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Real 24 HOMES

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

AUGUST 2021

eco-friendly style updates best buys

BEFORE AFTERS 50+ pages of

+

Windows Decking Garden lighting

amazing homes and gardens

10

ways to maximisea small space

Plant power

Decorating with botanicals

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Hot new ideas for alfresco living

rotide eht morf

The past year-plus has made all of us think a little more about what it means to be home. There were the obvious updates we made out of necessity, creating functional areas to take the place of things we’d previously done outside our own four walls – think gyms and schools. But being stuck inside gave us all a lot more time to think about how our homes made us feel, too.

For me, I zeroed in on a sudden craving for colour. I’ve always decorated with neutrals, but a few months into the pandemic, I redid my sons’ room in bold shades of red and blue, which is totally out of the box for me… and I loved it.

Turns out, I’m not alone. In our feature on mindful decorating on page 108, stylist and author Joanna Thornill says: ‘During the second lockdown, I repainted my living room from dark grey to a rich verdant green.

I’d always loved the “blank canvas” the grey walls gave – but with extended lockdowns, I began to crave something more stimulating that would enhance my feelings of connecting to nature.’

It’s not just colour that affects how we feel about our homes. Clutter can also have an impact (hello, pandemic organisation craze), as can texture, light, and even sustainability. If you are redecorating, this is the perfect feature to start with, as it’ll prompt you to examine your design in a whole new way. Then, head over to page 70 for a roundup of our favourite beautiful, sustainable décor buys from small makers and big-name brands alike.

Buying eco-friendly items is a great way to start creating a more mindful space you can feel good spending time in.

Subscriber offer

And finally, for something I’m Get three issues for £3, plus so excited we can talk about a Joules pencil case set again: entertaining. Now that and Dream Journal – restrictions are easing and see page 10 for gatherings are a thing again, more details we’ve pulled together a fun guide to outdoor entertaining; a mustread if your hosting skills feel a bit rusty. Check it out on page 94.

Whether or not you’ve got a gathering planned in the near future, make sure you find time to raise a glass to summer days – they’ve never felt sweeter. kaitlin madden Editor in chief @kaitmadden

MO C.SEMOHLAER

EDAM EEMIA SGNIHT SNOITARTSULLI YHPARGOTOHP RAIRB YDNIM HPARGOTOHP

Meet the team Get to know the people who bring you Real Homes Ellen Finch magazine with a Deputy editor monthly question. ‘It’s not out until September, but I This time: what can’t wait for Sally summer read are Rooney’s novel you most excited – it’s surenew to be just to dive into? as good as her last.’

Alison Jones Assistant editor ‘Richard Osman’s lauded debut crime novel is being filmed

by Steven Spielberg; quite an incentive to read whodunnit.’

Anna Morley Style editor ‘I have a so spot for GBBO’s Tom Allen, so I’ll be cracking open his book No Shame with a slice of Viccy sponge.’

5

Amelia Smith Emily Smith Acting style Senior art editor editor ‘I know I shouldn’t, ‘For my birthday, and please don’t hate I got Dolly Alderton’s me, but I judge most Ghosts – I just want a books I read by the hot summer’s day to cover design. So until devour it all at once.’ I see it, I have no idea!’

s t n e t n o c

Inside track 15 news

Style agenda

38

botanical beauty

Celebrate nature and bring leafy prints and ditsy florals into your decorating scheme

The latest new homeware and essential design ideas

21 let’s be friends

50 Designer spotlight

23 do your pets have free rein at home?

53 style maths

Follow us on social media for daily inspiration

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

24 real home

Rosie Rockel turned a dark, cramped basement flat into a light-filled home

35

outdoor lights

Our edit of the latest designs to illuminate your outside space

37 paint splatter

The creative, contemporary pattern that’s having a moment

69 everyone’s talking about…

The one product we’re obsessed with this month

53

24

The independent businesses getting crafty with wall hangings Create a gender neutral nursery for £100, £300 and £500

66 colour theory

A deep dive into plaster pink and how it’ll enhance your home

70

100

sustainable style

The brands you need to know about for an eco-friendly decorating scheme

94

entertain outdoors ... and stay safe. A guide to creating a party-ready patio

35 37

136 let’s talk about wet rooms How to maximise your smallest room

54

SEE ONE OF THESE? Scan on your phone for more from realhomes.com

s t n e t n co project advice

home life

112

47 Current mood: scheming

54 real home

Inspired by time spent in the US, John and Anna turned a bungalow into a unique beach home

79 your questions, answered

The Real Homes team solves your design dilemmas

82 Real home

38

After decorating three times, Elisha has nailed the colourful look her modern home needed

100

real home

Everything about Lovisa’s Victorian revamp oozes charm and ingenuity

108 home, mindful home

How and why you should curate a home that nourishes you

112 real garden

Sally and Steven spent three years creating their dream garden

130

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130 real kitchen

Architect George Woodrow’s kitchen boasts bespoke joinery and jaunty yellow accents

140 real bathroom

This characterful navy bedroom is a masterclass in small space design

Style editor Anna Morley shares her loft conversion mood board

117

small space handbook

How to maximise a modest space and make it work for you

122 10 steps to completing your project

Make sure your renovation or extension goes to plan with our step-by-step guide

127 project news

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

143

guide to windows

Up your kerb appeal and let in more light with the latest designs

150

focus on decking

Smarten up outside with a new deck and create the perfect zone for making the most of the sun

153 The edit

The latest waffle makers, bathroom mirrors and fans

162 Sunday Project

The patio paint effect you can do in a weekend

going Eco

70

Look out for this logo on our favourite sustainable picks

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EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief Kaitlin Madden Deputy Editor Ellen Finch Assistant Editor Alison Jones Style Editor Anna Morley Acting Style Editor Amelia Smith realhomes@futurenet.com 0330 390 6508

ART

Senior Art Editor Emily Smith

Group Art Director Billy Peel Art Editor Karen Lawson Contributions by Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine

AM to.

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REALHOMES.COM EIC of Homes Ecommerce Lindsey Davis EIC of Homes Audience Amy Cutmore EIC of Homes News Rebecca Knight Senior Digital Editor Jenny McFarlane Digital Editor Camille Dubuis-Welch Deals Editor Annie Collyer Appliances Editor Jennifer Oksien Consumer Editor Anna Cottrell realhomesdigital@futurenet.com BRAND DEVELOPMENT Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Video Producer Matt Gibbs ADVERTISING AND EXHIBITIONS SALES Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Rob Biagioni rob.biagioni@futurenet.com Strategic Partnership Director Jackie Sanders jackie.sanders@futurenet.com 0330 390 6530 Print Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com 0330 390 6566 Digital Sales Manager Kelly James kelly.james@futurenet.com 0330 390 6543 Exhibitions Sales Director Hellen Roche hellen.roche@futurenet.com For all media sales enquiries please contact rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com or call 0330 390 6566 INTERNATIONAL LICENSING AND SYNDICATION Real Homes is available for licensing and syndication. To find out more, contact us or view our available content at futurecontenthub.com Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw licensing@futurenet.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Email enquiries help@magazinesdirect.com UK order line and enquiries 0330 333 1113 Overseas order line and enquiries +44(0)330 333 1113 Online orders and enquiries magazinesdirect.com Director of Acquisitions Sharon Todd CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers PRODUCTION Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Clare Scott Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Manager Vivienne Calvert MANAGEMENT Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Chief Content Officer Angie O’Farrell Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham SUBSCRIBER COPY WRAP IMAGE Getty PRINTED BY William Gibbons & Sons DISTRIBUTED BY Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU, marketforce.co.uk Tel: 020 3787 9001

RHeoamles jaust k c i l caway

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

Garden parties are back in action!

Hot tropic

So before you fire up the barbecue and dig out the parasol, decorate your space with some vibrant so furnishings.

A cluster of outdoor cushions and some well-scaered throws can go a long way in transforming your party space.

And with these holiday-inspired outdoor pieces from none other than B&M, you can do it on the tightest of budgets.

Outdoor tropical scatter cushions, £7; ‘Good Vibes’ cushion, £10; outdoor rug in pink, £10; solar light bulb string, £8; outdoor wine glasses, £4 for four, B&M

Pineapple drinks dispenser, £10

Go exotic HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

Have fun in the sun with more stylish garden accessories from B&M to give you that fiesta feeling

String garden chair, £30

Desert Palms solar lantern, £12

Desert Palms XL garden floor cushion, £15

Tufted throw with tassels, £12

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Soft Sea ‘Welcome’ outdoor lumbar cushion, £12

Anyday Aztec indoor & outdoor rug in mustard, from £80

Summer lantern candle holder, from £35

Summer brights

Bookworm

Welcome a burst of rainbow positivity into your garden with John Lewis & Partners’ range of vibrant buys. From sunshine-inspired chairs to zingy Aztec rugs, celebrate summer with a riot of colour.

Merida Ikat print garden cushion, £14

Salsa garden rocking chair in Ombre Sunshine, £100

Outdoor artwork As our gardens are becoming more and more like living areas, Yard Art has designed beautiful artworks that are suitable for the outdoors. Made from acrylic and UV-protected weatherproof inks, the pieces can stand up to even the harshest of rain, wind and glaring sunlight. From quirky animal prints to happy typography and botanicals, there’s a design for any space.

Indigo Africa coral plateau, £65

Green: Simple Ideas for Small Outdoor Spaces by Ula Maria (£20, Octopus Publishing) If you’re looking to maximise your small outside space, be it a patio, balcony or roof terrace, this is the book for you. Jam packed with inspiring and original ideas for making the most of your small garden, whether it’s through clever architecture or thoughtful planting, this coffee table book is also a showcase for stunning photography, making its pages a pleasure to flick through.

Lola & Mawu storage basket, £46.99 Lola & Mawu Bonita Bolga fan, £32.99

NEED TO KNOW

Let us introduce you to Akojo Market – an online store that sells handmade homeware and accessories made by a variety of African designers.

The brands featured promote local cultures, crasmanship, sustainability and transparency, and the designs are just gorgeous, too.

The Oasis Purple Splash print, from £250, Yard Art

Sofa.com and Jack Wills

Ercol Malia armchair, £719, Furniture Village

COLLAB ALERT

have joined forces to create a capsule collection of four contemporary upholstered furniture designs. Each piece is dual purpose, making them ideal for a smaller home.

From this niy coffee table with nested stool set, to modular sofas with hidden storage, the designs are available in more than 100 fabrics to curate your perfect piece.

Spend v save

Find a quiet reading corner, add a lamp, bookshelves and – the pièce de résistance – a mid-century-style chair. You’re onto a winner with these buys…

Jack three-seater sofa in Velvet Grey, £999; Woody coffee nesting stool set in Orchid matt cotton velvet, £720, Jack Wills at Sofa.com

Arkin wooden frame accent chair, £249, Dunelm The Fruit Always Ripe woven throw, £139

Abstract shapes

Pink cut out woven throw, £139

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I am FY! has a large collection of 100 per cent coon throws that boast dynamic and colourful prints that are almost too beautiful to fold away. So whether you use them to keep cosy in style on a summer’s evening or hang them proudly on your wall, they’re contemporary artistry at its best.

Origami Lands throw, £139

Henshaw Dusky Seaspray chest of drawers, £760; Dark Blush paint, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Laura Ashley, available at Next

Dou lampshade, £120

RATTAN RULES

New from Kagu Interiors, these angular raan pendant lights unite modern lines with traditional rustic materials. Hang all three at various heights above a table or hallway for a shapely focal point.

Dou lampshade, £150

Dou lampshade, £180

Refresh and revive Laura Ashley was hard hit by the pandemic, but now its classic designs are at our fingertips once more, exclusively at Next.

Available on the Next website or in select Next stores, the brand has come back with a bang by reintroducing its most-loved pieces alongside some brand new collections.

Matchsticks Mono

Garden glow

Illuminate your alfresco dinner parties, picnics or camping trips with these funky portable lights from Furl. Simple and minimal in design, the organic shapes and clean lines will sit back in any style space – and the wooden handles give a Scandi edge, too. The Balad portable outdoor lights cost £152 for three.

Lucca Brick

Roll up Hillarys’ latest roller blind launch sees practicalities like blackout materials, moisture resistance and noise-dispelling acoustic fabrics collide with trendled paerns and colours.

The range also has 12 new eco fabrics made from recycled plastic boles.

Prices start from £55.

Doodle Jaffa

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Bali bench set, £899, Next

Le Creuset Kone stovetop kettle in Marseille Blue, £78.91, Wayfair

Summer’s here… … and with it, myriad

Deal corner

opportunities to get cracking on those garden jobs that you just can’t seem to tick off your to-do list! Head to our garden hub for how-tos, expert advice, easy ideas and inspiring makeovers – then sit back with a cocktail in hand and enjoy the results of your hard work. realhomes.com/garden

Looking for bargain garden furniture? Want to know the best prices for Le Creuset cookware?

Annie and her team know where to go to get the most out of your money, so whatever you’re purchasing, they’ll have a great deal at realhomes.com/deals

g n i d n e r #nowt ‘Hello Sunshine’ ALHOMES.COM FOR ALL eco-friendly RE N O Y IT UN M M A4 print, CO E TH JOIN £12.95, The Creative Ox YOUR HOMES INSPIRATION AND ADVIC E

get involved

We’re following…

Rainbow cushion, £31, Cotton Fox Prints

@kitandco_. Expect beautifully styled pics, sunny shades and the occasional beach snap as Megan shows you around her stunning East Lothian home, post by post.

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Pink pom-pom teepee tent, £135, Bobby Rabbit

Child’s play A brand new bedroom makeover is sure to keep the kids entertained while they’re hanging around all summer – or for a couple of hours, anyway. realhomes.com/ tag/childrens-bedrooms

MO C.SEMOHLAER

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

Use #sorealhomes in your social media posts and you might just catch our eye…

THE BIG DEBA TE We asked you: should pets be given free rein in the home? Two readers give their views

YES ‘She means such a lot to us, and we do treat her like a human’

NO

‘She doesn’t go upstairs. I don’t think a pet is meant to be on your bed’

Sally Davill (@interiorsbyhannah) lives in a Georgian house in Worcestershire with husband Andrew and their dog, Darcey ‘Darcey, a working cocker spaniel, has no rules whatsoever. She’d follow us to the toilet if she could – I think it’s a guard instinct left over from the wild!

We joke and say she controls the house, but she’s actually very well behaved. We’ve had her eight years, from a puppy, and initially said she wouldn’t come upstairs. But dogs are your fur babies, and you wouldn’t stop a child coming upstairs.

‘She means such a lot to us that we do treat her like a human. We don’t think she knows she’s a dog. She’ll sit on a chair next to me at the vets, as if to say she’s not a dog but the others on the floor are.

‘I’m a clean freak and I’ll hoover every day, and the throws on the sofa are changed every other day, so visitors won’t leave covered in dog hair. We do let Darcey go everywhere, but I just clean a lot. I did teach her to have her feet wiped when she comes in from the garden. She’ll go straight into the kitchen and sit down on a towel that’s been laid out for her.

‘We live in a Georgian house with deep window sills that Darcey jumps onto – we call her a curtain twitcher. Because her paws were scratching the paintwork, we had pads made for her to sit on.

‘Although she has three doggy beds, she much prefers a sofa or our bed. She curls up in the tiniest ball, but when the light goes off, she turns into something the size of a small horse.

We always say it’s her house, we just pay the mortgage – she feels that the furniture is hers, so why should she be in a little bed?’

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SENOJ NOSILA ERUTAEF

Mary Atkinson (@interiorsbymary) lives with her husband, Paul, their children and dog Pip in an Edwardian house in Newcastle ‘Our border terrier, Pip, is nine now, and when we agreed to get a dog we said to the children there would be family rules and they’d have to be stuck to. We all had to be saying the same thing to her.

‘Pip’s allowed in the kitchen, utility and family room off the kitchen. There’s a cat flap into the garden so she can come and go whenever she wants.

If she’s going out for a walk, she uses the side door from the kitchen; she doesn’t go out through the hall. If she did, I felt she’d think of it as her territory and would bark at people coming to the door.

‘We made the decision Pip would never go upstairs – I just don’t think a pet is meant to be on your furniture or your bed. And she doesn’t go on the sofa. I don’t want us or anyone visiting to be covered in dog hair. When the children were young, I told them, “If you want to cuddle her, go on the floor with her to pick her up. Cuddle her in her space.”

We have a doggy camera to check she’s okay when we’re not in. A friend said “I bet she goes on the sofa then,” but she actually stays in her own bed.

‘Sometimes Pip stays with my friend, who’s a dog walker, when we go away for a weekend, and she jumps on the sofa there because my friend’s dogs do and she knows it’s okay. I worried she’d come back and I’d have to train her not to again, but I didn’t.

‘Pip is very much part of the family. She gets a lot of attention and is so loved – these are just the rules. When dogs grow up in a pack, there’s always a leader, so she looks to us for boundaries, I suppose.’

?ELYTS DLO RUOY ETAERCER RO HSERF TRATS UOY OD ,EVOM UOY NEHW :HTNOM TXEN

Does your pet rule the roost?

The conservatory floods this space with light and allows for views out to the stepped garden. Rosie opted for a cork floor, which is so underfoot, as well as durable.

‘I was told it’d stain and warp, but I’ve only got good things to say about it,’ she says.

Kitchen, Pluck, painted in Ruskin Blossom. Glazing, Future Glass & Windows.

Cork flooring, Granorte

Rosie Rockel turned a dark, cramped basement flat into a light, contemporary home filled with second-hand treasures

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SEMOHLAEROS#

BEFORE

SNOISNETXE/MOC.SEMOHLAER OT OG ,NOITARIPSNI NOISNETXE YLDNEIRF-TEGDUB ROF

Bright ideas Extended Basement flat

Le The extended kitchen now has plenty of room for dining. Rosie emphasises the connection to the garden with lots of plants Pendant, Hans Due for Fog & Morup via Ebay.

G Plan table, inherited; find similar on Ebay

The owners Rosie Rockel (@rosierockel), a TV producer The property A three-bedroom basement flat in a Victorian conversion in Brixton, south London project cost £120,000

27

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SEIZNEM MLOCLAM SHPARGOTOHP HCNIF NELLE SDROW

Profile

N

ot all of us fall in love with our homes on the first viewing, but that doesn’t mean a property can’t become ours over time. That was certainly the case for Rosie, who bought her south London flat from her dad – ‘and honestly, I didn’t love it immediately,’ she says. Based in a good neighbourhood, within walking distance of her workplace in Soho, the flat was in the cellar of an attractive Victorian mansion house. It sounds promising, but the reality was far less grand. ‘The flat was pretty dingy, with no period features, which is why I went for a more contemporary look,’ Rosie says.

‘I gave it a lick of paint, but my main beef was it was dark. You couldn’t see the garden as there was a huge wall in the way, so the inside and out didn’t feel at all integrated.’

The solution was obvious, as the flat had a large side return ripe for extension.

‘I was desperate for the garden to feel part of the flat, and I wanted a stepped design you could see from the house, but my planning application was rejected twice. Because it’s a period property, the council would only accept a glass conservatory, which forced my hand.’

On the project checklist was to redo the bathroom and install a new kitchen, but more pressing issues had to be resolved first. ‘I could never work out why the laminate floor was so uneven, until we took it up and realised there was just bare earth underneath,’ Rosie says. ‘We had to put down a concrete slab, and used the opportunity to dig the whole floor down by a foot to raise the ceiling height. It’s not something you’d notice looking at the flat now, but it completely changed the proportions and made everything feel more airy. From there, the whole thing escalated and we ended up gutting the place.’

