50+ pages of inspiring makeovershome BEFORE + AFTERS Stylish ideas and best buys for a sizzling summer ALFRESCO LIVING Chic designs for a readyZoom-space ways to up yourefenhome’sergyficiency Home offices Money clinic Add value to your home Save £££s on your garden Cut down on your bills 10 22 small living roomsaversspace Create your dream home on any budget Real HOMES SEPTEMBER 2022
55 32 Summerdining From relaxed breakfasts to elegant dinners, celebrate the season with these table ideas 40 DESIGNERSPOTLIGHT The independent makers creating cool (and waterproof!) new homeware out of paper 52 COLOURTHEORY Happy and positivity-boosting, we reveal the psychology behind sunshine yellow 56 Smalllivingrooms How to maximise space with clever paint effects, slim furniture and multi-use buys 81 Homeoffices A handy guide to make this study space as hardworking as you 138 Outdoorkitchens Create a functional alfresco space for cooking, dining and socialising all year round 162 SUNDAYPROJECT Give your garden hideaway a rainbow makeover Inside track Style agenda contents 13 NEWS The latest new homeware and essential design ideas 18 REALHOME Salsabil has infused her rental flat with subtle colour through wall art and houseplants 29 Desertdestinations Satisfy your wanderlust with pieces inspired by global travel 31 Gardenlighting Make your outdoor space twinkle with these glowing designs 43 ShopPrimark Our roundup of the best buys from the new collection 55 STYLECRUSH The beautiful new buy we’re obsessed with this month 68 SEE ONE OF THESE? Scan on your phone for more realhomes.comfrom 52 29 18 43
105 Gardennews New products, ideas and tips for your outdoor space 114 efficient10STEPSTOanenergy-home Cut bills and save the planet with our guide to all things energy 121 storeyAGUIDETOtwo-extensions This ambitious but effective project could save you money – here’s how to make it work 128 PROJECTNEWS The latest buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation 143 staircasesAGUIDETO If you’re ready for a stair revamp, our guide will help you decide on the design of your dreams 148 washingFOCUSONmachines Get clothes clean easily and efficiently with our guide to the best buys on the market 151 THEEDIT The best ice cream makers, countertop basins, robot mowers and house alarms home life project advice 44 REALHOME Interiors expert Sam converted a tired old farm building into a family home with signature style 63 YOURWeanswerQUESTIONS Let Real Homes solve your DIY and decorating dilemmas 68 REALHOME Colour-savvy Sophie turned a run-down Victorian townhouse into a bold and dramatic home 88 REALHOME Taking their time at the planning stage meant Becks and Martin got the most out of a major reno 98 Badneighbours Everybody needs good neighbours – but what to do if yours are less than ideal? 108 REALgarden Ade and Becky’s characterless suburban garden is now a seaside-inspired oasis 132 REALKITCHEN The search for the perfect kitchen colour took Bethany back to her New England roots Look out for this logo on our favourite sustainable picks going Eco 128 132 44 151 31 56
8 EDITORIAL Editor of realhomes.com and EIC of homes ecommerce Lindsey Davis Deputy editor (print) Ellen Finch Deputy editor (website) Camille Dubuis-Welch Senior digital editor Jenny McFarlane Assistant editor Alison Jones Style editor Anna Morley Content editor Amelia Smith Content editor Holly Phillips Content editor Anna Cottrell Content editor Christina Chrysostomou EIC of homes audience Amy realhomes@futurenet.comCutmore HOMES ECOMMERCE Deputy ecommerce editor Annie Collyer Décor editor Amy Lockwood Smart home editor Caroline Preece Sleep editor Jaclyn Turner Large appliances editor Jennifer Oksien Small appliance & cooking editor Millie Fender Ecommerce writer Molly Cleary ART Senior art editor Emily Smith Group art director Billy Peel Art editor Karen Lawson ADVERTISING AND EXHIBITIONS SALES Media packs are available on request Head of homes Nicola Ponting Commercial director Rob rob.biagioni@futurenet.comBiagioni Strategic partnership director Jackie Sanders jackie.sanders@futurenet.com 0330 390 6530 Sales manager Kelly James kelly.james@futurenet.com 0330 390 6543 Exhibitions sales director Hellen hellen.roche@futurenet.comRoche For all media sales enquiries please contact kelly.james@futurenet.com or call 0330 390 6543 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 Subscription delays We rely on various delivery companies to get your magazine to you, many of whom continue to be impacted by Covid. We kindly ask that you allow up to seven days before contacting us about a late delivery to help@mymagazines.co.uk 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 ContentMANAGEMENTdirector Laura Crombie 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
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FEATURE HUMPHRYSALICE
Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love inside track
Two-pack dinner candles, £2; tapered candle holder, £5; mini colander, £4.50; Hibernate check tablecloth, £18; 16-piece cutlery set, £18; honey pot, £5; baskets, from £6.50; wood bowl, £17; two-pack tumbler, £7.50; Hibernate jug, £11; woven tray, £11, all Matalan
REALHOMES.COM
As the lazy days of August dwindle away, hang onto summertime living and savour the last of the sunshine with the perfect alfresco dining set-up. The beautiful month of September is still warm, and the leaves still green, but it brings with it the promise of new beginnings and routines. To celebrate that, here’s a sneak peek from Matalan’s AW22 collection. We’re loving this tablescape with its natural tones, woven textures and monochrome prints; the perfect between-the-seasons look. Ward off any chill in the air with candlelight and blankets.
