich sea blues and lush greens. Take inspiration from the sights you might take in abroad – nautical settings, decorative tiles, hot pink and purple bougainvillea, and use materials such as patterned ceramics, bare wood and natural textiles to build upon your own exotic escape.

Lifestyle Editor

Create a welcoming scheme using rich rust and olive tones along with a mix of ornate pattern Tile-work patterns and turquoise and lemon hues make this set perfect for summer entertaining

Abigail Ahern octopus cushion, £45, Debenhams.

Botanic Trellis Papaya from Linnean Weaves, £49 per m, Sanderson. Concentric Flamenco from Zanzibar Weaves, £39 per m, Scion.

Lisle Linen wallpaper, £79 per roll, Harlequin. Straw claypaint, £40 per 2.5l, Earthborn

22

June 2019

Lisbon Living printed placemat, £6 for two; yellow side plate, £3.75; dinner plate, £4.25, all Sainsbury’s Home

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

STYLE FILE Expert tip Tab curtain made from Palampore blush; fringe throw made from Persia multi; bobble throw made from Ophelia multi; bolster cushions made from Folium chartreuse and Abeja ivory; cushions made from Azure aqua and Persia multi, all £24 per m, Clarke & Clarke

‘Keep your living space light and neutral by pairing bold colours against crisp whites to get that fresh look.

Simple accents such as wicker and macramé will elevate your room giving that coveted relaxed sun-baked vibe.

Our new A by Amara SS19 trend is inspired by the Mediterranean style and features accessories that are perfect for creating a grown-up coastal look.’

Terrazzo details will lend an authentic edge to this look Table lamp, £20, George Home

Sam Hood, Co-founder and Creative Director of Amara Choose coastal-inspired kitchen and tableware for a laid-back holiday vibe A by Amara rectangular lobster wood serving platter, £50; Coast porcelain dinner plates, £50 for four; Coast porcelain side plates, £45 for four; Elowen ceramic pitcher, £70; Coast porcelain bowls, £50 for four; rectangular fish wood serving platter, £45; marble cheese board, £27; Barroc highball glasses in clear and iron blue, each £40 for six, all Amara

Fill bare corners and surfaces with fresh green plants Blue planter, £29.99, Very

Using traditional colour and pattern, these tile coasters will add detail to your scheme Lisbon Living ceramic coasters, £8 for four, Sainsbury’s Home

Lush green foliage instantly freshens a room, so why not choose it for your upholstery too?

Chairs upholstered in Artichoke ivory and Azure aqua; footstool upholstered in Folium forest; sofa upholstered in Ophelia mineral; cushions made from Hortus chartreuse, Palampore chartreuse, Persia mineral and Abeja mineral, all £24 per m, Clarke & Clarke

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

June 2019

23

STYLE FILE Spend vs save No summer table is complete without a lemon-shaped pitcher BIA Sorrento pitcher, £31.50, Not Just Jugs

Bright colours will really pop against a white background Maia fir green stonewashed throw, £71; A by Amara Kos table lamp, £120; 500 thread count sateen white duvet cover, from £80; La Croisette 300 thread count pillowcase, £30 per pair; Grid pink crochet cushion, £50; green rope cushion, £40; large circle print cushion, £60; multi circle print cushion, £60; hand appliquéd white cotton throw, £200, all Amara

Large lemon ceramic jug, £15, The Contemporary Home

Remind yourself of romantic dinners by the sea with this beaded hurricane lamp A by Amara Macramé and wooden bead hurricane, £40, Amara

Team classic and weathered furniture with fresh white plus sea-inspired blues and greens for a taste of the Med A by Amara multi circle print cushion, £60; Eliana round glass vase, £50; Carousel pink/gold bowl, £15; Grid blue crochet cushion, £50; thick stripe blue tassel cushion, £40; green crochet cushion, £50; medium blue tapas bowls, £25 for two; wicker weave bowl, £45 all Amara

Abstract lemons cushion, £21, Gisela Graham. Samaki Fossil from Zanzibar Weaves, £39 per m, Scion. Hutton Midnight Blue from Linnean Weaves, £49 per m, Sanderson.

Flutterby claypaint, £40 per 2.5l, Earthborn. Rie Ink from Atelier Fabrics, £29 per m, Harlequin

24

June 2019

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

STYLE FILE Pajaro Electric Blue from Haiku Fabrics, £59 per m, Scion

Holiday-inspired ceramics

Add a dash of sunshine to your scheme with Mediterranean-style accessories

Set the scene with Med-inspired scents such as olive, fig and lemon

BIA Sorrento serving bowl, £33.95, Not Just Jugs

Scented Fig & Olive boxed candle, £12.75, Gisela Graham

This tasseled pouffe would work alongside a fabric or leather sofa A by Amara Woodstock tasseled pouffe, £150, Amara Lisbon Living ceramic utensil pot, £9, Sainsbury’s Home

Choose lightweight, sheer fabrics at windows to allow the natural light to flood in Use textiles to cosy-up and add warmth to an outdoors dining area Medium two tone reactive vase, £19.50, M&S

Ala Mesh six-seater garden table and chairs dining set in bronze, £849; Tufted blue/white pouffe, £100; Weaver Green Provence collection washable outdoor teal rug, £135; Broste Copenhagen Tvis cutlery set in gold, £175 for 16 pieces, all John Lewis & Partners

Blue mosaic decorative vase, £18, Gisela Graham

Boho round platter, £30, JD Williams

In association with

www.hillarys.co.uk

June 2019

25

Total Cost

ÂŁ3,273

Good idea!

Use wall stickers to decorate a plain wall and add instant colour and pattern - they can easily be removed whenever you change up the scheme.

Jo and Remie both love the new look bedroom which has been transformed with a snow-topped mountain scene and a calming pastel colour scheme

NURSERY MAKEOVER

Remie loves her new room as much as I do Jo Howard created a Scandi-style nursery with a mountain mural in pastel shades for a soothing space

J

o Howard, 33, and her husband Dan were so excited about the birth of their third child Remie, and couldn’t wait to start decorating their nursery. ‘Our two older girls – Ella, five years old, and Mya, four – each had separate bedrooms before, but decided that they wanted to share a bedroom,’ explains Jo. ‘It meant we could decorate Ella’s old room afresh for the arrival of Remie, who is now four months old.’ Jo chose to wait to find out if she was having a girl or a boy, but it didn’t stop her thinking about her future décor inspiration. ‘I knew I wanted a fresh Scandi feel, full of colour and fun prints’ she says. The old room was quite dated, so before Remie was born, Jo asked her decorator to start stripping it bare, so she could think about the space clearly.

As soon as Remie arrived, Jo went into overdrive to get the room ready in double quick time.

STEP ONE

Jo loved the idea of adding a mural across one wall to draw in the eye. ‘I found the Murals Wallpaper website and was just blown away by all the different designs’ she recalls.

Purchasing made-to-measure wallpaper meant there was no risk of over-ordering, or of the pattern not fitting onto one wall. After calling in some samples, Jo, with the help of Ella and Mya, finally chose the perfect scene. ‘I was drawn to the mountains,’ she says, ‘And I just loved the mix of pastel shades.’

Before The plain wall was given a colour boost with some dotty stickers in pink, yellow and green plus some cloud shelves to keep Remie entertained New curtains frame the window, handmade from geometric print fabric in soft shades with a pompom trim plus blackout lining to keep the sun out at nap time

The mural soon became the inspiration for the colour scheme in the rest of the room.

A dusky pink paint was chosen for the remaining walls, and Jo chose geometric fabric for the curtains, which she softened up with a pale pink pompom trim. Nursery furniture was next on the list. ‘I wanted a modern shape and searched online until I came across this lovely curvy collection from Nubie,’ she explains.

The cot has a Nordic design and Jo loved the detailing.

‘It was quite pricey, but the cot turns into a bed and will last until Remie is nine years old – I thought it would be a worthwhile investment.’

Next, Jo bought a chest with a built-in changing station to complete the set.

A visit to Mamas & Papas ensures the cot is now filled with the cosiest bed linen to help Remie have a truly restful night’s sleep www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

27

ROOMpLAN

A grey sofa bed fits into the other side of the room, which comes in handy during the day and restless nights too 4m

4.2m

THE dETAiLs

Paint

Wall mural

£76 £372

Wall stickers

£54

Furniture

£2,474

Fabric

£225

Shelving

£72

£3,273

TOTAL

Good idea!

The sofa bed is piled high with colourful cushions and throws in keeping with the colour scheme to really cosy up the space.

STEP TWO Jo wanted a sofa bed in the room to make those tricky broken nights in the first few months more comfortable. ‘The sofa bed is a godsend!’ she laughs. Jo added picture ledges above the sofa to create a gallery area and keep reading books close to hand. The other wall was looking quite plain in comparison, so Jo looked for some wall stickers and found pretty dotty ones. ‘It was great fun

putting them up,’ she says. ‘Plus, they will come off so easily if I want to remove them in a few years’ time.’

STEP THREE

Jo revamped an old rocking chair with some quirky fabric remnants and pattered cushions, which now takes pride of place in the corner.

Finally, cloud-shaped shelves and a rug were added to the room to keep Remie entertained too. ‘The room has been totally transformed and we all love it,’ says Jo. ‘It’s the perfect space for Remie to sleep and play too.’ YH

Radiance matt emulsion, £38 per 2.5l, Graham & Brown. Rainbow Range wall mural, £36 per sq m, Murals Wallpaper. Doodle dot wall stickers, £18 per pack, Nutmeg studio. Brio Sorbet (used for curtains), Bubble Sorbet and Clio Citrus (both used for cushions), all £15 per m, studio G. Pink pompom trim (on curtains and cushions), £1.50 per m, Abakhan. Oliver white cot, £909; Oliver wood six-drawer dresser with changer, £994, both Nubie. Flottebo sofa bed, £475; Mosslanda picture ledges, £9 each; Krux yellow lamp, £30; Stillsamt blanket, £11; Skaggort cushion, £3.50, all iKEA. Millie quilt, £79; Millie & Boris pink bumper, £49; Millie & Boris fitted sheets, £29 for a pack of two; white cloud cushion, £15.40; cloud pompom garland, £29; cloud shelves and hook set, £45; spot knitted blanket, £29; grey star blanket, £29; moon cushion, £22, all Mamas & papas.

Cloud rug by Livone, £83.99, Wayfair. Let’s Play A4 print, £9.50; Dalmatian Spot R print, £18, both The Little Jones. Wire baskets, £12.99 for a set of two; stacked frames, £14 for three, both Argos. Echo Number Three clock, £45, Newgate.

Plywood side table, £96, plyconic. Rainbow cushion, £8.99; sunshine poster, £6.99; cloud cushion, £9.99, all H&M. Mini cloud wall hanging, £29.50, Never perfect studio. Love You To The Moon And Back print, £29, Funky Little darlings. Rainbow mobile/wall hanging, £17.99, Regi’s Cuties at Etsy. Cloud large ceiling light, £30, iconic Lights. Cloud changing mat, £34.95, Mokee. Remie print, £38, Three penny.

3 of the best... rainbow accessories From £12, And So To Shop

£12

This gorgeous printed quote is printed on fine art card stock and is available framed or unframed in three sizes; A4, A3 and A2.

£12 from Hurn & Hurn

Ensure that your little one drifts off to sleep with this beautiful Noah’s Rainbow Hanging Mobile by Flensted Mobiles.

£18

£18 from Sunnylife

Brighten up your room and add some fun with this colourful marquee light, which can be mounted on a wall or stood on a shelf.

28

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£12

Feature Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

Shopping list

We were limited by both space and layout Laura Craig teamed space-saving solutions with clever decorative touches to create a pretty haven for her growing daughter, complete with bathroom access

Total Cost

ÂŁ2,269

Ania’s bedroom, with its pretty pastel palette, characterful wallpaper, and clever space-saving features is now the perfect place for both sleep and play

KID’S BEDROOM MAKEOVER

Good idea!

Fabric blinds complete with a blackout and thermal lining will ensure children aren’t woken at the crack of dawn.

Before

M

oving from a busy apartment block to a house with a garden is the goal for many growing families. However, when Laura Craig, 47, and husband, Paul, 46, bought their compact two-bedroom Victorian terrace in South London with daughter Ania, six, they knew they’d have to compromise on room size and layout. ‘This wasn’t such an issue downstairs, as we love the cosy nature of the house,’ says Laura. ‘Upstairs, however, we had to walk through Ania’s bedroom to access the family bathroom.’

The long-term plan is to add an extension complete with new bathroom but, for the time being, what the couple needed was a solution that worked for all the family.

Laura found this lovely bentwood chair abandoned in the street, then customised it with colourful washi tapes

Good idea!

Turn a light string into an illuminated photo display by simply adding wooden pegs, painted using left over paint – just ensure you use LED bulbs that won’t emit heat.

STEP ONE Laura and Paul fleetingly considered partitioning off a narrow section of room to create a corridor, but as this would have resulted in a very small second bedroom, the couple quickly ditched the idea in favour of working with the existing layout. ‘Ania is only six, so our need for bathroom access isn’t currently an issue for her,’ says Laura.

‘Though, understandably, she still wanted a room that felt like her own.’

The couple were keen to involve Ania in all decorating decisions, and in terms of layout, decided to create two dedicated zones, either side of the natural route to the bathroom.

STEP

TwO Luckily, the bedroom already had built-in cupboards.

‘These are actually sited over the stairwell,’ explains Laura, ‘So while an odd shape, they had the potential to provide plenty of storage space.’

With this in mind, Laura hired a local carpenter to re-configure the interior and

create dedicated spaces for clothes, shoes and toys, complete with hanging rails and pull-out baskets. This left Laura free to tackle the sleep and play zones. ‘I wasn’t keen on cluttering up the limited space with lots of furniture, so when I spotted the clever cabin bed in a local store, I snapped it up,’ smiles Laura, ‘It wasn’t cheap but had everything Ania needed and even freed up a play area by the window, where her toys can’t get trodden on!’

STEP ThrEE

As Ania’s favourite colours are pink and blue the colour scheme was never in doubt, and once the old carpet had been pulled up and consigned to the skip, the entire room was painted a soft blue-white. Laura and Ania chose the bird, flower and butterfly design wallpaper together. ‘The idea of hanging patterned paper was daunting,’ recalls Laura, ‘But I watched a few how-to videos, and gave it a go – and I’m very proud of my first attempt!’ Only papering one wall also made sure the pattern

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

31

RoomPLAn

Built-in cupboards fitted with an array of rails and easy-access pull-out baskets ensure ample storage, while a sturdy painted stepladder helps when reaching higher areas

3.3m

2.4m

ThE DETAiLS Paper & paint

£300.97

Blind Miffy the cat gets comfortable on Ania’s clever space-saving raised bed

Furniture & carpentry Shelf & storage

and a fun neon sign complement a pendant fitting brought from the couple’s previous home. A trip to IKEA also resulted in the charming rabbit stickers that run around the base of the room while bird handles, sourced online, complete the cupboards.

However, it’s actually a bentwood chair that is Laura’s favourite find. ‘I spotted it abandoned in the street and use it to keep the floor clear of everyday clutter,’ she smiles, once again ensuring that this pretty new-look room now works for both Ania and her parents. YH

3 of the best... novelty animal lights £12 from Bobby Rabbit

With his mint green body, rosy pink cheeks and spiky back, this cute little dino light is ideal for kids’ bedrooms.

£12

£95

This origami-style unicorn table light is an adorably quirky and fun design which is guaranteed to catch your attention.

£95 from Sunnylife

32

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£2,268.75

Paradise Garden wallpaper in Duck Egg, £16.99 per roll, Wallpaper Direct. Walls in Echo intelligent matt emulsion, £50 per 2.5l; woodwork in Echo intelligent eggshell, £31 per 1l; ladder in Air Force Blue intelligent eggshell, £31 per 1l; floorboards in Echo floor paint, £69 per 2.5l, all Little Greene. Huxley Roman blind in Dove Grey linen-look thermal and blackout lined fabric, from £180 (including measuring and installation), hillarys. Bed, from a selection at Feather and Black. For similar, try Home Ultimate Storage White Mid Sleeper Bed Frame, from £349.99, Argos. Klatta decoration stickers, £8 per pack; Smycka artificial flowers, from 40p each; Ingabritta throw, £19; Fladis basket, £13, all iKEA. Any Which Way shelf £36, Great Little Trading Co. Wooden ladder, £39, Etsy.

XL Rattan wicker baskets, £28 each, Katie Jane home. 100 Warm White LED fairy lights, £9.99; Dream Big neon sign wall light, £59.99, all Lights4fun. For a similar pendant light, try Laila easy-fit ceiling shade, £35, John Lewis & Partners. White rabbit lamp, £64.95, not on The high Street. White Broderie Anglaise duvet set, £16.99; geometric rug, £16.99, both TK maxx.

Ted Baker metallic star and faux-fur cushions, £22 each, Debenhams. Echo alarm clock, £22, newgate Clocks. Ceramic bird handles, £2.95 each, Amazon. Paper ball decorations, £2 for pack of three, hema. Assorted washi tapes, from £5 per pack, hobbycraft.

£34.99 from Red Candy

Add some retro cool to your interior with this large neon LED wall light that can also be displayed on a shelf if desired.

£8.85

£34.99

Feature Jo Rigg Words Paula Woods Photos Sussie Bell

STEP FOUR A thermal-lined sleepinducing blackout Roman blind was fitted at the window, and a handy shelf was added above the bed to house bedtime books and an alarm clock. A string of fairy lights, which doubles up as a clever photo display,

£8

Shopping list

Wall stickers are a great way to instantly introduce a theme and can easily be removed when required.

Laura’s whimsical pack also included squirrels and ducks. didn’t overpower the space, while the floorboards were painted a spaceenhancing white. ‘Practical painted boards are a great money-saving option, but do be prepared for some hard work,’ warns Laura. ‘It took me several attempts to get them filled and sanded.’

£169.93

Wall stickers TOTAL

£1,200 £228

Lighting Handles

Good idea!

£353

Special Offer!

20 OFF %

Reg. Price £16.99

Now £13.59

D AN !

BRNEW

‘Is Is this the cleverest game ever invented?’

For a strictly limited period ONLY!!

when you quote Ref: YH10A

“Outstanding. Nobody in the family can put it down. We are actually getting a second set - it’s that good! Best game any of us has ever played!” ★★★★★ Debra Sobel, London

Welcome to The Genius Square!

The aim of each of the 62,208 possible puzzles is to complete the square using the nine coloured shapes, once the seven ‘blockers’ have been positioned. There may be times when it seems impossible, but there will ALWAYS be at least one solution…and that’s why it’s called The Genius Square!

Buy Now! Call 0844

or visit www.happypuzzle.co.uk/genius

Send coupon to: ‘The Genius Square’ Your Home Offer c/o THPC, PO Box 586, Elstree, Herts WD6 3XY

Each player receives a Genius Square grid (two are included) and a set of the nine coloured shapes, plus seven ‘blocker’ pieces. Roll all seven of the dice together and place a ‘blocker’ piece into the squares matching the seven co-ordinates that appear on the dice. Now race your opponent to fill every other space on the grid using the nine shapes.

There are 62,208 possible combinations in which the dice can fall. Using a specially devised computer programme, we have confirmed that all of them have at least one possible solution. Some combinations will be easy to solve, some much harder. It’s all in the luck of the roll of the dice.

As soon as somebody finishes first, roll the dice and play again! An example of how to play is shown above. You can also play alone and challenge yourself against the clock!

Ages 6 to adult. For 1 or 2 players. Box size approx. 27cm x 27cm.

Available in the UK from

Remember to quote YH10A to get your SPECIAL OFFER price RATED 9.3 OUT OF 10 FROM OVER 14,500 REVIEWS!

848 2823

quote ref. YH10A to receive your 20% discount.

the

Happy Puzzle Company

Order Code: Item:

YH10A

Qty Was

Now

HPCGNS

1 x ‘The Genius Square’ 20% OFF!

£16.99

£13.59

HPCGNS

2 x ‘The Genius Square’ SAVE £6.80!

£33.98

£27.18

3 x ‘The Genius Square’ SAVE £10.20!

HPCGNS Standard Delivery (approx. 3 to 5 days) Please note that offer code also discounts delivery charge by 20% (regular p and p £4.95) Orders over £50 have FREE Standard UK delivery

£50.97

£40.77

Next Day Delivery - Order before 2pm and receive your order on the next working day (excludes weekends and Bank Holidays)

Total

£3.95 £8.95

Grand Total Title Initial Surname Address Postcode Daytime Telephone Number I enclose a cheque / postal order, payable to THPC Value £ Or please debit my credit / debit card Card No. Expiry Date Valid From Date Issue No. 3 Digit Security Code.

Print Name Signature Date The Happy Puzzle Company would like to permit carefully chosen third party companies to contact you with special offers from time to time. If you don’t wish to receive this information, please tick here

* Our 0844 numbers cost 7p per minute plus your phone company's access charge.

Offer ends 11.59pm 31st December 2019!

Total Cost

£1,453

Together we’ve designed the perfect teenage pad Kate Tym and daughter Maddie used an eclectic mix of revamped and bargain buys to bring colourful, boho styling to a brand new bedroom extension

K

ate Tym and her husband Jules always knew they would eventually extend the three bedroom Berkshire bungalow they share with their daughters Maddie and Issie. ‘It worked well when the children were young,’ explains Kate, ‘But once they hit their teens, it became increasingly apparent we needed more communal space. What’s more, Maddie’s tiny bedroom was bursting

Before 34

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

at the seams and she was desperate for a grown-up room like her older sister.’ The couple decided to extend outwards in order to create more living space for the family and, at the same time, enlarge their 14-year-old daughter’s cramped room.

STEP ONE Of course, conjuring up additional space by pushing out the original bedroom’s exterior wall was

Maddie’s vibrant, vintage-inspired bedroom is now twice the size, ensuring there is plenty of space for sleeping, catching up with homework, or simply hanging out with friends

never going to be cheap, so the couple opted to re-use and relocate the room’s existing radiator and window in order to help conserve funds. ‘We also chose to keep the old built-in wardrobes,’ says Kate, ‘As not only do they provide plenty of clothes storage but, being fitted with sliding doors, they are also a great space saver.’ However, both Kate and Maddie needed to get creative when it came to furnishing and decorating the newly-enlarged interior.

STEP Two Maddie was adamant the room should reflect her love of all things vintage and boho, so Kate

Good idea!

Not keen on painting vintage wooden furniture? Take a tip from the Tyms and update with funky geometrics made from removable tape and selfadhesive sheets.

suggested using a feature wallpaper to inject some colour and pattern.

‘I think wallpaper is a great way to add interest to a room but I really wasn’t expecting Maddie to choose the most expensive one she could find!’ she laughs. ‘Luckily we only needed two rolls and while it did take us over budget, I have to say the pretty, vintageinspired floral design really does make the room.’ The paper was teamed with a relaxing mix of crisp white and soft green walls. Maddie’s choice of carpet adds comfort and texture underfoot. ‘It’s a durable synthetic fibre, so should withstand the demands of a teenager,’ smiles Kate.