Rosie moved in with her dad for what they thought would be a three-month stay, but ended up being seven. ‘The builders were great, but I still had to make a lot of decisions day-to-day,’ Rosie says. ‘I was away in the US filming a hiphop documentary for some of it, so I had lots of stressful 3am phone calls about taps!’

When it came to sourcing the kitchen, Rosie knew she wanted wood cupboard fronts, but the companies she looked at weren’t quite meeting her requirements – until she came across Pluck.

‘They were still quite competitive against some companies that just sell the fronts with an Ikea carcass – but I’d get a higher quality kitchen overall,’ she says. ‘I’ll probably outgrow the millennial pink eventually, but at the moment I love it. And I can always recover it in the future.’

The kitchen was one of the only brand-new elements of the flat; Rosie prefers to buy secondhand where she can. ‘I rarely buy anything new at all – everything on Ebay is better quality and half the price!’ she says. ‘It’s what I do at night when I’m sitting in bed. I love knick knacks and trinkets – and it’s by far the most eco-friendly way to source things.’ She also picks things up from her travels. ‘I go away a lot, and wherever I go, I come back with something mad in my suitcase. A trip to Mexico was particularly fruitful – I had to buy a suitcase double the size of the one I’d taken to fit everything in!

Wherever I go, I find the antiques market. I was in Japan just before the pandemic and visited the Tokyo flea market. I swear I had palpitations on entering!’

Rosie has renovated every part of her flat, from the pink bathroom with its psychedelic encaustic tiles – ‘I didn’t think about the fact that they were also pink until I bought them!’ – to the living room with its dark walls and cosy scheme. But her favourite room is the kitchen. ‘I’ve spent more time in here than I ever dreamed I would over the past year, and it’s really highlighted how grateful I am to have a nice space to live in,’ she says. ‘I love sitting in here at my desk, looking out onto the garden. I’m very lucky to have this.’

Rosie’s love for secondhand and pre-loved pieces gives her flat a unique and very personal flair.

Her coffee table is one of a kind – it was her uncle’s A-level design project.

Walls painted in Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball.

Grey sofa, Made.

Armchair, G Plan. Seagrass rug, Freecycle. Bey art poster by Gerhard Richter

Amelia’s top tip One of the most underrated styling accessories? Books. Whether you go for a randomly placed library look like this, arrange by colour, or position spine side in for a wash of calm, they add personality, cosiness and a talking point to any room.

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Le and below Many of Rosie’s belongings have a story. The botanical prints were by her grandmother, Shirley Rockel, while the floor lamp was from a market in Madrid: ‘I bought it back as “golf equipment”. The cable came loose at the airport and snagged up the conveyor belt.’

Right Cork flooring and a wooden four-posterstyle bed bring a natural touch to the bedroom – and the laer makes for a handy place to hang plants. The Russian poster also has its own tale. ‘It’s a poster for an exhibition of Russian posters in 1912 – very meta!’ says Rosie.

Smoke painting by Guy Haddon-Grant. Yellow sofa, second-hand Made via Ebay

‘Art is the thing’ print

by Babak Gangei. Bed and ceiling light, Ikea

THE PLANS GROUND FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

BEFORE BEDROOM

KITCHEN

AFTER BATH ROOM

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

KITCHENDINER

BEDROOM

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BATH ROOM

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

Costs & contacts

Build work £70,000 Kitchen £20,000 Bathroom £15,000 Professional fees £10,000 Furniture/decoration £5,000 Kitchen Pluck, 020 7095 1795, pluck.kitchen Builder Greater Space, 020 3151 3945, greaterspace.co.uk Glazing Future Glass & Windows, 020 8902 9399, futureglassandwindows.co.uk Cork flooring Granorte, granorte.pt

‘I rescued the tiles from a house in Spain – I’d never seen encaustic tiles so big,’ says Rosie. ‘The other splashy thing in here are the taps, which were really expensive.

It’s all about working out what to spend money on. They have a lovely patina to them now.’

Terrazzo sink, Tikamoon.

Wall lights, Made. Basin tap, Aston Mahews. Pink wall tiles, Maitland & Poate.

Floor tiles, Topps Tiles

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Playful, fun and creative, let your artistic side shine with this cool, contemporary pattern

HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

1 Paint splaer clock in pink, £30, Artwow 2 Mind The Gap Splaers wallpaper, £175 per roll, I am Fy 3 Gozo concrete coon jar, £14, Very 4 Medium splaer plant pot, £22, Hello Marilu 5 Moxon Splaer tealight holders, £15, Trouva 6 Pot with lid and spoon, £9.99, H&M 7 Michael O’Hare limited edition porcelain light, £324.99, Dowsing & Reynolds 8 Blush splaer concrete coaster set, £35 for four, Concrete & Wax 9 Casa Cubista Chroma II terracoa bowl, £34, Lusophile 10 Mesmerise watercolour outdoor cushion, £79, Penelope Hope 11 Splash balloon vase, £12, John Lewis & Partners 12 Ama splaer jug, £32.95, Willow & Stone 13 Skye McAlpine splaer cake stand, £98, Anthropologie 14 Splaer tray in pink, £12, lmacluskie

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PAINT SPLASH

SEUH LARTUEN HTIW ERUTAN OT KCAB – HTNOM TXEN

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Solvinden LED lighting chain with 24 lights, £17, Ikea

Solar diamond colour-changing stake lights, £5.99 for four, The Range

Nomad arc glass box outdoor wall lantern, £40, Lampsy

Billy PIR sensor copper outdoor wall light, £29, Dunelm

Gallery Direct Bayswater wall light in black, £13, Olivia’s

LIGHT THE WAY

Put the spotlight on your outdoor space – from driveway to garden – with these stylish designs

AYAHSUR HALULLAT ERUTAEF

Brass bulkhead, £215, Original BTC

St Ives Ship outdoor wall light, £39.99, Lights4Fun

Two solar cage lights, £85, Cox & Cox

Lucide Lewis outdoor wall light in matt gold, £24.99, Lighting Direct

Eternal Flame lamp spiral, £9.95, The Glow Company

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Salsa rattan solar powered LED outdoor lantern in Saffron, £20, John Lewis & Partners

Fathir 5” solar powered integrated LED lawn ornament, £18.99, Wayfair

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Brooklyn outdoor globe pendant in pewter, £75, Industville

BOTANICAL BEAUTY Leafy prints and ditsy florals never go out of style – so welcome some fauna and flora into your home and celebrate nature with these pretty ideas

Work your wallpaper A botanical wallpaper is a fail-safe way to create a more relaxed, cosy feel in your kitchen. Combine modern sleek cabinetry with an archive ditsy print for an eclectic look.

Always paint on a sealant to protect from splashes.

Top Tip Choose one colour from your wallpaper and use it on the rest of your walls

Historic Royal Palaces Tudor Garden wallpaper, £130 per roll, Cole & Son

HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

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Picture this A gallery wall of carefully curated leafy prints brings the aesthetic calmness of houseplants while taking up minimal space. Choose prints that are tonally cohesive, and complete the nature-inspired look with wooden frames.

Dark botanical gallery wall, £326.20, Desenio

Top Tip For an instant gallery wall, you can buy complete packs of prints or frames where the hard work’s been done for you

Soft touch Swap a papered feature wall for a fabric wall hanging to bring texture and warmth to your space. Position behind a bed to create the look of an extended headboard, adding a sense of grandeur and elegance, too.

Top Tip Invest in a wall hanging and create an heirloom piece you can take with you if you move.

Wall hanging in Coromandelin Malachite linen, £116.80 per m2, Lewis & Wood. Walls in Ulla 290, £48.50 for 2.5ltrs of Absolute ma emulsion, Lile Greene

Bathroom bliss Create an oasis of calm by bringing botanicals into your bathroom. Be it with tiles, acrylic panels or wallpaper that’s sealed for splash protection, a whimsical paern will help you while away the evening and escape the rest of the world.

Above Woodland porcelain Melange green tile, £50.17 per m2, Ca Pietra

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Above right Miji wallpaper in navy, £147 per roll, Linwood

Top Tip Extend your floral floor tiles up your walls to help blur divides, make your space feel bigger and create a cocooning feel

Right Showerwall acrylic Vintage Birds shower panel, £461.95 per 90x255cm panel, Heat & Plumb

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Larger than life A wall mural makes a unique statement. Whether you choose a realistic photographic design, an illustration or even a window effect, keep the rest of your scheme simple to let the fauna and flora take centre stage.

Above le Herbaceous vertical garden floral mural, from £37 per m2, Hovia Above Impermanence Japanese garden, £175 for three rolls, Mind The Gap Le Exotic Plants vinyl wall mural, from £125.10, 4lowalldecor at Etsy Finishing touches Right There’s no such thing as too many house plants!

Layer up with varying heights and varieties, and fill empty shelves and corners with hanging plants. This leafy table cloth adds to the botanical vibes.

Fusion tropical fabric, from £20; wine glasses, £4 each; faux fern, £18; trailing plant, £12, Matalan

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Top Tip Torn between real and faux plants?

Go for a mixture to get the best of both worlds

Moritz Flat matt paint, £40 for 2.5ltrs, Coat

Candace cane curved screen, £698, Cielshop

Molimo barrel chair, £233.99, Wayfair Palm Springs paint, £14 for 1.25ltrs, Crown

Kentia palm and fractured beige pot, £104, Soho Home x Leaf Envy

Abel ottoman storage bench in Curator Floral print, £179, Made Sunny Flowers cushion, £29.95, Mint & May

LEAFY LOVE

Renata metal side table with rattan, £159, Cult Furniture

Luxuriance embroidered cushion cover, £18, La Redoute

Go for gorgeous greens, vibrant yellows and natural materials for a mood-boosting scheme Flora Margerite poster, from £44.95, Junqiue

Ellie table lamp in Emerald, £75; Empire shade in Green Shibori linen, £60, Pooky

Edinburgh sofa in Paradeisos linen, £2,750, Mind The Gap

Aloe plant in window box, £14, Matalan

Tiger Tropic footed mug, £4, Dunelm Bloomingville Marlin rug, £90, Sweetpea & Willow

Current mood: scheming T h e p r oj e c t j o u r n a l

Style editor Anna Morley’s loft conversion is still being finished, but soon it will be time to put her décor plans to the ultimate test I genuinely take my hat off to anyone who’s a) fully completed a project and b) created a look they love, while c) remaining calm, in a relationship and out of debt. Committing to a scheme and following it through is not for the faint-hearted. The heady mix of splashing the cash together with the staggeringly vast amount of options available for every product can lead to a debilitating sense of overwhelm rather easily.

I confess to being a bit of a commitment-phobe and having a penchant for a wide variety of interior styles – so pulling together schemes for the new loft living space and en suite bathroom, in addition to a nursery and a four-year-old’s bedroom, got me a bit daunted.

Working on an interiors magazine and seeing the wealth of beautiful options available means that every choice (even down to the plug sockets) is loaded with questions. Should I play safe and choose a timeless style? Or do I pick a trend and risk it dating?

Where is best to splurge or save? Will my new space work with my existing house scheme? And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Then there are the ‘compromises’ that have to be considered. Safety (unglamorous but essential), loft access (tight), a partner with opinions (unwelcome), a four-yearold asking for a red, blue and yellow scheme (not happening) and that pesky thing called time – which is ticking down to my due date rather rapidly.

So where to begin with the loft scheme? Well, don’t judge me, but I have interior magazines dating back to 2013, showcasing schemes that I still love: limewash paint, pared back woods, plus calm and modern styling. I used these inspirational images as my launch point and headed over to Pinterest to start

some mood boards. There are several ways to create a mood board. Pulling out images from magazines, gathering physical samples of products, or heading online for some digital research are all great methods.

For me, I work best by pulling digital images together and putting them into a design program so I can see them all together, then I do a vast amount of fiddling. I also call in swatches as nothing beats seeing a finish in the flesh, as it were.

Now, there are some people (you know who you are) who are not keen on this somewhat time-consuming planning step and have a more cavalier approach to design. I’ve tried both ways and, for me, a mood board is an essential step in achieving a more considered, coherent look.

My trusty mood boards keep me on track, feeling safe and helps show my fiancé, Michael, my ideas (sometimes with mixed reactions).

Another crucial stage I’ve learned the hard way is ‘Will it actually fit?’. How many times have you ordered something ‘willy nilly’ and found it’s either massive or tiny? Our returns list is proof that measuring carefully before buying is also rather important.

So we’ve finally got the credit card going, have a colour-coded spreadsheet listing items purchased, and the house is slowly filling up with pendant lamps, wallhung units, tile samples and paint as my mood boards become reality. Let’s hope all this scheming will be worth it. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding.

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How to create a MOOD BOARD T

A mood board can be an incentive and inspiration throughout a project.

Anna Morley guides you through putting one together

here’s more than one way to skin a cat, as they say – and it’s a case in point when creating a mood board. Your style is unique to you, and so is this process. Your individual skills and preferred methods need to be harnessed to aid you in creating your ideal mood board. Below are some general tips and tricks to get you started on your very own scheme – which, we hope, will help you establish a firm foundation.

How exactly should I create my mood board?

There are two ways. One is using physical items such as magazine tear sheets, perhaps with the addition of samples of tiles, fabric, paint, textiles, etc. This tactile approach is fun and feels almost childlike in its approach. The other is using digital imagery – taking pictures from the web of room sets, colours, specific finishes, accessories and furniture and curating a purely image-based board.

Q A

How specific or broad does it need to be?

It depends on which stage of the process you’re at, but start broad with inspirations, then get more detailed as ideas come into focus.

What type of mood boards are there?

When planning my lo space, I created several boards in order to drill down on my desired look. Here’s a few you could consider.

Inspirational mood boards focus on creating a feeling or vibe. Gather any images you love and are drawn to from any source – interior, garden or travel magazines, fabulous fabric, a hotel scheme you can’t get enough of, a picture of a cat with good fur – anything visual that speaks to you.

Planning mood boards that focus on the finishes, textures and paint combinations. Keep your scheme on track and coherent by looking at all the specific finishes. For example, in a bathroom scheme, include hardware, tiles, textiles and paint choices to see how these aspects sit alongside one another.

It’s oen good to use real samples.

Design mood boards that focus on furniture and décor. Use to look at potential new furniture pieces and how they’ll work together.

It’s also good to view with items you already own. Will they all complement one another?

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How do I start building a mood board?

Gather imagery or items and start combining them. Some items will reveal themselves as perfect bedfellows, while others will stick out like sore thumbs. n n n n

Start with one piece or image you love and build from there Gather what you love over time Establish a colour palee Be detailed – include paints, textures, rugs, cushions, flooring, art, lighting and accessories

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Where can I find inspiration for it from?

Prey much anywhere – including Real Homes magazine or online! Try Pinterest, Instagram, books, magazines, architecture, plants, favourite shops, your wardrobe, restaurants and hotels you love.

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What online tools are there to gather my imagery?

I always use InDesign for my mood boards (aer a rifle through Pinterest) – but Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Photoshop, Word and Canva can all help to get your pictures in order.

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Greige 02 paint, £38 for 1ltr, Lick

Lake Eyre lime paint, from £30 for 1ltr, Bauwerk

Pink Ground Modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball

Borgeby birch veneer coffee table, £70; Lohals flatwoven rug, £80; Nävlinge LED floor lamp, £19, all Ikea

Charcoal grey opal disk wall light, £45, Houseof

Icon Mini Morgan kids cord armchair bean bag, £49.99, Bazaar Group

Swyft Sofa in a Box Model 02 velvet twoseater sofa in Vine, £1,095, Cuckooland

där lighting Mikara 12light cluster pendant, £379, Castlegate Lights

Carter’s Rose eggshell, £56 for 2.5ltrs, Ca Pietra

SlatWall Acoustic Natural Oak, £129.99 per panel, NatureWall

Chevron oak media unit, £750, Cox & Cox

Luana oak side table, £219, Beaumonde Boston Fern air purifying plant, £12, Leaf Envy Industrial leather cushion, £12, Habitat

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

This month, we look at wall hangings as a crafty and contemporary alternative to framed art ELLE COLLINS, BAMALUZ HOME We’re big fans of gallery walls here at Real Homes, but with the resurgence of cras like macramé, we’ll admit we’ve been swapping our art prints in favour of something a lile different here and there. Turns out your walls are so much more versatile as a display space – and there have never been more options to adorn them, from plates Minimalist to mirrors to baskets.

Kloud fos Our favourite? Wall (cloud wall), hangings. Big or small, from £23 they’re a statement piece of art in their own right and can help fill a blank space with colour and texture. Intrigued?

Check out some of our favourite designers here, and consider shopping with them for your own special piece.

Hi Elle! How would you describe your business in a sentence?

We make handwoven modern fibre art, inspired by the coast and the unique beauty of nature.

Hwethen (bubble) panel on oak, £144

How did Bamaluz Home come to life?

I studied jewellery design at university, but I’d always loved making things with my hands, dabbling in all sorts of artistic mediums. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with our first child, Hudson, five years ago, that I discovered weaving. It was such a relaxing cra and I soon became addicted. My job at the time was in the wedding industry as an events

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Where do you get your inspiration?

We spend a lot of time by the sea in our campervan as a family.

Cornwall and Devon instantly felt like home. Bamaluz is a beach in St. Ives, Cornwall, and it’s my happy place.

The sights and sounds of the sea and countryside down there fill me with so much inspiration, from the vast seascapes to the tiny barnacles and seaweed sticking to the moody rocks.

The driwood I use is collected off the beaches. My round woven wall hangings are inspired by the spirals in shells.

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What’s your favourite thing about what you do?

What I love most about fibre art and weaving is that it’s such a beautifully tactile way to add details and intrigue to the home. Style, size and colour options are endless; the only limit is the imagination. I’ve incorporated many things into my weavings before – I never like to be restricted! I’ve made needle felted plants for everlasting wall gardens, used gold leaf to add a bit of luxury, painted straight onto the weaving to create different effects, and I oen weave

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coordinator, which was an hour commute and dominated most of our summer weekends. It was always a massive dream of mine to have my own creative business – I just didn’t know what until that moment. I took the plunge into starting my own business as I knew it would be much more flexible around family life. Now I feel very anxious if a day goes past without doing some weaving!

Tonn droglam (wave crash) set of three panels, £794

On the wall Want more creations to adorn your wall? Here’s two more designers we love RIA BEESON, HANGTIME STUDIO

Above Bespoke pieces like this one are available to suit your space.

Kloud fos (cloud wall), £210 for XXL

Below Elle works on a loom, using ethically sourced materials wherever possible.

@hangtimestudio ‘I make wall hangings and home accessories with a geometric style and contemporary look, with the aim of modernising traditional patchwork and offering an alternative to typical wall art,’ says Ria. ‘Hangtime Studio started aer I wanted a wall hanging for my own home but couldn’t find anything I liked. I’ve been sewing for Geometric many years, so I decided textile wall to make something out of hanging, £110, fabric. I created a small Hangtime collection to see if they Studio would sell. Luckily they did!

My proudest moments are working on commissions and collaborating on designs with customers that result in something I know will be loved by them, as they’ve been part of the process. The feeling that someone wants something I’ve made to be part of their home fills me with excitement and pride every time.’ etsy.com/shop/hangtimestudio

TIM STEVENSON, WE ARE LUNARIUM

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

The ones that always make me feel incredibly proud are when people from all over the world contact me to make bespoke pieces. They have a few ideas of what they want but then leave the rest completely to me, trusting me entirely to create something beautiful for their homes. I was also nominated last year for ‘The Independent Awards’ with Holly Tucker. There were 50,000 nominations, whiled down to just 120 of us in six categories. That was a very proud moment.