STEP ThREE With little funds for

furniture, mother and daughter decided to try their hand at revamping a few existing and second hand pieces. ‘Both of the bedside tables were spotted in a local junk shop for £20 each, along with the lovely bamboo chair – which has to be the bargain of the year at £3.50!’ exclaims Kate. The desk and dresser originally belonged to Kate’s parents and were decorated in colours picked out from the wallpaper to give them a quick refresh. However, when it came to the vintage desk, Kate

Pouffes or footstools are often great space-savers when it comes to providing extra seating for teenage friends – simply tuck neatly into a corner when not in use Rather than invest in new storage pieces, Kate and Maddie gave this old dresser a new lease of life using a coat of paint and offcuts of wallpaper

The addition of generous desk for homework and hobbies was a must for Maddie, while a stainresistant, easyclean carpet is always a good idea in busy, multi-functional teenage rooms www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

35

RoomPlan

Good idea!

Get that must-have eclectic look on a budget with bargain second-hand buys – just search online or check out charity and junk shops – Maddie’s chair cost just £3.50!

3.7m

4m Customise plain linens with a pretty pompom trim, machine or hand sewn in place – keep it subtle and co-ordinated, or choose contrasting colours for added impact

The deTaIlS Paper & paint

£458

Blind

£186

Seating

£53.50

Furniture

£339

Flooring

£249

Soft furnishings Trimmings TOTAL

£140.98 £26.50

£1,452.98

wasn’t so keen on using paint.

‘In the end, it was Maddie who suggested we use removable, stick-on detailing. She’s a keen artist and crafter, so is always coming up with clever, creative ideas – including recycling the offcuts of wallpaper to use as panels on the dresser,’ smiles Kate.

STEP FOuR One item of furniture Kate was happy to invest in was a new bed.

‘Maddie’s always wanted a double bed, so when I found a discounted divan set for £299 at Dreams, I snapped it up,’ she recalls. Kate also splashed out on a smart Roman blind, and a trip to IKEA resulted

in some handy stools, pretty printed bed linen and a handmade rug.

Recycling, however, was again on the cards when it came to the desk chair – now on permanent loan from the kitchen. Maddie is the first to admit it’s unlikely to be the last project her new-look room sees – in fact, she’s just added a set of home-made pompom trim pillowcases. ‘I love being able to put my stamp on what is now the perfect room for relaxing, working and getting creative.’ YH

Paradise wallpaper in Aquamarine, £156 per roll; walls in Loft White and Pea Green absolute matt emulsion, £42 per 2.5l; bedside table in Hellebore and chair in Ho Ho Green intelligent eggshell, £31 per 1l, all little Greene. Islita Roman blind in Hot Spice, from £106, hillarys. Primo Plus easy clean carpet, from £15 per sq m, Cormar. Divan bed, £299, dreams. Bedside cabinets, £20 each; bamboo chair, £3.50, local charity shop.

Bed throw, £90, debenhams. Poaletti velvet pompom cushions, £12.99 each, TK maxx.

Raklev jute rug, £27; Saltort duvet cover set, £13; Nattjasmin plain pillowcases, £6 each; Alseda footstools, £25 each; Gradvis vase, £8; Tjena desk organiser, £5; Lankmoj box, £5; Ribba frame, £14; Dypsis Lutescens potted palm plant, £20; Orchidaceau white orchid, £8; Vindflakt pot, £9; all IKea. Gold sparkle glitter effect Fablon, £8 for a 1.5m sheet; green solid masking tape, £2.50 per roll; pompom trim, £2 per 1.8m, all hobbycraft

3 of the best... rattan chairs £195 from Habitat

With a fresh palette and retro shape, the Jambi natural woven occasional chair with green frame gives a contemporary look.

£339

£195

£265 from Out There Interiors

In this scuttle chair, natural bamboo combines with a sturdy design to make an attractive retro chair that’ll look great inside and out.

£339 from Graham and Green

This Scandi-inspired design is woven from rattan with a grey clay finish, featuring a wide curved seat and high winged back.

36

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£265

Feature Jo Rigg Words Paula Woods Photos Sussie Bell

Shopping list

Stunning

Create a vintage look with NEW Chalk Spray Paint

...starts with a Moduleo floor When you re creating the perfect space, Moduleo is the place to start. Continually inspired by the latest trends, design and performance we offer beautiful, practical and durable floors to enhance every room. With new colours and designs available, each reflecting the distinctive textures of nature, let us exceed your every expectation.

Discover more at moduleo.co.uk/stunning

• Seven heritage colours • Flat chalky finish • Ideal for recycling old furniture

LOV E YO UR FLO O R

www.plastikote.co.uk www.spraypaintideas.co.uk

Garden party Family fun

Gathering your clan in the garden needs no excuse other than a sunny day.

Uncover your comfiest outdoor furniture, pile on the creature comforts and finish it off with a few special touches – going the extra mile shows you really care. Echo your interior décor for a considered look, or choose pastel shades for a relaxing scheme.

Create an outdoor space that’s perfect for socialising all summer long!

An adjustable parasol will protect sensitive skin when the sun is at its hottest

Feature Emma Thompson

A colourful planter is great for livening up a dull spot such as steps Lisbon Living ceramic blue planter, £14, Sainsbury’s Home

Serve up dips and sauces in these contemporary metallic-rimmed dishes Gold dipped mini serving bowls, £10 for a set of three, John Lewis & Partners

Cantilever parasol, £69; Ibiza bench dining set, £399; Cinnibar round cushion with pompoms, £10; Pool Party jug, £4; acrylic wine glasses, £5 for a set of four, all Dunelm

Going to the extra effort of setting a beautiful table in the garden will make even the simplest of meals feel special Longstock natural six-seater outdoor table, £539; Longstock natural stacking garden chair, £160; Marset Follow Me white LED portable table lamp, £160; Broste Copenhagen Tvis 16-piece gold cutlery set, £175; Croft oak and marble board, £49; leaf table runner, £20; Garden Trading Stratton cement pots, £15 for two, all John Lewis & Partners

38

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Choose from a whole host of washable sling designs to complement this FSC-certified deckchair Eucalyptus deckchair frame, £36; floral deckchair sling, £9, both John Lewis & Partners

Protect your candles from gusts and frame them with this stylish lantern Blue lantern, £8, George Home

Lay realistic-looking artificial grass for a hassle-free lawn you can enjoy every day Windermere artificial grass, £17.99 per sq m, Carpetright

Create a pretty self-service drinks station so everyone can help themselves whenever they like Old White and Graphite Chalk Paints, from £5.95 per 120ml; Tallulah stencil, £4.45, all Annie Sloan

These mix and match colourful lanterns provide a really fun look all day and night

Keep all generations entertained with a fun lawn game Wooden mini golf set, £16, M&S

Havsten two-seat indoor/outdoor sofa in beige, £410; Solvinden solar pendant lamps, from £8 each; Solvinden solar floor lamp, £35; Sommar 2019 green stripe indoor/outdoor rug, £25; IKEA 365+ white cup and saucer, £2.50; Sommar 2019 white and yellow teapot, £9, all IKEA

Corner sofas are a sociable, versatile seating option for families – both indoors and out Tillandsia solid acacia and grey canvas garden sofa, £1,830; cushions, from £18.38; Dhatu yellow graphic print outdoor rug, £51, all Maisons du Monde

Throw an outdoor rug down on a tiredlooking patio for an instant facelift Reversible diamond indoor/ outdoor rug, from £29.99, Very

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

39

Club tropicana Celebrating in summer calls for all things bright, colourful and fun. The entire rainbow is there for you to use; we like to pick out a few key hues like oceanic blues and greens with bright, sunshine yellows and pink. The high street is teeming with tropical accessories to accompany vibrant furniture, all of which can be mixed and matched to create a breezy and energetic holiday vibe.

Don’t throw away a tired but useable dining set, a quick clean and a lick of bright paint will bring it up to date English Yellow (on table and chairs), Barcelona Orange (used to dye cushions) and Florence (used to dye napkins) Chalk Paints, from £5.95 per 120ml; Chalk Paint Lacquer (on table and chairs), £24.95 per 1l, all Annie Sloan

Complete the look with a fruity glass for extrarefreshing spritzers Watermelon wine glasses, £6 for two, George Home

Bright cushions are the ultimate cheap and cheerful garden update Outdoor cushions, from £8; Tropical circular floor cushion, £14; flamingo wine glass, £4; cactus solar LED lights, £14; pink ombré glass hurricane, £7, all Matalan

With beach towels as pretty as these, hanging them to dry only makes your garden look better Beach towels, from £7, Matalan

40

June 2019

Inspire healthier snacking with these good enough to eat plates Tropical Fiesta fruit slice plates, £4.50 for a pack of 12, Talking Tables

This large serving tray, featuring a kaleidoscope of floral and geometric shapes, will create a holiday resort atmosphere Fiskardo powder-coated steel tray, £30, Garden Trading

Outdoor products are a must; this comfy cushion can withstand the wetter days of British summer Sunshine showerproof outdoor cushion, £10, John Lewis & Partners

Anything a bit ‘extra’ gets a big thumbs up this summer; this blowup flamingo for cooling drinks is definitely on our wish list Inflatable flamingo pool bar, £20, Sunnylife

We love how the bright metallic legs contrast with the acacia on these table tops Tropic side table, £69; Tropic coffee table, £149, both JD Williams Home

This sweet treat is the perfect summer accessory and it won’t melt in the sun Ice lolly neon light, £12.99, Lights4fun

Keep kids entertained with a fun game set that takes up practically no space when deflated Inflatable cactus ring toss set, £25, Sunnylife

An eclectic mix of textured materials creates a laid-back look, perfect for a summer party Textured drinks jars, £2.99 each; pink acrylic jug, £6.99; glass tealight holder, £1.49; coloured iron lanterns, £5.99 each; bamboo dinner plate, £2.99, all Dobbies

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

41

Summer soirée If you want to host the most sophisticated evening of the season, transform your humble patch into a refined venue and you’re halfway there.

Select furniture in refined, natural materials and use the natural greenery to soften around the edges. Build a rich palette of sunset hues with metallic highlights that will bring your garden to life at dusk.

The biggest factor in a successful party is always good company – help the conversation flow with this sociable seating set-up Denia four-seater wooden coffee set, £342, B&Q

Ombré glassware is super popular this summer and we love this affordable piece Orange ombré vase, £1, Poundland

This dining set would be perfect for a smaller space or an intimate gathering Montreaux four-seat dining set, £699; geometric vase, £4.99; bamboo plant, from £29.99; hardy ferns, from £4.99; Fatsia Japonica, from £12.99; Pennisetum grasses, from £8.99; Heuchera, from £5.99; Carex Everest grass, £8.99, all Dobbies

These textured-edge plates would be perfect for a classy dinner party This caged bulb filled with LED lights would make a fantastic centrepiece

Replace tired wall planters with something a little more contemporary Umbra Trigg small brass and white wall vessels, £24 for a pair, Red Candy

Eureka! solar firefly lantern, from £7.99, Dobbies

42

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Pearl dinnerware collection, from £10 for a salad plate, Layered Lounge

We love this Nordic styling with a few repurposed sheepskins and statement candelabra Longstock six-seater outdoor table, £539; Longstock stacking garden chair, £160; single sheepskin rugs, £35 each; Skultuna Nattlight candlesticks, £110 each; True Grace paraffin wax white dinner candles, £6 for two; Anthropologie gold spiral candelabra, £78, all John Lewis & Partners

Fill your garden with the sweet scents of rose, apple and mango Abstract Tulips boxed candle, £12.75, Gisela Graham

Washed terracotta tones and Moroccaninspired patterns create a warm, understated look 12-piece dinner set, £45; Cinnibar platters, £8 each; 16-piece copper cutlery set, £22, all Dunelm

Many burners only really look great when in use; this one looks fab without the flames too Montpellier fire pit, £159.99, Lime Lace

Dot plenty of cushions and throws around so guests can help themselves

Lighting is such an important component in evening gatherings; create a serene scheme with a mix of soft, warm lights rather than fewer bright ones

Bronte by Moon merino lambswool coral Prince of Wales throw, £40, Hurn & Hurn.

Rainforest long floral scatter cushion, £12.50, Sainsbury’s Home

Port Isaac outdoor LED candle, from £7.99 each; Oslo battery lanterns, £9.99 for a set of three; Lunar fairy light lanterns, £14.99 for a string of ten lights; cloud white Miami solar lantern, £22.99 for one large and two small; 10m warm white LED fairy lights, from £25, all Lights4fun

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

43

Make your home your canvas and create stunning works of art on the walls Chalky White, Duck Egg and Teal matt emulsions, from £14 per 2.5l; Midnight Navy feature wall matt emulsion, from £14 per 1.25l, all Crown Paints

2

s

Ombré is an old classic – the rough, choppy blending of these blue shades is reminiscent of oceanic waves

1

3

s For a relaxed half-wall look, use a brush with a small amount of paint to feather a rugged line just above a level guideline Palm Night and Tumbled Glass matt emulsions, £29.16 per 2.5l, both Dulux

Found a motif you love online? Print it using your inkjet printer at home, paste it to the wall with Image Medium then buff away the paper when dry for this stunning effect s

Feature Emma Thompson

I

f you want an impactful room update without adding any clutter, a paint effect is a fantastic solution. Whether you opt for a tonal look of complementary shades or make a bold statement with blocks of contrasting colours, a creative design will add interest and depth to a plain wall. Here we’ve gathered a few of our favourite looks to inspire you – from a half-hour project to a full wonder wall, they’re all simple and effective jobs you can complete yourself.

s Create a striking feature wall with contrasting shades meeting on a diagonal – any mistakes will be obvious so take your time preparing the painter’s tape GoodHome Milltown and Chueca emulsion paints, from £12 per 2.5l, both B&Q

44

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Wall base coat: Svenska Blue chalk paint, from £5.95 per 120ml; wall wash: Antoinette and Old White chalk paints, from £5.95 per 120ml; flower images (from napkins, artist’s own) transferred using Image Medium, £5.95 per 120ml; sofa cover in Antoinette and Old White Linen Union fabric, £39.95 per metre, all Annie Sloan

5

We love how extending this feature wall out a foot or so onto the adjacent walls and ceiling has created an inviting giant headboard effect

DECORATING IDEAS Cloud Burst and Blue Gravel matt emulsions, from £14 per 2.5l, both Crown Paints

GoodHome Marseille emulsion paint, from £12 per 2.5l, B&Q

6

4

s Continue a half-wall paint job across the door and frame for a clean, seamless look.

It will be most effective on a long wall, such as in a hallway, where you want to draw the eye through the space

Top tip

When using painter’s tape, smooth away air bubbles before painting to prevent bleeding and slowly peel it away while the paint is wet to get a clean, crisp line.

7 Tick-Tock and Hobgoblin claypaints, £43 per 2.5l, both Earthborn Paints

Zone an open-plan space by painting a simple square in the centre of the wall or above a feature such as a dining table

8 s Want flawless results with little effort?

Stencils are available in a wide range of stunning modern designs and are really easy to use Amira border stencil, from £10.98; Flower Power stencil, from £9.98, both Dizzy Duck Designs

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

45

MONO BLOCK COLLECTION 2019

Woodlux Bright White Faux Wood FROM £10.24

DEFINED BY QUALITY

COMPLETE YOUR HOME WITH BLINDS DIRECT

FRELEES

SAMP

DEFINED BY QUALITY

BLINDS DIRECT MAKERS OF HIGH QUALITY HOME AND COMMERCIAL INTERIOR PRODUCTS Wooden Blinds Roof Blinds

|

Roller Blinds |

|

Perfect Fit Blinds

Roman Blinds |

Curtains

/@blindsdirectgb

|

Vertical Blinds |

Cushions

| |

/blindsdirectgb

Day & Night Blinds Curtains Poles

|

Venetian Blinds

Double Rollers

/@blindsdirectgb

WWW.BLINDSDIRECT.CO.UK

|

|

|

Shutter Blinds

Lamp Shades

Kitchens &BATHROOMS

Colourful accessories to perfect your scheme

A taste of summer the latest release from the authority on colourful, high-quality kitchenware, Le Creuset, is a brilliantly fun stoneware serving collection called glacé. the on-trend pearlised pastel pieces come in sets of Chiffon pink, elysees yellow, pale Cool mint and pale Coastal blue, perfect for dishing up delicious summer treats. priced from £29 for a teapot; view the full range at www.lecreuset.co.uk.

Freshen up matalan’s bathroom accessories are ticking all of our boxes this season: this coral and grey combo with boho detailing is sure to refresh a tired bathroom scheme and make your morning routine that little bit more enjoyable. bonus points for tassels too! visit www.matalan.co.uk.

Towels, from £5; rope laundry basket, £18; ombré basket, £6; soap dispenser, £5; tumbler, £3; wire basket, £5, all matalan

Hawaiian nights sara miller London has collaborated with welsh homeware brand portmeirion to bring you the tahiti collection of fine china tableware. the striking and playful designs feature exotic foliage and animals, from lemurs and zebras to cockatoos and flamingos on a range of colourful backgrounds complemented by gold detailing. the collection is priced from £13 at www.saramiller.london.

Feature emma thompson

On the tiles

For vintage charm and eye-catching pattern in calming, muted hues, look no further than the Classico Tiles collection. The new Daisy Bloom and Fleur Silver designs, both priced £29.95 per sq m, are 45cm square tiles with scored grids, giving the look of tiles a quarter of their size but without the extra effort of laying. Find out more at www.wallsandfloors.co.uk.

visit www.yourhomemagazine.Co.uk for more kitChen & bathroom inspiration www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

47

Smart ideas for a

high-tech hub From canny kettles to state-of-the-art fridges, the latest innovations will save you time and money – plus help family life run smoothly

Magnet has teamed up with Samsung to offer a range of smart appliances to streamline family life. Included are an app-operated oven; a connected hob and hood; jet-powered dishwasher and this ingenious fridge freezer. Thanks to internal cameras you can check what’s in date via your smart phone; order groceries via the Family Hub app plus stream music, watch TV and update schedules using the screen

‘We know our customers need all the help they can get to make family life more organised which is why we’ve partnered up with Samsung to offer a smart kitchen to help in four simple ways – save time and energy, organise, entertain and stay in control – so you can spend more quality time together.’

Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising, Magnet

->

->

Family Hub American-style smart fridge freezer, £2,599, Magnet x Samsung

Charge devices out of sight in this discreet tray which has five USB ports and can be slotted into a 600 wide unit

USB charging tray, £135 (including tray and charging pack), Magnet

->

Connected pyrolitic oven GEBS46000BHP, £899, Grundig

48

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Echo Show, £219.99, Amazon

->

Feature Alice Butler

Use your voice to operate this multi-function oven which comes with 83 embedded recipes complete with ingredient lists, step-by-step guides and pre-programmed oven settings. Works with Alexa via the HomeWhiz app

Make this little all-rounder your cooking buddy thanks to the hundreds of step-by-step recipe videos and tutorials, timers and shopping list functions – just ask Alexa!

->

KITCHEN IDEAS

This slick oven will slot seamlessly into a minimalist scheme. The stainless-steel option features hi-tech ‘eclipse’ glass which changes from transparent when the oven is on to black when off Cucina ovens, from £379, Smeg

Cabinet finishes are becoming ever-more innovative and this silky-smooth laminate is a game changer as fingerprints and superficial scratches can be wiped away instantly Kitchen with Nano finish, from £10,000, Schmidt

minimal L-shaped ->This pull-out sink mixer has an extendable hose and a handy 360-degree swivel spout to make light work of washing up Metro pull-out sink mixer, £275, Methven

->For quick,

hasslefree rubbish disposal, this bin opens via your voice or a wave of your hand. It also dispenses liners from inside and has a protective coating to repel fingerprints and germs

-> Steaming hot water tap HC3300, £699.99, InSinkErator

Wave goodbye to kettles – and slash energy bills – with this clever tap which swaps seamlessly between hot and ambient filtered water. Available in brushed steel, polished chrome and satin black finishes, it also has a push-lever lock for safety

->

Sensor bin, from £249, Simplehuman

Control this smart blind (and up to 15 in total) via remote control, an app or your voice. Among other features you can pre-set it to open and close according to your routine or change it to look as if you’re in when you’re away from home Bloc IQ blind system, from £150, Bloc Blinds

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

49

your cabinets with ->Illuminate app-enabled LED strips. Choose from 16 million colours and white shades

->

LED Z strip lights, £79.99, Lifx

As well as a five-zone induction hob, steam and infuse settings, telescopic shelves and the ability to split the main cavity into two independently controlled fan ovens, this uber range cooker can be app operated (via Zeus) to control cooking times wherever you are in the home Stoves Sterling Deluxe S900EI, £2,199, Stoves

->

For cutting-edge cabinetry opt for these state-of-the-art doors which feature Tip-On Blumotion technology for effortless opening and closing with a single push

Intelliga Glencoe kitchen in cream, £1,864 for an eight-unit kitchen, Wickes

->

Complement your intelligent kitchen with clever flooring. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) gives a high-end look at a fraction of the price and is also practical, durable and easy to install and repair

Tegola luxury vinyl tile in Summer Stone, £32.99 per sq m, Carpetright

->

Tradfri dimming kit (includes wireless dimmer and one LED warm-white bulb), £15, IKEA

50

June 2019

Integrated Qi compatible wireless charger, £69, Wickes

->

IKEA’s affordable smart lighting system includes a range of bulbs that you can dim, change colour and programme remotely. You can also add the bulbs to an existing Philips Hue system. Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

For clutter-free charging, add this wireless gizmo to your worktop.

It’s compatible with Qi-enabled devices

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

deft ->This dishwasher

->

Hot hobs

Dispose of food scraps quickly, hygienically and sustainably with this waste disposer unit. Everything from veg peelings to chicken bones are ground safely into minute particles and flushed away down the sink drain M Series 46 food waste disposer, from £100, InSinkErator

Now you can talk to your dishwasher. Thanks to artificial intelligence the AXI understands your voice so you can launch programmes remotely, plus ask for status updates or advice on the best programme for your load. Fully Wi-Fi connected, manage the functions via the Wizard app, or using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AXI dishwasher, from £279, Hoover

s If you cook for a large family or enjoy entertaining you’ll never be stuck for space again. Choose from eight hobs or use the entire surface as one cooking zone. Plus, pick from 63 start-to-finish guided recipes ActiveCook induction hob ACP 778 C/BA, around £749.99, Hotpoint

Streamline cooking with this wireless induction hob which has nine settings plus four bridgeable zones for large pans and griddles. Plus, it connects to a compatible hob to automatically adjust the right lighting and fan mode

s

can be controlled anywhere, anytime from Alexa-enabled devices. Turn it on from the bus, or save money by setting it to start at off-peak times.

Among other savvy features, it adjusts the exact amount of detergent and ‘As a brand rinse aid to the we’re focused on load, saving you delivering everyday time, energy and innovation to make our money off your customer’s lives that bit easier. grocery bills.

And, by democratising technology, Works via the we’re enabling as many people HomeWhiz app as possible to access it.’

AutoDose Keval Shah, Head of dishwasher, Marketing, Beko £339, Beko

ST H2H HIT601 induction hob, from £569, Stoves

s

This affordable hob works together with the compatible LinkTech hood, freeing you up to focus on cooking rather than pushing buttons. It features an electronic slide control for four zones and nine power levels, plus families will love the child lock, timer and residual heat indicator

->

Smart plugs are a great way to streamline your routine. Controlled by an app, you can operate your slow cooker from your desk or ensure your morning coffee is ready from the moment you get up. This plug works in conjunction with the Wiser smart heating system

Cooke & Lewis LinkTech four burner induction hob, £180, B&Q

->

Wiser plug, from £41.99; Wiser heating system, from £139.99 for a thermostat kit (room thermostat, heat hub and app), both Drayton

Ensure the water for your ad-break cuppa is piping hot from the comfort of your sofa with this hi-tech app-operated kettle. Alexa, iOS and Android compatible

s Celebrity chef Josh Eggleton’s favourite hob features touch controls, plus a ‘chef mode’ which divides the surface into low, medium and high areas so you can slide pans easily between cooking heats and methods

Appkettle Wi-Fi smart kettle, around £129.99, Amazon

C901i five-zone induction hob, £1,124, Caple

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

51

BATHROOM PROBLEM ROOM

We swapped our bath for Sarah and Jon Waterworth created a luxurious scheme thanks to clever cost-cutting

H

Insider info WHO LIVES HERE? Sarah Waterworth, 36, a supply chain specialist, lives in a three-bedroom 1960s semi in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, with husband Jon, 35, a cost and estimating coach, and their children Charley, nine, and Maisie, six. They’ve lived there since November 2014.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE ROOM?

I love the copper radiator and vanity unit.

I get so many messages on Instagram asking where they’re from.

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD ROOM? It was beige with a small shower cubicle, a single basin and no storage or towel rail.

The majority of the space was taken up by a bath that we hardly ever used.

aving returned from a three-year stint in Australia, Sarah and Jon Waterworth were excited to buy a house five minutes away from Sarah’s mum. However, the bathroom needed a revamp. ‘The space was bland and tired with no storage, plus mould was appearing around the windows and ceiling,’ says Sarah. ‘My biggest bugbear was the single basin my husband and I would compete over.’

Keen to inject more personality, Sarah took to Pinterest. ‘I loved the idea of a navy and copper scheme, although the copper fittings I loved were £3,000, way over our budget,’ she explains. As the couple rarely used the bath, they decided to replace it with a bespoke oak double basin unit made to match the dark-blue paint on the opposite wall. ‘I couldn’t find anything the right size and most vanity units cost over £1,000,’ she says. ‘This worked out cheaper and has loads of storage as well as lighting underneath the worktop.’ The madeto-order design also complemented the new copper heated towel rail perfectly.

Enlarging the shower area also made a big difference. ‘We fitted a screen rather than a door to increase the sense of space,’ says Sarah.

‘The cubicle also has a handy recessed shelf and LED lighting.’

The biggest challenge was the hunt for copper fittings. ‘There was little choice within my budget and I wanted contemporary taps rather than old-fashioned or industrial styles,’ says Sarah. ‘Bathstore had a selection of rose-gold taps but not a shower, so in the end I bought chrome fittings and found a company that was able to copper plate them.’

WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

‘I probably wouldn’t copper plate the chrome fittings as the taps have tarnished, but I’m pretending that’s how they’re meant to look.’

FRAME GAINS

Sarah bought the pictures online as jpeg files and a friend who runs a stationery business printed them out for her. Copper frames and a matching light tie into the scheme

Before 52

June 2019

The taps, shower head, control knobs, door handle and basin plugs were all transformed in this way although because the shower control panel was plastic and the screen frame was coated in a rust protector they had to be left in their original finishes. ‘The quote was £600 but I ended up paying about £360 as a few items weren’t finished as well as I expected so I sent them back to be done again,’ says Sarah. ‘I think I probably put them off doing a job like this again!’

Sarah loves the finished bathroom, even though some of her ideas fell by the wayside.

‘I was going to continue the floor tiles into the shower enclosure but mum pointed out they’d be a nightmare to clean, so we opted for practical shower panels instead,’ she says.

‘Another idea was navy grout, but I felt I might get sick of it. The tiler wasn’t keen either and said he’d end up looking like a Smurf! Instead, I opted for grey grout to complement the marble-effect shower panels.’

Looking back, Sarah’s proud she’s created a unique space on a tight budget. ‘My mum says it’s just like me to choose something I can’t get easily,’ she laughs. ‘But I like to be different and chrome wouldn’t have looked as good as the copper does.’

DOUBLE UP

Investing in fixed and handheld shower options offers more flexibility in a family bathroom

BATHROOM PROBLEM ROOM

a double vanity unit cheats along the way TILE TRICKS Large matt metro wall tiles with grey grout make the room appear more spacious.

Hexagonal floor tiles provide an interesting contrast.

ALL IN THE DETAIL

To save on window coverings Sarah replaced the old patterned window with a modern translucent design. Stylish copper-detail trunks provide quirky storage for accessories

BESPOKE BENEFITS

This solid-oak unit with quartz top, which was handmade to fit perfectly beneath the mirror, worked out cheaper than many off-the-peg designs Sarah had seen online

Shopping liSt

Bespoke basin unit, £850, Stuart Cox Joinery.

Wall and basin unit painted in Night’s Blue Arch, £21.98 per 2.5l, Valspar. Karl round wash bowls, £89.10 each; Metro basin taps, £209 each; Euro two-piece close-coupled WC, £314.10; Playtime walk-in shower with screen, £329; Surface shower tray, £170.10; Boutique splash panels and chrome trims, £612; Stardust Infinity LED illuminated mirror, £239; Metro shower hose, £139; round triple thermostatic shower valve, £169; Fresh 200 fixed shower head, £69, all Bathstore. Similar wall tiles: white matt metro tiles, £12.99 per sq m; similar floor tiles: white Apollo Hexagon tiles, £22.99, both Tile Mountain. Underfloor heating with Wi-Fi controller, £232.16, Ambient Electrical. Contour copper shaving socket, £38.93, Socket Store.

Enki traditional rung heated copper radiator and copper valves, £259.98; Beautify set of two storage trunks, £59.99; Copper toilet roll holder, £17.99; Copper tea light holder, £12.99, all Amazon. Eglo Zapata copper LED cage wall light, £30.63, Lightbulb World.

Printable wall art, £4.45 each, The Crown Prints.

A4 copper-look frame, £16 each, Paperchase.

Sheridan Australia navy towels, from £8 for a hand towel, Debenhams. Papilio navy hand towel, £8.50, Dunelm. Similar soap dispenser and tumbler: Neptune dispenser, £16.95; tumbler, £10.95, both Victorian Plumbing

total coSt: £4,500 June 2019

53

Modern

love

Bring your bathroom up to date with the latest contemporary looks

mixer master Team a statement wallpaper with the latest digital shower. With this mixer you can create up to three presets plus warm up the shower from your bed. In addition, the silent pump won’t wake the family Host multi-outlet digital mixer shower with circular accessory pack, from £579.60; Dene basin mono mixer tap, from £95, both Triton Showers

A black and copper oversized clock is an ideal focal point s

Bau Cosmo E tap, from £202, Grohe

This wipeable wallpaper would make a stunning feature wall opposite a bath or shower

s

s

If young children in your family are prone to leaving taps running, this touchless water-saving design is the answer as it shuts off after a set time. It’s also ideal for anyone with reduced mobility

Zuiver Bandit large wall clock in black and copper, £139, Cuckooland

Marblesque geometric marble wallpaper, £9.99 per roll, World of Wallpaper

Warm zone A quirky and easy way to introduce on-trend terracotta into your scheme is to give your bath a coat of paint River back-to-wall bath painted in Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth, £1,595, plus £295 for painted finish, Waters Baths of Ashbourne

s

Add a pop of terracotta colour with cotton towels

Rialto hand towels, £12 each, Christy

Feature Alice Butler

s

These artificial succulents come in stylish textured pots and don’t require any upkeep Faux plant in pot, £3.50 each, Primark

black magic The industrial Crittal look is a key trend for shower enclosures right now but it’s timeless too. Team with a matching matt black radiator and brassware RefleXion8 black framed wet room panel, £388; Perla wall-hung vanity unit in Havana Oak (includes basin), £550; square matt black thermostatic mixer shower, £425; Aqado matt black basin mixer tap, £120; Strand matt black designer radiator, £295; Adrastea LED back-lit/touch sensor mirror, £260, all Bathrooms to Love

s

If you’ve got the space, let a free-standing bath take centre stage and team with a contrasting matt black floor-standing shower mixer Finissimo bath shower mixer, £430, Bathrooms to Love

s

Lift a neutral palette with striped monochrome accessories House Doctor stripe laundry basket, £12, Hurn & Hurn

match factor For a cohesive look, team your shower tray with your scheme. With the low-profile ViPrint Infinity you can choose from 20 designs, plus 44 sizes and bespoke options Subway Infinity tray featuring ViPrint Eternity from the Geometry collection, from £497, Villeroy & Boch

s

Hang this simple mirror above a vanity unit s

This lacquered oak stool doubles up as a handy side table

Round hanging mirror, £16, Sainsbury’s Home

Fonteyn oak stool, £79, Made

sleek show Fitted furniture is a good option if space is at a premium or you want a streamlined look. This handleless design houses a sink and has multiple storage and cabinet size options Valesso vanity unit, £295; three-drawer unit, £435; WC unit, £255; inset basin, £195; Amyris back-to-the-wall WC, £199; Aqado matt black basin mixer, £120; Adrastea LED back-lit/touch sensor mirror, £260; tall Alulite matt black designer radiator, £299, all Bathrooms to Love

s

Add an artisanal edge with encaustic cement tiles – ideal for a feature wall and floor, or a decorative splashback

s

Hex 60 pink encaustic cement tile, £4.96 per tile; Hex plain pink encaustic cement tile, £4 per tile, both Otto Tiles

Small details can make a big impact. This black tap won’t need polishing either Breeze mono basin mixer, £195.54, Methven

fresh take This affordable suite features a sleek square free-standing bath, close-coupled toilet, basin and pedestal Edge bathroom suite £649.97, Bathroom Takeaway

s

Add a metallic mirror to bounce light around the room Alana round copper mirror, £99, Made

s

No maintenance is required with this trio of faux succulents which come in matching pale-toned pots

s

Create an instant impact with a monochrome floor Brixton tiles, £59.95 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Urban Escape artificial succulent pots, £14 for three, Argos Home

RETRO TO GO Mid-century fans will love this 1950s-inspired sideboard. Get the look for less by upcycling a vintage eBay find with chalk paint

s

Kompass Moderna three drawer unit in Jade, from £395; tall unit, £285, both Frontline Bathrooms

Add a dash of fresh green to your scheme Circle Geo bath sheet, £15, Sainsbury’s Home

s

Natural textured accessories will soften any look Woven laundry basket, £12.99, HomeSense

COUNTER APPEAL For a luxe modern look add a curvaceous counter-top basin to a worktop or console Recycled glass lotion dispenser, £12; recycled glass tumbler, £10; shadow eucalyptus towels, from £8; grass laundry basket, £30; sign, £2, all Dunelm

s

Pair a simple counter-top basin with chrome wall-mounted taps

Runda counter-top basin, £54.95, Victorian Plumbing

s Recycled glass jars are always striking in a bathroom scheme Large recycled glass bottle, £6; small recycled glass bottle, £4, both Sainsbury’s Home

roller play A blind is an easy way to add colour. This roller design is made from waterproof PVC fabric and a rust-free aluminium roller tube Orla Kiely Splash Scribble Stem roller blind, made to order from £32.25, Blinds 2go. For a similar shape bath, try the Mode Harrison free-standing bath, £259.20, Victoria Plum

s

Update your radiator with a minimalist design. This slim model will fit in the most compact of spaces Smiths Britton Elisa radiator, £532, Pure Bathroom Collection

s

This black gloss unit is part of a range of matching units and will provide an instant contemporary update Bientina wall-hung wall unit, £329, Wickes

super NATURAL For a modern rustic look, this vanity unit contrasts textured wood and metallic copper finishes. It can be wall mounted or turned into a floor-standing piece using the matching copper legs Vogue 1000mm two drawer vanity unit, from £545, Frontline Bathrooms

s

The rose-gold Sleek brassware range will immediately give your bathroom a lift. Choose from a basin mixer, tall basin mixer or wall-mounted bath shower mixer

Alana rectangular copper mirror, £129, Made

Sleek basin mixer in rose gold, £235, Frontline Bathrooms

smooth move Waterproof wall panels make for a grout-free alternative to tiles in a shower enclosure. They’re easy to clean and install and come in a range of 30 colours and effects including marble and stone Selkie Board waterproof panels, from £142.63 per panel, Rearo

Rua easy-fit shower kit, £169.20, all Methven

s

Revamp your shower and save money with this water-saving design which uses only 7.5 litres per minute This portable caddy can be moved around the space as and when you need it

s

s Tie in this mirror with your copper brassware

Three-tier wooden storage unit, £28, Sainsbury’s Home

June 2019

57

ALONSO EMBOSSED VELVETS

www.studiog.uk.com

Stitch a handy garden toolbelt from pretty patterned cotton

Get advice from our DIY experts

Turn an old wooden ladder into a garden display shelf

W

e’re getting ready for summer this month with a whole host of outdoor projects and ideas – from our pretty garden toolbelt on page 64 to a clever upcycling idea on page 62 that turns an old ladder into a set of shelves, perfect for potting.

Plus our DIY experts share their tips for laying down turf on page 66, so you can have a flawless lawn without the wait.

Make, do & craft craft stash Must haves

Don’t miss the latest crafty news and reviews

ask the experts

diy Masterclass

Get ready for your summer holidays with a set of DIY travel accessories

sew siMple

revaMp, repair, recycle

y s a e Make it

Make, do & Get ready for summer with DIY travel ideas

Passport holder Use coloured leather to create this luxurious document cover

Map paper, from a selection; Good Karma Club notebook, £6, both Paperchase.

Zanzibar large candle, £25, Sunnylife. Set of four gin glasses, £30, Star by Julien Macdonald, Debenhams

SHOPPING LIST l leather pack, £38 per four 25cm squares, LeatherAA at Amazon l pen l scissors l awl l acrylic paint l paintbrush l waxed thread l leather needle

Download and print the June Passport Cover templates from 1www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk or send a

stamped SAE to Your Home June Passport Cover Templates, HBM UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU. Use them to cut one large piece from rose gold leather and two smaller pieces from cream-coloured leather, as indicated on the template.

Lay one of the leather pieces down flat, with the right side facing up.

2 Place its template on top of it and use

an awl to pierce through the leather at each dot. Make sure you do this on an old work surface or a piece of scrap wood as the awl may go through the leather into the surface below. Repeat with all three leather pieces.

Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

Decorate your leather. We used a pencil to lightly sketch out a design, 3 then worked over it several times in acrylic paint. Once finished, place your inner and outer cover pieces together and hand stitch through the holes with a leather needle and waxed thread to join them together.

1

Top tip

Waxed thread is stronger than regular floss and will slide through the leather easily too.

60

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

2

3

Make, do & craft

Luggage tag

1

Keep your bags on track with this wooden tag

SHoPPING LISt l thin sheet of wood l pencil l ruler l saw l sand paper l drill l pyrography tool, £30, Hobbycraft l masking tape l Painter’s Touch spray

paint in candy pink, £10 per 400ml, Rust-Oleum

l leather scrap l scissors l small buckle l leather needle l waxed thread l acrylic paint and brush

2

the shape of a luggage tag onto a thin sheet of wood, using a ruler and pencil. You can make it as big 1or Draw as small as you like – just ensure it can accomodate

your name and address details on one side. Use a saw to cut it out, then sand the edges. Carefully drill a 1cm hole in the top of the tag for the strap to go through.

On one side, use a pencil to lightly write your name and address. Use a pyrography tool to sear the text into the wood. Once finished, use masking tape to mark out a stripe on either side of the text. Apply a thin coat of spray paint then leave to dry. Turn the tag over and repeat to create diagonal stripes.

Make a strap. Cut a 1cm x 25cm strip of leather, then trim one end into a point and use an awl to punch holes along that end. Stitch a small buckle to the other end.

Use a thin tip with Remove the masking tape from your pyrography tool the diagonally striped side of the to ensure a tag and use acrylic paint to add a text design over it. Finally, feed the neat finish. strap through the hole and fasten the buckle to finish.

2

top tip

Barton leather backpack, £130, Cath Kidston. Set of three notebooks, £15, Paperchase. Glitter pineapple tumbler, £16, Sunnylife

Headphones holder

Keep your cables tidy with this handy little pocket organiser

Download and print the headphones holder templates from www.yourhomemagazine.

1co.uk or send a stamped SAE to Your Home

SHoPPING LISt l leather pack, £38 per four

25cm squares, LeatherAA at Amazon l pen l scissors l awl l leather needle l waxed thread l sew-on snap fasteners

June Headphones Holder Templates, HBM UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU. Use them to cut two large pieces from pink leather and one small heart piece from rose gold leather.

Lay your small heart piece down flat, with the right side facing up.

Place its template on top and use an awl to pierce through the leather at each dot. Repeat to pierce the larger piece, then place the small heart on top of the larger one (aligning the holes) and hand stitch the two together.

Hand stitch the two halves of a snap fastener to the second large pink piece, then place it right-sides-together with the other large piece. Stitch the two together, working through the holes positioned around the edge of the shape.

3

3

top tip Place a scrap piece of wood beneath your leather before using an awl to protect your work surface.

2

3

1

2

3

Terrazzo wallpaper, £24, Wallpaper Direct. Stemless magical sea cocktail glasses, £14 per pair, Sunnylife.

Adventure notebook, from a selection, Paperchase

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

61

revamp, repair,

Recycle

1

Turn an old stepladder into a pretty plant stand

3

W

e loved the look of this old wooden stepladder but had no practical use for it any more.

It was still in sturdy condition, so we didn’t want to just get rid of it.

With a few quick cuts of wood and a coat of paint, we have transformed it into a pretty garden show-piece.

You will need

3wooden stepladder 3hammer 3pry il bar 3sand paper 3damp cloth 3penc x m 32m x m 12m 3 ure 3tape meas

2100mm stick timber, £1.46, B&Q 3saw 3decking boards, £5.25 each, B&Q 3drill 3screws 3Garden Shades paint in Beach Blue, £11 per 1l, Cuprinol 3paint brushes 3acrylic paints

5

1

Position each one on the ladder at the marked points and screw into place, drilling pilot holes first to ensure a neat finish.

2

Open and stand your ladder up once more. Measure the distance between each original step and its newly added counterpart, then add 10cm to this amount – this is how long each of your shelving boards needs to be. Work out how many you’ll need to create each shelf, then cut decking boards to size to create each one. Sand the cut edges of each.

Begin by removing any parts of the ladder that you won’t need for the final design – ours had a diagonal strut nailed in across one side, so we used a hammer and a pry bar to get rid of it. Leave the steps of the ladder in place, as you’ll need these later.

Once you’ve stripped the ladder back to its basic design, rub sandpaper all over it to ensure it has a smooth surface and to remove any old paint splashes or stains.

Wipe all over with a cloth to get rid of dust.

Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

3

Before

7

5

With the ladder fully open and standing up straight, decide which steps you want to use for your shelves. Each one you’ve chosen will hold a shelf, so you need to make sure you’re happy with their positioning.

Measure the height of each chosen step, then mark matching points on the opposite side of the ladder for each one – you’ll add a strut that the shelves will eventually sit on to each of these points. Lay the ladder down flat and measure and note down the distance between the two sides of the ladder at each of these points. If you have extra steps that won’t be used to support a shelf, remove them now.

Once constructed, give your ladder shelves two coats of paint – we chose a bright blue stain from Cuprinol’s Garden Shades range, which is specifically intended for outdoor use.

4

8

Using the width measurements you noted down in step 3, cut your new struts from a length of 12mm thick x 32mm wide stick timber, cutting one piece to match each measurement. Sand the cut edges of each.

6

Making sure your ladder is standing up straight and fully opened out, place each of your decking boards into position, supporting each one with one step and one new strut. Once you’re happy with how they are sitting, screw them into place securely, drilling pilot holes first for a neat finish.

7

Finish by adding small floral details to your ladder using acrylic paints. We used a small brush to add bargeware-style petals and leaves to our ladder, trailing each one up and around the frame of the ladder.

Top tip

revamp, repair, recycle

Keep your detailed paintwork protected from the elements by adding a coat of exterior varnish once finished

Fejka artificial monstera, £40; artificial fern palm, £20; artificial house bamboo, £3; artificial potted plant, £35; artificial hanging plant, £6; plant pots, from £1.75, all IKEA. Seedlings tray, £12; leather gloves, £20, both Garden Trading. Burgon & Ball RHS tools, £11.99 each; seeds, from a selection, all Dobbies

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

63

Keep your garden tools handy with this sturdy belt

W

hen working in the garden, it’s always good to keep your tools close by. This sturdy toolbelt is made from thick cotton fabric and reinforced with heavyweight interfacing to make sure it will withstand lots of use.

You will need 50cm each Bees cotton in Duck Egg and English Garden cotton in Taupe, both £15 per m, Studio G pencil scissors heavyweight fusible interfacing iron 2m green bias binding tape pins sewing machine and thread hessian strapping clip fastening

1

1

Download and print the Garden Toolbelt Template from www.yourhomemagazine. co.uk or send a stamped SAE to Your Home June Garden Toolbelt Template, HBM UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU. Use it to cut two large pieces from the Bee fabric, and two pocket pieces from the English Garden fabric.

Use the template to cut one large piece and one pocket piece from fusible heavyweight interfacing. Use a warm iron to apply each piece of interfacing to the wrong side of one of your fabric pieces, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Place the two large fabric pieces together with right sides facing out. Cut a 40cm length of green bias binding tape and open out one of the folded edges. Position and pin it along the top straight edge of the fabric pieces, as pictured. Work a straight machine stitch along the open fold of the bias tape to secure it to the fabric, then wrap the rest of the bias tape round to the back of the fabric, enclosing the raw edge within. Pin, then hand stitch the edge of the tape down to secure it.

Cut another 40cm length of bias binding tape and repeat the step above using the two pocket pieces, placing them together with right sides facing out and concealing the raw straight edge at the top of the pocket within the bias tape.

Lay the large fabric piece down with the front side facing up. Position the pocket piece on top, again with the front side facing up, aligning the curved button edges

2 3 4 5

7

Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

3

. . .

64

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

of both. Measure and lightly mark the middle of the pocket. Cut a 30cm length of bias tape, then fold it in half lengthways. Place it down the centre of the pocket and pin into position, tucking the raw edge of the tape down inside the pocket. Machine top stitch a line 2mm in from each edge of the bias tape to secure it into position, hold the layers of fabric together and divide the pocket into two.

Pin and stitch a length of bias tape around the curved edge of the work as in step 3, joining the layers of fabric together and concealing the raw edges inside the tape.

Fold the raw edges of the tape to the wrong side by 1cm to keep them hidden.

Turn the work over so the back is facing upwards. Fold the straight top edge of the work down to form a channel that’s wide enough to hold your hessian strapping and pin into position. Work a tacking stitch across the straight edge to hold it in place, then turn the work over so the front is facing upwards. Work a machine zig zag stitch across the front of the toolbelt, using the tacked line for guidance.

Once finished, remove the tacking stitches.

Make a strap. Cut a length of hessian strapping to fit your waist comfortably, making sure to add extra length to this measurement to allow for stitching and adjustments. Pull the strap through the channel you stitched in step 7, then stitch either side of a clip fastening to the ends of the strap to finish.

6 7 8

8

Top tip

Set of six greenhouse tags with chalk, £10, Garden Trading. Kent & Stowe kids’ hand fork, £5.99; RHS Collection Hampton gloves, £14.99; seeds, from a selection, all Dobbies

sew simple

if in doubt, cut your hessian strap longer than needed – it’s better to trim it down later than to cut it too short!