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and buy her hangings at bamaluzhome.com

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straight onto objects like big shells and statement pieces of driwood.

@shop.lunarium ‘My wall hangings are a modern twist on the traditional macramé-style hangings, handmade from sustainably If you had to pick just one of sourced birch plywood and painted your pieces, which one would be with geometric designs,’ says Tim. your favourite?

‘We’d just moved to a 1940s semi that That would be my large custom needed a complete renovation, and I wave wall hanging, which now joined a few Facebook groups for tips and inspiration. I loved geometric and lives in America. That really pushed my Scandinavian designs, so I came up with confidence and skills as I’d never made a small wall hanging that I showed off on anything that big or detailed before. Since one of the groups. Everyone loved it and then I’ve become addicted to challenging wanted their own, and it grew from there! myself with larger pieces. The one I opened an Etsy shop in currently on my loom is 2018. I’ve since created Teal three-tier a 1.3 metre square wall my own website, featured hanger, £33.95, panel that’ll be hung on in a few shops and have We Are Lunarium solid oak. I’ve a feeling it an upcoming feature in a will be my new favourite well-loved British TV series – keep your eyes peeled! as I’m packing it full I think the hangings have of texture and all the done so well because techniques I’ve taught they’re a lile different. myself over the years!

It’s still weird knowing things I made are in To follow Elle, go to homes all over the world!’ @bamaluzhomedecor, wearelunarium.com

STYLE

maths Curate a gender-neutral nursery, whatever your budget, with our edit of the latest buys and how to combine them

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Cot duvet cover set, £17.99, H&M Home

£100

Round bamboo shelf, £30, Matalan

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Nobodinoz deer cushion, £29.95, Bobby Rabbit

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£300 Eliot multicoloured tasselled rug, £55, Maisons du Monde

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Star Bright dressing up rail, £115, Great Little Trading Company

Anderson rocking chair in soft marl warm grey, £199, Next

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Alphabet Art print by Munks + Me, from £15, Fy

Deep black mini cot, £129, Mokee

Black seagrass basket, £22, HoF Living

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£89.94

£10.06 left over for some Bedtime story books

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£17.01 left over for some fun and colourful toys

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£35 left over for a mobile to excite imaginations

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Felt name garland, £35, Brown Betty Blue

Kudl Kids vintage gold cot, £177.99, Baby & Childstore

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Kids’ cream large novelty basket, £12, Primark

1970s bungalow renovation

GOING

coastal

Inspired by the art of Texas and the laid-back vibe of the east coast in the US, John and Anna Carver turned a bland bungalow into a unique beach home

Profile

The owners John Carver, a creator, his wife, Anna, and their children Minnie, Finlay and Bodie The property A two-bedroom beachside home near, Camber Sands, near Rye, East Sussex Project cost £206,000

Clockwise from above Casual seating and outdoor games means that living is easy outside and in Philippe Starck dining chairs,

vintage. Table, Wiersham Building.

Outside seating, Garden Trading.

For a similar Cornilleau table tennis table, try The Games Room Company

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As locations go, this house is perfectly positioned for the beach. How did you come across it?

We were looking for something to develop as a holiday home to rent out in Camber, near Rye. It was never on the market – we just heard about it and bought it from the lady who owned it. It’s on the only pedestrian road in Camber and is literally 100 metres from the beach with no cars driving up and down outside. If you have kids and you want to open the door and let them run around, there’s only a small road to the car park to cross before they’re at the beach, so it’s very convenient.

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The coage has a very welcoming, lived-in feel, I think from the use of recycled materials.

Is sustainability important to you?

Yes, very. Pretty much everything in there is recycled.

The cladding on the walls is potato crates! It’s quite hard to get a lot of cladding that all looks the same – normally, you get little batches of it. We have second-hand scaffold board floorboards and all the decking outside is used scaffold board.

We don’t like homes where someone says “take your shoes off”. We wanted the feeling that you can just wander in off the beach and not feel uncomfortable. People can come in covered in mud or sand and just brush it away or hoover it up. It’s about being relaxed rather than being precious.

The studio in the garden is clad in rusty corrugated iron that I bought from a farmer. The building is brand new and beautifully built, but the cladding on the outside makes it look like it’s been there for years and years.

‘WE WANTED THE FEELING THAT YOU CAN JUST WANDER IN OFF THE BEACH AND NOT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE’

The bungalow wasn’t much to look at when you bought it. The change is quite amazing.

It was a tired, late 1970s/early 1980s brick-built bungalow typical of the area, with lots of little rooms. We have extended it a little – we pushed out to the side, which gave us an extra few feet either side of the original property.

We still have two bedrooms, the same as before, but the space has all been opened up and it has a mezzanine. It wasn’t like that before. There was a kitchen, a bathroom and a sitting area– all that is now open plan. And there’s a new studio that is a chill out and entertainment space.

I’ve never seen anything like the interior, at least not in the UK. Who or where were you inspired by?

My wife and I, that’s kind of our stamp. We operate under the name Carver & Carver. Various people ask us to do projects, and we do our own. The two towns we reference are Montauk in New York and Marfa, which is in Texas. Marfa is a town devoted to artists, specifically a minimalist artist called Donald Judd. We’ve been out there a few times, and similarly to Montauk. The whole funky laid-back surf style is something we are in favour of and is what we normally have a vision for the houses we do. We like to give them a look that’s quite contemporary, but try not to be too obvious about it.

How did you get your start on these creative house transformations?

I did study architecture, though I didn’t qualify as one – I wasn’t patient enough! Now we kind of see houses

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The look is so unusual – it isn’t just something you can buy off the shelf in a homeware store.

Did it take you long to get it how you wanted it?

We bought it at the end of 2018 and it took about 15-18 months in total. We were very specific and quite fussy so it took a long time. We got a really good building company who did all the work; they were fantastic.

They’ve done a few things for us in the past – they like doing quirky stuff.

We’ve used stuff from all over the world to decorate it. We curate the art. I do photography and I work with an artist, and some of the artwork is stuff that we’ve done together.

With the UK in the grip of lockdowns last year, did you get a chance to enjoy it aer the work was completed?

We had the family down there last summer – we love it. Any gaps between rentals we go down because it’s such a fantastic space. It’s a sun trap – the sun is on the garden all day. And the whole open-plan living area is a really cool space and very relaxed.

We had a couple from the USA renting it from last September because they think of it as the equivalent of Montauk in England. They’re into kite surfing and the beach is minutes away. They’re going to be renting it again after summer. They love the quirky, eclectic style and the fact we mix everything up rather than just having a beige finish.

Q A

That’s a real seal of approval. Have you got another project ready for you to work your makeover magic on?

We have! We’ve got a Brutalist house that we’re just about to start a year’s worth of building on. It’s on a cliff in Rye overlooking Romney Marsh. We just like finding unusual properties and reinventing them. It’s a bit of fun!

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and reinvent them. We used to live in Primrose HIll but we wanted a house near the sea. We found a modernist bungalow in a place called Peasmarsh, opposite Sir Paul McCartney’s home, and spent a year or so developing that. We ended up moving there and just going back to Primrose Hill at weekends.

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ravel, when we’re allowed to do it, broadens the mind, and with it, our taste in design. Who hasn’t come back from a holiday and brought a little of it back with them? It might be a souvenir, a piece of furniture, or the inspiration for a makeover to try and recapture that feeling of blissful relaxation we’ve enjoyed for a week or two.

John Carver and his wife, Anna, have become skilled at reinventing the most ordinary-looking buildings and turning them into homes with roots in the American coast or its artistic communities. For their latest project, they took an unremarkable 1970s British bungalow and transformed it into a chilled-out beach home where vintage water skis hang from the walls and no one worries about you walking sand back from the beach.

John reveals how they created an escape so authentic that American visitors regard it as a home away from home.

The house is filled with personal touches and vintage finds that give it a unique feel and an American spirit.

Lights, The Lamp Co and Creative Cables.

Skull on wall, McCully & Crane in Rye. Cowboy hats, Surfing Cowboys in Malibu.

Oven, Falcon

Wall tiles, Emery & Cie in Brussels.

Industrial school chairs, a flea market in Paris.

French dining table, Sideshow Interiors of St Leonard’s

School’s out

Enjoy a touch of nostalgia as you eat with a chair that’ll take you straight back to class 1

2

1 Clanfield chair, £100, Garden Trading 2 Hester stackable dining chair, £140 for two, Habitat 3 Jason dining chair, £243.99 for four, Wayfair 4 Hiba school chairs, £199 for two, La Redoute

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HTIMS YLIME TIDE GNIPPOHS SEIZNEM MLOCLAM SHPARGOTOHP SENOJ NOSILA SDROW

Above and right All of the fixtures and fiings feel like they have a story to tell of where they were found.

Le, above and right Vintage waterskis hang from the wall as a tribute to Montauk on the east coast of America – a surfing hot spot.

Habitat leather L-shaped sofa from Ooh La La strip club in Soho. For a similar sideboard, try Vinterior. Vintage Barracuda, Ripitup in Montauk.

Carp illustration, Sideshow Interiors of St Leonard’s

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Corrugated metal sheets on the walls, scaffold board on the floor and storage made from crates emphasise the sustainable nature of the décor.

Costs & contacts Building work £150,000 Electrics £15,000 Windows £15,000 Plumbing £10,000 Fees £10,000 Hot tub £6,000

Designers Carver & Carver Building contractor Wiersham Building, 01797 270589 Concrete kitchen suppliers Mortise Concrete, 020 7859 4730, mortiseconcrete.co.uk Windows Norrsken Windows, 01202 632777, norrsken.co.uk Electrics Dexter Ward, 01233 758202

Clockwise from above The texture of the shower tiles and the wooden walls in the bedroom offer a raw, natural look and tactile feel.

Zelliges shower tiles, Cement

Tile Shop. Chrome fiings, Crosswater.

Shower Mirror, Croydex Simpson.

Painting above bed, McCully & Crane in Rye. Paintings on wall, from a flea market in Oslo, Norway

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The exterior of the once-dated bungalow has been uerly transformed with dramatic black walls and roof.

1963 Hotchkiss M201 Jeep from John Carver’s classic car collection

BEFORE

Plaster pink Calming, earthy and versatile, we reveal the cultural reason for the surge in popularity of this organic shade – and how to make it work in your home

P

ink is always in style, and the specific shades we see ebb and flow into the interior design spotlight can be seen as a reflection of our times. For many years in Western culture, pink has been notoriously gendered. In 2016, we saw the sweet shade of Rose Quartz, otherwise known as blush or millennial pink, crowned Pantone’s colour of the year – and we became obsessed with the colour.

Its abundant use everywhere from restaurants to advertising campaigns and our living room walls can be seen as a reflection of our progressive thinking and, ultimately, a rejection of gender divides; pink is no longer just for girls.

Now we’ve stepped things up a notch on the sophistication scale with a hue that’s a little more muted and ‘grown up’: plaster pink. So why the shift?

The trend for earthy, organic interiors is booming, no doubt

encouraged by our enforced slower pace of life thanks to the lockdowns, and therefore a bigger, new-found appreciation of nature. We’ve seen an explosion in natural, sustainable furnishings and accessories – think bamboo, rattan, jute, pampas grass and dried flowers. Dulux named its 2021 colour of the year Brave Ground– a warm, earthy brown. So with this penchant for leaning back to nature, and a desire to surround ourselves with earthy, grounded shades and raw materials, it’s no wonder our go-to pink has taken a more natural twist.

‘After the trend for millennial pink, plaster pink feels more sophisticated and chimes better with national psyche at the moment,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO at Mylands Paints (mylands.com).

Decorating with plaster pink is a real pleasure, thanks to its versatility: it can work alongside most colours.

‘What’s great about plaster pink is that it’s got a lot of brown in it, which puts it closer to the neutrals camp – plaster pink can act as a great neutral,’ says interior designer and colour queen

It’s the colour for you if:

1 You’d like a neutral backdrop with oomph 2 Pink is your favourite colour but you want sophistication, too 3 You want to feel calmer 4 A raw, organic look appeals to you 5 You want to stay ahead of the trends

Masquerade Mid 333, £48.50 for 2.5lltrs of Absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene

Get Plastered, £49.99 for 2.5ltrs of matt emulsion, Dowsing & Reynolds Rattan bookshelf, £150; Halden drinks cabinet, £300; Shaw rattan ceiling shade, £55; Habitat. For a similar wall covering, try AccentuWall’s Plaster mural, from £79.69, Etsy

Setting Plaster, £49.50 for 2.5ltrs of Estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

Sophie Robinson (sophierobinson. co.uk). ‘If you use plaster pink as your base colour, you could put any shade with it, from your forest greens to a lovely sharp cobalt blue.’

As with most things inspired by nature, plaster pink adds a calming feel to a room. ‘The colour provides warmth to a space while remaining light and airy. It’s not too serious and can make us feel uplifted and tranquil,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene (littlegreene.com). ‘Soft pink tones exude feelings of relaxation, and can have a light-hearted edge.

This means they can be used in multiple spaces because they’re both warm enough to make us feel cosy, and safe enough to be used without worry.

They work especially beautifully in areas where we seek relaxation, like living rooms or bedrooms.’

When deciding on a specific shade, the direction your room faces can make a huge difference. ‘To balance the effect of sunlight, opt for a warmer, slightly peachier tone in north-facing spaces and a cooler plaster pink colour in south-facing rooms,’ says Dominic at Mylands. We can’t help but wonder, then, what pink hue will be trending next – and what will it reveal about us?

The rules Do

Be brave – use it as a twist on a neutral backdrop.

Combine with wood and raan for an earthy feel.

Play with textured walls for an organic look.

Leisure velvet tub armchair, £168.99, Mano Mano

Leopard framed art prints, £180 for two, Audenza

the Bold palette

HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

The perfect pairing to plaster pink

Orla Kiely spot flower velvet cushion, £60, Next

Elevate your scheme with either contrasting or harmonious hues 67

Don’t

Use in rooms where you want to feel energised.

Combine with yellow.

Be subtle – this shade could easily get lost.

the neutral palette

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Stoneware jug, £24.95, Graham & Green

Fresh Plaster, £30.04 for 2.5ltrs of Mixing matt emulsion, Dulux

Style crush Sometimes we come across a product we just can’t stop thinking about – and we want to share it with you. Here’s what we’ve fallen for this month Sun, sea and paint

Not going away this year? Fear not – we have you covered. The new collaboration between Lick and Livingetc is sure to satisfy those holiday cravings.

The new palee, Neo Deco pastels, features a range of easy-to-use colours that capture the retro glamour and fun of Miami along with the relaxed summer vibes we’ve all been craving. The only things missing? Duty-free shopping and the smell of sun cream…

MO C.SEMOHLAER

HTIMS YLIME ERUTAEF

Palette 01: Neo Deco pastels, Pink 05, Yellow 03, Blue 09, Blue 08, Blue 10, Purple 03, White 03, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Lick

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S U S TA I N A B L E STYLE Make eco-conscious decorating effortless with this roundup of fuss-free products – from independent brands crafting handmade homeware, to big companies adopting a responsible approach

Perfect paint Make a conscious choice to cover the walls around you with chemical-free solutions.

We’ve done the groundwork for you by finding a healthy and beautiful array of cleaner decorating products – but we’ll leave the colour decisions down to you…

Why we love Mylands…

Mylands is one of the last remaining manufacturers to still use natural earth pigments in paint, making them sumptuously deep and colour rich as well as eco-friendly.

What they say…

‘We take great pride in perfecting our formulations,’ says owner Dominic Myland. ‘Over the years we have worked tirelessly to create paint with superior performance that doesn’t cost, or damage, the earth.’

Little Greene This virtually odourless paint carries the industry’s lowest eco rating.

Aquamarine, £53 for 2.5ltrs of ma emulsion

Greenwhich Time and Floral Street Marble matt emulsion, £74 for 2.5ltrs, Mylands

Earthborn Claypaint absorbs moisture so is a great choice for allergy sufferers, pregnant women and pets.

Gingham Claypaint, £47 for 2.5ltrs

Lick Home This low-chemical paint can cover most indoor surfaces, from radiators to laminate.

Deep Terracoa ma emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltrs

Mattress, from £999; classic pillow cases, £9.99 for two; classic fitted double sheet, £29.99; classic double duvet cover, £54.99; Herringbone Shetland throw in gold, £64.99, all Woolroom

Beautiful bedding Follow a no-frills approach when choosing a sumptuous set to dress your bed. The delicate and durable qualities of natural linen, organic coon and wool make these materials the perfect choice for year-round style, comfort and breathability.

Why we love Woolroom…

As the UK’s first bedding retailer to provide traceable, sustainable wool across all collections, a fresh new bedding set from Woolroom means you can rest assured you’re creating a healthier, happier sleep sanctuary. Wool has countless benefits: it’s hypoallergenic, a natural insulator and a renewable resource.

What they say…

‘Our customers are geing all the sleep and health benefits of wool bedding, without harming the environment,’ says Chris Taersall, clean sleep environment expert and MD of Woolroom.

‘And with our eco-friendly packaging and organic coon casings, our bedding bundles are kept 100 per cent natural.’

Top tip To create the ultimate clean sleeping, switch to wool bedding. It’s one of the most natural and sustainable fibres and acts as an air purifier by absorbing VOCs

RENREVAT ACISSEJ ERUTAEF

Bedfolk Earthy shades echo this brand’s organic nature, and all elements are responsibly made. Moss Linen double bedding bundle, £179

H&M Stylish, fun, eco-friendly and a bargain, these sets range from £17.99 to just £39.99. Yellow spot kids duvet set, £17.99

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Piglet This set is made from sustainable flax – a rotation crop that creates pure comfort.

Burnt orange double basic bundle, £261

Sink shapes: Shell, £995; Arch, £750, Scallop, £650; Oval, £650; Ripple, £695, all Smith & Goat

Bathroom basics Combine prey with practical by making a sustainable swap to your daily routine. The mantra ‘buy once, buy well’ applies to your bathroom basin. too. Invest in a high quality design that’ll last and choose a stand out colour or shape. Complete the scheme with more thoughtful buys.

Why we love Smith & Goat…

Born out of a love for natural materials, the small team at Smith & Goat employ ambitious techniques in blending and casting concrete to produce stand-out homeware, from statement sinks to pots and candle holders.

What they say…

‘We use recycled materials as much as possible, from our packaging to the leover concrete chips in our terrazzo,’ says Reggie Smith, co owner and maker at Smith & Goat.

‘We work with as many local suppliers as we can, too.’

Did you know?

Smith & Goat’s collab with candle makers Cera and Mersea Wax Melts means you can carry on enjoying their reusable candle pots once the wax has melted

Soak & Sleep This bundle has GOTS certification, which shows it’s sourced using natural methods.

Organic cotton towel set, £37

Who Gives A Crap Made from 100 per cent recycled fibres, half the profits of this loo roll go to providing sanitation for people in need.

24 rolls for £24

Wickes Choose a tap with a cold-start function to prevent hot water wastage and save energy.

Roca Carelia mixer tap, £125

Top tip If you find yourself with leover wallpaper, there are plenty of ways to use it in other parts of the home. Why not makeover the back of a cabinet or line the inside of drawers?

Tranquil wallpaper If walls could talk… they’d probably thank you for adorning them in unique paerns and soul soothing colours produced in an earth-friendly manner.

Why we love Woodchip & Magnolia…

Set out to banish woodchip wallpaper and magnolia walls, the in-house design team aims to brighten the rooms of Britain with its quirky designs and vibrant colour palee. Nature is firmly at the heart of the business, with all its wallpaper and fabrics made in house as eco-friendly and sustainably as possible.

What they say…

‘Having an awareness of how the goods we buy are manufactured is important to shopping responsibly,’ says Nina Tarnowski, founder and designer.

‘Our papers are sourced from well-managed, sustainable forests and are printed to order to prevent waste. We consider our eco footprint in every aspect of our business; in fact, pre-Covid, our team of local staff even car shared their journey to work.’

Move & Flow cream wallpaper, £99 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia x Fearne Cotton

Rapture & Wright This brand’s eco-friendly rural workshop breaks down print waste sustainably.

Tribal Stripe, £26 per metre

Jessica Osborne All of the wallpapers in this stunning collection are printed to order in England. Night Sky Yellow Dawn, £92 per roll

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Mind The Gap The founder’s rural upbringing made her passionate about nature so she strives to protect it.

The Enchanted Woodland, £175 for three rolls

Final flourishes With the help of these planet-friendly finishing touches, you can make your home a greener place to be.

This selection of upliing colours and trend-led designs will make eco accessorising an easy feat.

Safari daybed, £430; Kapok Safari daybed mattresses, £220 each; handmade crushed linen blanket in Warm White, £140; and hand dyed velvet cushion covers, £70 each, all Ingredients LDN

Why we love Ingredients LDN… Celebrating a slower pace of living, online homeware store Ingredients LDN handpicks timeless pieces made by small makers and artisans dedicated to their cra. The clever use of natural materials ensures that products get beer with time and use.

What they say…

‘We consider the story of the makers and their process, the story of the material, and the stories that will be created once our products end up in your home,’ says founder Nina Plummer.

Top tip Opt for a subtle colour palee and quality design to create a timeless aesthetic that will look as good in years to come as it does today

Foam Home These almosttoo-pretty-toburn candles are hand poured in the UK using vegan friendly soy wax. Bubble candle, £17

Antipodream This sustainable selection has been carefully curated by small indie businesses and creatives. Round Pot pansy wall vase, £65

Collective Stories They strive to preserve local, traditional craftmanship across the globe.

Convergent cushion, £145

Sideboard cabinet, £750, from the sustainable furniture range at Rockett St George

Top tip Give your furniture a new lease of life by rearranging the room – it’s amazing how even simple changes can transform the energy of a space!

Fine furniture Home is where the heart is, so add personality with products craed from reused, repurposed or recycled materials. These days, there’s a wide variety of responsible options to make your living space shine.

Why we love Rockett St George…

Rocke St George’s latest collection of sustainable furniture has been made in collaboration with local designer Jani Lemut.

It’s craed from FSC-standard wood and reclaimed materials that celebrates the possibilities of waste to create furniture that lasts and doesn’t cost the earth.

What they say…

‘Inspired by using materials sourced from waste streams and keeping a low carbon footprint, the new sideboard and side tables from our sustainable furniture range features a dark coffee grout paern made from recycled coffee grounds,’ says co-founder Jane Rocke.

Ikea This large business is increasing its use of natural fibres such as water hyacinth, cork, banana and rattan. Trolley table, £55

Weaver Green This range of homeware is made using 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles and feels as soft as wool. Juno Lichen ottoman, £585

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Nkuku Each timeless piece is handcrafted using traditional techniques and reclaimed materials. Bara armchair, £995

The design

Clini

Need our help?

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

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

COLOUR ADVICE

Q A

My north-facing bedroom always feels cold and dark.

What can I do to improve this?

When it comes to decorating a room that’s north facing, it’s important to remember that northern light tends to bring out the cooler tones within a colour, so avoid anything with a green or grey base. To help bounce light around your room, try using warm neutral shades like New White by Farrow & Ball or Perfectly Taupe by Dulux.

Alternatively, you could embrace the cooler natural light you’ve got and go for darker paint colours, such as Powdered Clay by Crown or Millbank No. 254 by Mylands, to help create a cosy, cocooning feel.

Meet the people ready to help with your dilemmas Kaitlin Has plenty of reno advice from her own home remodel Ellen Has practical tips and tricks to make life at home a lile simpler Alison The go-to for all things DIY, with tons of wisdom to impart

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Annie Our shopping expert has her eye on the best buys for your home Amelia Has her finger on the pulse of all things style, kitchen and bathroom Emily Real Homes’ resident colour expert is a lover of bold hues

Powdered Clay, Breatheasy Coloured matt emulsion from £18 for 2.5ltrs, Crown

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KITCHEN ADVICE

Q A

I want to wallpaper in my kitchen – is it a good idea?

Absolutely! Wallpaper is a great way to bring pattern and life to a kitchen.

However, along with bathrooms, the extra humidity, steam and inevitable splashes that occur in a kitchen will make wallpaper more vulnerable to stains and peeling. There are many specialist kitchen and bathroom wallpapers out there, including vinyl and acrylic designs that are extra hardy. If you’ve found a regular wallpaper you love, no fear!

You can protect the paper by applying a decorator’s varnish, such as Polyvine Protective Decorator’s varnish. Choose from matt, satin or a mix, and the clear liquid will dry quickly to ensure any wallpaper can stand up to kitchen wear and tear.

GARDEN ADVICE

Q A

What should I plant for winter flower?

One of the best options for winter flower is hellebores, thanks to their flexibility and the huge range of colours on offer. The best times for planting are late autumn and early spring; they’ll flower abundantly from December to April.

Plant in containers for best results. Other options include pink autumn cherry, camelias, Sarcococca Confusa and Mahonia ‘Winter Sun’.

RENOVATION ADVICE I can hear my neighbours – how can I cut out the noise?

Noisy neighbours can be uerly misery making. A chat with next door might help if it’s a television or sound system that’s simply too loud.

Bookshelves or wardrobes against walls, or carpets and rugs on floors, will muffle noise a lile. You can increase thin wall thickness with soundproof or acoustic plasterboard, which has a denser core than normal plasterboard. The idea is to add more mass, improving its resistance to sound. A beer solution, though at the cost of some space, is to create another stud wall in front of your party wall, adding acoustic insulation in the gap between. Brands like Rockwool or Knauf are graded for effectiveness.

Watch out for the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. The higher it is, the greater its soundproofing capabilities.

Q A

PPALC HGIEL ;EEL EITAK HPARGOTOHP

BEST BUYS What are some options for nice-looking appliances I’ll want to keep out on my kitchen worktop?

Who says kitchen appliances can’t be pretty and practical? Not us!

Here are some seriously stylish options fit for all kitchens and budgets – from Scandi-style to elegant buys, and even something for pink lovers.

Q A

De’Longhi Argento Flora drip coffee machine, £49.31, Amazon

Smeg 50s Retro KLF03RGUK kettle in rose gold, £184, AO.com

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Russell Hobbs Scandi RHMM713 compact solo microwave, £69.99, Currys

OUTDOOR ADVICE

Q A

I have a small garden but love entertaining – how can I make it work for me this summer?

There are lots of options! First, choose flexible furnishings. Look for pieces that fold up or items on wheels, which you can push out of the way or rearrange when guests come by. Multipurpose pieces like ottomans are great, too, because they can be used as extra seating or cocktail tables in a pinch. Some even have storage so you can easily stash your gardening gear when entertaining. As far as creating ambience, I love a styled bar cart where guests can make their own cocktails, and most bar carts are small enough to fit in a corner. Also, consider adding string lights overhead. They’ll draw the eye up in the evening, making the space seem larger, and they’re also a nice way to add lighting without taking up any floor space in the garden.

Freya bistro set in yellow, £89, Dobbies

renovated townhouse

COLOUR

t h e r a py After decorating each room two or three times, Elisha Utley has finally nailed the bright, colourful look her modern three-storey home needed

New shuers where a balcony used to be make the living room more private. ‘My favourite piece is the neon light, which was a self-indulgent buy,’ says Elisha. ‘I also love the chair – I saw it in

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Cox & Cox but found the same one second hand on Ebay for half the price.’

Shelving (sprayed gold), Ikea. Chair, Ebay.

Neon sign, Bag & Bones.

Orange vase, TK Maxx

‘Initially we got rid of our old corner sofa, as it was the wrong shape, and bought two beige sofas for a more sociable arrangement,’ says Elisha. ‘Later we sold them and got a lovely velvet chaise sofa, which fits the room beer. The walls used to be cream and navy, but since I change things so oen, I felt neutral walls would be a beer backdrop.’

Walls painted in Timeless, Dulux. Chaise sofa, Swoon. Orange cushions, Made. Yellow cushions and throw, Very. Rug, La Redoute.

Rainbow artwork, Nanas of Anarchy

A

fter 19 years in her previous home, it took a long time and countless décor changes before Elisha Utley felt truly settled in her new place. ‘I cried for the first year,’ she says. ‘In fact, I felt heartbroken – it just didn’t feel like home.’

Elisha had wanted to move before her youngest daughter Daisy started school and had set her heart on a lakeside estate a few miles away. Constructed in 2004, it had a park and shops on the doorstep. So when a friend spotted a Facebook advert for a four-bedroom detached townhouse there, Elisha jumped at the chance to view it.

‘It had been rented out so looked a bit tired,’ she says.

‘But the rooms were bigger than other similarly priced houses in the area and I loved having the living room on the second floor and the top floor walk-in wardrobe. I made an offer straight away and told my husband, Daz, later! He didn’t even see it until four weeks before completion. Luckily he liked it, despite being a bit daunted by its size.’

One of the most pressing jobs was taking out a false raised floor in the dining room, which had been converted from a garage and was open-plan to the hallway.

By building a wall and door they created a snug/study instead. Demolishing the pointless balcony off the first floor living room was another wise move, as it blocked light from the kitchen below and overlooked the neighbours. On the top floor, Elisha created her dream walk-in wardrobe by knocking out the dividing wall in the dressing room and adding shelves and rails from Ikea.

‘Money was tight so we did everything bit by bit, like the shutters, which we ordered one by one over two years,’ she says.

‘And we had help from Daz’s brother, who’s a joiner.’

Elisha admits trying to recreate the country style of her previous house – a 1930s semi – was her biggest mistake.

‘The first week my father-in-law put up the same wallpaper from our old home to make me feel less homesick,’ she recalls. ‘Three months later I realised it didn’t work. The house is quite modern and doesn’t have a traditional layout – it needed a more eclectic mix of old and new with much more colour.’ Once the couple started to make bigger changes, like replacing the bathrooms and kitchen, Elisha began to feel more settled.

‘THE HOUSE IS QUITE MODERN; IT NEEDED AN ECLECTIC MIX OF OLD AND NEW WITH MUCH MORE COLOUR’

Clockwise from top right Elisha kept the sink in the same place but added a larder unit and Smeg fridge. ‘A year aer the kitchen was fied, I found a company who could respray it to any colour you wanted in a day,’ she says. ‘It cost £700 and I was thrilled with the job they did!’

Kitchen, Symphony. Units resprayed in Mylands Bond Street, One Stop Refinishers.

Rug, French Connection. Neon sign, Bag & Bones. Oak work surface, Worktop Express.

Plate rack, Emma Bridgewater. ‘Chateau Utley’ sign, Doy Doliles. Crockery and Leisure range cooker, Very

REMOVED FLOOR IN SNUG December 2017 REPLACED BATHROOMS June 2017

GARDEN LANDSCAPED August 2019 KITCHEN ORDERED January 2018

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NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS September 2020 KITCHEN RESPRAYED NAVY September 2019

HTIMS YLIME TIDE GNIPPOHS EEL EITAK SHPARGOTOHP NOSLIW NERAK SDROW

BOUGHT HOUSE April 2017

Project timeline

In the kitchen, a pointless side door was blocked up and a false chimney breast was built to make better use of the space.

‘At first I played it safe with cream shaker units to replace the shiny grey ones as I was still trying to recreate my old kitchen,’ says Elisha. ‘But after a year, I regretted the colour choice and found a great company who resprayed the units in blue.’

With the interior more or less finished, the couple turned their attention to the garden. With two dogs, it needed to be low maintenance. ‘I told my husband it would be a little job,’ says Elisha. ‘But it turned into moving 10 tonnes of soil and five months of hard work every single weekend!’

Finally, new anthracite grey windows and doors were fitted along with Karndean flooring in the living room and several feature walls of bold, bright wallpaper.

Elisha’s biggest tip is to live in your home for a while before making big changes. ‘I’m terrible for swapping things around and am constantly redecorating,’ she admits.

‘I went through a phase of painting the walls every other week. The bathroom has been about three different shades of pink and one day I painted the kitchen walls green, then cream again about an hour later! It doesn’t help that I’m addicted to an app called Plot Board, where you can take screenshots of things you like and change the background wall colour.’

Although Elisha still has a couple of purchases left on her wish list, namely Karndean flooring for the master bedroom and Crittall-style doors into the snug, she’s happy to pause the decorating for now. ‘I do get bored easily,’ she says. ‘But I think I’ll be staying neutral on the walls from now on – it makes it so much easier to change other things around.’

Profile

The owners Elisha Utley (@eli_at_home), a receptionist for a kitchen company, her husband Darren, a window fier, and their children, Imogen, 21, and Daisy, seven, plus Pomeranians Poppy and Vivienne The property A four-bedroom detached townhouse, built in 2004, in Brampton Bierlow, near Rotherham project cost £23,900

TOP TIP

Choose open shelving rather than wall units to make a kitchen feel lighter and more spacious, and to curate colourful displays

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Costs & contacts

Garden £7,000 Kitchen and respray £4,700 Windows and door £4,500 Building works and decorating £3,000 Flooring £2,700 Bathrooms £2,000 Kitchen Symphony, 01226 446 000, symphony-group.co.uk Kitchen respray One Stop Refinishers, 01274 674822, onestop-refinishers.co.uk Flooring Paul Simon Creative Flooring, 07711 261805 Windows and doors Key Installations, 07983 807549

Le When the couple first moved in, there was a huge breakfast bar dominating the room.

‘We removed it and went for a farmhouse dining table instead,’ says Elisha.

‘I recently updated it with orange legs, as well as bringing in more colour through the wall plates.’

Dining table, Farmhouse Furniture, with legs painted in Charloe’s Locks, Farrow & Ball.

Industrial chandelier, Amazon. Dining chairs, Very and Cult Furniture.

Wall plates, Margot in Margate, Ali Joe Designs and Etsy Right A wall was built to screen the new snug area from the hall. Elisha has made the most of it, creating a vibrant gallery.

Console table, Apple Crates UK. Oak flooring, Howarth Timber

Le ‘I saw this wallpaper online and had to have it somewhere in the house,’ says Elisha. ‘I’d had my eye on the green sofa for ages aer seeing it on Instagram. I bought it aer a gin night!’

Unit and desk, West Elm. Wallpaper, Borasterpeter.

Rug, La Redoute. Vases, Very. Gold hand, Next.

Clock, Habitat. Sco sofa and pouffe, Made.

Zebra print, Juniqe. Yellow flower cushion, I am Fy

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1 Cabbage dinner plate, £20, Micucci Interiors 2 Azul decorative dinner plate, £28, Rose & Grey 3 Les Jardins De La Comtesse Bali plate, £18, Fortnum & Mason 4 Pip Studio Blushing Birds plate, £9, John Lewis & Partners

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3

4

MOC.SEMOHLAER

Plate it up

Use your dinnerware as art, just like Elisha has, with a gallery wall of crockery

Le ‘I’ve tried to link the hallway and landings to the rest of the house with colourful rugs and artwork,’ says Elisha.

Rug, Ian Snow.

Artwork, Juniqe.

Mirror, Made.

Above The couple managed to revamp their bathroom for just £2,000 with help from Daz’s brother, who fied the wood panelling. ‘During lockdown, I changed things again by painting the bath green, adding wallpaper and puing mosaic vinyl over the floor,’ says Elisha. ‘Next I’m planning to add some plates to the wall.’

Bath, Victorian Plumbing, painted in Puck, Lile Greene. Funky Arctic Polka Dots vinyl flooring,

Flooring Superstore.

Wallpaper, Borastapeter Right Daisy’s bedroom is another space that’s been changed several times. ‘The wallpaper was originally flowers, then I went spoy, and it’s since had two different rainbow designs,’ says Elisha.

Bed, Feather & Black.

Wallpaper, Eleanor Bowmer. Canopy, Scandiborn. Bedside cabinet, Antipodream.

Rug, La Redoute. ’2013’ print, Eleanor Bowmer

Daughter Imogen has the bedroom on the middle floor next to the living room. ‘We originally painted the walls in Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball but the light in here made it feel too brown,’ says Elisha. ‘She wanted a funkier, more

colourful look, so we added the wallpaper, neon sign and new bed.’

Bed, Danei. Wallpaper, Lucy Tiffney. Neon sign, Bag & Bones. Velvet cushions, Christy and TK Maxx. Bedside table, Very. Floor lamp, Dunelm

This image and right The master bedroom is a relaxing retreat. ‘I wanted to add colour but not on the walls, which were previously green,’ says Elisha. ‘I’d always wanted a pink bed so that set the tone. The Ikea picture ledges were hung upside down as shelves.’

Bed, Loaf. Pendant light, Luxeology. Artwork, Juniqe. Cushions, Hello Furn. Throw, Amara.

Bedside table and lamp, Dunelm. Chair, Maisons du Monde. Cushion, Made. Mirror, Laura Ashley. Artwork, Desenio. Rug, Very

Right ‘Revamping our en suite shower room was one of my lockdown projects,’ says Elisha.

‘It felt a bit boring so I created shapes from tester pots and leover paint, as well as painting the vanity unit pink.’

Colour blocking painted in Teal Mood, Graham & Brown and Yellow Chueca, B&Q. ‘Get Naked’ sign, Desenio. Planter, Very.

Vanity unit painted in Hoie, Frenchic. Loo roll holder, TK Maxx

Pile it on

Cushions add colour, comfort and texture – stack them for cosiness Camel Traders cushion, £45, Postcards Home

‘Oh My’ slogan cushion, £12, Matalan Savannah cushion, £10, B&M

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Bombay Duck What a Star cushion, £35, The Joy Edit

Nomad artisan throw, £49.99, Walton & Co

GET GARDENING Fancy making your own planters? Of course you do – and our step-by-step guides from our garden experts are just the thing to inspire you to get crafting.

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Who doesn’t love choosing the finishing touches to a scheme?

Each episode, we’re sharing insider hints for perfecting any room – so whether you’re looking for tips on selecting cushions, curtains, bedding or outdoor textiles, get it right with our help.

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Rhubarb stripe cushion, £109, Mind The Gap

Merge Kelim cushion, £64, Abode Living

Roost Welcome to

TUNE IN TO OUR ONLINE TV SHOW AND DISCOVER HOW TO CREATE YOUR DREAM SPACE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT

Kitchen buys Kitting out your

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kitchen is harder than it sounds when you’ve got dozens of products to compare – which is where we come in. From buying a fridge to planning appliances or making the most of storage, our guides have all you need to know to make the best choice.

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Slab kitchen in Denim Blue & Smoke Blue, from £10,000, Trend Interiors

Style secrets

ENTERTAIN OUTDOORS AND STAY SAFE

Ready to party hard on your patio, get your garden groove on or just invite a few pals around for a Covid-safe cuppa? Our guide to entertaining outside helps you enjoy the comfort of indoors, without worrying about wine stains on the carpet

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resh research from Rated People reveals that almost half (47 per cent) of UK residents plan to transform their gardens this year. Alongside garden offices, creating outdoor entertaining areas are the top incentive for digging deep (literally) and sorting out that barren wasteland behind the house. Or perhaps it’s the news that pimping your garden can add almost £20,000 to the value of a property… or the whole deadly-virus-hatesfresh-air shiz? Whatever your motive, it’s fair to say we’ll be entertaining outdoors more than ever before in 2021.