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

65

masterclass

DIY

Lay down turf for a flawless lawn without the wait

You’ll neeD Essential l spade l garden rake l garden fork l fertiliser l turf rolls l scaffold board l topsoil l long knife or hacksaw Useful l turf cutter l rotavator l soil improver l spirit level

Turf provides you with an instantly green lawn, versus 6-12 months to grow one from seed s

Feature Emma Thompson Step-by-step images Wickes

D

o you yearn for a luscious green lawn but don’t have the time to grow one from seed? Turf is a really fantastic option: healthy, fully grown grass is harvested into manageablesized rolls, ready to be laid in your garden. Enriching the soil beforehand will give the turf the best start in its new home and, after a few weeks of treading carefully around it, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come!

Rolawn Medallion grass turf rolls, £6.99 per sq m, Wickes

From FertIle grounD

1

n Prepare your soil to ensure the turf will be able to

get the water and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Firstly, remove all of the old lawn using a spade or turf cutter. n Turn over the earth with a spade to a depth of 10cm-15cm; a rotavator would make quicker work of large areas. [1] Rake away clods of earth and remove weeds and debris, then spread a layer of soil improver if needed and work it in with a garden fork. Repeat with lawn-establishment fertiliser. n Firm up the soil and remove air pockets by walking across it with your weight on your heels.

[2] Check that it’s level and go over any raised areas again. n Gently pull a garden rake over the surface [3] until there are no large clumps remaining and the soil resembles large breadcrumbs – this is often referred to as creating a ‘fine tilth’ and will ensure the turf is able to grow roots deep into the soil with no barriers. n Water the soil so that it is moist, dark and cool but not soaking wet. This will help encourage rooting.

top tip s New lawns need a lot of watering; collecting rainwater will be kinder on the environment and reduce your water bills 210l water butt with stand, £35, B&Q

66

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Measure the area of your new lawn in square metres, then order about five per cent extra turf for cutting and contingencies.

2 3

roll wIth It n Begin unrolling a strip of turf along a

straight edge of the lawn, or use a scaffold board as a guide. [4] When adding a new roll, butt the edges as closely together as possible, taking care not to stretch the turf.

Plan ahead to avoid using a small cut of turf at the edge as it will be more prone to drying out. n When you come to laying the next strip, stagger the joints like bricks to reduce the risk of the turf drying out. Keep edges butted up and fill in any small gaps as you go using a light, sandy topsoil. n Gently tamp down the turf with the

top tip You’ll need to lay your turf as soon as possible once it’s delivered, or within 24 hours. If you aren’t laying it immediately, keep it in the shade and remove any plastic packaging.

PuttIng Down roots n March and September: Remove moss

and dead vegetation with a rake (known as scarifying) and apply a lawn fertiliser uniformly across the whole area. n May and September: drive the prongs of a garden fork or tine aerator deep into moist turf then bring it up again, [7] working in rows across the entire lawn. If an area is more

6 compacted from frequent use, pass over it a couple of times. This is known as aerating and will allow better water drainage, root growth and air circulation. n Early spring: fill in any patchy areas with lawn seed. Known as overseeding, this will enhance its appearance, make it more dense and fend off weed and moss invasions. After this, sprinkle a fine top-dressing soil over the lawn to promote growth and help repair the patchy areas.

top tip You can’t walk across the lawn for the first few weeks: use a scaffold board when laying it, and water with sprinklers or a hose pipe.

Once your turf is well established, it will be the perfect surface for all the family to enjoy

s

7

5

Ridley’s croquet set, £40; Sunnylife Malibu giant tumbling tower, £40; Sunnylife Malibu badminton set, £30; Ridley’s Nordic lawn bowling set, £25; House by John Lewis Salsa garden chair, £140 for two; Salsa side table, £79, all John Lewis & Partners

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

67

DIY Masterclass

4

head of a rake to ensure contact with the soil.

[5] Cut any excess turf away using a long knife or hacksaw. Pat soil onto any exposed edges of turf to prevent them drying out. This can be removed after the first few weeks. n Water your turf as soon as it is laid, and do so regularly until it is well established. To check if your new lawn needs to be watered, carefully lift a corner and check that the soil underneath is moist, dark and cool. [6] As a general rule, you should water your new turf every evening for the first week or two unless it has rained. n Lift a corner and check if the roots are established i.e. growing down into the soil.

Once this has happened, you can mow on the highest setting with sharpened blades to avoid stressing the grass. When the lawn is fully established, gradually reduce the grass length to 15mm-35mm.

Ask the

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

Q

I want to buy a new sofa and like the idea of a bright bold print in a classic style so it won’t date. Please can you advise me what to consider for a look I’ll still love in years to come?

Joanna Collins, Coventry

A

Megan Holloway, Marketing Manager at Sofa Workshop, says…

The perfect sofa draws the eye in any well-designed living space and is a great platform upon which to experiment with materials, pattern and colour. In fact, statement upholstery is proving to be a huge trend in 2019. It really is the year of the sofa and a bold bright print is a great option to stay on trend. However, buying furniture is a big investment and we all want to make sure we’re investing for longevity. Ensuring a piece won’t date involves choosing a classic design and pairing it with a fabric you love. The Thurloe sofa from our collaboration with the V&A is a fantastic example of this. Seen here in the Love Birds fabric from the archive-inspired collection, it combines a maximalist print with generous dimensions.

The V&A’s vast pattern archive has been used to modernise fabrics to fit the trends of today while harking back to timeless heritage prints. By combining a classic style such as the Thurloe with a dramatic, colourful print, you can create a real statement in your living space that Thurloe Sofa in Love Birds, will stand the £2,999, Sofa Workshop x V&A test of time.

68

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Q

I’d like to install lighting around the garden including outdoor lanterns, solar and wall lights. Please can you advise me on how to carry out the work safely?

Andrew Bainford, Tewkesbury

A

Darren Staniforth, Technical Expert at leading electrical regulatory body NICEIC, offers some expert advice: The garden is considered a high-risk area for lighting, so it is important electrics are installed professionally and safely and in accordance with current wiring regulations. All external appliances or sockets should be installed or checked by a registered NICEIC electrician who will ensure all work is done safely and to required standards. It is also important to purchase outdoor lighting from a reputable retailer and to make sure the fittings are waterproof with an IP rating to indicate how well they stand up to external conditions. Remember to look out for a BEAB Approved Mark and the European Community (CE) safety symbol. My top tips for electricity in the garden are: •All cabling should be suitable for installation outside. Your registered electrician can advise you on the best options.

•Underground cables must be buried at a sufficient depth to avoid damage from garden tools. This will require the electrician to dig a trench.

•Decorative lights plugged into an outdoor socket should be taken inside after use, unless waterproof. To find a qualified electrician, visit NICEIC at www.niceic.com.

Q

My husband and I are about to invest in an outdoor security camera. Are there any special features we should look out for?

Michelle Brown, via email

A

Charlie Higgs, Bosch Smart Home UK Marketing Manager says…

An outdoor camera is a sound investment for family peace of mind, protection and security.

When picking the right model you should consider a range of aspects such as quality, resistance to water, ease to set up and monitor.

Remember to ask about additional costs such as subscription fees, or whether you’ll be tied into a costly long-term contract. The Bosch Smart Home Eyes Outdoor Camera has a builtin light as well as an intercom which can be easily installed by replacing an existing light. The intercom can be used through a smart phone app, meaning you can view and speak with visitors on your doorstep remotely. The camera also streams 1080p HD video to your phone, allowing you to save up to 200 clips.

Eyes Outdoor Camera, £319.95, Bosch Smart Home

Tier-on-tier shutters, from £299 per sq m, Shutterly Fabulous

Q

With the days becoming brighter and hotter, what is the best way to shade the sun from my living room without stopping cool air from circulating?

Brigit Davies, via email

A

Q

We’re planning to convert our loft into a bedroom for one of our children but how can we make sure the space is comfortable for sleeping as well as homework?

Alicia Ambrose, via email

Feature Alice Butler

Mark Carter, Director of Shutterly Fabulous, has this advice…

Plantation shutters are incredibly versatile as they seamlessly improve the look of a room and offer many practical benefits.

Thanks to their open louvred slats, they control air circulation without blocking out natural light. They also give you the freedom to open your windows wide on a warm day, keeping your room well ventilated and allowing you to retain privacy and safety for children and pets.

Plantation shutters offer you full control as each slat can be individually adjusted up or down, deterring the harsh sunlight that can discolour furniture and carpets. This also means that you can let in small doses of natural light to open up the room on a gloomy day. Maintaining a level of privacy is always more challenging throughout the summer when we open curtains, windows and blinds wide, leaving the inside of the home exposed. Installing plantation shutters eliminates this issue as they keep the interior cool and discreetly shielded from the outside.

Conversely, during the colder months you can tilt the slats to embrace the warmer winter sun, keeping your home toasty and helping you to save on energy bills! To see our range, visit www.shutterlyfabulous.com.

Luxlite roof lights, from £280, Roof Maker

Vanessa Howard, CMO of Roof Maker, answers…

A key thing to consider when planning to convert a loft into an extra bedroom is the installation of rooflights.

Attics are naturally dark rooms but the inclusion of a rooflight or two will draw in plenty of natural light, making the space warm and inviting.

The Luxlite window from Roof Maker is designed for pitched roofs and will offer a contemporary look to any space. The frameless view means that up to 49 per cent more natural light will enter the room, offering an uninterrupted view across the entire window opening. A recent study found that natural light has a direct link with productivity, so the inclusion of rooflights will make the space the ideal place for study and homework.

Another thing to consider when creating a loft bedroom is ventilation. We always recommend that homeowners choose an opening rooflight to ensure that the room

stays at a comfortable temperature all year round. However, opening and closing designs can bring added worries for parents as many fear children will clamber on to chairs to operate the windows.

To smooth these worries, we suggest homeowners invest in remote-control rooflights for added peace of mind. Plus, the Luxlite can be combined with rain sensors to avoid any instances when a window has been left open and a sudden storm arrives. For more information, visit www.roof-maker.co.uk.

ask the experts

A

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to ask the experts, Your home, hubert Burda Media Uk, the tower, phoenix square, Colchester, essex CO4 9hU or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

69

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

monthly makes

Subscription boxes are everywhere this year, and we love the crafty offering from Make + Wonder.

Each month, they create a new Art Club box for kids aged 3-10 years old, all showcasing an inspiring female role model. The boxes include four gorgeous project idea cards, an illustrated story and curated art materials to inspire creativity. Priced £12.90 per box, visit www.makeandwonder.com to find out more.

craft stash must haves

Feature Sophie Tarrant

pIck up a skIll

ScrapBooking

If you love the idea of scrapbooking but aren’t sure where to start, check out Paperchase’s new range. The kraft paper used to create the albums is acid and lignin free – meaning it is archive safe – and at a weighty 200gsm, the pages provide the perfect basis for all kinds of creations from photo albums to memory books, wedding planners and more.

Prices range from £5 for individual items to £28 for bundle kits which can even be personalised. Visit www.paperchase.co.uk to view the whole range of albums, tapes, pens and more.

workshop

Tilly and the Buttons Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sewist looking to take your skills further, Tilly and the Buttons’ online sewing workshops are a fabulous way to get inspired, learn new skills and create great garments from the comfort of your own home. From the very basics of using your sewing machine right through to constructing clothing, each class includes several modules with videos, written instructions, and more that can be accessed any time – meaning they’re ideal for those with busy lives. Priced from £25 per course, visit www.tillyandthebuttonsworkshops.com for more information.

Projects for days

In her latest book Seasonal Scandi Crafts (£12.99, Cico Books), craft expert Christiane Bellstedt Myers takes readers through the seasons with projects for every time of year.

There are over 45 projects included within, covering a wide range of crafts including collage, embroidery, painting, sewing and more.

DelIcate DesIgns We adore the new Japanese-inspired Petit Point needlework kits launching this month from We Are Knitters. The stitchy experts have taken the traditional technique and reinvented it with mindfulness and creativity in mind. The five designs have each been created at four different levels – beginner, easy, intermediate and advanced, to ensure that there’s something to suit every stitcher. Priced £59 each, visit www. weareknitters. co.uk to choose your favourite.

Committed to exceptional performance, CDA’s collection of kitchen appliances, sinks and taps are the perfect finishing touch to any kitchen.

MY LAWN,

MY SPACE!

Mountfield Classic Collection Mountfield lawnmowers is an iconic UK brand that has been keeping the nation’s lawns looking beautiful since 1962.

The Mountfield Classic Collection features a range of lawnmowers that are innovative, stylish and offer great value for money To view the full range, visit our website.

FREE delivery* when you order any mower from the Classic Collection online, use promo code MFFD4 at the checkout. * Purchases online only mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk

YOUR LAWN, YOUR WAY

Prices from ÂŁ169

Reader homes

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

Show off your hard work in Your Home Have you just finished decorating your home?

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

80

Sarah’s home was updated after being stuck in a 1950s time warp

86

Ellie modernised her period property with splashes of vibrant pink

plus ideas to steal

85 91

74

79

Lucy’s contemporary light-filled property makes the perfect family home

find more inTeriors To inspire you aT www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

73

The table in the dining area came from eBay and the Ercol chairs from John Lewis. The IKEA light fitting complements the The Rug Seller mat.

‘It’s acrylic so we can wipe it down, ideal when two children are eating,’ says Lucy

Our 1970s ‘white box’ home pops with colour Lucy and Ben have lived in London and Los Angeles, but now they’re in a tiny Oxfordshire hamlet

A

lmost three years ago Lucy and Ben Parsons arrived in the tiny village of Delly End in Oxfordshire – after busy lives in London and Los Angeles.

Once daughter Kitty arrived, the couple decided it was time to settle down in the UK – and indeed, soon after they moved into their new home little Tilo was born.

Their first impression of the house, built

74

June 2019

in 1973, was one of purple walls and several different coloured carpets – one of them pink – all laid on concrete screed. Grey floor tiles welcomed visitors at the front door and, as for the bathrooms, they were rather dated with varnished brown wood. ‘There were lots of little alcoves everywhere, too,’ remembers Lucy. The previous owner had been there for years and seemed to have

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

REAL HOME

Installing their Rais wood-burner was their best idea as it’s clean burning with zero emissions.

The Rais wood-burning stove is from Robeys Fireplaces in Derbyshire, chosen for its clean-burning credentials.

It rotates so the family can see it from the dining or sitting room

WE ARE Lucy and Ben Parsons, respectively an art advisor and an art dealer, with our two children Kitty, six, and Tilo, two, plus Spooky, the black cat.

OUR HOME Is a detached three-bedroom

house built in 1973 in a village in Oxfordshire.

MY STYLE IS Contemporary with a bit of mid-century thrown in. I like to mix new and old to make the house feel more lived in.

I WOULD CHANGE The kitchen – we hurried to install something and chose not to spend much money. One day we’ll have a space that flows better.

Good idea!

The kitchen opening was widened with the intention of putting in double doors, but the couple left the space open-plan.

COME ON IN...

Feature Victoria Jenkins Photos William Goddard

Good idea!

THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING HERE The people in our village are amazing, welcoming, warm, interesting and very kind.

We really landed on our feet here.

WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE Because They chose a cork floor as it’s warm underfoot and cheaper than underfloor heating. ‘It’s easy to clean, essential with two children,’ says Lucy. The IKEA oak-fronted cabinets are teamed with Artisau wall tiles from Topps Tiles which have a handmade look

the garden is very spacious. I grew up with a large garden and fields to play in, and wanted the same for my children.

NEXT TO DO Is the garden. We took out several old and struggling plants. It’s a blank canvas now which is both exciting and daunting.

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Hall wc

wc

FIRST FLOOR Lounge

Bedroom 1

Study

Hall

Dining room Kitchen

wc

wc

Utility

GROUND FLOOR

For stockists see page 120 June 2019

75

Good idea!

Choosing the same flooring to run throughout the ground floor– in this case laminate – gives a cohesive look.

The Made yellow armchair makes a focal point and cost only £200

‘Ben painted the walls and woodwork white – it made such a difference in terms of light.’

The Witney rug was found in a store at Snape Maltings in Suffolk, and the sideboard is from The Attik which specialises in mid-century furniture

REAL HOME ‘The colourful carpet was a total bargain,’ says Lucy. ‘It’s made up of sections of vintage wool rugs. You can choose any size you like and for our enormous design we paid about £1,000 from Rug Vista.’ The couple recovered the IKEA sofa in a Bemz fabric. The chrome lamp is from John Lewis and the gold lamp is by Original BTC

The stripe rug is from IKEA and the stuffed tiger was only £30 from Amazon. ‘Tilo has a stuffed leopard version too, and the children love them,’ says Lucy The bath is from UK Bathroom Warehouse. The handmade Moroccan Dandelion tiles – by Marrakech Design, a Swedish company – were their one big expense. These are in the deep pink colourway

made improvements in stages. The couple’s solution was to begin by gutting the place – back to the brick in some areas.

‘We planned a lot of structural work and while that was being done we rented a cottage nearby,’ says Lucy. ‘Ben started the demolition work to save time while waiting for the builder. He removed a wall between two rooms on the ground floor to create a really big main bedroom. He also gutted the adjacent shower room and moved a wall back, again for more space.’

In the kitchen, Ben demolished yet another wall on the left, so that it could be rebuilt further back – this meant moving the soil and waste pipes too – and upstairs he lowered the level of the guest bathroom floor. ‘It was only by a fraction but we didn’t want ramps, steps or different levels anywhere,’ Lucy explains.

After some replastering and rewiring, the couple had an IKEA kitchen installed.

‘The great beauty of IKEA is that you never

have any trouble getting replacement doors and so on,’ says Lucy.

All the bath and shower rooms were refurbished too. ‘We chose handmade Moroccan tiles for all our bathrooms. They were rather expensive but they give me real pleasure every time I see them,’ says Lucy.

To go with their new oil-fired central heating system they installed new radiators from Bathstore.

‘Unfortunately, it means we have a huge tank in the garden – soon to be disguised by a wood pile and potted trees,’ Lucy explains. ‘We did buy a radiator from another company and within 18 months it was rusty and leaking,’ she continues. ‘The company wouldn’t replace it or refund us as they said our water was the problem – too acidic.’ They then laid laminate

flooring throughout and installed their pride and joy, a very striking Danish Rais wood-burning stove. It sits in the space between the sitting and dining rooms and rotates so that it can be seen from either side – best of all it has zero emissions.

Ben repainted the house inside and out and chose white for the interior. ‘It made such a difference,’ says Lucy. ‘Especially when you think that the sitting room

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

77

REAL HOME

The stripy throw is from John Lewis and echoes the colours in the painting above the bed. The clever ‘floating’ design of the wardrobes helps create an illusion of space, drawing the eye above and below the doors.

‘The wardrobes are original to the house but we added leather door handles bought years ago from a boat outfitters.’

For the walls the couple chose Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. The basin is from UK Bathroom Warehouse and the vanity unit from Tikamoon

78

June 2019

ceiling and staircase were made of dreary brown timber.’ There were also some tweaks to make such as removing weather-proof strips from the French windows so they wouldn’t jam.

After the structural work was finished, they were left with a white box to furnish.

But, thanks to their artistic background, the house now pops with colour.

Ben and Lucy have recently decided to work together, forming M & P Arts, and have created a tiny art gallery in a former spare garage. The couple removed a kitchenette and filled in the doorway that linked this garage to the adjoining one. ‘We also blocked up two unwanted windows to create more wall space,’ she says, ‘and converted the original up-and-over garage doors into standard opening double doors.’

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Out in the huge walled garden they found that shrubs planted 40 years ago had become overgrown and an enormous tree blocked the light. ‘We’ve removed the tree and a whole line of shrubs,’ says Lucy. ‘The problem was we would remove one then find something else to be dealt with.’

Apart from the garden project the house is almost complete, but the journey hasn’t been completely hitch-free. ‘About a month after we moved in a pipe burst and water poured down the kitchen light fittings. I was alone at the time and didn’t even know where the stopcock was but the firemen were brilliant – they turned everything off and checked the electrics,’ says Lucy.

Fortunately, you would never know, and the kitchen, along with the rest of their house is now a perfect family home. YH

6

ideas to steal

Low-maintenance porcelain tiles are stainand scratch-resistant – a practical choice for the kitchen.

Tribeca Cloud tiles, £72 per sq m, Stone and Ceramic Warehouse

For atmospheric lighting like Lucy’s pick a design which casts shadows and creates an ambient environment.

Brooklyn glass cone brass pendant, £69, Industville

Defra approval means you can use this multi-fuel stove to burn wood in smoke-controlled areas.

NEO 1C multi-fuel stove, £1,515, ACR Stoves

The green lamp fittings are from Etsy and the bedspread is from Made. The animal-patterned rug is a family heirloom brought back from Cairo The couple chose the same Dandelion tile design for each bathroom but in a different colour, linking the rooms while giving them their own look.

The pebbles in the walk-in shower were collected from a Devon beach

This stylish and comfortable armchair will add glorious colour to any room.

Daphne Flores sky chair, £399.99, MY Furniture

This wall light is a modern take on a retro design.

Sleek Edison wall light in pewter, £29, Industville

Good idea!

Spending extra on one feature makes all the difference to a room, such as the handmade Moroccan tiles in the bathrooms.

This L-shaped design is ideal for corners or for breaking up large rooms, and its modernist linear design will work well with different styles of décor.

Lily small corner sofa, from £1,995 Lovely Sofas

Exposing the original brickwork creates a cost-effective splashback and lets the large Falcon range cooker and chimney extractor take centre stage in the space

I saw beyond the dated Fifties time warp Sarah Edwards has transformed a jaded Victorian villa into a warm and welcoming modern family home

S

omething that Sarah can’t quite put her finger on drew her to this period villa tucked away from the road. ‘I must have looked at about 30 houses before I first viewed this place,’ she reveals. ‘I wanted something in the old quarter of Birmingham which is full of Edwardian and Victorian homes.

‘I looked at lots of lovely places but I knew that when I found the right property it would have the right feel about it. And, as soon as I walked up to this front door, I

80

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

knew this was going to be the one.’

Sarah was looking for a detached house with parking and a spacious garden, a combination that is not easy to find in the area she was house hunting in. But in the end, although this property ticked all the boxes, she says that it was more about the feel of the place than it meeting any checklist. ‘Cosmetically, there was a lot to overlook. It was stuck in the 1950s with flowery wallpaper and patterned carpet everywhere and a very dated kitchen, but

REAL HOME Sarah’s mix of traditional and contemporary style is obvious as soon as you step through the front door where the modern dandelion chandelier, purchased from eBay, lights up the period woodwork.

The walls are painted in Dulux Chic Shadow; the runner is from Modern Rugs, and the storage bench is from The Dormy House

Feature Anna Tobin Photos Rachael Smith

I could see past all of that.

I knew that it could be turned into a lovely family home,’ she reveals.

Sarah moved in as soon as the sale was completed.

Although the property desperately needed modernising, she decided to live with it for a while to get a feel for how it would work. ‘The house has a real personality,’ explains Sarah.

‘From the outset I was very respectful of that, which is why I wanted to live here for a while before doing too much to it.’

Once in situ, Sarah realised that it made sense to rearrange the kitchen space to make the most of the garden that wraps around the house. The kitchen prep

COME ON IN...

WE ARE Sarah Edwards, I run a home and event-staging business, Three Ducks.