Possibly since time began, or at least since caves got doors.

Sadly, this renewed interest in gardening doesn’t necessarily equate to automatic Monty Don capabilities. So, if you’re specifically looking to add entertaining space, where to start? The wise money is on decent outdoor furniture; however, much like a caravan holiday in Bognor, prices have gone through the roof. And delivery times have gone, well, postal. Enter clever renovators, who are filling YouTube and Reels with build-your-own seating tutorials; Ikea’s Kuddarna outdoor cushions are flying off the shelves to cover the results.

The shopping situation for dining furniture is similarly dire. Do still invest if something catches your eye but don’t

expect it to arrive before next summer. In the meantime, try ‘shopping your home’, which is posh-speak for dragging your dining table and chairs outside. While you’re at it, wheel out the drinks trolley. Admittedly this approach does require a decent spell of warm weather, and ideally a few little helpers to get it all set up, unless you’re working on a 40,000 daily step goal. But the payback is you’ll not have to find space to stash a trillion cushions when the heavens inevitably open – they just get flung back indoors.

Speaking of downpours, of which there will be many, the best outdoor entertaining set-ups include some form of rain cover, especially if you’re not quite ready (or allowed by actual law) to let the revellers take shelter indoors. An outdoor ‘room’, with open sides but a solid roof, is the goto for serious garden parties and is a credible DIY option if you’re proficient in using the tools. Otherwise, consider a good quality rain-resistant gazebo – try White Pavilion Gazebos for stormproof options. Don’t stress too much, though. If there’s one thing Covid has taught us, it’s that Brits will brave any manner of cold, wind, rain and even sleet for the chance to sink a few beverages with good friends.

Get that drinks trolley fully loaded, and they will come…

Turn up the heat Loke Corten steel outdoor fireplace, £529, Jotul La Hacienda Icarus castiron fire pit, £84.99, Very

Candela pendant electric heater, £99.99, Gardenesque

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Cosicoop Original gas lantern in Olive, £125, Amara

NOTYALC ADNIL SDROW

Keep guests cosy as it gets cooler with patio heaters you can stand or hang

Back wall in Tuscan Red 140 Intelligent exterior masonry paint, £71 for 5ltrs; table legs & plant pot in Grey Teal 226 Intelligent exterior eggshell, £36 for 1ltr, Little Greene

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See more ideas for creating a cool and cosy outside living space

Create cohesion Decorate your outdoor space in a similar style to inside. Use outdoor cushions and rugs to provide colour, paern and shape – layering textiles will fast-track the comfort levels. A mix of seating, including out-sized floor cushions and bean bags for lounging, will achieve a relaxed, informal vibe.

Use masonry paint on walls and exterior grade eggshell or chalk-paint on furniture – this season’s on-trend Mediterranean shades are perfect for dialling up the holiday vibe.

Verona Rome awning, from £2,499 for 2.5m; heating/lighting bundle, from £710, Hillarys

Don’t forget… to turn up the tunes Addon T3+ portable speaker, £179.99, Currys

Pattern 10690 cement tiles in black and white, from £78 m2, Mosaic Factory. Design

by Studio Lifestyle

Above Woodwork painted in Classic All Purpose in Celery Leaf and Ebony, from £34 for 2.5ltrs, Sadolin

Feature a film Hosting open-air movie nights is easier than you might think. It requires a white sheet or blackout fabric, projector (go for one with at least 3500 lumens), and an HDMIcompatible streaming device such as a laptop or Apple TV box. Projectors usually include a speaker connection outlet, but you can make life easier with Bluetooth connectivity. Use a waterproof extension lead if you don’t have outdoor sockets. Peg your screen securely in a sheltered spot. Popcorn optional. Just kidding, it’s essential.

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Raise the bar No garden party is complete without refreshing beverages.

Make hosting easier by seing up a dedicated bar. Load a simple sink with ice for stashing boles and cans, then use it to rinse glassware aerwards – it can be filled from the garden hose if necessary and drained straight onto the lawn or storm drain. Other useful features include open shelves for cocktail supplies and hooks for bole openers. Add tall outdoor stools for the full cocktail bar experience.

Karu four-piece conversational set, £599; Balboa iron lantern in antique gold, £19.99; Colene bamboo windlight, £17.99; Mardi Gras and Inkat striped cushions, from £12.99 each; Inka throw, £29.99; all Dobbies

Melissa asantecrook

Collage artist

‘Our outdoor plot was a triangular-shaped lawned garden with a winding Victorian paver path leading to nowhere through the middle. Lockdown inspired the refresh. I really wanted to define the area as an outdoor living space that we could entertain in but also use as a family to eat out or even work in.

The pergola frame is timber posts painted in Frenchic’s Black Jack Alfresco, with teak-stained roof battens to provide slatted shade.

The patio is made from the old pavers. It immediately gives a sense of age and belonging with our Victorian house, and makes a nice contrast against the modern structure. We’ve used the space a few times to entertain now. We add vintage-style festoon and fairy lights, an outdoor rug under the table and the back bench gets piled with scatter cushions.

Candles, potted herbs/plants, table linen, carafes of wine and faux hanging plants all add to that indoor vibe outside. The industrial style pendant light is also an infrared heat lamp. If you choose electric heating, you’ll need to install an outdoor electric supply. And don’t forget storage for the cosy cushions and throws!’

Insta @efuaathome; shop etsy. com/uk/shop/NookandCrook

Top Tip

Revive tired or ugly patio slabs with stencils.

Try Dizzy Duck Designs (dizzyduckdesigns.com) for fab paerns and a step-by-step guide.

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Stay warm For heating aer the sun goes down, fire pits and chimineas offer the allure of real flame and are fairly inexpensive to run.

Upgrade to a fire pit table for cosy suppers – a great space-saver on small patios. Unless you have a really sheltered garden, consider a portable fire pit to reposition according to wind direction. Gas fires or patio heaters are safer and low effort, but oen require a gas bole and cost more to run.

SAMANTHA ROOBOTTOM INTERIORS INFLUENCER

Obole metal fire pit, £240, La Redoute

Cook up a storm Permanent outdoor kitchens make an impressive and convenient feature. Build out of weatherproof materials like solid stone, brick and sealed cedar so it can withstand year-round exposure without covers.

Freestanding outdoor kitchens are flexible and affordable. They can be moved with the sun, or to escape the wind, but will usually need to be covered or stowed away in winter.

Left Project designed and completed

by Construct Melbourne.

Styling by Norsu Interiors

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Light it up Festoon lights and treeslung lanterns lend instant romance and sparkle.

Solar-powered lighting has improved to be brighter and longer lasting, but for decent task lighting, go for wired outdoor lights (IP65 rated) or portable and rechargeable outdoor lights. Boost the ‘living room’ vibe with lamp-style designs, like Eva Solo’s chic SunLight range.

Bondholmen table and four chairs, £350; Svartra lights, £29; Kolbjorn cabinet, £65; Otteron pouffe, £40, all Ikea

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‘Originally hardscaped with a raised patio, gravelled area and pond, this wasn’t the most family-friendly back garden when we first moved in. We kept the Indian sandstone, switched the gravel for turf and filled in the pond. We also planted a laurel hedge and repainted the fence panels behind in a neutral shade.

I then cleared most of the borders and planted lavender and other fragrant plants. The pergola was a gift from my mum when she downsized home. Again, it needed refreshing, so out came the neutral paint. Then I added a solar fairy light curtain at the back and solar lanterns to make it prettier.

With the great British weather, it comes in handy should rain interrupt a barbecue. We positioned the White Stores corner sofa to overlook the lawn where the children play. It’s wonderfully relaxing to sit with the warm sun on your face, listening to the birds, cold drink at the ready. When entertaining, I add cushions and blankets and light citronella candles. We also have a fire pit to keep off the chill in colder months. My top advice is to think about mood lighting, like lanterns, festoon lights or candles. It’s just as important outside as inside and creates a wonderful atmosphere that makes your garden feel quite magical.’

Insta @mrs_roobottom_home

extended period home

LIVING IN

style

Everything about Lovisa’s Victorian revamp oozes charm and ingenuity

Profile

The owner Lovisa Silburn, a creative director for an advertising agency and owner of interior design company Swenglish Home (swenglishhome.com), her children, Jacob and Esther, and Billy the springer spaniel The property A five-bed Victorian semidetached house in Kent

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This image and le ‘The carpenters made a window seat and it’s everyone’s favourite spot to sit in the sun,’ says Lovisa.

Walls painted in Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball. Fringe table lamp by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, 1stdibs. Blinds in Palmeral fabric, House of Hackney. Cushions in Josef Frank’s Manhaan fabric, Svenskt Tenn. Leather sofa, vintage Stouby. Rug, Designers Guild. Coffee table and Hungarian chair, House Junkie

Le Calm colours are shaken up by a punch of hot pink.

For a sofa, try the Camden, Sofas & Stuff. Glass side table, Zara Home.

For a similar rug, try French Connection Below The painting above the fireplace is of Lovisa’s grandmother.

Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.

Stove, Wingham Woodburning Stoves. Armoire, and lights, vintage

F

rom the moment Lovisa Silburn, her late husband, Paul, and their children first viewed their Victorian semi in Kent, they could see its potential. ‘It had a such a happy family feel, I knew it would be perfect,’ says Lovisa. But even after buying the house, moving in was some way away – a full-width extension to create a spacious kitchen-diner would come first. The upside was that while the family was in rented accommodation, after selling their previous home in west Kent, Lovisa could plan the interior.

She says her obsession with paint swatches became a running joke with children Jacob and Esther: ‘I would carry little squares of paper in my bag and, every time we went into a shop, they would groan as I rifled through for them. But when your mind is buzzing with ideas, it helps to keep a focus. If, say, a vintage vase caught my eye, I’d only buy it if it matched my scheme.’

Lovisa’s core colours of serene pastels and darker blues provide the common thread for this home. There are surprise elements, too, supplied by the vintage pieces.

‘PEOPLE THINK SCANDI HOMES ARE ALL WHITE. BUT WE SWEDES LOVE COLOUR FOR ADDING HOMELINESS’

‘Sticking to a set of colours doesn’t stifle creativity – it just keeps my quirkiness on track,’ she says.

Over time, Lovisa has found that her style has become bolder and brighter, and her talent for seeking out decorative chandeliers, wall lights and sconces has only gathered momentum. ‘Some people buy bags and shoes. I buy lighting,’ she says with a smile. She also adds vibrancy to her pastel backdrops through the use of pattern, and this is a distinctive element of her scheme.

In the master en suite Lovisa indulged her love of Moroccan zellige and encaustic tiles, but evened out the budget by using cheaper porcelain patterns in the family bathroom.

Her exuberant style is evident in her choice of fabric and wallpaper, too: the sitting room blinds display vibrant palm fronds, while monkeys scamper up the wall in Jacob’s room and the cloakroom. ‘The wallpaper is from House of Hackney – I love how their designs riff on Britain’s tradition of busy patterns,’ she says.

Pattern and colour were an aesthetic she grew up with in her homeland, Sweden. ‘People think Scandi homes are all white, with maybe a dash of grey. But actually, Swedes love colour,’ she says. ‘Think of the folksy 19th-century patterns, Josef Frank’s designs and even Ikea – colour has always been used to add warmth and homeliness.’

The collection of art and photography displayed around the house reveals the importance Lovisa places on personal items. Some paintings are heirlooms, such as the portrait of her grandmother by the fire in the sitting room. The newest additions are by Hastings-based artist Rachel Glittenberg, including a striking floor-standing oil on canvas in the family room. ‘Her work is so compelling,’ Lovisa says.

Lovisa now also runs interior design company Swenglish Home, and it is here that she has honed her blend of Swedish and English styles. ‘A home is where you can bring together something old and something new,’ says Lovisa. ‘It’s a mishmash of pieces from different places, but put together in a way that is personal to you.’

Clockwise from boom ‘We painted the units in a timeless deep blue-black colour,’ says Lovisa. French doors open onto a decking area with wicker garden furniture and terraced garden beyond. A gallery wall and a collection of pendants add personality.

Bespoke cabinetry, Woodwork Kitchens, painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Bespoke dining table, DT-69.

Fritz Hansen Ant chairs, Holloways of Ludlow.

Light Graphite birch flooring, Timbered

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A framed Grayson Perry Tate scarf makes for an arresting art piece.

Bed, The French Bedroom Company.

Blinds made from fabric by Louise Body. Glass pendant by Rothschild & Bickers. Side table, Zara Home. Bedcover, Graham & Green

Contacts

Below Two rooms at the top of the house were knocked into one to create Jacob’s bedroom. The football table was bought in Italy.

Carpentry Excel Build & Fence, 01892 870 357, excelbuilders.co.uk Kitchen Woodwork Kitchens, 01892 533273, woodworkkitchens.co.uk Tiles Mosaic Factory, 020 3514 0483, mosaicfactory.com

Wallpaper House of Hackney. Walls painted in Ammonite and Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Light, vintage Hans-Agne Jakobsson

Above An oversized mirror is the star in the bathroom.

Washbasin, Fired Earth.

Walls painted in French Gray, Farrow & Ball. For floor tiles, try Tiles Direct

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2

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1 Deco brass & glass ceiling light, £150, Cox & Cox 2 Rose cut glass pendant light, £95, Soho House 3 BePureHome Engrave small hanging lamp, £37.95, Cuckooland 4 Clarendon pendant light, £80, Garden Trading

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MOC.SEMOHLAER

Keep it light

Use low-hanging pendants instead of lamps, like Lovisa has, and leave surfaces uncluered

ADVERTOR IAL

Bring the heat T

Studio Air, from Stovax This luxury woodburning fire range has all the industrial-chic styling you’ll need, with its contemporary landscape format and wide viewing window. Available as both freestanding and built-in models, the Studio Air offers not only a high efficiency ecodesign burn, but also a wealth of installation options to suit your home. From £2,295

A fireplace creates a perfect focal point. Plan ahead by investing now Loft, from Gazco Looking for the very best in gas convenience? The Lo is a gas stove from Gazco, presenting a realistic flame but operable by remote control from the comfort of the sofa. Top and boom sections can be selected for an elegant and tall focal point that’ll turn heads. From £2,419

he sun may be out (hopefully), but now is the ideal time to start thinking about fires. Pick your new fireplace in summer, and you can have it all installed and ready to go when it’s time to get cosy again. Whether you’re looking for woodburning and multifuel or gas and electric, here are Stovax and Gazco’s pick of the top five stoves and fires to create the perfect atmosphere and focal point in your home, on or off. To see more of Stovax and Gazco’s ranges, go to stovax.com

County, from Stovax If traditional is what you seek, look no further than the County range of woodburning and multifuel stoves from Stovax. DEFRA exempt, this charming stove suits a variety of interiors, with impressive flames and the latest in firebox engineering that will make it at home in even the most urban of areas. From £785

ME, from Nordpeis Break the mould by opting for the Nordpeis ME woodburner, with its cuing-edge design and highperformance heat. This awardwinning fire comes in pedestal, bench-mounted or ceiling-hung versions – the ultimate in modern interior inspiration. From £1,969

eStudio, from Gazco Ideal for media walls and TV installations, Gazco’s eStudio electric fire range provides dramatic flame effects and lifelike logs. Only requiring connection to the mains to function, the eStudio offers a host of choices and features, from the optional silver birch log fuel bed to the immersive mood lighting system for extra fireside ambience. From £845

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Creating a mindful space is not about what it looks like, but how it makes you feel – and there are simple steps you can take to improve your home’s wellbeing, as Jennifer Morgan discovers

M

mindful home reflects us and not our neighbours, friends, or followers. ‘A mindful home is authentic,’ she says. ‘You don’t have to prove yourself or your style/likes/ dislikes to anyone: it’s about you and your happiness, and essentially who you are at the end of the day. It’s about a space you create purposefully to make life better.’

All sounding good so far… but what actions do we need to take? Stylist and author of Home for the Soul, Sara Bird, says to start by thinking: ‘Really think about how you use a space and how areas and rooms make you feel when you’re in them.’

Begin with a home audit of sorts: if your hallway is a place of chaos, then what can you do to calm it down? If your bathroom isn’t the sanctuary you dream of, then perhaps it needs a makeover? Does your bedroom aid that golden eight hours of sleep each night?

‘I don’t think many people realise how much we’re influenced by the way we display, store and keep things in our homes,’ says Nicola. ‘It can make the difference between holding onto lots of mental clutter versus feeling free to think clearly, take action and move forward in our lives. When my home is messy, cluttered or needs decorating, it creates endless distractions for me. I like everything to have its place and for it to feel streamlined – this makes those mundane tasks, such as homework, washing, ironing, and tidying kids’ rooms, so much easier.’

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indful, mindfulness, living more mindfully… all words and phrases that have secured a firm footing in our vocabulary during the turmoil and chaos of the past 18 months.

And while we have an idea of what they mean – the act of being present in our lives and our actions, not overwhelmed by what’s going on around us – we are also increasingly looking for ways to bring this notion of mindfulness into our homes, too. Of course, it makes sense, as stylist and author of The New Mindful Home and How to Make it Yours, Joanna Thornhill, explains: ‘A mindful home is a space that’s designed to support our own wellbeing and helps make it easy to practice self care (in whatever form that make take), or indulge in creative hobbies – but one that’s equally aware of the impact that decorating mindfully entails to the environment.’ Who wouldn’t want this kind of home?

‘The experience of the pandemic and losing so much access to the outside world has, unsurprisingly, made us focus a lot more on our homes,’ says Joanna. ‘They became the centre of our world. Add to this the way that mental health and environmental concerns relating to our throwaway culture have become more mainstream and you can see why we’re looking at how we design our homes mindfully – it’s a natural progression.’

Creative business coach Nicola Wilkes (seriouslystylishbusiness.co.uk) believes a

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Home home

So, on your mindful home journey, find time for a good declutter – though don’t go overboard, as Sara cautions. ‘While clutter can make us feel stressed, objects and finds do lend personality to a room and fill a home with memories,’ she says. ‘The secret is to regularly monitor what you do have and then organise what remains into zones and areas, using boxes, baskets, cupboards and shelving, for an orderly way of having things in your home.’

‘We need to tune into our gut – or that intuitive voice – to get clear on what will truly enhance our happiness at home,’ says Joanna.

‘Does that look like improving storage (or decluttering), so it’s not always a battle to put the coats or kids’ toys away? Or is it ensuring you’ve carved out a corner of calm where you can escape the stresses of everyday life?

Really focus on the elements that are causing you stress and how you can rectify this.’

What if it’s the décor that’s causing you angst? ‘Decorating mindfully encompasses a

design classic I’ll have for the rest of my life, such as my dining table, which is the Saturn

by Swedish brand Lammhults, or my dining chairs by Kartell, which I saved up for and bought one at a time 20 years ago as a single mother. I still have both.’

‘To be truly mindful, it’s important to consider the sustainability credentials of the pieces we bring into our home, and who made them, just as much as their aesthetic appeal,’ says Joanna. ‘It acknowledges the psychological triggers and associations we subconsciously make all the time in relation to what we surround ourselves with and brings this into our forethoughts as a key consideration within the design process.’