I live here with my son Ted, seven, and daughter Elsie, six.

OUR HOME Is a detached Victorian house in Birmingham.

MY BEST BARGAIN WAS The

Good idea!

Hang curtains in front of your front door to keep out draughts and make your entrance hallway feel extra cosy.

peg rails in the children’s bedrooms. I made them using pre-cut timber and pegs bought from eBay for 37p each. The cost of a ready-made peg rail can reach in excess of £70 a metre!

SHOPS I LOVE ARE Anthropologie, WA Green, Oka, Graham & Green and HomeSense.

MY BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS

Paying more for some things than I should have done because I didn’t do enough background research.

FOR INSPIRATION I have magazine subscriptions, plus I read interiors blogs and visit trade shows.

IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING

It would be useful to have a spare bedroom, so maybe I wouldn’t sacrifice the box room for a dressing room now.

FIRST FLOOR

Utility

Garage

Bedroom 3

wc

Study Snug wc

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Kitchen Conservatory Dining area

Playroom

Previously, the dining table was located under this window and the kitchen overlooked the garden, but Sarah switched these two spaces around to make the entertaining space flow into the garden. The Avanti kitchen units are topped with oiled walnut worktops; the Manor House Lamport stone tiles are from Walls and Floors

Lounge

GROUND FLOOR

For stockists see page 120

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

81

REAL HOME Sarah has chosen to use a mix of chairs around her extra long dining table, made by a friend, to give the space a more informal feel. Placing a wine rack and wine cabinet in the peninsular unit at arms reach from the table helps to reinforce this chilled out atmosphere. ‘I love the light fitting over the dining table. I saw something similar on an American blog and searched for weeks to find this almost-identical bubble design from Dowsing & Reynolds,’ says Sarah. The sheepskin is from HomeSense

‘To tie together the prep and eating areas of the kitchen, I exposed the brick above the kitchen units and at the back of the dining space.’ area was swapped with the dining space, so that it was possible to eat looking over the garden. And to ensure both indoor and outdoor spaces flowed seamlessly into the garden, Sarah replaced the old metal-framed French windows with contemporary-style wooden bi-folding doors.

By mixing modern pieces with timeless traditional elements, Sarah has managed to strike the right balance between the property’s period

82

architecture and the requirements of 21st-century living.

‘I went for a large traditional-style range cooker and chimney hood, but more modern kitchen units, because I like the way old and new styles can blend together,’ explains Sarah. ‘And, to tie together the prep and eating spaces in the kitchen I exposed the brick above the units and the wall at the back of the dining area.

I love how the original bricks that form the splashback are uneven; they are a

June 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Leading on from the dining space, the snug with its large L-shaped sofa, dressed with a selection of cushions, is both a cosy hang-out space for family time and a useful overflow area when entertaining. The walls are painted in Dulux Warm Pewter. For a similar corner sofa and footstool, see M&S’ Abbey range. The limited-edition print is

by Lawrence Coulson

reminder of the history of the house.’

This eclectic mix of old and new continues into the entrance hallway and the living room where timeless comfy sofas are dressed with modern cushions.

Downstairs, Sarah converted what was a bedroom and en suite into a downstairs cloakroom and study. ‘I remodelled a tiny redundant box room into a walk-in wardrobe upstairs, too. Not many people reduce the number of bedrooms in their home when they move,’ Sarah laughs. ‘But it works for us.’

Sarah also overhauled the upstairs bathroom, opting for a practical L-shaped bath because it had a roomy shower

Good idea!

Sarah has cleverly hung shelving above the desk, making the most of an unused area, keeping the floor space free.

The home office might be small, but the compact desk leaves room for a sofa, which is useful when Sarah’s clients visit the house for meetings. The walls are painted in Railings by Farrow & Ball. The desk and chair are from M&S and the table light was bought at Dunelm

The collection of cushions on the sofa illustrates how Sarah loves to mix and match colour, texture and pattern. The walls are painted in Dulux Denim Drift; the sofa is from M&S, and the coffee table is from HomeSense

Floor-skimming curtains add a dramatic flourish to the living room and also serve to keep out the draughts so typical of old properties. For similar curtains see the Montana Mink lined pencil-pleat designs at Dunelm. The sideboard is from an antiques shop and the love seat was bought at M&S www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

83

REAL HOME

‘It’s important for me to get the background right – the walls, flooring and main pieces of furniture – because they are expensive to change.’

The bathroom is one of the few rooms in the house that doesn’t benefit from dual-aspect windows, so Sarah decided to give the room a cosy, yet glamorous feel. The black glass mosaic tiles are from B&Q; the dark-grey vanity unit is made from handleless kitchen units; and the mirror was from a furniture store in Brynmawr To make the most of all the available space in the bathroom, Sarah chose an L-shaped shower bath which ensures that no one feels cramped when showering. For a similar design, see the Cooke & Lewis Adelphi RH Supercast acrylic L-shaped shower bath and for a similar shower head, see the Cooke & Lewis one spray chrome-effect shower head, both B&Q. For similar towels, try the Abstract Floral towel range at M&S

Good idea!

In children’s rooms, encourage Lego creativity by sticking Lego bases onto furniture or walls.

A selection of space-themed wall decals give Ted’s bedroom an extra-terrestrial feel, but when he’s outgrown this phase they can be easily removed. The star curtains and duvet set are by Little Home at John Lewis & Partners. For similar planet wall stickers, try Amazon. Sarah made the picture rail with pre-cut timber and Shaker pegs she bought from eBay

84

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Sarah has used a rainbow of bright pastel colours to give Elsie’s bedroom a positive vibe. The walls are painted in Dulux Party Surprise, the Portland wall mirror is from The White Company and the Maileg Princess And The Pea fairy bed is from Alex and Alexa

The bedstead and tables, both from Winsor, add a touch of glamour to the master bedroom. ‘I wanted to add interest to one wall in my bedroom so I chose a simple striped wallpaper to give the room a calm feel,’ says Sarah. The wallpaper is Stripe by Cole & Son; the peacock cushion and lamb base are from HomeSense. The ottoman is from Next

6

ideas to steal

Nothing beats an L-shaped sofa accessorised with plump cushions for snugness.

Waterford sofa, from £1,664, Darlings of Chelsea

Osaka printed cushion, £22, Oasis

Use cushions to add colour and pattern to your room and update the covers when you want a quick and cheap refresh.

Slogan wall art will make a fun focal point.

Follow Your Heart wall art, 52cm x 52cm, £69, Oliver Bonas

Standard-sized doormats are never sufficient for a whole family to walk over; protect your hallway with a longer stylish runner.

Riya woven jute runner, 66cm x 200cm, £39, Made

Soften the space above a mantelpiece with a round mirror.

Circular wooden mirror, 71cm, £35, Dunelm

area. And to save money she painted the bedrooms herself. ‘It was quite a job,’ reveals Sarah. ‘Elsie’s bedroom was a deep red previously, so it took me about six coats of paint to cover it up!’

Sarah has opted for light, bright pastel shades in the bedrooms, while downstairs she has gone for a softer palette featuring light greys and inky blues. And throughout the property she has highlighted the home’s original architectural features – the door frames, coving and picture rails – in a chalky white colour to ensure that each space

flows seamlessly into the next.

‘It’s important for me to get the background right – the walls, flooring and main pieces of furniture – because they are expensive to change, but then I love rearranging the accessories to keep the house looking fresh and current without too much extra investment.’

Sarah has the house exactly as she envisaged it now. ‘I will always be tweaking bits here and there, and adapting the children’s bedrooms to grow with them,’ she concludes. ‘But all the major work is done and we love it.’ YH

Bring the outdoors in and add height to your living room with a houseplant.

Medium Fiddle leaf faux fig tree, £39.50, M&S

I discovered that it’s OK to inject bright colour into a period property Ellie McManaman went against her instincts to furnish her period home with modern furniture, quirky accessories and pops of bold pink – and she loves the result Ellie wanted to ‘push the pink as far as possible’ by introducing vibrant chairs from Barker & Stonehouse, which is also where she found the industrial-style table. The mirror, glass cabinet, rug and sofa, all from HomeSense, add to the fun style of this light-filled room

Good idea!

Pack a punch with vivid furniture. The pink chairs have practical removable covers in case Ellie decides to change the scheme.

86

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

REAL HOME

W

hen Ellie McManaman bought a Georgian town house in the centre of York, she decorated it in a style sympathetic to the era of the property – but then quickly realised she had made a big mistake. ‘I thought it was the right thing to do for the property when, in fact, it wasn’t me at all,’ she says.

‘As soon as I started to be true to myself and reflect my personality, it all fell into place. I discovered you could mix old and new together, and that it was OK to inject splashes of bright colour into the scheme.

It didn’t have to be traditional.’

In fact, it’s taken three years for Ellie and Simon to create a home that reflects their individuality – and they probably wouldn’t have done it without the help of Ellie’s father. ‘It started with a bit of a misunderstanding,’ says Ellie. ‘My dad runs a building company and I brought him to see the property because I thought he’d like to buy it to renovate. Dad thought I was showing him because I was interested in buying it for myself and wanted his opinion. I didn’t take much persuading. The moment I saw inside I fell for it hook, line and sinker! It looks small from the outside but it’s like the Tardis – the rooms are really spacious.’

Ellie and Simon moved from a twobedroom terraced house nearby and moved in to start the renovation, but soon moved out again and into a rented flat until the main structural work was completed. The previous owners had turned the entire ground floor into a hairdressing business, and lived in the flat above the shop. With help from her dad, Ellie and Simon

COME ON IN...

WE ARE Ellie McManaman, I run a homewares and lifestyle gift shop, located below my home. I live here with my partner, Simon, who works in insurance. We have two pugs, Booey and Tank.

MY HOME Is a four-bedroom

Georgian town house in York. We bought it in June 2015.

MY BEST BARGAIN Was the wooden table that sits at the foot of our bed which cost just £5 from a charity shop.

I WOULD CHANGE The room upstairs that we’ve not done anything with yet – we hope to turn it into a study for Simon and an art studio for me.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM Is the dining area because it’s fun and a great space for socialising.

MY TOP TIP Is

to make sure your house reflects your personality – if you go against your instinct it won’t feel right.

wc

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 3

TOP FLOOR wc Bedroom 2

Hall

Lounge

FIRST FLOOR

Utility

Kitchen

Hall Dining room

These glass and brass display boxes from Ellie’s shop, Bare, echo the style of the mirrored cabinet from HomeSense

Shop

GROUND FLOOR

For stockists see page 120

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

87

Feature Heather Dixon Photos Dave Burton

Bedroom 1

REAL HOME Ellie’s favourite parts of the Schüller kitchen are the pendant extractor fans by Best and the Kartell stools. The picture and lamp are both from HomeSense

Good idea!

Turn practical appliances into design features, like these modern pendant extractor fans above the island unit. changed the layout to create a fourstorey home with Ellie’s homewares and lifestyle shop occupying one of the ground floor rooms. They rewired and re-plumbed throughout, moved a small first floor kitchen into a larger ground floor room, refitted the bathroom, reinstated fireplaces and extended into the loft to create two more bedrooms and a bathroom.

Before they could start decorating they had to scrape off 40 years’ worth of wallpaper. ‘It was fascinating to reveal one wallpaper layer after another,’ says Ellie.

‘It was like peeling back the history of the house. There was a lot of lino on the floors and we pulled all of that up too, in the hope of finding original floorboards.

Unfortunately, they had long gone, so we laid Amtico in the kitchen, dining room and hall and carpeted the rest.’

At first Ellie chose neutral colours

88

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

‘It was fascinating to see one wallpaper after another appear, like peeling back the history of the house.’ for the walls and was planning to buy traditional furniture, until she realised it wasn’t what she wanted. ‘I realised you can put modern colours and furniture into an old house, and that you can mix everything up,’ she says. ‘Once I decided to inject my own personality into it, everything began to feel right. We were starting from scratch with the furniture; our old things were too small and looked lost in the big rooms, so we scaled up. We brought a few belongings we couldn’t bear to part with but most of it has been bought since we moved in.’

The starting point for the bright-pink accent colour – which can be found in almost every room – was a Xoxo light, swiftly followed by the pink dining chairs.

‘It evolved by accident after that,’ says Ellie. ‘I loved the fun aspect of the pink and found myself buying lots of matching accessories. It’s such a fun colour.

REAL HOME

Good idea!

Ellie created her own abstract painting to hang over the sitting room fireplace using stretched canvas and acrylic paints.

An abstract canvas, painted by Ellie, pulls out the pink in the accessories such as the feather lamp from HomeSense. Large furniture including a Habitat sofa, comfortable armchair and statement coffee table from Barker & Stonehouse make the most of the spacious room

Pink feathers and flamingos combine in Ellie’s favourite table lamp – for a similar design try Maisons du Monde

Ellie paired two shades of EB Natural paint to create the stripe effect in the main attic bedroom. The Made bed is flanked by tables Ellie upcycled from their last house. The bedside lamps are from Dunelm and the framed pink poster on the floor is from Super Rural

‘As soon as I started to be true to myself and reflect my personality, it all fell into place.’

Simon doesn’t mind the pink – he just lets me get on with it.’

Although they have had to spend more on the larger furniture, Ellie has saved money by creating her own art work for the high walls, and weaving a few family pieces in with their own things to reduce the cost.

‘I love a good bargain and often pick things up from sale rooms or charity shops, which I combine with new furniture,’ says Ellie.

‘I’m drawn to things which are slightly offbeat and quirky. I want my home to have an element of fun and a big personality. It took a few false starts, but now the house is definitely me.’ YH

90

June 2019

Good idea!

Ellie used painter’s masking tape and a spirit level to ensure the lines between the stripes are poker straight.

The floor-standing mirror from Fully Furnished is painted pink and white to match the wall. A pink tub chair, bought online, and HomeSense armchair fit perfectly under the sloping attic roof. ‘Getting the furniture upstairs was a challenge,’ says Ellie.

‘There are a few chips in the walls as a result’

6

ideas to steal

Choose a striking piece of wall art to inspire the colours of a room scheme.

Flower Crown print, £25, Audenza

Leave a lasting impression with a neon feature light for the mantelpiece.

Miami neon flamingo, £10, Sainsbury’s Home

This pouffe can be used as foot stool, or a little seat in the bedroom.

Michelle Keegan velvet pouffe, £129.99, Very

A feature wall painted in Hague Blue

by Farrow & Ball gives the guest bedroom a cosy ambience. The bedside tables from IKEA flank a Made bed, with cushions from Fab Home Interiors and a throw from HomeSense

Team a grey sofa with a metallic side table to make a statement.

Etna granite side table, £149, Atkin and Thyme

Good idea!

Small but perfectly formed, this stylish chair is just the job for small spaces.

To create a feeling of space in the compact bathroom Ellie has painted the furniture and bath in the same dark grey shade.

The bathroom has been fitted out with traditional furniture and brassware by Heritage Bathrooms.

The tiles are from Monks Cross Tiles and Bathrooms

Michelle Keegan Sabina chair, £229, Very

Be inspired by Ellie’s love of pink flamingos with these salt and pepper shakers.

Flamingo salt and pepper shakers, £21, Hurn & Hurn

FREE!

copy of Living with FLowers by Rowan blossom

Worth £19.99

when you subscRibe today!

This month, we’re offering 18 new subscribers, selected at random, the chance to each win a copy of Rowan Blossom’s debut book, Living with Flowers: Blooms & Bouquets for the Home.

Based in Notting Hill, Rowan Blossom is a trained florist who specialises in dreamy, natural creations using nothing but seasonal flowers; learn how to make a floral chandelier or hang a curtain of flowers, fashion a festival crown, or tie a simple bouquet!

Full of trade secrets, Rowan’s book will teach you the basics every budding florist should know, before showing how to create more than 25 of her favourite floral masterpieces for every occasion. From tokens to the grandest of statements, these exclusive floral designs go beyond the traditional bouquet to brighten up every part of your home – even your wardrobe!

Rowan’s love of everything bohemian, vintage and natural plus her no-nonsense approach make this the perfect book for first-time flower-arrangers and anyone who wants to bring flowers into their home.

to find out more, visit www.laurenceking.com.

three easy ways to subscribe

u Lines are open 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri

Order online at www.mymagazinesub.co.uk/your-home Quote: yhom0619 Complete the form on the right and send to: fReepost hbm subscRiptions (no stamp or any other address details required) Call our subscription team on 01206 849077u Quote: yhom0619 l For subscription enquiries, email our subscription team at subs@yourhomemagazine.co.uk

= 18 winners will be randomly selected from new subscriptions taken out on or before 31st May 2019

=

"

just £4.95

per quarter fixed for 3 years

4

brilliant reasons to subscribe

no price increases!

Guaranteed for three years, no surprise price rises no contract Direct debit offer, you’re free to cancel at any time available to all Makes a great gift idea or why not treat yourself? We reward both loyal and new subscribers free delivery Hassle-free and delivered to your door

SubScribing iS eaSy: Send this coupon to: FREEPOST HBM SUBSCRIPTIONS choose from 2 easy ways to pay: Yes! I would like to pay £4.95 (UK ONLY) by Direct Debit every 3 months (complete form below) Yes! I would like to order the next 12 issues of Your Home for £19.99 by cheque or postal order your details Name ....................................................................................................

Telephone ..............................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................. ................................................................ Postcode ...............................

Email .....................................................................................................

Please send your Home as a gift to the person below Name...............................................................................................

Telephone ........................................................................................

Address............................................................................................ ...............................................................Postcode.........................

UK 1 year Europe (airmail) 1 year US/Canada (airmail) 1 year Worldwide (airmail) 1 year

£19.99 £45 £70 £82

I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ ................................................. made payable to Hubert Burda Media UK. Please charge my Visa/Mastercard/Switch/Amex £..............................

Name on card........................................................................................

Card no .................................................................................................

Start date (Switch only) ......................Issue no.(Switch only) .................

Expiry date.............................................................................................

Security code (last 3 digits on reverse) ....................................................

Signature ...............................................................................................

Credit card transactions are charged in £ sterling and converted at current rates.

I’m happy to be contacted by Your Home for relevant news and marketing purposes only.

You can find out about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy on our website.

instruction to your bank or building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the form and send to: FREEPOST HBM SUBSCRIPTIONS name and full postal address of your bank or building Society

Originators Identification Number

6 4 9 2 9 8

Cancel anytime (but we know you’ll love it!)

Never miss an issue of Your Home, full of everything you need to create your dream home on a budget!

To: The Manager

Bank/Building Society

Address

Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s)

Branch Sort Code

Bank/Building Society Account Number

Reference Number (for office use only)

y H o M 0 6 1 9 instruction to your bank or building society: Please pay Hubert Burda Media UK Direct Debits from the account detailed on this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Hubert Burda Media UK and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/ Building Society.

Signature(s) Date Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account

Food & drink Spend your weekends in the garden cooking our recipes on the grill

3 ways with... nectarines

This month we love...

Add these Heck Vegan Breakfast sausages to your plate this weekend. Rather than fake meat, they are filled with chickpeas, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, parsley, sage and black pepper, making them a tasty choice for vegans, vegetarians, or those who just fancy a change. Available from Sainsbury’s priced £2.50 for six.

Feature Laura higgins Image iStock

l to make a fruity frozen yogurt, purée 750g sliced nectarines with the juice of ½ lemon. Strain through a sieve then combine with 225g Greek yoghurt. Spoon into ice lolly moulds and freeze. l for a very simple and quick salad for four people, combine 4 ripe nectarines, quartered, with 500g cooked prawns, juice from 2 limes and a little grated ginger. Scatter with a few torn mint leaves and serve. l make your own nectarine lemonade for sipping in the sun. in a blender, purée 6 nectarines with the juice of 8 lemons. pass through a sieve then mix in 3 tablespoons honey. pour into 6 large glasses then top up with sparkling water, stirring well. Serve with ice cubes, slices of nectarine, and a few sprigs of mint or basil leaves.

If you do one thing this month...

Quench your thirst with Teapigs Super Fruit Tea, from £3.99 for 15 bags. Crammed with cranberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries and hibiscus, it’s delicious served iced and packed full of fresh berries.

Try me...

Eat me...

Buy me...

Add a wedge of Quicke’s Elderflower clothbound cheese to your hamper with some crusty bread, charcuterie and a jar of pickles, and you’ve got yourself a summer picnic. Buttery and delicately floral, the unusual cheese is available from quickes.co.uk, priced £5.30 for 200g.

did you know that rapeseed oil has eleven times more omega-3 than olive oil and has the lowest saturated fat content of all cooking oils? try Littleseed’s selection of oils, now available from ocado. the Extra Virgin British rapeseed oil, £3.15 for 500ml, is produced from the first pressing of the harvest, and is never chemically or heat treated, meaning that it retains most of its beneficial vitamins and minerals.

well known for presenting BBc’s Eat Well for Less? and Britain’s Best Home Cook, chris Bavin has brought out his own book with recipes that promise to help you save time, cook smart and eat well. Good Food, Sorted (£18.99, dk), has yummy ideas for energy-boosting breakfasts, quick mid-week dinners, and healthy snacks, as well as tips on how to batch-cook and freeze.

chEck out www.yourhomEmAgAzinE.co.uk/food for morE tASty rEcipES www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

95

Banging burgers

Whatever the weather, these recipes from DJ BBQ’s new title The Burger Book promise to hit the spot whether you cook them indoors or out OUTDOORS Kettle-style grill with lid, half and half technique INDOORS Not recommended for the lamb – this works best on the grill to get a good char MakeS 4

Lamb shawarma burger YOU WILL NEED 4½ deboned butterflied lamb shoulder, around 1-1.5kg 48 cherry tomatoes 41 tbsp olive oil 41 tbsp balsamic vinegar 4sprig thyme, leaves picked 44 ciabatta buns or flatbreads 48 baby gem lettuce leaves 41 small red onion, thinly sliced 4pickled jalapeños or chillies 4100ml natural yoghurt For the spice mix 42 tsp salt 41 tsp garlic granules 4½ tsp ground turmeric 41 tsp ground cumin 41 tsp ground coriander 41 tsp paprika 4½ tsp cayenne 4½ tsp ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS n This is a big one, so you need to get started early. Trim off any gristle and flatten out the butterflied shoulder with a rolling pin.

Using a sharp knife, cut the lamb into 10cm-wide pieces. n Stir all the ingredients for the spice mix together, then rub it all over the lamb. Make sure the meat is evenly covered with the spice mix. n Neatly stack the lamb pieces on a chopping board. Holding the pile of lamb secure with one hand, use a long and skinny sharp knife to pierce through the middle of all the lamb pieces vertically from top to bottom. Keeping the knife in place, take a skewer or a long metal spoon and slide it down beside the knife. Pull the knife out then pick up the end of the skewer or spoon and make sure the lamb kebab is secure. n Place the lamb over direct heat on the grill. Once you get a good char on the meat, turn it until the whole of the outside is cooked.

Move the lamb to the indirect side of the grill and put the lid on to make sure the middle is properly cooked through or at least blushing – lamb is best served medium, which could take 30-45 minutes. n When it’s cooked, the lamb needs to rest for about 10 minutes, which gives you time to roast your cherry tomatoes. Stick them in a small roasting tin, drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle with thyme leaves and salt. Put the tin on the grill, return the lid and roast until tender, about 15 minutes. If you’re doing this indoors, preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6 first. n Toast your buns and get ready for the build. When the meat is ready, with the stack upright, carve downwards to slice the meat off it.

Bottom bun first, then 2 lettuce leaves. Place a good portion of lamb on the lettuce. Follow that with the red onions and pickled jalapeños.

Drizzle some yoghurt, and top with the tomatoes and bun.

food & drink Grilled Indian lobster roll YoU WiLL nEEd

dirECTionS

42 medium-sized lobsters, killed humanely and halved lengthways 44 white poppyseed rolls 4handful fresh coriander, chopped For the lobster sauce 4vegetable oil, for frying 41 red onion, finely chopped 41 red chilli, deseeded and chopped 42 tsp garlic paste 42 tsp ginger paste 42 tsp ground coriander 41 tsp black pepper 4½ tsp ground turmeric 4pinch chilli flakes 4pinch ground cloves 42 tbsp toasted desiccated coconut 4100ml passata 4200ml coconut milk For the yoghurt sauce 4200g thick natural yoghurt 4zest 2 limes 4few sprigs of mint

n if you’re cooking outdoors, get your grill rocking. indoors, get the grill on your oven nice and hot. n Make the sauce for the lobster. Heat up a frying pan – either over direct heat on the grill or over a low-to-medium heat on the hob. Add some oil and slowly fry off the onion and chilli for 10 minutes until golden. Add in the garlic, ginger and spices, and cook gently for another 5 minutes. Add in the coconut, passata and coconut milk, and cook for another 15-20 minutes until rich and thick. Add a little water if it starts to catch. n next, make the yoghurt sauce. Mix the yoghurt with the lime and mint, and set aside. n Cook your lobster, shell side facing the heat (either indoors or outdoors), for just 2 minutes. Turn the lobster and cook for another minute on the other side. rest on a tray. Then carefully remove the half-cooked meat out of the shell and set aside – try to keep it intact. Heat up your lobster sauce and add the lobster meat. keep stirring for 2-3 minutes, until the lobster is cooked through. n Toast your rolls and lay them out for this most spicy of builds. Pile the bottom bun with the sliced lobster, spoon the yoghurt sauce over the top and finish with some coriander and the bun lid.

OUTDOORS Half and half technique, with a frying pan INDOORS Grill, plus a frying pan on the hob MakeS 4

Half and half technique You’ll cook the best burger if you have both indirect and direct heat on the grill. By this I mean one side of the cooker where there’s fuel heating the food above, and one where there’s no fuel, just the heat from it nearby. By having a direct side and an indirect side, you’ll have more control over the heat your food is getting. Food will still cook on the indirect side, as there’s always residual heat in the whole cooker. But it means you can move burgers from one side to the other to help you control the cook. This is called the half and half technique. Have the bottom and top pinwheels of your cooker fully open with this method. Get your coals cooking, lay them out over half of the base of your cooker. Leave one half of the base empty.

This gives you a medium-hot heat over the coals and a large indirect zone where you can move food if things get too hot.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

97

DJ BBQ’s buffalo cauliflower burger YOU WILL NEED 4100g butter 4150ml water 41 small cauliflower, cut into 2 steaks 4150ml DJ BBQ hot sauce (recipe below) 4200g self-raising flour 41 tbsp ground cumin 41 tbsp paprika 41 tbsp fine sea salt 4150ml mayonnaise 450ml full-fat milk 450ml cider vinegar 425g blue cheese, crumbled 4at least 2 litres vegetable oil, for deep-fat frying To serve 42 large soft buns 4lettuce, shredded 4pickles, sliced

OUTDOORS Not recommended INDOORS Saucepan on the hob, plus deep-fat fryer or deep saucepan MakeS 2

DIRECTIONS n Put the butter and water into a medium saucepan over a medium heat and bring to the boil. Add the cauliflower and simmer the steaks, turning every now and then, until the water has evaporated and the cauliflower is almost cooked through.

Season with salt and leave to drain onto a paper towel. n Add the DJ BBQ hot sauce to the remaining butter in the pan and whisk together until smooth – this is your buffalo sauce. n Mix the flour, cumin, paprika and the 1 tablespoon of salt in a large bowl.

In another large bowl, whisk the mayo, milk and cider vinegar until smooth. n Place half the mayo mix into another bowl for the blue cheese dressing. Add in the blue cheese and whisk until smooth, then set aside. n Pour the oil into a large saucepan, or you can use a deep-fat fryer, set it over a high heat and get that oil hot. Once the temperature reaches 180°C/350°F, you are good to fry. n Dip each cauliflower steak into the mayo mix (the one without the cheese), then dip into the flour mix, making sure they are fully covered. When the oil is hot, carefully drop the steaks into the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. n Layer up your buns with the cauliflower steak, then lettuce, buffalo sauce, and then add some blue cheese dressing to bring even more awesomeness – this will appease both your veggie friends and your meat-eating brethren!

DJ BBQ’s hot sauce of radness

OUTDOORS Half and half technique, with a frying pan INDOORS Frying pan on the hob SeRveS 10

YOU WILL NEED

DIRECTIONS

46 tbsp Mix of Rad (see below) 44 tbsp cola 42 tbsp apple juice 42 tbsp cider vinegar 42 tbsp ketchup 41 tbsp Dijon mustard 41 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 41 tbsp brown sugar 41 tbsp chilli powder For the Mix of Rad 42 tbsp brown sugar 41 heaped tbsp flaked sea salt 41 tbsp coarse ground black pepper 41 tbsp ground cumin 41 tbsp ground coriander 41 tbsp onion granules 41 tbsp garlic granules 4½ tsp mustard powder 4½ tsp chilli powder 4½ tsp chilli flakes

n First, make the Mix of Rad spice mix by throwing all the ingredients in a bowl and stirring until thoroughly combined.

Keep what you don’t use in this recipe for any other meat you need to throw on your grill. n Place all the ingredients for the hot sauce in a cast-iron frying pan, stir everything together and set over a medium heat, either on the grill or on the hob. Let it bubble away until thick and hot. n At this point, you can add 100g butter to the pan to turn this into a buffalo sauce.

food & drink Fleetwood Mac & cheese burger YoU WiLL nEEd For the mac & cheese 4175g macaroni 4200g red Leicester or Cheddar cheese, grated 425g butter 41 tbsp English mustard For the frickles 4at least 2 litres vegetable oil, for deep-fat frying 4100g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 4175ml lager or sparkling water 4jar sliced pickles, dill is better than sweet for that extra tang For the burgers 4500g beef mince 4knob of butter or a little vegetable oil 44 burger buns 4ketchup

dirECTionS n The mac & cheese needs to be made at least an hour in advance. it’s best to make it the night before or at least the morning of the cook, as you need to refrigerate it so it’s easier to shape and holds together well. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is drained, immediately add the grated

cheese, butter and mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until it has a smooth consistency. Then chill it! n now it’s frickle time. Pour the oil into a large, deep saucepan (or use a deep-fat fryer), set it over a high heat and get that oil hot. once it reaches 180°C/350°f, you are good to fry. n Whisk the flour and beer or water together in a mixing bowl, then season well. dust the pickles with flour. dip the floured pickles into the batter and carefully lower them into the pan or deep-fat fryer and cook till golden. This will usually take 3-4 minutes. remove and lay on paper towels to drain. n now it’s time to make the burgers. Get your cooking surface nice and hot – either sit your plancha over direct heat on the grill or your frying pan over a high heat on the hob. n divide the beef mince into four balls and flatten them into patties. Season with salt and pepper and throw them in the frying pan or plancha. if you’re cooking outdoors directly on

the grill, the meat might stick – don’t worry, the grill will release the meat when it’s ready.

Cook for 1-2 minutes, then flip, and repeat the process until they are done, about 6 minutes for medium. n Meanwhile, shape the chilled mac & cheese into four patties. Chuck the knob of butter or a glug of vegetable oil onto your cooking surface – plancha or frying pan set over a medium-hot heat, or less direct heat on the grill. When the fat is melted, carefully place your mac & cheese patties onto the cooking surface. fry until you have a nice brown crust, about 2 minutes, then very carefully flip and cook until the other side has a nice crust. n Make sure the burger is perfectly cooked, then remove your burgers and keep warm while you toast the buns. n When toasted, on the bottom bun add the meat patty, fried mac & cheese, a dollop of ketchup, the frickles and the toasted top bun.

Recipe extracts taken from The Burger Book by DJ BBQ (Quadrille, £12.99).

Photographs David Loftus

OUTDOORS Half and half technique, with a saucepan and plancha; not recommended for the frickles INDOORS Saucepan and large frying pan on the hob MakeS 4

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

99

Paneer hariyali YOU WILL NEED For the marinade 42 tsp cumin seeds 41 very large bunch fresh mint 41 very large bunch fresh coriander 46 green chillies 44 garlic cloves 45cm piece ginger 4juice 2 lemons 4150g plain yoghurt 4½ tsp amchoor (dried mango powder) 41 tbsp ground cumin 41 tsp chaat masala 4Ÿ tsp ajwain (carom) seeds 41 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) 42 tbsp gram (chickpea) flour 41 tbsp vegetable oil For the skewers 4400g paneer, cut into small cubes 41 red onion, quartered and cut into pieces the size of the paneer 41 green pepper, cut into pieces the size of the paneer 48 cherry tomatoes 4naans or chapattis, to serve

PreParatIon tIme 10 mInutes, Plus marInatIng tIme CookIng tIme 10-12 mInutes serves 4, or more as Part of a meal

DIRECTIONS n To make a mint and coriander sauce for the marinade, in a dry frying pan, roast the cumin seeds over medium-high heat until warm to the touch and fragrant but not yet smoking. Pour the roasted seeds into a blender or spice grinder with the mint, coriander, green chillies, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the yoghurt. Blend to a paste. If you are having trouble getting the ingredients to blend, add a little more lemon juice or a drop or two of water until you have a thick green paste. Whisk the remaining yoghurt into the paste until very smooth. Season with salt. n In a bowl whisk the rest of the marinade ingredients together with the sauce and add the paneer, red onion, pepper and tomatoes. Mix thoroughly and marinate for at least 10 minutes, or a few hours ahead of cooking. n Set the barbecue for direct cooking. n Skewer the paneer, onion, pepper and tomato. When ready to cook, place the skewers over the hot coals and cook for about 10 minutes, turning until the paneer cubes are cooked, soft and nicely charred. n Season with salt to taste and wrap into naans or chapattis.

Indian flavours to enjoy outdoors

Dan Toombs gives us his favourite barbecue dishes from his latest book The Curry Guy Veggie. Invite your friends over for a grilled veggie feast with a difference

Preparing your barbecue for indirect cooking

This is the method to use for roasting.

You will need a barbecue with a tight-fitting lid. Fill your barbecue basin with about two shoeboxes full of charcoal on one side, leaving the other side empty. Light the charcoal and let it heat up until white-hot, then place the barbecue grill over the top.

Place whatever it is you are roasting on the side with no coals and cover. If you are barbecuing in this way over an extended period of time, you will need to add a few handfuls of charcoal every half hour or so.

PreParation time 5 minutes CookinG time 10 minutes serves 4-6 as Part of a meal

Grilled spice and lime corn on the cob YOU WILL NEED For the corn 475g unsalted butter 44 long corn on the cobs 42 limes, quartered For the spice mix 41 tsp amchoor (dried mango powder) 41 tsp ground cumin 4½ tsp chaat masala 41 tsp chilli powder 41 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS n Set up your barbecue for direct cooking.

Place a tray near the fire with the butter on and let it melt. Mix together all the spice mix

ingredients on a serving plate and set aside. n When ready to cook, place your corn on the grate. As you hear the corn begin to crackle, turn it slightly and continue doing this until you have a mixture of yellow and blackened corn kernels.

n To serve, roll the corn around in the melted butter. Serve hot and tell friends to dip their corn in the spice mixture and then rub it all over the corn with the lime wedges, squeezing out the juice as they rub.

hasselback butternut squash PreParation time 15 minutes CookinG time 1 hour serves 2-4

YOU WILL NEED 41 large butternut squash 42 tbsp rapeseed oil 41 tsp brown mustard seeds 41 tbsp cumin seeds 420 fresh or frozen curry leaves 42 tbsp garlic and ginger paste 42 green chillies, finely chopped 41 tsp chilli powder 42 tbsp butter 43 tbsp date molasses or brown sugar 415 cashews, lightly crushed 43 tbsp finely chopped coriander, to serve

DIRECTIONS n Prepare your barbecue for indirect cooking. n Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds from the centre. You could peel the skin but I rarely do. It crisps right up and has a lot of goodness in it. Place the two halves, cut-side down, on a chopping board and, using a very sharp knife, make slits every 7-10mm. Be careful not to cut all the way through. I often use the same ingredients but cut the squash into cubes instead. It’s less of a faff, but I think you’ll agree hasselback slicing the squash turns a pretty basic dish into an eye-catching centrepiece. Placing a wooden spoon beside the base of the squash will help ensure you don’t cut too deep. If you do accidently cut the squash in half, all is not ruined! Just place the pieces together so it looks whole again. n Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When visibly hot, add the mustard seeds. When they begin to pop in the hot oil, stir in the cumin seeds and curry leaves and let them sizzle in the oil for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the garlic and ginger paste, chillies and chilli powder and continue cooking for another 30 seconds. n Place the squash, slit-side up, on a baking tray and rub this nicely seasoned oil all over.

Try to get the oil deep into the slits. Place the tray in your barbecue and cover. Cook for 40-50 minutes, or until the squash is cooked through and beginning to colour. You might need to add a little charcoal during cooking. n Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the molasses or brown sugar and the crushed cashews. When your squash is looking like it’s ready, smother it with the butter mixture and cook for a further 5 minutes. n To serve, transfer the squash halves to a warm serving platter. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the chopped coriander. www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

101

Coriander pesto, chilli and fresh tomato naan pizza YOU WILL NEED For the naan 4600g plain flour, plus more for rolling 41 tbsp salt 41 tsp baking powder 47g dried yeast 42 tbsp sugar For the pesto 4200g coriander leaves and stalks, chopped 43 garlic cloves 41-2 green chillies 430g roasted unsalted cashews 430g Parmesan, grated 4125ml extra virgin olive oil For the topping 4250g fresh buffalo mozzarella 42-3 fresh tomatoes, sliced

DIRECTIONS n To make the naan, sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Set aside.

Bring 210ml water to a rapid boil. Pour it into a jug and top with 210ml cold water. Stir in the yeast and sugar and leave for about 10 minutes. n When the yeast water is bubbly, make a well in the flour mixture and pour it in. Mix it all together with your hands for a minute, then leave to rest for 2 minutes. Then knead the dough as best you can for about 5 minutes. It will be very sticky but don’t be tempted to add more flour. Form into a ball, cover and leave to rise for an hour in a warm place. n Divide the dough into four balls and let them rest, covered, for about 5 minutes. Lightly dust the surface with flour and then, using a rolling pin or your hands, roll or stretch the dough out thinly until you have four pizza bases around 25cm in diameter. I find it a lot easier to pre-cook my pizza bases in a pan. n Heat a heavy-based pan, preferably cast iron, over a high heat until the base is extremely hot.

Slap the naan discs around between your hands to remove any excess flour. If using an electric hob, fry on the first side until bubbles begin to form on top. Then flip it over briefly to brown the other side. If using a gas hob, wet one side of the naan with water and slap it down hard on the pan, water-side down. The naan should stick to the pan. Fry until bubbles form on top.

Turn over the pan so that the gas flame browns the top. Gravity will make the bubbles larger and you will have a naan that looks like it came out of the tandoor. Pry the naan off the pan with a metal spatula or similar. Repeat with the other naans, then wrap in foil to keep warm. n Set your barbecue for indirect cooking. I use about 3 shoeboxes full of charcoal. You need to get your barbecue as hot as possible. n Meanwhile, to make the pesto, place all of the ingredients in a blender and whiz into a pesto. Season with salt to taste and set aside. n When your barbecue is flaming hot, spread the pesto equally over the pizza bases and top with the mozzarella and tomato slices. Place one or two of the pizzas on the cooler side of the grill and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is soft and the crust browned. Repeat to cook the remaining pizzas.

102

PreParation time 10 minutes, Plus PreParing the dough Cooking time 5 minutes Per Pizza makes 4 x 25Cm Pizzas

June 2019 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

food & drink Grilled mushrooms with fig and mozzarella stuffing and curry-leaf dressing

dirECTionS

YoU WiLL nEEd For the marinade 41 tbsp olive oil 41½ tbsp garlic and ginger paste 4pinch ground cumin 4pinch garam masala For the mushrooms 44 large flat mushrooms, with the stems cut off and reserved for the stuffing 4150g fresh buffalo mozzarella or a dairy-free mozzarella, roughly chopped 43 spring onions, roughly chopped 43 soft dried figs, finely chopped 41 green chilli, finely chopped For the dressing 41 large bunch (about 50) fresh curry leaves 41 garlic clove, smashed 41cm piece ginger, grated 42 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 42 tbsp lime juice 4pinch salt 4pinch red chilli powder 4½ tsp ground cumin

PreParation time 15 minutes CookinG time 20 minutes serves 2-4

n Set up your barbecue for indirect cooking. n While it is heating up, mix all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl, then add the mushroom tops. Coat them evenly and allow the mushrooms to marinate while you make the filling. n Mix the mozzarella, spring onions, figs, chopped mushroom stems and green chilli together in a bowl and season with salt to taste. now remove the mushroom tops from the marinade and fill them equally with the stuffing. n When your barbecue is up to heat, place the stuffed mushrooms over the cooler side and bake for about 20 minutes, until cooked through and browned on the top. n While the mushrooms are baking, make the dressing. This can also be done a day or so in advance. Place the curry leaves in a pestle and mortar and pound until the leaves are broken into small pieces, but not a paste. This helps release their flavour. now add the garlic and ginger and pound some more to incorporate. n Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk them all together until you have a nice thick, leafy dressing. Check for seasoning and set aside until ready to use. Place each of the baked mushrooms on a plate and drizzle the curry-leaf dressing over them to serve. n You can also make this recipe in the oven. Place a baking tray containing a wire rack in the oven and preheat it to 200°C/400°f/Gas 6. When your oven is up to heat, place the stuffed mushrooms on the rack over the baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, until cooked through and toasty brown on top.

Recipe extracts taken from The Curry Guy Veggie by Dan Toombs (Quadrille, £15) Photographs Kris Kirkham

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

103

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

ab Water L

Unified

el 5 l/min

h/p.a.

100 kW LOW

ENERGY

HIGH

+ºC -ºC

l.eu aterlabe opeanw www.eur

Every drop counts, look for the Label in store or visit: www.europeanwaterlabel.eu

Unified

Water Label

Home Improvement

Turn the page to see some inspiring small space getaways, perfect for a summer escape

Bijoux can be beautiful ‘Micro-living’ is gaining popularity due to increasing house prices, plus many people are choosing to live in smaller homes, wishing to declutter, downsize and live in a more minimal and sustainable way. There are plenty of ways to maximise a small space, and the experts as Quick-Step flooring have these top tips:

Ambient minimal light grey luxury vinyl click flooring, £31.99 per sq m, Quick-Step

Under pressure Sprucing up your home and garden is now even easier with Bosch’s new cordless pressure cleaner. With a powerful 16v battery and a 15-litre water tank, it gives you the freedom to clean anytime, anywhere, even without a power or water supply. So it’s perfect for everything from patios and garden furniture, to washing muddy bicycles. Plus, there’s a choice of four spray patterns and three pressure settings – the lowest is even suitable for flower beds or washing the dog!

Fontus pressure cleaner, around £269.99, Bosch

Feature Lisa hibberd

l Different colours create a variety of impressions.

Warm shades, for example, tend to pop out and advance, and thus make a room look smaller. Use light, cool tones on your walls, furniture, or floor to create a more expansive space. Dark floors are allowed as well – as long as you balance with lighter tones. l For a small floor, subtle is better. Avoid excessively grained wood species and big differences between planks. This can make a room seem very busy. l The direction in which you install floor planks is key.

If your room is rectangular, you can expand the space visually by placing the planks parallel to the longest wall. Float the floor in the same direction throughout all rooms to create a cohesive feel. Does your room receive plenty of natural light? See if you can run the boards along the axis of the light, so the joints are less noticeable. Alternatively, install the planks diagonally, which can create a more expansive feel. l Think vertically. Take advantage of empty walls and install wall-hung shelves and cupboards to expose the floor, instead of free-standing furniture which takes up valuable floor space.

Size up your options Ever wondered what your property-buying budget could get you in different regions of the UK? Home interiors specialist Hillarys’ new online tool lets you find out just that.

Simply input your budget and you’ll be given two house options with examples of the biggest and smallest dwelling you could purchase with your money. For example, a budget of £200,000 could buy you a five-bedroom property in Bradford, or a much more modest one-bedroom flat in St Albans. To try the tool, visit www.hillarys.co.uk/static/ mansion-or-maisonette.

These boots…

If you’re fed up with wellies and walking boots cluttering up your hallway, consider investing in an outdoor store. The posh Shed company’s design is made from pressure-treated timber, has a raised decking floor, and offers plenty of room for all of your outdoor footwear. Doors are available for an additional £80.

Contemporary boot store, £240, The posh Shed company

For More experT ADvIce AnD cASe STUDIeS go To WWW.yoUrhoMeMAgAzIne.co.Uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

105

This Luxury Summerhouse Garden Pod certainly has the ‘wow’ factor! It comes with a heater, Bluetooth audio system, power point, LED downlights, a dining table, two sofas and costs £16,995, www.cuckooland.com

Give yourself a small space getaway

Make a staycation even more fun with your very own private retreat

Plan the perfect garden party with this corner summerhouse, £719.99, Waltons s

Feature Hayley Gilbert

W

hether you’re looking to stay closer to home this summer or just want a snug little bolt-hole to use throughout the year, there are plenty of ways to create a compact getaway. Make yours earn its keep by using it as a home office or hobby room or give yourself a bigger project with the renovation of a shed, summerhouse or second home.

1

INVEST IN A SUMMERHOUSE

Larger and more comfortable than a shed and different to a conservatory as it’s a separate, standalone building, a summerhouse can provide the perfect escape. Many DIY retailers sell budget models while bespoke designs can be as large or as small as you like. Most won’t require planning permission, as it’s considered an outbuilding, but there are exceptions (such as if you live in a listed building or if you want to place it within five metres of your property) so check with your local authority before you buy. Think about its position – sunshine or shade, corner or central to the garden – as well as its style. Timber models work well with period houses while metal and glazed designs suit modern properties.

Relax and unwind in the Cacoon double hanging chair, which can also be used indoors and costs £345, www.smithersofstamford.com

The traditional Mickleton 8ft x 9ft summerhouse by Alton Summerhouses costs £5,494, www.greenhousepeople.co.uk

2

CREATE A HOBBY ROOM OR TEEN HANGOUT

For a garden room you can use all year, go for a purpose-built design that can be turned into a handy home office, a gym, a craft space or even somewhere for the teens to hang out. Invest in under-floor heating, a power supply and Wi-Fi and the room becomes more flexible to be used in all weathers and for all activities. Specialist companies will do the groundwork as well as full installation for you so it’s definitely worth considering as an investment and is cheaper than moving house if you just need a bit of extra space. Again, planning is not usually required, but always check first.