Joanna also looks at personality types in her book and how we can use this to inform our decorative decisions. ‘If you understand how your intro/extroversion can dictate the sort of spaces that resonate with you most, then you’ll get a much better

‘ T U N E I N T O Y O U R G U T, T H A T I N T U I T I V E VOICE, TO GET CLEAR ON WHAT WILL ENHANCE YOUR HAPPINESS AT HOME’

number of different elements,’ Joanna adds, ‘but it comes back to how you want to feel in your home. If you want to encourage sociability among your family or household in communal areas, consider relaxed seating layouts and bold, vibrant colours and patterns to help support this. For a spa-like bathroom, opt for a limited palette of earthy, natural tones and bring in soft texture.’

Don’t underestimate the importance of natural light in a mindful home. ‘It connects us to nature and brings health-enhancing benefits,’ says Sara. ‘It is a balance, though, so where we open up areas to daylight to set a positive mood in a scheme, we need to balance with shade and privacy. Make sure you include lots of tactile surfaces – think of furnishings to sink into, brush against or to help dampen noise.’

Joanna, Sara and Nicola all champion considered purchases. ‘Can a piece of furniture be repurposed elsewhere around the home or upcycled?’ asks Sara. ‘If you’re buying new, try to choose something for longevity.’ Being eco-aware belongs very much in the mindful home – it’s that sense of being mindful about our planet, too. ‘Make it a project to explore the many eco options for decorating and research the benefits of health-enhancing materials,’ Sara adds.

‘Items bought for the sake of it because they’re a fashion fad, in a high street home store or were reduced is not my style,’ says Nicola. ‘I’m far more likely to save up for a

idea of what works for you personally,’ she says. ‘Although I’m very organised and find clutter stressful, conversely, I like to surround myself with ornaments, books, art and design pieces in quite a maximalist way as visual stimulation is very comforting to me: I have a busy mind, so without anything to look at, my thoughts can race. Other people might find this overwhelming.’

Colour – and your colour personality, as identified by Angela Wright – also has mindful implications: ‘This goes far deeper than aesthetics and relates to the tonal palettes, which naturally support us best.

Since discovering my own colour personality, I’ve been making tweaks around my home and repainted rooms to create a space that speaks to my subconscious and just “feels” right.’

‘During the second lockdown, I repainted my living room from dark grey to a rich, verdant green,’ says Joanna. ‘I’d always loved the “blank canvas” the grey walls gave, almost like a palette cleanser to escape from my busy life to. But with extended lockdowns, I began to crave something more stimulating that would enhance my feelings of connecting to nature. As well as the green refresh, I switched out a few pieces to more natural elements, increasing my biophilic connection to nature.

The space now feels much more cocooning and welcoming, even though the change hasn’t been that dramatic.’ Sara agrees, and her final words sum it up to perfection: ‘It’s the small things that matter in a mindful home.’

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5

mindful home ideas

Up your home’s zen this weekend with these tips

1

Decluer a small space, be it a corner of the room or a drawer, and feel the benefits of geing rid of what no longer serves you – and gaining extra room.

2

Clean your windows.

Okay, this one’s a bit of an ask, but sparkling windows make all the difference to a space and help to maximise the amount of light geing into your room.

3

Up your plant quota with some new, responsiblysourced green friends.

Opt for air-purifying ones like devil’s ivy, peace lily or philodendron.

4

Have a tech-free evening.

Try geing the whole family involved (we know, easier said than done) and ditch the screens for a good old-fashioned games night.

5

Light a candle. The gentle flicker of a small flame is an instant mood-enhancer and will make you pause, even just for a moment.

Any excuse to treat ourselves to a new one.

Garden redesign

Garden party After years of hard work, Sally and Steven now have a lovely terrace garden to enjoy with family and friends

W

hen Sally and Steven moved into their house on the Sussex coast, they inherited an unusable garden space. ‘The previous owners had built a rear extension without considering how it would impact the garden, so, there was lots of outdoor space we couldn’t easily access,’ says Sally. ‘The garden’s first tier was built too close to the back of the house and slanted upwards. We had a tiny 1970s crazy paving patio and the lawn was mostly mud.’

The couple dreamed of a space that they could cook, entertain and host parties in. They made meticulous plans for it to include a dining table, an integrated barbecue and cosy seating, and picked out lots of planting in shades of yellow, pink and purple.

The project took three years, and the couple did most of the work themselves. ‘We kept chipping away at it when the weather was good: evenings after work, during holidays and through the weekend,’ says Sally.

‘We saved money but our social life and holidays were put on hold.’

Now finished, the garden is an extension of the house. ‘We practically live outside now,’ Sally says. ‘We’ve even made pizzas in the rain! We’re so looking forward to summer.’

BEFORE

PIZZA OVEN

To achieve the clean lines in their garden design, the couple did lots of planning at least a year in advance to get a sleek look.

They bought their pizza oven before the garden was started; that way, they could design the integrated log storage to be the same size as the oven base. ‘We love slow cooking food,’ Sally says. ‘We roast chickens and vegetables in there and we’re learning how to make bread, too. It’s great for large gatherings as you can make pizza after pizza. My aim is to cook a Christmas dinner in there one year!’

Profile

The owners Sally Hubbard, director of Justin Lloyd Estate and Leing Agents, and her partner, Steven Green, a self-employed carpenter The property A three-bed 1930s semi-detached house in Portslade, West Sussex project cost £27,499

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Top Tiers

Originally the garden sloped steeply up to the garage. Sally and Steven measured out different levels to make the most of every inch of space.

They excavated the equivalent of eight double-decker buses’ worth of mud and hardcore. ‘We hired a digger and took turns levelling the ground.

Every few weeks, a grab truck would collect several tons of mud,’ says Sally. It was turfed with artificial grass and Steven built integrated steps up to the other levels, making them look like they were floating.

Leaning wall One of the biggest (and costliest) elements of this project was to fix the 1930s wall that runs the length of the garden, which was leaning precariously into the street. ‘There were concerns it may collapse,’ says Sally.

‘Steven rebuilt the wall and we had a professional bricklayer to rebuild the pillars, plus a rendering company to finish it in the same style as the back of the house. It cost us £10,000 to fix.’

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

‘We have lots of family living locally so we wanted room to host parties,’ says Sally. ‘One family member is in a wheelchair, and it was important to us that she could access the garden easily. That’s why we put in a large decked area.’ They used scaffold boards, stained and waterproofed with Osmo oil. ‘They don’t get slippery when wet, which makes them an ideal alternative to decking,’ Sally adds.

The modular dining table with benches offers flexible seating.

shopping list Wicker seat and stool, Next. Throw and rug, TKMaxx. Wi-Fi speaker, B&Q. Dining table and chairs, Made. Runner, Marks &Spencer. Mila 60 pizza oven, Garden Gi Shop. Cushions, John Lewis & Partners and cushioncreator.co.uk.

Hanging planters, Red Candy and Velvet of Hove. Walls rendered in Monocouche by Polar White

BUILT-IN BENCH

SELIG DIVAD SHPARGOTOHP YDARB ENIXAM GNILYTS DNA SDROW

Carpenter Steven made the floating wooden bench from cedar wood. ‘It’s his favourite wood to work with,’ says Sally. ‘Not only does it smell nice, it also changes colour over time to a beautiful silver grey.’ The bench took a couple of weeks to make and get the dimensions just right.

‘We wanted it to look chunky and be comfy with lots of scatter cushions.’ Sally had bespoke cushions made up in showerproof fabric, which she ordered online.

Costs & contacts

the plant edit

Paris Daisy ‘I wanted to add more colour so I went for these bright daisies.’

Marguarite ‘My garden design was based around a yellow, pink and purple palee. I have seasonal plants that add these colours to my borders all-year long.’

Japonica ‘I wanted my pots to be filled with greenery – hardy, long-lasting plants that would give me tropical colour all year.’

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Black Velvet ‘I got these as a present from my mum for my garden.’

Garden furniture Made, made.com Artificial lawn West Sussex Artificial Grass, 01903 899259, wsagrass.co.uk Fencing Travis Perkins, 0333 577 8811, travisperkins.co.uk Rendering Insa-Rend, 01273 530501, insa-rend.co.uk

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Dahlias ‘I like their structural shape and their prey yellow pompom heads. They give my garden a bust of colour throughout the summer.’

Eco-rend £10,000 Wall £10,000 Faux grass £2,000 Decking £1,500 Rear fence £1,000 DIY built-in seating and cushions £900 Pizza oven £899 Garden furniture £700 Tile tops £500

Project of the month SMALL SPACES

Looking to maximise a cramped apartment? Not sure how to plan a home that's on the smaller side?

Here’s how to make a modest space work for you

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KOONS SIRHC SHPARGOTOHP IJEDEDA AWULOEFI SDROW

ith so many of us living in flats, maisonettes or shared housing in the UK, it's no surprise that we're looking for small-space solutions to make the most of the room we have. Where extending is tricky, or sometimes impossible, we have to get creative in the ways we use our homes to make it both practical and beautiful.

The good news is that you don't need to embark on a full renovation to get the most out of your property – though that is often the best way to maximise space. From layout tweaks and removing walls to clever furniture buys and decorating tricks, over the following pages we've got lots of ideas for how to make a smaller-sized home work for you – plus, hear all about this bold and bright flat that's packed with ideas.

SEE HOW THIS COUPLE TURNED A COMPACT FLAT INTO A COLOURFUL HOME THAT HAS SPACE FOR EVERYTHING 117

GLOSSARY PLANNING PERMISSION

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

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT

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

LISTED BUILDING

A property of special historic or architectural interest, which limits what building work can be done

CONSERVATION AREA

Like a listed building, this applies to an area of special historic or architectural interest; building work has more regulations

BUILDING REGULATIONS

A set of standards that should be adhered to when renovating or building a new property

BROKEN PLAN

An open-plan layout divided into distinct areas using semipermanent partitions or large openings between rooms

TOP TIP GO BOLD There is a widely held belief that sticking to neutral shades is the most effective way to make small spaces feel bigger. However, loud, impactful shades will create spaces with personality, injecting interest into what could otherwise be a dull and characterless room.

All encompassing Taking bold steps to transform a dated Victorian ground-floor flat with an eat-in kitchen-diner has paid off, giving newlyweds Craig and Sian exactly what they needed ‘The property was very run down and needed some bold colours and storage solutions,’ says Craig. ‘One of the main problems was that the kitchen was very small: we wanted to open it up to make it a more interesting space to cook in.

The existing kitchen had been there for more than 10 years and was in very bad condition, and the floors were uneven and required complete levelling.'

Craig and Sian enlisted the help of interior design studio Space Shack to make the most of their property, puing their faith in founder and creative director Omar Bhai and heading off on their honeymoon while the work got underway.

The project would involve a complete upgrade of the space that aimed to bring character to the house.

‘We opened up the space by removing the hallway wall, which had made the kitchen feel very small, dark and TOP TIP separate from the rest of the rooms,' says HEATING UP Craig. 'Doing this You can enjoy even heat meant we could underfoot by installing underfloor heating, which will also free up create space to eat available wall space for storage in the kitchen, which and furniture. Prefer the quick was important for response times of radiators? Tall us as we no longer vertical versions can also make a huge difference as they take up less room than horizontal units.

wanted to eat on our laps on the sofa!

The entire space was gloomy thanks to terrible lighting, so we installed new LED lighting throughout. We changed the laminate flooring to luxury vinyl tile in a herringbone paern to give the space some period charm.

‘The kitchen was a key focus in this project and it proved challenging to create a usable and practical space, but by eating into the hallway, which links front of house to back, Space Shack completely transformed the way we cook, eat and live.

'We removed the old cabinetry and reconfigured the space using a mixture of floor and wall-mounted units, with open shelving, too. Now we have a small breakfast bar where we can sit and enjoy meals and also use it as additional space for food prep.

The stools slide neatly under the bar, which helps to keep the space tidy.

'We’ve tried to bring life into the room, not just with colour, but by introducing plants. We’ve used both fake and real depending on the location as not all aspects of the property receives natural light. For instance, in our bedroom the window is only small, but we’ve been able to make it look more homely by adding some fake plants.

'In the living space, we went for a vibrant deep blue scheme and an accent colour of orange, along with neutral shades of green that were incorporated into the kitchen and bedroom areas. The bright bold colours have made it so much more fun and enjoyable to live and work in!'

TOP TIP VERTICAL STORAGE Where surface space is limited, wall shelving, like the bespoke design in this room, offers a place to display decorative pieces and grants easy access to herbs, spices and cookbooks

TOP TIP MAKE SPACE The dual-function laminated breakfast bar in this space offers an additional food prep area while doubling up as a place to eat, work or catch up with friends.

Hiding the washing machine and bar stools underneath helps to keep the space cluer-free.

Multifunctional spaces Whether you're working remotely or your family is growing while the house seems to be geing smaller, having a multifunctional space that caters to different family members at different times of the day could help make life easier. Multipurpose furniture, such as a desk that can be used in the day for work and then pulled down and turned into a bed at night to host guests, means that you don’t have a spare room that’s barely used. Small changes such as integrating comfortable banquee seating into the kitchen or dining area, so that children can do homework while you cook, could also be a game changer.

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Removing walls TOP TIP NATURAL LIGHT If you have the opportunity to make an opening or two for a window or a door, consider that this could make a world of difference to the amount of natural light your interiors receive.

More illumination creates the feeling of more space and could help you save on your energy bills, too.

Costs & contacts

Project budget £40,000 Architect Space Shack, 020 3633 2934, spaceshack.co.uk Kitchen Kutchenhaus, kutchenhaus.co.uk

BEFORE

TOP TIP

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Find out how to design a small kitchen over here

GO GREEN While certain plants need lots of natural light, there are plenty that don’t – perfect for the nooks and crannies that receive lile to none. Adding foliage to your interiors makes the space feel more homely, and some plants help improve air quality. Try lowmaintenance options like a spider plant, Devil’s ivy or snake plant.

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SE M O H L A E R O S #

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Need more space, but don’t have enough room in your budget for an extension?

Removing internal walls can immediately transform a cramped and dull room into one everybody wants to be in. Renovators have managed to create striking spaces that are great for entertaining and family life by taking down a wall to make a bigger room with beer flow and to bring in more natural light.

Unless you live in a listed building or Conservation Area, you won’t need to apply for planning permission to make this change; however, you will need to check whether the wall is load-bearing. If it is, you might need a structural engineer to calculate the size of the RSJ or reinforced steel joist your builder should install to support the upper floor. Not keen on a fully open-plan space? A ‘broken plan’ layout, where screens and bookshelves keep areas distinct, is great for a lile more privacy.

Whichever route you choose, there are practical considerations to bear in mind.

Because going open plan combines multiple rooms in one, you'll potentially be dealing with multiple sources of sound, like the TV and the washing machine, as well as possible cluer zones – but make sure you've taken these into account in your planning and you'll be fine.

YOUR PROJECT 10 STEPS TO COMPLETING

If you’re embarking on an extension or major renovation, follow our stage-by-stage guide to ensure it goes to plan

Find out if you need planning permission before extending; you may be able to add on without.

Modern side and rear extension in Stoke Newington fitted with Hi-Macs worktops and splashbacks, £4,668; project cost, £110,000, completed

by Material Works Architecture

CONSULT AN EXPERT

Even if you have a plan of what you want to do, bringing in a professional can really help explore the project’s potential and exceed expectations aesthetically and practically. Architects and architectural technologists have the expertise to shape your ideas and offer solutions that might never occur to you. The outlay of fees can be recouped by them helping you to maximise your investment. Another option might be an architectural designer.

They don’t have the same qualifications, but can help put together designs and give you an idea of budget.

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Scan for advice on how to plan an extension

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Get permission

Applying for planning permission and waiting for a decision can be a long and stressful ordeal before a brick is laid or foundation dug. Sites like planningportal.co.uk can help you work out if you need it and break down the fees. It costs from £206 for householder planning permission in the UK, which will cover an alteration or extension to an existing dwelling. That might increase depending on how ambitious your project is. Planning application for a new build is £462. Councils can offer pre-application advice to help you before you submit, but some may charge.

If you’re installing new glazing, take into account the lead times so you’re ready to fit it and don’t have to spend months with a hole in the wall. XP10 bi-folding door, from £3,525 +VAT, Express Bi-Folding Doors

Know your limits

SENOJ NOSILA ERUTAEF

Keeping your plans within the confines of permitted development (PD) will save you the cost and time of applying for planning.

The parameters can be generous and may be enough to give you the extra space you need. You can add a single-storey rear extension up to eight metres on a detached house and six metres on a semi or terraced house, while a side-extension can go out to nearly half the width of the original house.

You must get Building Regulations approval, even for work done under PD. Get more details at planningportal.co.uk

4

TOP TIP

Find a pro Find an architect through the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA; architecture.com) and an architectural technologist at the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technology (CIAT; architectural technology.com)

Sourcing a builder If you’ve hired an architect, they may have builders

they work with. If you haven’t, you’ll have to source your own. Finding a tradesperson who is reputable, affordable and available takes time. Get at least three quotes for price and to find someone you’re comfortable with. If a friend’s had work done, are they happy to recommend their builders? Try sites like Checkatrade or Mybuilder, or neighbourhood sites to find local trades. In demand firms are booked months ahead, so be prepared to wait.

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Alison’s top tip

Who’s in charge?

Appoint a project manager to organise the day-to-day running of the project. This might be the architect, the builder or yourself. If the build is big enough, it could pay to hire a professional project manager. They’re in a position to coordinate everything and ensure foreseeable delays to work are avoided. This means having the right tradespeople lined up when they are needed; materials are ordered; machinery is hired and securely stored; permits are organised; neighbours are alerted, particularly if there’s a shared wall, and renovation insurance is taken out. You’ll need to be available to deal with any unexpected issues or decisions that must be made.

If you’re installing beautiful glazing overlooking the garden, it’s worth factoring in landscaping at the same time. If you’ve sacrificed side access, you don’t want to end up carrying hardcore and slabs through your new kitchen

Lay cables for new lighting positions in first fix, and install in second fix. Satin Nickel Penthouse triple dimmer switch, £212.65, Wandsworth Electrical

Choosing your kitchen before the builders start will let them know the dimensions they’re working with and where cables and pipes need to go. Town and Country Charnwood kitchen in Diamond Grey, from £12,000, Mereway

6

Be organised The more decisions you can make before work starts, the better. Dithering leads to delays and workmen with nothing to do while they wait for some crucial part of the project jigsaw to arrive. Make a schedule and break down everything that is needed in terms of materials or tools that need to be hired and schedule when it is coming.

Decide on windows, bathroom suites and kitchens so builders know dimensions.

Items like glazing have long lead in times; try to arrange for windows/new bi-folds to come when they can be fitted.

Out with the old Most renovations or extensions will start with

removal. That might be walls, windows, old flooring, kitchens or bathrooms. Try and sell, recycle or even give away anything that is still usable. For the remainder, you’ll need skips; possibly several. If there is no driveway or front garden, you’ll need it on the street and you’ll have to apply for a permit from the council. While you can take rubble and waste from small DIY projects to the tip, if you are employing builders, it will be classed as commercial waste and they will be charged for disposing of it. Some tips will record licence plates to track who is bringing waste and how frequently they’re visiting.

TOP TIP Tree protection If an established tree needs to be cut down to extend, check it’s not subject to a Tree Preservation Order. If it is, you’ll need permission from the local authority before you can touch it.

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First fix Once outside walls are up and floors are in, you

need to take care of things that’ll help your room work. This means laying pipes and cables for hot and cold water, gas, electrics, phones, internet, and waste drainage. Everything must be positioned where it’s needed so that sockets, switches, light fiings, sinks, appliances and radiators can all be added later. This will also be the stage when stud walls might be built, new staircases fied, door lining and window sills put in before walls are plastered, and underfloor heating laid.

When walls are freshly plastered, wait before painting. The plasterer can advise on when to tackle it. English Fire matt emulsion, £14 for 2.5ltrs; Satin Lining Flat matt emulsion, £35 for 2.5ltrs, Crown

TOP TIP Check it off Create a snagging list towards the end of the project – small tasks that need to be finished or fixed by the tradespeople before work is signed off and they leave.

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Get plastered

An architect can think outside the design box.

In this project, Mooi Architecture suggested a vaulted ceiling as a stunning way to add space to a bathroom.

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Second fix

The end is in sight. Second fix is when things get fied to all the cables and pipes that have been le poking through holes in your plaster work. The kitchen and or bathroom suites will go in; appliances will be aached; lights will be hung and the sockets and switches needed to operate them put in place; flooring will go down; skirting and architraves will be aached; your heating will be activated and the room will start to function. All that’s le is to decorate to your taste and enjoy.

SPLURGE ON…

Tradespeople run on tea/coffee and biscuits.

Make sure you have a reliable kele filled and ready. Hay Sowden kele, £99, Nest

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The space will start to take shape now as ceilings are boarded, walls lined with plasterboard and floorboards or screed laid. Then the plasterer can move in and get to work creating a blank canvas. Plaster and screed has to dry out, which could take from two to six weeks, so give it as long as possible before painting or covering with flooring. The plasterer can advise on how best to treat it to avoid cracking. If you can do base painting before any fitted units start going in, this might be the time to tackle it.

Beat island hood, £995, Faber

NEWS PROJECT

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

THE BEAT GOES ON

Want style, substance and a kitchen free from stale cooking smells? Three ticks to Faber’s Beat island cooker head. An extractor (but not as we know it), it has the curves of a light shade – complete with LED lights to illuminate the hob – and a powerful recirculating action you can control with a touch. It comes in black, white, dusty blue and grey for kitchenmatching perfection.

History repeating

Switched on

Recreate the relaxed ambience your fave A minimum of £10,000 from sales coffee shopofwith a light of the National Trust collection switch upstyle. Dowsing will go to the conservation & Reynolds’ new charity so that it can toggles, dimmers and continue to care for nature, sockets come in neutral beauty and history for everyone colours, and are a soer alternative to plain plastic or metallics.

They’re even named for the tools of a barista’s trade – Whipped Cream, Caramel Lae and Cinnamon.

A rocker switch starts from £27.99

The Vintera XL 9 sink in Silgranit® concrete style, £848 excl. VAT, Blanco

Hardcore hero

SENOJ NOSILA ERUTAEF

All hail the industrial edge-creating properties of concrete! A work surface and sink made from this building material might seem a bold step, but it’s one we’re on board with for its robust look. However, appearances can deceive: this sink by Blanco UK is actually made from durable Silgranit material in a concrete colour, which has the same feel as the real thing but is even more hardwearing. Plus it’s anti-bacterial, hygienic and easy to clean. Bonus! There are eight sinks over three ranges, starting from £428 exc VAT.

MOC.SEMOHLAER

An English person’s home is their castle, so bring a stately touch to yours with tiles inspired by the National Trust’s grandest properties.

Sarsen Stone Group has teamed up with the charity for a range that draws on the beauty of its historic houses and the gardens, landscapes and coastlines that surround them.

Every piece is a step back in time. The tiles cost from £44.40 per m2

DID YOU KNOW

Sliding beauty The beauty of sliding doors is that they leave so much of your garden view exposed while still allowing easy access out to it. That outlook just gets beer with Origin’s OS-29 (Patio Slider) – the slimmest semi-dry glaze sliding door system in the UK. Built from premium aluminium, its fine frames are not only elegant, but offer maximum glass – which means more light and a greater panorama of garden. It has a smaller minimum size than Origin’s existing sliding doors, so can be installed in a wider range of properties, and it comes in more than 150 RAL colours.

The OS-29 (Patio Slider) costs from £3,500, Origin

Mix it up

98% ECO CHOICE

Addicted to baked goods and the signature retro rounded edges of Smeg appliances?

Its new hand mixer should hit the sweet spot, then.

It looks like a ‘50s rocket, and has different speeds (including turbo!) and attachments to whip up cream, batters, cake mixes and even dough. Available in seven colours, it’s accessorised with a cloth bag to keep the mixer and beaters together.

It costs £149.95

Slipping off your shoes to protect the carpet is more pleasurable when it’s cushiony so underfoot. But have you ever given much thought to the underlay that gives it bounce?

Interfloor have – and they’ve made it beer. Renu underlay is made from 98 per cent ethically sourced and recycled materials, and it’s recyclable so will never have to end up in landfill.

Even the packaging is recycled or recyclable. It helps your carpet – and the planet – last longer. The underlay is price on application from Interfloor.

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Style splash Duravit takes the

HELP AT HOME

Helen Haider, Fisher & Paykel’s head of marketing, reveals how kitchens are evolving to convenience us

bathroom to the next level through collaborations with design luminaries like Sir Norman Foster and Philippe Starck.

D-Neo, a link up with Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly, is intended to offer affordable sanitaryware with Duravit’s customary high-quality look. The sleek, timeless form of the baths, basins and toilets are styled to transcend fleeting fashions. Prices start at £225.60 for a basin

Q A

Tip top tap Oh hello sinuous, sculptural tap.

The devil’s in the design details when it comes to completing a stunning kitchen scheme, and this Franke pull out is a stand out. The Icon is a double jet shower tap with adjustable spray, but its slender arched lines and hammer head top make it a thing of practical beauty. It is £499 for the chrome model and £519 for the decor steel and ma black versions.

IT’S A STICK UP

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Q A

What’s behind these advancements?

Consultation with consumers.

We’re intrigued by the life lived around appliances and the ability for exceptional design to enrich life.

We draw on real insights, weaving them into solutions that users value.

Q A

Can you say what has been the most beneficial update?

The kitchen is changing. It’s not just where meals are prepared any more – it’s now where we work, where we home school, where we live and relax at the end of a day.

Hygiene’s crept onto our radar and we’re more conscious about our health than ever before. Appliances featuring innovative technology to keeps germs at bay and help you to achieve maximum hygiene with minimal effort have proved extremely popular over the past year.

MOC.SEMOHLAER

We’re all for ease and simplicity when it comes to decorating, and this might be the greatest short cut yet – peel and stick wallpaper. No more gloopy paste on the paper, the walls, your hands or in your hair. Wilko’s Arthouse Tropical wallpaper is self-adhesive; you stick it directly on the wall.

And if the paern’s not perfectly lined up, you can peel it off and reposition. The price is right, too – you can get an on-trend botanical feel for just £19 a roll.

What are the most helpful new appliance innovations?

People are looking to surround themselves with intuitive products. Notable improvements to ovens and washing machines have been related to how convenient the technology is to use regularly.

Washing machines are now able to do all the hard work for you.

Our latest washing machines use ActiveIntelligence™ technology to determine load size and soil level so they can dispense the right amount of detergent and adjust the wash time. This results in less waste and residue, without needing to fill the dispenser for every wash. Specialist hygiene programs ensure clothes and the machine are the cleanest they can be, while time-save programs make sure it’s done quickly and efficiently. Steam programs let you refresh your clothes without a full wash, saving water and time, and protecting your clothes.

The latest ovens can take away any guesswork and set up the home chef to create specific meals. On new touch screen ovens, displays provide recipes and the right shelf position for cooking. Pyrolytic cleaning cuts time spent cleaning them aer·

kitchen extension

Here comes the sun

Architect George Woodrow’s extended kitchen impresses with bespoke joinery and jaunty yellow accents – and it’s the perfect sociable space for his young family

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ellow is one of those colours that instantly puts a smile on your face. Even the smallest hint of it can flood a space with sunny feeling – and it’s the power of this colour that drew George Woodrow to it when he was designing a kitchen extension for his young family. The large, sociable space he’s created has left the old galley kitchen totally unrecognisable – save for the bright yellow steels that trace the outline of the old footprint on the ceiling.

Of course, there’s much more to this extension than yellow steels, and George’s thoughtful design is evident throughout the space, from the bespoke joinery that combines aesthetics and practicality to the carefully considered flow between rooms. Over the next few pages, George talks through the ideas behind his project – and how to design a space that’s built with young children in mind.

BEFORE

The open shelves are used for displaying an eclectic and appealing array of objects Joinery, Decor House Construction

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Old PVC doors from the dining room, and a frosted window from the utility, have been replaced with a large window and pivot door for easy access to the garden Windows and door, Velfac. Beams painted in Traffic Yellow RAL 1023.

Joinery, Decor House Construction. Table, Barker & Stonehouse

George made savings by opting for Ikea units, updated with new handles, plywood worktop and a painted splashback.

Kitchen units, sink and dishwasher, Ikea. Wall painted in Black Green, Leyland Trade. Oven, hob and hood, John Lewis & Partners. D-line handles, Ironmongery Direct. Birch plywood worktop, Moss Timber

OW T p e t S

EERHT petS

Starting out

At an angle

Design details

‘The layout we inherited wasn’t the original one – the guy who lived here before us had tinkered around with it as a DIY project,’ says George.

‘The opening between the dining and living rooms was already there, and the kitchen was a simple galley.

It led into a pre-1950s utility at the very back with a frosted window, which made the house feel totally disconnected from the garden.

‘Because the hallway led straight into the dining room, the table became a bit of a dumping ground for when you came in from work. There was no differentiation of zones. The staircase had no bannister, either – a disaster waiting to happen with young children!’

‘The plot had a long side garden, which offered space for an addition. Though our extension is a wraparound, it’s only classed as a side return extension. The structure’s been designed to support a future attic ‘pod’ room over the bathroom. The yellow steels define the outline of the old kitchen and the utility.

‘We were keen to have as much floor space as possible in the kitchen, so went for an L-shaped layout with no island. We can still move through the space while the kids have got toys spread out across the floor. The wall with the boundary is slightly angled.

We played into that by making storage along it either side of the bench seat, with varying depth and width.’

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‘We used wood fibre insulation in the extension. It’s made from waste products from the timber industry, which allows the building to “breathe”, and it’s much healthier for the builders working on it as well as the inhabitants.

‘After some consideration, we decided not to have a fully-glazed opening to the garden. Over the past few years, I’ve seen overheating in the summer become more of an issue, and clients are increasingly looking for more shading for that reason. The only thing I might have changed is having a roof vent overhead, rather than fixed glass – but at the time we were weighing up the aesthetics of that extra framing, too.’

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Profile

The owners Architect George Woodrow, his partner, Rosie, who works in internal communications, and their children Agatha, five, and Sidney, one The property A three-bed Edwardian end-of-terrace in Hampton, London project cost £142,500 (including first-floor renovation)

Chairs that belonged to George’s late grandparents have been rewoven for the kitchen by a furniture restorer.

Joinery, Decor House Construction. Cushion, Window Seat Cushions.

Radiator (under bench), Bisque. Foscarini pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow.

Prints, John Lewis & Partners

Le and right Bespoke sloped storage maximises space in the playroom.

The couple installed new sash windows at the back to match the aluminium windows of the kitchen.

Joinery, Decor House Construction. Bench cushion, Window Seat Cushions. Glazing, Velfac.

Bricks, Imperial Bricks

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Costs & contacts

Colour pop

Back to budget

‘Design wise, all of the elements came together later on. The one that created a sense of cohesion was painting the steels yellow. The radiators were one of the first purchases we made, but it wasn’t until much later in the project we decided to switch up the rustyred steels to match them. I’ve never regretted adding the yellow – it’s such an uplifting colour and stops the size of the steels from feeling oppressive.

‘We’ve used dark green in the living room and playroom as well as at the back of the kitchen to tie it all together. Since we don’t have a huge amount of kitchen stuff, we use the shelf above the units to display things like plants, clocks and pictures.’

‘I know kitchen companies say to put a large proportion of the budget for the kitchen; I tell clients the opposite. If you are extending, the shell is the part you’ll never want to touch again. You’ll update a kitchen, but you’ll likely never reroof.

Our kitchen has lots of budget-friendly touches – we painted the splashback and used plywood for the worktop; with two kids, it’ll get bashed up anyway!

‘My favourite parts of the space are the fun yellow steels and flexibility of the playroom joinery. We have gained valuable floor space, which is crucial in a medium-sized house, and improved our interaction with the outdoors.

The kids love running in and out, and we feel we have a proper garden now.’

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Build work, including joinery £101,800 Roof glazing, front door and upstairs windows £9,600 Garden £8,000 Storage and rental £5,800 Kitchen £5,000 Southern Yellow pine and birch plywood £5,000 Rear windows and door £4,600 Consultants £2,700 Architect Woodrow Architects, 0775 4874186, wdrw.co.uk Rear windows and door Velfac, 01536 313 552, velfac.co.uk Main contractor and joinery Decor House Construction, 0781 1138023, tom-decorhouse.co.uk Pine and plywood supply Moss Timber, 020 8997 2311, mosstimber.co.uk

COMING NEXT MONTH in your new

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Inspiring homes and gardens packed with ideas to steal Garden tablescapes for alfresco dining Top project advice, from loft conversions to smart tech – plus design your dream home office And more! Style advice, latest trends and best buys

On sale 29 July

LET’S TALK…

Wet rooms

The perfect bathroom alternative for an always-on-the-go shower fan, we reveal all you need to know for a space that’s small but mighty

C

hoosing between a regular bathroom and a wet room is very much a lifestyle-based decision.

If you love a long, hot soak in the tub, this is not the option for you. If you’re blessed with the luxury of an en suite, transforming this into a wet room is a great, and popular, way to keep even the smallest of spaces feeling open and

airy. Be it in our main bathroom or your personal shower room, wet rooms are usually compact and contained spaces, making them the perfect place to go big with your décor. Those bold colours and daring paerns you’ve been tempted to try? The wet room is your chance! Drainage and ventilation are key considerations, so we’d recommend

seeking help from a structural engineer and architect to ensure your space functions perfectly – the last thing you want are puddles that never disappear and a soaked loo! From dramatic tiles to statement screens, we’re sharing the best design ideas for your wet room, so you can escape the world and wash away the day in style.

DID YOU KNOW? A wet room will cost around 20 per cent more to create compared to a regular shower room

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Tinted glass If the mad morning rush means your showers are oen interrupted by someone needing to brush their teeth, protect your modesty with a smoked glass shower panel. They come in a range of colours, from crisp blue to warm browns and blacks. For even more coverage, choose a frosted or fluted design, to block out prying eyes completely. Harbour Status ma black frame and smoked glass panel, from £749.99. Drench

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Dramatic elegance This en suite wet room packs a real punch – oozing grandeur and fun from every angle. Using a deep, mystical blue on all four walls, the floor and the ceiling makes the space feel rich and enveloping. Ditching a screen and curtain altogether in favour of a fully tanked floor allows you to maximise space. Tradition exposed shower, £1,949.29, Aston Mahews.

For similar tiles, try Palm Springs, £66 per m2, Porcelain Superstore

Red alert Paint is one of the easiest, quickest and least expensive ways to create a big impact in your wet room. These deep red walls bring energy and warmth to the space, and tie in perfectly with the geometric flooring. As wet rooms are especially humid areas, it’s vital that you choose a paint that’s made for bathrooms.

These solutions are designed specifically to withstand splashes and high humidity, to prevent stains and peeling and keep your walls looking vibrant for longer. You could also coat your paint in a waterproof sealant for extra protection. Memento 2.0 basin, from £336.96, Villeroy & Boch

TOP TIP HEAT IT UP Underfloor heating is a great option to save space and dry the floor quickly

Double up The open nature of a wet room makes it the ideal set up for not one but two showers. Whether you love or hate the idea, the beauty of having two showers is that you could save yourself an awful lot of time.

These statement star tiles create real impact and contrast against the ma black. A hint of wood works to soen the overall look, too. Bert & May pink Pradena porcelain tile, £2.99 per tile, Fired Earth

DID YOU KNOW? What is tanking?

Terrazzo was originally created as a way of using up stone offcuts by dropping them into cement

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Tanking is a means of ensuring your wet room’s walls and floors are waterproof. There are two main types of tanking: liquid tanking, which can be rollered on, and membrane tanking, which are physical membranes that you lay onto the surfaces before tiling. Ensure that your floors are slightly sloped, so that all water will run to the drain.

While there are tanking kits available, we’d recommend calling in a professional, as a bodge job could cause serious problems down the line. When it comes to choosing your tiles, avoid natural stones like marble, as this is porous and would absorb water. Instead, choose man-made materials like ceramic or porcelain. And always remember to check the slip resistance of your floor tiles – a slightly textured design could make a big difference.

Trending terrazzo Terrazzo is a popular, nature inspired paern that comes in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

These terrazzo-effect tiles are used throughout the wet room to create a playful, muted canvas for the vibrant vanity unit, basin and pendant lights to pop against. Tiling all the wall draws aention to the high ceilings, which makes the room feel large and airy. Choose a wall hung tap and shower for an extra sleek look.

Mode Orion blue basin, £99.99, Victoria Plum.

Terrazzo tiles, Terrazzo UK. Vanity unit, Ikea, painted in Verdure, £52 for 2.5ltrs, Mylands

Screen time In a larger space, having two shower panels like this is a great way to protect the rest of your space from splashes, so you can indulge in bath mats and accessories without fear of them geing soaked.

Here the gold finishes on the panels and mirror elevate the scheme and reflect light around the room.

Incorporating a stud wall into your design allows you to embed inset shelving for more neat and streamlined storage. Arrezzo brushed brass wet room side panel, £739.95, Victorian Plumbing

DID YOU KNOW?

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Many tile companies have designs that are especially made for wet rooms

Layout matters While the positioning of your sanitaryware is always important, it’s especially so in a wet room.

Place your shower as far away from the toilet and vanity unit as possible. If you’re working with a very small space, a wet room panel could be a saving grace in ensuring you don’t end up with a soaking toilet, or even worse… a soggy loo roll! Use the shape of your room to create a wet and dry zone – this can be especially effective in an L–shaped space.

As humidity will reach the entire room, ensure you choose a steam-resistant mirrored cabinet.

This will allow you to see yourself in the mirror aer a shower, of course, and will also keep your essentials dry.

SEMOHLAEROS#

Planning makes perfect When designing your wet room, look to your existing architectural features to position your shower away from the rest of the room. A neat alcove like this is ideal for establishing zones within the room, while still remaining open and airy. If you love the look of paerned tiles but you want a quick fix, choose paerned acrylic panels instead. These are easy to install at home, and with no grout necessary, they’re a cinch to keep clean and hygienic. Mermaid Cubics acrylic single shower panel, £550 per panel, Wickes

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Head here for more on how to design a wet room

bathroom redesign

B

Bathtime bliss This characterful navy bathroom is a masterclass in small-space design

athrooms have to pack a lot of non-negotiables into what’s usually the smallest room in the house – especially if yours is particularly spatially challenged.

As a result, designing one can be a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, trying to fit all of the required pieces neatly together.

Of course, calling in expert help is never a bad idea, and you’ll likely find that a professional will suggest ideas you’ve never thought of as space-saving solutions. That was certainly the case for one family, who needed help overhauling their cramped family bathroom – and the result is a streamlined, stylish space with a bespoke touch. We spoke to Neil Harrold of bathroom design company Simply Bathrooms to find out how they did it.

sTARTIng OUT

‘This was quite a small space with a tricky layout – there are two big windows, so you couldn’t put a shower on the obvious wall, and the vanity was positioned underneath one of the windows with no wall space to place a mirror above it.