Exclusive to John Lewis & Partners, the Crane 3m x 3.6m The Hub Outdoor left-hand corner studio is FSC certified and costs £12,499

3

TAKE ON A RENOVATION PROJECT

It may be worth looking at property auctions to see if something cheap and cheerful comes up that you could transform into a luxury retreat. Use for family holidays and weekends away or advertise it as a holiday let for guests. Make sure you can afford it – it’s easy to get carried away – and stick to a budget for both the purchase and renovation costs. With a lot of hard work and care, it could even turn into a money-spinner.

Look out for unusual buildings that offer something different to the norm that will appeal to holidaymakers. Unique Home Stays is a great place to look online for inspiration, with everything from coastal retreats and secret garden escapes to boho hideaways and creative breaks.

Look for an old shepherd’s hut on eBay or similar and jazz it up with a fresh coat of paint. Hut and door painted in Mizzle No 266 Exterior Eggshell, £27 per 750ml, www.farrow-ball.com

4

SPlASH OUT ON A SHEPHERD’S HUT

You can find second-hand huts on sites such as eBay or www.preloved.co.uk and give them a whole new look by painting the outside and giving the interior an update with comfy seating, insulated flooring and maybe even a bed and wood burner. Keep it in the garden for a fun outdoor experience during the summer months and let the kids use it as a playroom. You can also buy new or reconditioned models on sites such as www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk where prices start from £21,540, or www.englishshepherdshut.co.uk, which cost from £16,800. If you want to rent it out as a holiday let, you’ll need to inform your local authority by applying for a ‘change of use’ for the land that your hut will be placed on and apply for the relevant permissions.

TURN OVER fOR MORE ADVICE Interior designer Jane Ashton has used Sian Zeng’s Tropical Bloom wallpaper to transform this vehicle into a Glamavan

Image www.janeashton.com

s

Visit www.uniquehomestays.com for exclusive and unusual places to stay. Ideal for inspiration for transforming your place or if you fancy a weekend away. Libertine is a luxury self-catering cottage on the north Cornwall coast

Insider info

5

PICK A POD

These portable, contemporary garden rooms don’t need planning permission and provide the perfect home-from-home glamping experience. Think Dick and Angel Strawbridge’s domes in their Channel 4 programme Escape to the Chateau. When assembled, the transparent igloo designs offer a panoramic view of the garden and keep themselves cool during the summer and warm in winter. For instance, the Garden Igloo (£849, www.cuckooland.com) can be built without tools and is made from non-corrosive recyclable materials as well as being wind, water and snow proof. Plus, there’s no foundation work to do either, simply secure the structure with the anchoring system provided.

Splash out on a decent tent or a yurt and you have an instant summer retreat at home or away. Lighting, from a selection, www.lights4fun.co.uk

‘With so many different shapes, sizes and styles available, think carefully about how you’ll use your summerhouse before making the final choice. For a versatile extra room, buy the biggest building you can afford. A corner summerhouse is an excellent way to make use of space in your garden. Go to town with the décor and landscape it well – you’ll use it so much more if there’s a well-lit path and a cosy welcome!’

Anna Sippel, Product Marketing Manager at Waltons, www.waltons.co.uk

6

Useful contacts n www.planningportal.co.uk for information and advice on whether you need planning permission for your small space getaway. n www.propertyauctionaction.co.uk has a nationwide list of auction houses and catalogues for potential renovation projects. n www.beach-huts.com has details of beach huts to buy and sell in all the popular locations. n www.gumtree.com and www.ebay.co.uk are good places to search for second-hand shepherd’s huts.

BAG A BEACH HUT

Extend your home-stay holidays by renting or buying a beach hut. Register your interest with the local estate agents and council and keep checking noticeboards on the beach itself as well as tourist information offices and websites so you don’t miss out when one comes up. Most councils won’t let you stay in them overnight but they do still provide the perfect sheltered day retreat for somewhere to get changed and chill out when you fancy a spot of lunch or a cuppa. If you’re looking to invest, make sure you budget for the extra costs that will include a yearly licence fee payable to either a private site owner and/or council, insurance (building and contents) as well as locks and any repainting and general upkeep.

Image Oliver Perrott Photography

Naturally cool in summer and warm in winter, a solid log cabin from Norwegian Log could be used as a chill-out space for teens, a home office, home gym or hobby room with prices from £15,233, www.norwegianlog.co.uk

s

CASE STUDY ‘We built a rustic getaway that was inspired by the African bush’ treehouse, as at its heart is a massive oak tree trunk supporting a hand-carved spiral staircase.

The concept of living closely with nature stems from owners Tim and Bryony Longden’s experience of living in the African bush for 17 years. ‘We ran an ostrich farm in a very remote place in Botswana,’ explains Bryony. ‘It was on the edge of a game reserve, where the lovely rustic lodges provided our inspiration when we returned to the UK.’ Moving back, but still wanting to live in an area with ‘a bit of wilderness’, they found their ideal home with land on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

An area of the country popular with holidaymakers, Tim and Bryony came up with the idea of offering unique accommodation after attending a yurt-making course and building their own design to start off their business.

Another followed before they began to consider building

Feature and photos Gill Rothwell

s

Snuggle up under a canopy of tree branches in the super comfortable double bed

s Bee’s Bower is the perfect place to escape from everyday life

Bee’s Bower. Designed in conjunction with a timber framer and former boat builder they met through their son, it’s almost entirely handmade from locally sourced and upcycled materials.

Even with the whole family being hands on, it took almost two years to complete the lodge, which is available to rent. Downstairs, the open-plan space comprises a kitchen and dining area, a living area with wood-burner, a free-standing copper bath and separate shower room with a composting WC. All this opens out onto the balcony, with an impressive view across the treetops. Upstairs, the bedroom nestles in the cosy eaves of the canvas roof.

Tim and Bryony’s aim was to ‘bring something of Africa and to give people an individual experience’. They have certainly achieved that with Bee’s Bower. For more information or to rent Bee’s Bower, contact the Cottage Company on 01873 890190 or visit www.the-cottagecompany.co.uk.

The spacious and rustic interior is dominated by the oak tree trunk that supports the staircase

s

I

t would be hard to find a more special getaway than Bee’s Bower, a beautifully crafted little wooden house perched at the top of a s Bryony now copse overlooking works part-time the lush valley while running the that surrounds it. family holiday From the outside, lettings business its appearance is somewhere between a log cabin and a tent, while on the inside it is pure rustic

On sale now for just £1.99!

5

reasons to get your hands on HomeStyle...

GRAB A BARGAIN! Must-have furniture, accessories and more at prices you really can afford GET INSPIRED Packed with savvy, quick and easy ideas to totally transform your home on a tight budget EXPERT ADVICE Need a hand with the practical side of creating your dream home? Our experts are here!

REAL HOMES Steal the style from over 40 pages of fab homes every issue UPCYCLING HACKS Our stunning on-trend ideas will literally save you a fortune

Or subscribe today!

ONLINE at homestylemag.co.uk ✆ CALL us on 01206 849077

8

CHECK US OUT

FaCEbOOK facebook.com/homestylemaguk TwiTTEr @homestylemaguk inSTagram @homestylemaguk PinTErEST pinterest.com/homestylemaguk

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win! a Triton Amore electric shower, worth £180!

EIGHT This month, we’ve teamed up with Triton Showers to give eight lucky winners each a stylish touch-screen electric shower

T

riton’s Affordable Style collection offers a comprehensive range of showers and accessories suitable for every interior and budget. The Amore shower will add a touch of style to any bathroom. Combining a contemporary look with sophisticated technology, this electric shower is available in three finishes (White Gloss, Brushed Steel and Black Gloss), to make an attractive centrepiece in any design-led space. Plus, the Amore also benefits from touch-screen controls, together with an OLED display, to confirm the chosen temperature and power setting – max, eco or cold.

The slender riser rail co-ordinates seamlessly with modern fixtures and incorporates a handy clip-on bottle holder so you can keep any essentials close to hand. Triton has also developed an anti-twist hose to prevent irritating kinks, along with a wide-diameter shower head with rub clean nozzles for simple maintenance.

up for grabs

for more information visit www.tritonshowers.co.uk.

HoW To enTer For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: Q: How many finishes is the Triton Amore electric shower available in?

A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 Visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk to enter. Simply click the WIn! tab, then fill in your details including the answer to the above question, before the closing date of 30th June 2019. Good luck!

Rules of entRy 1) The competition closes at midnight on 30th June 2019.

Winners will be notified after the closing date. 2) Subject to availability, non transferable or refundable. No cash alternative will be given. Prizes include delivery but not installation or removal of existing products or appliances, where applicable.

3) Open to residents in the UK (mainland), over age of 18, except employees of Hubert Burda Media UK or companies involved in these promotions. 4) Entrants must be homeowners where decorating/renovation work is required for the prize. 5) Only one entry per person. 6) The winners must be willing to participate in publicity if required.

7) The Editor’s decision is final. Correspondence will not

be entered into. 8) The winners are selected at random, from correct entries received, after the competition end date.

9) Prizes are valid for six months after the date of the draw, and the prize will be withdrawn if it is not claimed within this period. 10) Hubert Burda Media UK and companies involved in these promotions may use your details to advise of products and services. Details are occasionally available to vetted companies. 11) Allow 8-10 weeks from selection to completion. 12) Reproduction of this competition, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Hubert Burda Media UK reserves the right to prosecute offending parties.

13) One Amore 8.5kW electric shower in White Gloss will be given to eight readers.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

111

PARTY PENSTEMON

Snowstorm

rare | unusual | exciting

BUY 12 FOR

Amelia Jayne

£12

THAT’S ONLY £1 PER PLANT

Heavenly Blue

Blackbird

Sour Grapes

Garnet

Raven

Alice Hindley

Maurice Gibb

Flamingo

Midnight

Apple Blossom

DRIPPING BELL-SHAPED FLOWERS WILL FILL YOUR GARDEN WITH COLOUR FOR OVER SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR

Penstemon will become the insomniac party animals of your garden. Summer arrives and they’re flowering, summer ends and they are still at it, autumn turns up and they are still flowering relentlessly. Oblivious of drought or rain, resists slugs and other pests, thrives in most soil conditions in sun or part shade and propagates so painlessly. Easy to grow too. Height 60-90cm (24-36"). Spread 45-60cm (18-24").

Hardy perennials. Delivered with our No Quibble Guarantee within 14 days as well-rooted young plants approx. 6" from root base to stem tip.

ORDER • ONLINE hayloft.co.uk • PHONE 0844 335 1088 QUOTE YH0619 YH0619

SEND THE COUPON TO: Hayloft Plants, FREEPOST RTGR-JAGJ-JETG, Pensham, Pershore WR10 3HB NAME & ADDRESS

PLEASE SEND

ITEM CODE

PRICE QTY

12 PLANTS (one of each) YPPEN12-YH0619

£12

P&P (UK ONLY)

£4.95 TOTAL DUE

Postcode Tel

Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code (CV2)

I enclose Cheque/PO made payable to Hayloft Plants Ltd or please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Maestro Card no.

TOTAL

Expiry date

EMAIL Thank you, we may update you on your order and we will invite you to sign up for our special offers.

Start date

Issue no

CV2

Thank you for your details which will be kept securely and will not be shared with third parties. We may send Hayloft gardening catalogues in the future, if you prefer not to receive them, please call 01386 562999. Occasionally the advertised delivery date may change, however, this will be clearly stated on your order confirmation.

HAYLOFT PLANTS, MANOR FARM NURSERY, PENSHAM, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE WR10 3HB

Gardening Blooming ideas for display, plus our pick of hand-protectors William Morris Dahlia Collection including ‘Bacardi’, ‘Fairway Spur’ and ‘Totally Tangerine’, £28.95 for three 3l plants, sarah raven

Cut a dash with dahlias

Dahlias are ideal for growing as cut flowers, providing a season-long supply of colourful blooms from mid summer through to autumn. Ideally, they should be cultivated from tubers in indoor pots from mid March but you can plant them into borders in May – as long as the frosts have finished. Sarah Raven’s pink and coral William Morris Collection will make a stunning display from July to November. Available by mail order, the trio of tubers are accompanied by thorough planting, spacing and cultivating instructions. Here are Sarah’s tips for a bountiful crop: l Tubers should be potted up when they arrive and kept in a light, frost-free place until the frosts are over and then planted into the garden. l They’re quite hungry so be sure to use a rich compost and remember to water regularly. l If you grow a taller variety, you’ll need to stake them. l Once they’re flowering, either pick or deadhead them down to the leaf to promote more flower formation.

Photo Jonathan Buckley

Events 8th-9th June

Open Garden Squares Weekend, London tour over 130 of the capital’s gems including 10 downing street, on show via a public ballot. plus, peruse rooftops and railway gardens. www.opensquares.org.

A bouquet for all seasons

16th June

With gardens about to hit peak flower, now is the time to get creative. You’ll find endless inspiration in Rowan Blossom’s new book Living With Flowers: Blooms & Bouquets for the Home (£19.99, Laurence King). The fashionista-turned florist guides you through her ‘recipes’ from simple sprigs in jam jars, rustic kitchen displays and handtied bouquets, to showstopper urns and dramatic tablescapes. We’re coveting the boho crown for our go-to summer party look. As well as beautiful photography, the book includes a handy kit list and guide to prepping flowers for long-lasting seasonal displays. For a chance to win yourself a copy, turn to page 92 in this issue of Your Home.

Dad’s Day Barbecue & Family Nature Trail, Barnsdale Gardens Bring your dad for the day and he’ll receive a free homemade burger and beer. if it all proves too much he can have 40 winks in a deckchair in the snoozing area while the family explores the magical midsummer gardens. www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

8th–9th June

Rose Weekend, RHS Garden Hyde Hall take in rose-themed demonstrations, talks, walks and stalls and round off your visit with a cream tea. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall.

3 OF THE BEST... gardening gloves

British Bloom gloves

by Burgon and Ball, £15, rhs

Pretty but practical, these are made from soft waterproof leather to protect your hands and long linen cuffs to shield arms – plus they’re handmade in Shropshire.

Floral English leather & linen gardening gloves, £28, Bradleys the tannery

Pro gardeners swear by these all-rounders: with textured palm pads for grip and protection, neoprene knuckle ‘shock absorbers’ and reinforced fingertips, they’ll make light work of heavy-duty tasks.

Feature alice Butler

With 19th-century botanical illustrations of dahlias and peonies, these have cushioned palms and gathered wrists to prevent debris getting inside.

Ultimax pink gloves, £15.99, town & country

For more expert advice and inspiration go to www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

June 2019

113

Feature and photos Louise Midgley

Inthisyourmonth... garden The longest day of the year falls this month so make the most of the light, balmy evenings in your garden

what to do in the flower garden

over in the border (above right). You don’t need to invest in expensive cane toppers, instead use old discarded snail shells, reuse planted containers and hanging baskets corks from wine bottles or pop a small (left). Invest in either seasonal plants which terracotta plant pot on the end. will need replacing in autumn or choose hardy specimens that can be left until their Tie in the new growth of clematis (above roots outgrow the container space. left), sweet peas and annual climbers; With extra daylight hours, plants will be keeping them upright and off the ground will having an energetic spurt of growth, prevent slugs feasting on their new shoots. so keep a ball of string and scissors handy Keep an eye on the level of water in your to tie in new shoots of tall perennials and pond and top it up if hot weather causes climbers. Dahlias need their elongated extreme evaporation. Rain water is best if you stems supported onto sturdy stakes; if left have any stored in water butts, as tap water untethered they are prone to breaking off is high in nitrates. Remove blanket weed and on windy days. duckweed from ponds if they are covering the Cover the ends of bamboo canes to surface and leave for a few days by the side of avoid any accidents when you bend the water to allow any wildlife to decamp. up the entrance to your home ✓ Spruce by dressing it with a selection of stylishly

✓

✓

✓

✓

Photo courtesy of Dobbies

GARDEN INSPIRATION

what to do on the veg plot vegetables grown in containers, ✓ Any should be given a fortnightly feed

once they begin to flower or put on substantial growth, this keeps the soil topped up with the right nutrients.

Tomatoes in particular will give a better yield when regularly fed. Seasol organic seaweed concentrate (below) is a natural plant tonic that’s rich in trace elements, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. A one litre bottle, £7.99 from Mr Fothergills, will provide excellent chemical-free nourishment for your plants.

Explore the colourful world of vegetables by growing multicoloured carrots and beetroots. Both crops are easy to grow (although carrots will need free draining soil to allow the easy passage of the root) and can be sown now. They are both delightfully versatile in the kitchen; roast them in olive oil, puree them into soups, grate carrots into salads and pickle beetroots to store in jars for months on end. Suttons sells seeds of Rainbow Mix Carrots, £1.75 for 190 seeds (below left), and Rainbow Mix Beetroot, £1.99 for 250 seeds (above).

Continue to sow brassica crops of turnips and Kohl rabi for an autumn harvest. Protect the young plants from pigeon damage by covering them with horticultural fleece or mesh.

Plant runner beans outside now that the threat of frost has passed. They can be grown against a simple wigwam of canes or against a parallel row of supports.

Plant of the month

Astrantias are stars of a summer border both in performance and appearance. Their little pincushion heads, encased in starry-shaped bracts, can be found in muted shades of pink, white and green through to more vibrant hues of deep rose, burgundy and raspberry.

Give them a spot in semi-shade, in a humusrich, moisture-retentive soil and they will reward you with a mass of blooms from May to August. Avoid planting in sandy soil unless you can bulk it up with organic matter first and keep them well watered in summer.

Despite their delicate appearance, Astrantias need no staking, are resistant to slugs and snails and are hardy in winter, making this robust perennial an excellent choice for low maintenance gardens.

✓

✓

Photo Courtesy of Westland

✓

Kohl rabi ‘Purple Vienna’, £1.75 for 500 seeds, Mr Fothergills

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

115

Photos RHS/Tim Sandall

what to do in the fruit garden

trees tend to have good and bad years fruit trees that benefit from ✓ Other ✓ Plum of producing fruit. A heavy crop one year thinning include apples (left), pears,

is often followed by a poor crop the next. You can help alter this cycle by thinning some of the small fruits when the branches are heavily laden.

This also reduces the risk of branches snapping under the weight of the fruit, something plum trees are very prone to do.

peaches, nectarines and apricots but wait until after they have naturally shed some fruits, a process known as the ‘June drop’ which usually occurs at the end of the month.

If you have enjoyed picking fresh figs while on holiday abroad, then give them a go in your own back garden (right). Figs need a sunny, sheltered position to produce a crop that will ripen. They also prefer to have their root growth restricted, so plant your fig tree into a pot only one size bigger than the one it’s in. When given too much space they tend to produce an abundance of leaves rather than fruits. Edible figs are self-fertile plants so will pollinate and set fruit on their own, without the need of pollinating insects.

Good varieties to grow in the UK include Brown Turkey, Violetta and Brunswick.

✓

Going underground

Good things are worth waiting for and none more so than biennial bloomers.

Biennials are slow burners, they produce foliage in their first year and flower in the second, completing their life cycle after they have set seed. After flowering, many will self-seed freely and once introduced will linger in various corners of the garden for years to come. Classic garden favourites include foxgloves (below left), sweet Williams, honesty, wallflowers and sweet rocket. June is the traditional month to begin sowing seeds of these leading lights as the milder temperatures will aid their germination.

Sow the seeds into small pots or modules and remember to water them over the summer months. Transplant the established seedlings into borders in September. The little plants will hunker down over winter, start back into growth in early spring and dutifully produce beautiful flowers. Slightly more unusual biennials that deserve a place in any garden include Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica (below right); a highly-scented plant that produces multi-branching strong stems smothered in soft blue and white flowers encased in lilac and white bracts.

Also, Dianthus barbatus nigrescens ‘Sooty’; an exquisite sweet William that has mahogany foliage and the deepest chocolate-coloured flowers plus Angelica gigas; a statuesque plant that carries crimson domed flowers on strong winecoloured stalks.

Dianthus barbatus nigrescens ‘Sooty’, £2.50 for 50 seeds, Avon Bulbs

116

June 2019

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Extend an invitation to wildlife

Photo courtesy of Thompson & Morgan

Several species of our native butterflies, along with many other pollinating insects are on the decline.

This is thought to be caused by a combination of factors which include loss of habitat, widespread use of pesticides and nitrogen pollution in the atmosphere. Gardeners can increase the chance of seeing butterflies in their gardens by growing plants that produce nectar-rich flowers, known to be their favourites. In doing so, they may help save numbers of these beautiful insects from dwindling further. While some butterflies congregate in specific habitats such as chalk downland or coppiced woodland, there are others that will happily frequent our suburban and rural gardens looking for food and the right environment to lay their eggs. Top of the menu are plants that are easy to feed from with simple or single flowers. Butterfly Conservation, a charity devoted to saving butterflies, moths and their habitats throughout the UK recommends the following top five beneficial plants for butterflies: Verbena bonariensis and Buddleja davidii, which provide a hearty meal for our winged visitors in summer/ early autumn; Lavender; Marjoram (Oregano) and the perennial wallflower Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ are also great sources of nectar and suitable for growing in containers if space is tight.

latin lesson

salad bowl

For the price of a bag of salad leaves which have a limited life once opened, you can buy one packet of salad seeds that, with a few successional sowings, will feed a family for weeks.

Salad leaves are available in a wide variety of flavours that include delicious herby, spicy and Oriental mixes. Or you may prefer to grow single varieties separately and mix them into different combinations depending on the dish you are serving. Seeds can be sown outdoors in pots or growing bags filled with multi-purpose compost. Cover the tiny seeds with a thin layer of compost and be sure to keep them well watered.

Repeat this every few weeks from now until September and as soon as one pot has been depleted the next crop will be mature enough to pick from. Most salad crops do best in a sunny position but many varieties cope perfectly well in a slightly shady spot too. Get the most from each sowing by treating the young plants as cut-and-come-again crops rather than harvesting the whole lot in one go. Pick a few random, baby leaves regularly from each plant avoiding any damage to the central growing point which will continue to produce new leaves.

Salad Leaves Mixed Spicy, £2.35 for 650 seeds from Mr Fothergills, is a mix of tangy and peppery salad leaves

The contribution foliage makes to a planting scheme is not to be underestimated. It can be a great foil for flowers to radiate against or provide its own unique charm in the form of a stand-alone specimen. In addition to uniform green, look for plants with foliage in unusual shapes and forms in shades of silver, burnt amber, lime, maroon and watery blues.

The Latin name may indicate the colour, shape or size of the foliage. Macrophylla denotes large leaves and microphylla small

Ligustrum variegatum

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’

leaves as in Hydrangea macrophylla and Buxus microphylla – the little leaf box.

Rotundifolia – round leaved, latifolia – wideleaved, longifolia – long shaped leaves and polyphylla – with many leaves. Quercifolia tells us this plant has leaves similar in shape to those on an oak tree, as in Hydrangea quercifolia. Variegatum indicates the leaves are two-tone, as in Ligustrum variegatum.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

117

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win!

We have £3,887 worth of fab prizes up for grabs!

Win £500 worth of worktops from Worktop Express

One lucky winner

We’ve teamed up with Worktop Express, one of the UK’s leading online worktop specialists, to give one lucky winner £500 worth of quality kitchen worktops.

Worktop Express’s products range from traditional solid wood including oak and a striking striped Zebrano, to contemporary slimline 12mm-thick solid laminate surfaces, plus lookalike stone or marble-effect finishes. With competitive prices, outstanding customer service and next-day delivery on most standard worktops, as well as a bespoke option allowing you to customise your worktops before they arrive, Worktop Express is the ultimate one-stop worktop shop. For further information on the range of products available, visit www.worktop-express.co.uk.