The couple’s morning routine meant they were in and out of this space, tripping over each other, so we looked carefully at the room’s functionality to make it much more usable.’

TOP TIP An ultra-slim vertical radiator not only saves valuable wall space – it can become a design feature

BEFORE

MAKING PLANS

‘First and foremost, think about layout – how will you use the space? We’ll often take out underused features like excess storage, or even a bath where the client only ever showers. Think about who uses it, when, and how, and make sure you’ve planned in all the elements and the space you’ll need to actually use the room.

We moved the vanity away from the shower to the opposite wall here, so one person can be showering while the other is brushing their teeth – and with the toilet moved slightly to the left, there’s ample space to access the cupboards underneath.’

Statement style

‘Patterned tiles aren’t for everyone, but they’re more versatile than you think: they add personality and inject life into a small space.

Most people think you need to keep things plain if your bathroom is on the small side, but I’d recommend using pattern to pack a punch on a feature wall, then keeping the rest of the space simple. These tiles were chosen based on a piece of artwork the couple love, which we used as inspiration for the scheme. We picked out the navy blue in the vanity, and painted the back of the door in Farrow & Ball’s Off Black, then the other colours are softer and paler.’

TOP TIP Use wall-hung storage to hide away clutter and make the floor seem bigger

Contacts

Bathroom design Simply Bathrooms, 01932 698990, simplybathroomsltd.co.uk

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SMOORHTAB YLPMIS SHPARGOTOHP HCNIF NELLE SDROW

shopping list Modica fied bath, BC Designs. Black brassware, Arte Form. WC and vanity unit, Saneux.

Mirror, HiB. Shower screen, Crosswater.

Mutina Puzzle tile in Anglesey, Domus Tiles. Walls painted in Parma Grey and door in Off Black, both Farrow & Ball

A GUIDE TO

Windows

Whether you’re looking to add character, modernise a dated façade or simply refresh your home, these glazing options will up your kerb appeal

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IDS300 aluminium picture window with recessed frames; fixed frame windows start from £550 per m2 excl. VAT, based on supply only, IDSystems.

Design, Simon Whitehead Architects

Kaitlin's top tip Did you know you can paint your existing timber or uPVC windows?

It's a great way to update old frames without the expense of replacing them, but it does require patience and a steady hand.

Head over to realhomes.com and search 'painting windows' for our full guide and video tutorial.

Horizon tilt & turn windows, from £1,000, Express Bi-folding Doors

W

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e give so much attention to big, statement-making pieces like bi-fold doors and rooflights when we extend or renovate our homes, but often a little less thought goes into that key source of light for the home: windows. The right windows can transform the look of a property. A picture window can frame the view to a garden and provide the perfect perch for a spot of reading; a traditional sash can return character to a run-down period home; and a modern design can bring an edge to something more contemporary.

Even if you’re not embarking on a huge renovation, restoring or replacing your windows could add value and lower your energy bills. According to the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report 2021, having no double

TOP TIP REPAIR AND PROTECT glazing can reduce the Want to keep your existing windows value of your property but need to give them some TLC? by £9,000, while There are things you can do to save broken or damaged replacing older windows completely. windows could knock Draughtproofing can be done at a off over £8,600. Plus, fraction of the cost of buying a new window, and you can fit it yourself did you know that 84 with draught strips from your local per cent of a room’s DIY shop. Roed timber can heat is lost through be cut out by a carpenter inefficient single glazing? and replaced.

If your current window situation is less than ideal, now’s the time to change it – and with so many amazing options out there, you’ll be glad you did. Over the next few pages, we've got the lowdown on choosing the right glazing for you, whatever your budget – and we've also rounded up the best new products out there to get you started with a dose of inspiration.

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Need to know

Q a

How much does it cost?

Prices vary massively for windows depending on the size, type and material; a small sowood casement window could cost as lile as £200 per m2, for example, while the equivalent in metal could cost from £300-£600 per m2.

Q a

Do I need planning permission?

Not usually, if the windows are of a similar size and appearance to the existing ones. Bay windows are classed as an extension and may need permission; you may also need permission if you live in a listed building or Conservation Area.

Q a

Bespoke EB24 steel windows, price on application, Clement Windows.

Design by RM Designs

What styles are on offer?

Casement windows are one of the most common choices for most people and work on everything from period to modern designs. They come in different types, including side-hung – hinged at the side for easy opening – and top hung, where the hinge is at the top, perfect for keeping out rain.

Fixed windows are, put simply, windows that don’t open.

They’re generally cheap and will increase light, but obviously won’t help with ventilation.

Sash windows are most oen used on Georgian and Victorian properties, as well as more modern versions. They commonly come in traditional timber or contemporary steel, and open by being pushed upwards on vertical tracks.

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OW-80 bespoke premium window, from £330, Origin R7 window, price on application, The Residence Collection.

Interior design by @the.squiffy.mill

TOP TIP

Below Timber sash window, from £600 plus VAT, Ventrolla

TWICE AS NICE We’ve already waxed lyrical about the importance of double glazing, but it’s worth reiterating that fiing secondary glazing is a great way to upgrade your current windows – and it’s cost effective, too. It’s done by adding a slimline pane of aluminiumframe glass to your window – try a bespoke company like Storm.

TOP TIP MATERIAL MATTERS Not only are there myriad types of windows, there’s also plenty of material options, too. What you choose depends on your budget and the style of your property. uPVC and sowood are on the lower end of the price scale, while hardwood windows – perfect for period properties – and steel or aluminium look great, but can be more expensive.

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Got a period home?

Find more advice for choosing the right windows here

Aluminium Heritage window, from £345 plus VAT, Kloeber

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Bring the outside in with beautiful new doors A

Now our homes are open again, Express Bi-Folding Doors’ improved ranges make an impression going in or out

fter almost a year in lockdown, our homes mean more to us than ever. Staying in is the new going out and having a great space to entertain guests is top of every renovator’s must-have list.

Whether you’re looking to renovate, planning an extension, or embarking on a grand design project, investing in bi-fold doors is a great way not only to add value to your house, but to make a unique space designed around you and your family.

Express Bi-Folding Doors has been busy throughout lockdown, expanding its product range and getting the showrooms ready to help customers find the perfect doors for their renovation project.

The perfect garden link Creating a space bathed in natural light brings the outside in, and makes the garden feel like an extension of your home, which is key to maximising the potential of your property. Sliding

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doors are perfect for giving a view outside while also allowing easy access. The large panels of glass and slim frames help to bring more light and sunshine into garden-facing rooms.

Express Bi-Folding Doors has been investing in extending its product offer, and its awardwinning sliding door range now offers seven different systems, ensuring customers can easily find what is most suitable for their property.

ADVERTOR IAL Left Slide into summer with stunning glazed doors that allow for maximum views and easy garden access Right The impressive showrooms help customers see and feel how products will work on all kinds of properties

Left A stylish and modern front door could be the perfect way to update your home and welcome visitors back again

Leading from the front First impressions are important, and you want to make a good one now we’re allowed to welcome visitors once more. Adding a new range of costeffective front doors to its portfolio has allowed Express to double the choice of entrance doors available for those customers looking to create a designer statement as they invite guests back into their homes.

Expanded and refitted showrooms

The Express showrooms are open, and there is no better way to see its fantastic range of products.

Whether you’re in the market for bespoke bi-folds, sliding doors, aluminium windows, front entrance doors, or glazed roofing systems, Express’ showrooms have them all on display, together with an expert team on hand to help you bring your vision to life.

All showrooms have been updated and refitted in the past 12 months to showcase new products, so the newest solutions are available to customers in a single visit. The flagship showroom in Leeds is the most unique, spanning an impressive 27,000 square feet over two floors. Now called Home Space from Express, it is located just minutes from the M62 and M1 motorway networks.

There are other Express showrooms in Romford, Redhill, or Glasgow, with an amazing range of products to see and staff ready to answer any questions on how to upgrade and improve your home.

Safety measures are in place at all showrooms, but no appointment is necessary – so you can take your time and feel comfortable while you make your choice.

Get it direct

While Express Bi-Folding Doors offers a bespoke service from beginning to end, if you are looking for the convenience of

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ordering direct, why not explore the recently launched Express Bi-folds Direct – an online shop allowing customers to purchase premium quality products at set sizes delivered directly to their home? For more details, go to expressbifoldsdirect.co.uk.

Express Bi-Folding Doors has the experience, infrastructure, expertise, and bespoke British-made product range to help you with your dream project this summer and bring the outside in. To find out how you can transform your home, head to your nearest showroom – they’re open seven days a week. To book an appointment, call 0800 121 4809 or visit the website at expressbifolds.co.uk.

FOCUS ON

Decking

Smarten up outside with a new deck and create the perfect zone for making the most of the sun Best for easy maintenance The warm walnut of this decking will stay looking good for years without the constant upkeep of timber. It has the appealing natural-looking grain of wood but is actually an environmentally friendly composite made from 90 per cent recycled materials. The decking is reversible, so you can choose your finish, with high anti-slip properties, and it won’t splinter. Pioneer Range Hyperion decking in Walnut Brown, £57.10 per m2, Envirobuild

Best for simplicity ▼ New DIYers laying a deck themselves might enjoy one that’s as easy to assemble as flatpack furniture.

The Ecodeck Composite Deck Kit comes with everything needed to make the base, sides and top of this square deck, and even includes colourmatched screws, spacers and drill-bit. The boards are a durable wood and plastic composite that looks like timber. Just follow the instructions and away you go. The kit costs £1,113.49, Forest Garden

Best for longevity Make sure your decking is always ready for the first hint of sunshine without needing repairs, or even replacing, with wood designed to last.

This sowood timber has been Jakcured, a process that guarantees it against wood-boring pests and all forms of wet and dry rot for 25 years. That’s a quarter century of loving the summer. Standard decking boards start from £9.45 excl. VAT, Jacksons Fencing

the decking you want and Three TOP TIPS Choose make sure it stays looking stylish Decking materials Sowood is cost effective but will need treating to protect it, and it requires upkeep.

Hardwood decking is pricier but long lasting with aractive natural colours. Composite decking mixes wood fibres and plastic film, oen from recycled materials. It is resilient, though not as cheap as some sowood. PVC is a budget choice, or try sleek aluminium.

Maintaining the look Some materials, like composite, PVC or aluminium, can be cared for with a pressure wash or clean down aer winter to get rid of grime. Timber will need more regular maintenance to ensure it stays looking good.

Apart from cleaning, it will need treating with oil, stain or even painting – though this can be a good opportunity for a colour change.

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Stay safe Decking can be prone to being slippery, especially when covered with leaves or algae.

Using a stiff brush on it regularly can dislodge fresh growth. You can also coat it with a non-slip decking oil with compressed particles for grip. Abrasive strips can be sloed into grooved decking. Alternatively, invest in non-slip decking before you start laying.

Best for the environment Go green in your garden with an ultra environmentally conscious deck that started life as a bole. Composite Prime decking is made by recycling plastic boles and caps, saving them from ending up in landfill. Stylish boards produced sustainably have seen a huge increase in popularity among deck layers, with shades of grey the most sought-aer colours. HD Deck Dual, £35.82 per length plus VAT

LAY A DECK

Thomas Goodman, construction expert for MyJobQuote, reveals how to install DIY decking

1

Here’s what you’ll need: decking boards; decking frame; decking screws; weed membrane; coach screws; pegs; tape measure; pencil; drill with a wood bit, saw; tamper; spade; string; spirit level.

2

ECO CHOICE

Best for stability Get a grip on your decking with a dual profile board you can fit slip-resistant strips in so you stay sure footed. The Q-Deck Canterbury decking has a smooth side for a classic contemporary look that’s easy to maintain. The other side is grooved, allowing strips to be added either side of the central groove for grip where needed.

Made from high-quality certified sowood, it’s pre-treated with Tanalith to preserve it.

Price on application, Hoppings

best for budget You can spruce up your outside space for a pocket-friendly price with this classic sowood decking.

It’s made from spruce that is slow grown for stability, and grooved on both sides to create different textures.

An economical option for an outdoor update, you can stain or paint it for a different look.

GoodHome Madeira Green Spruce deck board, £6.75, B&Q

Pick the right decking for you, choosing from softwood, hardwood, composite and PVC plastic. Decide on the length of the boards and the space they’ll take up. Account for gaps left between them to stop pooling and accommodate expansion.

3

The area of decking mustn’t cover more than 50 per cent of the garden – anything over that limit will require planning permission. For the exact amount required, multiply the length of the space by the width to calculate the decking space in square metres.

4

Create an outline for your decking. Hammer pegs into each corner and run string to them for a temporary frame. Clear away turf, rocks, plants or weeds until only bare soil is visible. Excavate this to a depth of around 50mm.

5

) E M I R P ETISO P M O C ( N E D R A G R UOYE VOLVTI@ HPARGOTOHP SENOJ NOSILA ERUTAEF

Best for pattern making To create more intricate designs in the decking without a lot of careful sawing and laying, try deck tiles. The interlocking tiles have slats of wood or composite on top of a plastic base, and can be clicked together to create an aractive herringbone effect or staggered vertical and horizontal paerns. Easy to fit with no drills or screws needed, the composite varieties are maintenance free.

They cost from £3.80 for an Acacia garden deck tile, Wickes

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6

Measure your decking boards to check they fit in the space; if they don’t, cut them down to size.

Put them in place, leaving a gap of around 3mm to 5mm between each board and the newel posts.

When you’re happy with the design and position of the boards, drill holes in the corners and centre of each one and screw them in place.

Once they’re fixed, check to see they fit properly in the frame. To make adjustments, measure and cut to the right size.

MO C.SEMOHLAER

Lay down a weed membrane and cover with about 40mm of gravel. Install the decking frame and joists – which lay horizontally inside the frame with 400mm gaps in between. Once in position, secure the joists using galvanized screws. Saw a chunk of wood from the foot of the newel posts so they sit cleanly when you fit to the frame.

THE EDIT

Waffle makers Treat yourself to a scrummy breakfast or dessert at home with our pick of the best models

COOK’S Cinnamon CORNER waffles with maple syrup and nanica banana You’ll need

For the waffles n 1 vanilla pod 250g plain flour n 20g caster sugar 9g baking powder For the topping n 8 rashers streaky 2tsp ground bacon – pan fried cinnamon n 4 nanica bananas n 5g salt n 400ml whole milk n 50g buer n 50g caster sugar n 3 eggs n 30ml vegetable oil n 50g pecan nuts toasted For the yoghurt n Maple syrup n 200ml Greek to taste yoghurt n n n

Duraceramic waffle maker, £49.35, Breville

Tower deep fill waffle maker, £26.99, Studio

Sage The No Mess waffle maker, £100, ao.com

Electric waffle maker, £39.99, Lakeland

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What to do 1. Place the dry waffle ingredients into the bowl of a food processor.

Pulse and add the eggs one by one.

2. Add the milk and oil and pulse again until combined then place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes.

3. Place a ladle of the baer into the centre of each grid on your heated waffle maker. Close the lid and lock, then leave to cook for six to eight minutes until golden brown.

4. For the vanilla yoghurt, cut the vanilla pod lengthways and take the seeds out, then place into a bowl.

Add the sugar and leave to infuse for two minutes. Whisk the vanilla sugar into the Greek yoghurt.

5. Melt the buer in a frying pan.

Reduce the heat and add the sugar.

When the sugar starts caramelising, place your bananas (peeled and cut lengthways) on top and cook on both sides until golden brown.

6. Serve the waffles and top with the banana, cooked bacon, vanilla yoghurt, pecans and maple syrup.

7. Enjoy!

MOC.SEMOHLAER

DNALEKAL EPICER HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

Domo digital Belgian waffle iron, £100, Wayfair

Vonshef rotating waffle maker, £42.99, Vonhaus

THE EDIT

Bathroom mirrors

From organic pebble forms to modern angular designs, these are the shapes, colours and textures that’ll give your space a sleek new focal point 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

HTIMS AILEMA ERUTAEF

1 Arrezzo square black and gold mirror, £119.95, Victorian Plumbing 2 Pond mirror, £150, Kagu Interiors 3 Odense mirror, from £75, Fishpools 4 Opphem raan mirror, £29, Ikea 5 Leyla mirror with graphic wall shelf, £89, Made 6 Freja mirror with shelf in green, £20, Habitat 7 The Bath Company Beaumont mirror, £239, Victoria Plum 8 Hexagon mirror, £40, Argos

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MOC.SEMOHLAER

1

THE EDIT

Fans

No need to get hot under the collar when you can waft cool air around stuffy summer rooms REVIEW CORNER

Retro desk fan in Watermelon Pink, £40.50, Red Candy

Honeywell QuietSet tower fan, £84.99, Studio

Best fan

Pifco tripod pedestal fan, £73.71, Wayfair

Whisper Flex fan with smart connectivity, £149.99, Duux

We like to think we’re a prey chilled bunch here at team Real Homes, and we’re staying that way with a fan in our work space, living room or bedroom. We love the MeacoFan 1056 air circulator for its energy efficiency and affordability. This desktop version carries a Quiet Mark award – perfect for keeping by your bed or desk so you can stay comfortable without the noise interrupting your dreams or Zoom calls.

Power: 220–240V Size: H40.3xD30.5xW28.5cm Speed seings: 12 Noise: 20dB RRP: £95.95

Quiet Mark certified products are proven to be some of the quietest on the market ●

SENOJ NOSILA ERUTAEF

NSA Eco tower fan TFDC-46RC in white with Quiet Mark, £139.99, Very

Pure Hot+Cool™ purifying fan heater (white/silver), £499.99, Dyson

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REASONS TO BUY Quiet at just 20dB, but powerful ● Multi-direction air flow reliably cools the whole room ● Timer function to stay on for as long as you need it ● Optional night light

MOC.SEMOHLAER

SPECIFICATIONS Best for: Light sleepers

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

Patio power

For more pics of Emily’s garden project (and just gorgeous interiors in general), check out her Instagram page @emilysmith30

BE FO RE

Here at Real Homes, we love a paint makeover. So when our art editor, Emily Smith, transformed her patio into a colourful terrazzo-style delight, we simply had to share it.

She’s turned her bland grey slabs into a playful pastel feast for the eyes, and we couldn’t wait to find out exactly how she did it...

JUST

£10

You’ll need: n n n n

White masonry paint Masonry paints in different colours – you could use tester pots Paintbrushes in a few different sizes Protective Water Seal

HTIMS YLIME SHPARGOTOHP HTIMS AILEMA SDROW

What Emily did:

1. ‘I got the husband to do the prep

work, jet washing the patio and giving it three coats of masonry paint. We used B&Q’s GoodHome self-cleaning in pure brilliant white.

2. ‘I used Valspar tester pots mixed in with their masonry paint. I chose British Shorthair, Silver Bonnet, Bonjour and Eraser Pink. The light grey I mixed up from leover paint.

3. ‘To create the terrazzo paern, I bought a pack of four paint brushes with different sized heads.

I added splodges of paint while changing the brush size up all the time to keep the shapes different.

Rolling the brush head on the floor gave a great effect, but I would recommend kneeling on a pillow!

4. ‘Once it all dried, I sealed the patio with Everbuild Water Seal.

5. ‘When I finished, I used leover paint to give the garden furniture and plant pots a bright new look with just a few coats.’

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