Win a case of wine from Proudly Vegan Enter now to win a case (6 bottles) of Sauvignon Blanc from Proudly Vegan wines. Enjoying a wine that’s delicious and supports the ethical and environmental benefits of veganism is easy with Proudly Vegan. Clearly labelled, it’s vegan-friendly right down to the ink and glue on the label and is registered by The Vegan Society. This delightful wine from Chile’s Central Valley is zesty and refreshing, with tropical fruit aromas and hints of mouth-watering lime. It’s the perfect partner to a pea, green bean or asparagus risotto dish, lemon and garlic pasta, or even a bowl of mushrooms braised with coriander and ginger. To find out more, visit www.proudlyveganwines.com, or place an order with Ocado or Amazon.

118

June 2019

10 lucky winners

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Win a Bosch Fontus and GlassVAC

Three lucky winners

In celebration of Bosch’s new cordless cleaning products, we’re giving one winner a Fontus and a GlassVAC, and two runners-up each a GlassVAC! Marking the first cordless window vacuum from Bosch, the GlassVAC is the perfect tool for cleaning windows, mirrors, tiles and showers, and vacuuming up spillages. Featuring a patented Power Protection Plus rubber coating, the wiper blades ensure streak-free results and quicker cleaning times without any annoying, squeaking sounds. Bosch’s Fontus, a cordless pressure cleaner, features 12 cleaning variants and a SmartBrush, making it ideal for washing bikes, garden furniture, plant pots, boots and even the dog!

Find out more information at www.bosch-do-it.com.

Win a pair of tickets to The Festival of Quilts 16 pairs up for grabs

This month, we’re giving 16 lucky winners each a pair of tickets to The Festival of Quilts. Known as Europe’s ultimate quilting destination, the show takes place from 1st - 4th August 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Festival features extraordinary galleries from internationally acclaimed artists and groups, drawing visitors from all over the world! Headline artists this year include Michael James, India Flint, the International Quilt Study Center & Museum from Nebraska, plus many more. Festival highlights include over 800 competition quilts; more than 400 workshops; a daily Trunk Show by YouTube sensation Jenny Doan from the Missouri Star Quilt Company; talks, lectures and demonstrations; artists at work in a live studio environment; a full social events programme; plus over 300 exhibitors selling essential supplies! To find out more, visit www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk.

Win!

Win!

Win!

Win a lawnmower and trimmer from Flymo We’ve teamed up with the gardening superbrand Flymo to give two lucky winners each a neat and nifty cordless Mighti-Mo 300 Li lawnmower and trimmer twin pack to help you achieve the perfect lawn without the usual palaver.

Lightweight, compact and quiet, with the capacity to effortlessly mow a lawn up to the size of a tennis court on a single charge, the Mighti-Mo 300 is a surprisingly powerful wheeled lawnmower that uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, meaning you can say goodbye to battling with extension cables.

Also included in the prize is the Mighti-Trim, a convenient Lithium-Ion battery powered cordless trimmer, covering all your gardening needs. Head over to www.flymo.com/ uk for more information on Flymo and the product range.

Worth £250!

Win!

Win!

Win an overnight stay in Eastbourne

One lucky winner

Enter now for the chance to win an overnight stay* for two people at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne, with two VIP passes to the Pilots Enclosure at the Eastbourne International Airshow.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the air show’s display line, then finish your amazing day with a two-course dinner at the Beach Deck restaurant and take in the sunset with its sensational views over the sea. With boundless beaches aplenty and the South Downs National Park just around the corner, Eastbourne has everything you need for the perfect getaway.

To find out more, visit www.visiteastbourne.com. *Overnight stay at Hydro Hotel valid for 15th August 2019 with bed & breakfast.

VIP tickets to Airbourne valid on 16th August 2019.

Win a sleek Cricut Maker machine We’ve teamed up with Cricut to give one lucky winner a Cricut Maker machine! The sleek Cricut Maker makes interior design exciting and easy, allowing users to create an array of items from cushions and photo frames to cards and gifts for the whole family using over 50 different materials. From the most delicate papers and fabrics to dense, thick materials such as heavy chipboard, matboard and leather, the Maker’s revolutionary toolset includes a rotary blade, knife blade and washable fabric pen, enabling it to cut, write on and score more materials than ever before. Compatible with the Design Space software suite, creatives can access a selection of designs and sewing patterns to be cut instantly.

Find out more at www.cricut.com.

One up for grabs

Win a Mountfield batterypowered lawnmower!

The Mountfield Princess 38Li battery-powered lawnmower is quiet, lightweight and easy to use.

That’s why this month we’re giving one lucky winner one of these fantastic landscaping tools along with two 2Ah batteries and a charger! Powered by the latest 48-volt lithium-ion batteries, this mower also has a cutting width of 38cm, an integrated rear roller, single-height cut adjuster and front comb to improve cutting performance. Plus, you can choose to collect the grass clippings in the 40l collector, or just insert the mulching plug to finely cut the grass clippings into a nitrogenrich mulch. Find out more at www.mountfieldlawn mowers.co.uk.

One lucky winner

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, click on the WIN! tab, then fill in your details.

Rules of entry 1) The competitions close at midnight on 30th June 2019, unless otherwise stated. Winners will be notified after the closing date. 2) Subject to availability, non transferable or refundable. No cash alternative will be given. Prizes include delivery but not installation or removal of existing products or appliances, where applicable. 3) Open to residents in the UK (mainland), over the age of 18, except employees of Hubert Burda Media UK or companies involved in these promotions. 4) Entrants must be homeowners where decorating/renovation work is required for the prize.

5) Only one entry per person. 6) The winners must be willing to participate in publicity if required. 7) The Editor’s decision is final. Correspondence will not be entered into. 8) The winners are selected at random, from correct entries received, after the competition end date. 9) Prizes are valid for six months after the date of the draw, and the prize will be withdrawn if it is not claimed within this period. 10) Hubert Burda Media UK and companies involved in these promotions may use your details to advise of products and services. Details are occasionally available to vetted companies.

11) Allow 8-10 weeks from selection to completion. 12) Reproduction of this competition, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Hubert Burda Media UK reserves the right to prosecute offending parties.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019

119

Shopping guide A

38

Abakhan 01745 562133 www.abakhan.co.uk Abode Living 01273 621116 www.abodeliving.co.uk ACR Stoves 0121 706 8266 www.acrstoves.com Alex and Alexa 0870 068 8659 www.alexandalexa.com Amara 0800 587 7645 www.amara.com Amazon www.amazon.co.uk Ambient Electrical 0800 783 5366 www.ambient-elec.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 www.anniesloan.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476 www.anthropologie.com Argos www.argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 www.artisanti.com Atkin and Thyme 0844 409 9834 www.atkinandthyme.co.uk Audenza 0116 298 6393 www.audenza.com Avanti 01384 262200 www.avantikb.co.uk Avon Bulbs 01460 242177 www.avonbulbs.co.uk

B

B&M 0330 838 9000 www.bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 www.diy.com Bacofoil www.bacofoil.co.uk Barker & Stonehouse 01423 510090 www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 www.bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Bathrooms to Love 0800 877 8899 www.bathroomstolove.uk Bathstore 0330 053 5661 www.bathstore.com Beko www.beko.co.uk Bloc Blinds www.blocblinds.co.uk Bobby Rabbit 0114 321 7000 www.bobbyrabbit.co.uk Bosch www.bosch-do-it.com Bosch Smart Home 00800 8437 6278 www.bosch-smarthome.com Bradleys The Tannery 01746 766563 www.bradleysthetannery.co.uk Broste Copenhagen www.brostecopenhagen.com

C

Caple 0117 938 1900 www.caple.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 www.carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston 01480 424477 www.cathkidston.com Christy 0161 367 5800 www.christy.co.uk Cico Books 020 7025 2200 www.rylandpeters.com Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 www.clarke-clarke.com Cole & Son 020 8442 8844 www.cole-and-son.com Coleman www.coleman.eu Cormar www.cormarcarpets.co.uk Cricut 0808 101 7032 www.cricut.com Crown Paints 0330 024 0281 www.crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland www.cuckooland.com Cuprinol 0333 222 7171 www.cuprinol.co.uk

D

G

Darlings of Chelsea www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 www.debenhams.com Dibor 0800 408 0660 www.dibor.co.uk Dimplex www.dimplex.co.uk DK www.dk.com/uk Dobbies www.dobbies.com Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 819 9985 www.dowsingandreynolds.com Dr. Beckmann www.dr-beckmann.co.uk Drayton www.draytoncontrols.co.uk Dreams www.dreams.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 www.dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 www.dunelm.com Dyson www.dyson.co.uk

Garden Trading 01993 845559 www.gardentrading.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 www.asda.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 www.giselagraham.co.uk Go Outdoors 0330 008 1555 www.gooutdoors.co.uk GoPro www.gopro.com Graham & Brown www.grahambrown.com Graham & Green 01225 418200 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Great Little Trading Co www.gltc.co.uk Grohe www.grohe.co.uk Grundig www.currys.co.uk

E F

H

Earthborn Paints 01928 734171 www.earthbornpaints.co.uk eBay www.ebay.co.uk Etsy www.etsy.com

Fab Home Interiors 01539 446200 www.fab-home.co.uk Falcon 0800 804 6261 www.rangemaster.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 www.farrow-ball.com Field Candy www.fieldcandy.com Flymo 0344 844 4558 www.flymo.com/uk Frontline Bathrooms 0845 470 2424 www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Funky Little Darlings 01993 898834 www.funkylittledarlings.co.uk

Habitat 0344 499 4686 www.habitat.co.uk Harlequin 0845 123 6815 www.harlequin.uk.com Heck www.heckfood.co.uk Hema www.hema.com Hillarys 0800 916 6516 www.hillarys.co.uk Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk HomeSense 01923 473561 www.homesense.com Hotpoint 0344 822 4224 www.hotpoint.co.uk Hurn & Hurn 01603 559250 www.hurnandhurn.com

Where to buy everything in this issue

I

Iconic Lights 0161 837 6092 www.iconiclights.co.uk IKEA 0845 358 3363 www.ikea.com Industville 020 7971 7871 www.industville.co.uk InSinkErator 01923 375349

Not Just Jugs www.notjustjugs.com Not on the High Street 020 3318 5115 www.notonthehighstreet.com Nubie www.nubie.co.uk Nutmeg Studio 01908 915705 www.nutmegwallartstickers.co.uk

J

O

JD Williams Home 0345 071 9018 www.jdwilliams.co.uk JML www.jmldirect.com John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 www.johnlewis.com Joules www.joules.com

K L

Katie Jane Home 01202 422600 www.katiejanehome.com

Lakeland 01539 488100 www.lakeland.co.uk Laurence King Publishing 020 7841 6900 www.laurenceking.com Lawrence Coulson www.lawrencecoulson.com Layered Lounge 01753 873111 www.layeredlounge.com Leather AA www.amazon.co.uk LIFX www.uk.lifx.com Lightbulb World 0845 683 0503 www.lightbulbworld.co.uk Lights4fun 01423 816040 www.lights4fun.co.uk Lime Lace 0330 058 4158 www.limelace.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 www.littlegreene.com Littleseed www.littleseed.co.uk Lovely Sofas 0800 029 4949 www.lovelysofas.com

M

M&S 0333 014 8000 www.marksandspencer.com M+P Art 01993 868706 www.mandp.art Made 0344 257 1888 www.made.com Magnet www.magnet.co.uk Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 www.maisonsdumonde.com Make + Wonder www.makeandwonder.com Mamas & Papas www.mamasandpapas.com Marrakech www.marrakechdesign.se/en Matalan 0333 004 4444 www.matalan.co.uk Methven 0800 195 1602 www.methven.com Modern Country Style Interiors 0333 880 2458 www.moderncountrystyleinteriors.co.uk Modern Rugs 01388 663738 www.modern-rugs.co.uk Mokee www.mokee.eu Monks Cross Tiles and Bathrooms 01904 415527 www.thetilecompany.co.uk Mountfield 0800 669 6325 www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk Mr Fothergills 0333 777 3936 www.mr-fothergills.co.uk MY Furniture 0800 092 1636 www.my-furniture.co.uk

N

Never Perfect Studio www.neverperfectstudio.com Newgate www.newgateworld.com Next 0333 777 8000 www.next.co.uk

Oasis 0345 257 3333 www.oasis-stores.com OKA 0333 004 2042 www.oka.com Olive’s Nest 01904 670052 www.olivesnest.co.uk Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 www.oliverbonas.com Otto Tiles 020 3488 3205 www.ottotiles.co.uk

P

Paperchase 020 3322 4788 www.paperchase.co.uk Pets Corner www.petscorner.co.uk Plyconic www.plyconic.com Poundland 0333 234 1877 www.poundland.co.uk Primark www.primark.co.uk Primus www.primus.eu Proudly Vegan Wines www.proudlyveganwines.com Pure Bathroom Collection 0845 634 4321 www.purebathroomcollection.co.uk

Q R

Quadrille www.hardiegrant.com Quick-Step 02830 250477 www.quick-step.co.uk

Rearo 0141 440 0800 www.rearo.co.uk Red Candy 0121 224 7728 www.redcandy.co.uk Rex London 020 8746 2473 www.rexlondon.com RHS www.rhsshop.co.uk Robeys Fireplaces 01773 820940 www.robeys.co.uk RugVista www.rugvista.com Rust-Oleum www.makeityours.co.uk

S

Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636 262 www.sainsburys.co.uk Sanderson www.stylelibrary.com Schmidt www.homedesign.schmidt Scion www.stylelibrary.com Simple Human www2.simplehuman.com Smeg www.smeguk.com Smithers of Stamford 01780 435060 www.smithersofstamford.com Snugpak 01535 654479 www.snugpak.com Socket Store 02920 004887 www.socketstore.co.uk Sofa Workshop www.sofaworkshop.com Stone & Ceramic Warehouse 020 8993 5545 www.sacw.co.uk Stoves www.stoves.co.uk Stuart Cox Joinery 0161 456 7305 www.facebook.com/Stuart-Cox-Joinery Studio G www.studiog.uk.com Sunnylife uk.sunnylife.com Super Rural www.super-rural.com Suttons 0844 326 2200 www.suttons.co.uk

T

Talking Tables 020 7627 6767 www.talkingtables.co.uk Teapigs www.teapigs.co.uk Tefal www.tefal.co.uk The Attik St Annes 01253 724422 www.theattikstannes.co.uk The Contemporary Home www.tch.net The Crown Prints www.thecrownprints.com The Dormy House 01264 365808 www.thedormyhouse.com The Festival of Quilts 0844 858 6749 www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk The Little Jones www.thelittlejones.com The Posh Shed Company 01544 387101 www.theposhshedcompany.co.uk The Rug Seller 0845 634 3477 www.therugseller.co.uk The White Company 020 3758 9222 www.thewhitecompany.com Thompson & Morgan 0333 400 0033 www.thompson-morgan.com Three Penny www.three-penny.co.uk Tikamoon 020 3445 5440 www.tikamoon.co.uk Tilly and the Buttons www.tillyandthebuttons.com TK Maxx www.tkmaxx.com Town & Country www.townandco.com Triton Showers 02476 372222 www.tritonshowers.co.uk Triton Showers www.tritonshowers.co.uk

U V

UK Bathroom Warehouse 01865 778399 www.ukbathroomwarehouse.com

Valspar 0344 736 9174 www.valsparpaint.co.uk Vango www.vango.co.uk Very 0800 092 3355 www.very.co.uk Victoria Plum 0344 804 4848 www.victoriaplum.com Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 www.victorianplumbing.co.uk Villeroy & Boch www.villeroy-boch.co.uk Visit Eastbourne 01323 415415 www.visiteastbourne.com VonShef 0161 833 5442

W

WA Green 020 7729 8599 www.wagreen.co.uk Wallpaper Direct www.wallpaperdirect.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 www.wallsandfloors.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 www.wayfair.co.uk We Are Knitters www.weareknitters.co.uk Westland 01480 443789 www.gardenhealth.com Wickes 0330 123 4123 www.wickes.co.uk Wild & Wolf 01225 789909 www.wildandwolf.co.uk Wilko www.wilko.com Winsor 01925 291511 www.winsor.co.uk Worktop Express 0345 222 2644 www.worktop-express.co.uk World of Wallpaper 0800 014 9954 www.worldofwallpaper.com

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

OWN A BESPOKE NATIONWIDE VERANDA TODAY

Traditional Verandas

OWN A NATIONWIDE PRODUCT WITH JUST A

£99* DEPOSIT

PLEASE SEE OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE ONLINE NOW Nationwide Verandas are designed to provide a stylish & practical area to enjoy outdoor living whatever the weather

0800 179 9839

For a FREE brochure Call us today on or no obligation design consultation or visit us online at www.nationwideltd.co.uk *Only available with the monthly interest repayment finance option. Subject to application and status. Nationwide Home Innovations is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

G R E AT B R I T I S H S O F A S

D I R E C T F RO M T H E M A N U FAC T U R E R Florence 3 seater sofa in velvet was £1139 - now only £849

www.sofasofa.co.uk

For a free colour brochure call 01495 244226

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

‘Affordable Art’

CLAIM 15% OFF

WITH CODE: SPRING15

‘Purchase a Painting and Change Someone’s Life’

www.burnbaketrust.co.uk

7

H0

:Y

DE CO

%OFF

10

E OT QU

J INSULATING FILM

• 96% UV blocking • Summer heat/UV protection • Adhesive-free construction (water only)/re-detachable • Pioneering window glazing film with the latest technology • Colour transparent (green) • Stops heat loss • Saves money & ECO friendly • Reusable

01522 789748 www.purpleholly.co.uk

The insulation film fits on window without any adhesive or glue

@purpleholly

Tel: 0208 942 7575 • order@av10.co.uk • www.av10.co.uk

Q

I find it difficult to change my duvet. Is there such a thing as an EASY-FIT one available?

Maureen, Hertford There certainly is; these duvet covers have zips on all four sides, so bedmaking is a lot simpler. Price starts from £35. Colours are 5 plains and 5 patterns in all four sizes. www.easyfitbedding.com or call 01902 734375

A

Stunning New Generation High Efficiency Gas Fires

www.nu-flame.co.uk

020 8254 6802

Excellent product and idea. I bought this duvet for my 70 year old mum who has limited use in one arm and she was over the moon that she is now able to make her bed unaided thanks to your design. Will definitely be recommending Easy-Fit Bedding to our friends and family to buy this product. I also have purchased in the past for myself and bedmaking in my house is so much easier and quicker.

Thank you Easy-Fit for prompt delivery.

Jane - London SE A modern and convenient way of dealing with the nightmare of fitting covers over duvets. Well done to this company for facing up to the challenge of what, after all, must have been quite a simple problem. Why other manufacturers have not displayed similar initiative I cannot understand.

Mr T - Vale of Glamorgan I saw Easy-Fit advert on TV and ordered a strawberry superking. Had a speedy delivery and absolutely love this product. Where have you been all my life, you have made it so much easier to change my bedding and the strawberry pattern looks sooo good on my bed. Thank you so much. Will definitely be ordering more.

Alison - West Midlands

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

PRISON ART

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

SALE NOW ON

Only £299.

Only from us.

Monaco 2 seater sofa

Oakridge Sofas

• NO RISK 21 DAY HOME TRIAL • 5 YEAR FRAME GUARANTEE • FACTORY DIRECT PRICES

www.oakridgedirect.co.uk

Tele 01685 844944

Re-Silver Plating REVIVE YOUR SILVERWARE

SC UMBLE “Extraordinary name.

GOOSIE

Extraordinary furniture.”

(EPNS, Sterling Silver, Copper or Brass base metal) TURN THIS…

INTO THIS…

• Cutlery Sets/Pieces • Trays and Bowls • Tea/Coffee Sets • Trophies

• Ornaments • Candlesticks • Jugs/Tankards • And much more!

NO OBLIGATION QUOTES R P Day & Co

0114 2467240 www.steelcitycutlery.com/plating

www.scumblegoosie.com ~ 01453 731305

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

Quality Kitchen Handles ––––– Since 2011 –––––

www.yesterhome.com

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

01509 234000 - www.floorsofstone.com enquiries@floorsofstone.com

NO SA W LE ON

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

T R ADI T I ONAL BRITISH UPHOLS T ERY S I NCE 1987

www.kirkdale.co.uk Call now for your free brochure 01495 243999

Download the NEW app edition on your iPad, iPhone, Android device or PC! Our handy NEW app lets you carry pages of homes, crafts, food and decorating inspiration with you wherever you go. View sample pages for free, or subscribe to explore the entire magazine on the go.

Download the app for FREE. Search for today!

Single issue £1.99 Annual Digital Subscription £14.99

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

VINTAGE CHESTERFIELD 3 SEATER SOFA WAS £1959

SALE PRICE

£1399

Great British Furniture direct from the manufacturer

For a free brochure call 01443 771222 or visit www.thomaslloyd.com

in association with www.moduleo.co.uk

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Makers of Fine Leather Furniture Since 1981

Green livinG

Eco

Turkish delight

news Make simple changes for cleaner air and water

If you’re heading for a dip this month, don’t forget your hammam towel. Traditionally used at steamy Turkish baths, they’re incredibly lightweight and absorbent, yet dry quickly and fold up really small. These large bath sheets from South come in a variety of pretty designs, flat-woven entirely from Oeko-Tex certified cotton that’s free of harmful chemicals and dyes. Prices start from £20 and the brand donates five per cent of its profits to ocean conservation charities; visit www.southhammam.com.

Make a micro change

Clean face, clear conscience

With microplastic pollution in our rivers, seas and oceans reaching critical levels it’s time to take action. A great first step is to reduce the microfibres being lost from manmade clothing into our water. All you have to do is pop your laundry in a Guppyfriend washing bag which catches those lost fibres so you can bin them after the cycle finishes. Find out more at www.guppyfriend.com/en.

Feature emma Thompson

Ditch the plastic-based make-up wipes that are filling up sewers and landfill in abundance and start a more eco-friendly routine. lush’s biodegradable 7 to 3 reusable facial cleansing pads (£2 each), gently exfoliate, nourish and help restore the skin’s pH-balance – simply wet half of the wipe and swipe it across your face, then rinse and leave to dry. You’ll get about five uses out of each with no waste product left behind. visit uk.lush.com.

128

June 2019

Guppyfriend washing bag, £29.99, lakeland

Eco expert We speak to candle maker and fragrance auteur Jonathan Ward about the advantages of clean-burn candles

‘Most candles pollute our homes, something I’m acutely aware of. My hand-poured range contains no solvents or paraffin boosters and create little to no pollutant particles due to the double cotton wicks and the wax blends which are certified organic by the Soil Association. All seven elegant and light fragrances are created with the most ethically compliant ingredients and diffuse gently around a room.’

Candle, £40, www.jonathanward.me

Website Watch... www.1millionwomen.com.au This free-to-use website helps you keep track of your carbon emissions and suggests easy activities and switches for reducing them. Based on the fact that women make 85 per cent of consumer decisions that affect a household’s footprint, and with over 400,000 members already making bite-sized changes that add up, it’s a great way to stay motivated and ‘fight climate change through our everyday lives’.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

HOME

|

OUTDOOR

|

LIGHTING

g a rd en trad ing.co.uk info@gardentrading.co.uk | 01993 845559