Last supper
Set of four handwoven mixed fruit napkin rings, £40, Rebecca Udall Strawberry picnic blanket, from £45, AnorakEast End Prints cork backed fruit design coasters, £11 for six, John Lewis & Partners Strawberries fruit chopping board, from £30, Sophie Allport Hanging baskets, from £15, French Connection
Bring the outdoors in with these woven hanging baskets. Not only will indoor plants help brighten up an empty corner, there are also many psychological benefits to nurturing an indoor jungle. Research has proven these growing green friends can improve mood, reduce stress levels and increase productivity, and the simple ritual of regular watering can reduce your blood pressure and help you focus on being in the moment.
Bookworm
Japandi Style: When Japanese and Scandinavian Designs Blend by Agata and Pierre Toromanoff (£25, Merrell Publishers) Japandi Style is a celebration of this hybrid look where hygge meets wabi-sabi – a fusion of comfort and the beauty of imperfection. The authors uncover why Japanese and Scandi styles have so much in common – a muted palette, organic materials, natural textures and clean, uncluttered lines – and look at some of the most characteristic pieces, from furniture to ceramics. With over 200 colour photographs, take note on how to decorate and furnish in this minimalist and harmonious aesthetic.
Fruit salad Go bananas and inject some colour into your home with these fruity finds MINI TREND
Hangingaround Fruity tumbler, £18 for four, Next Fruit stripe seat pad, £17.50, Oliver Bonas Fruit Salad selection box £17.50,notecards,HadleyPaperGoods
Coloured glass mugs, £15 for two, Paperchase
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT French brand Peugeot Saveurs have been manufacturing their iconic salt and pepper mills since the 1840s (years before bikes and cars!). Keen to up their eco credentials, they’ve launched The Nature Collection. These carefully crafted mills are made using pieces of their own waste wood that would otherwise be discarded. They have a beautiful grained texture and grind rock salt and peppercorns to perfection. From £29.99 hour Mix and match and create a playful tablescape with coloured glassware New from Annie Sloan this summer is this fabulously versatile satin paint with a soft sheen. Designed for high traffic zones, it can be used on interior wood and metal – think skirting, tongue and groove, windowsills and even radiators – and then it’s good to go: no need to seal with wax or lacquer. The perfect quick-fix solution to update a tired area that’s crying out for a revamp. Available in 14 colours. CHOICE
Georgegoblet,floral£3.50,HomeFaliwineglassinTeal,£40forfour,NkukuZomi
Green bamboo drinking glass, £20, Nina Campbell
Pink tumblers in amber, £52 for four, Kalinko Bitz Kusintha six ribbed tumblers in £35,amber,Made
Dapple tumblers in Water Blue, £45 for two, LSA International Blue
Happy
15
greenTheroom ECO
Carnaby £34.95for£55.95£24.95satinYellowpaint,for750ml,andwallpaint,for2.5ltrs;AmsterdamGreenandOldOchrechalkpaint,from£6.95120ml;TickinginGraphite,permetre,allAnnieSloan
Grahamglass,speckled£9.95,&GreenOptimist stack set of four hiball glasses, £18, Habitat
The Big £1,369,inthree-seaterChillOatmeal,Snug
Spend V save Curate your favourite finds with these cute rattan shelves
This new Oatmeal hue from sofa-in-a-box brand Snug is anything but boring. Not only does it blend with a spectrum of colours, it’s also made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and plastic bottles – adding to their already fully vegan range of sofas and upping their eco creds even more. The upholstery is treated with halogenfree flame retardant and a durable water repellent that’s free of harmful fluoro chemicals. If this new neutral is for you, it’s available across all four of their sofa designs.
This second collection from British designer Abigail Ahern for Hillarys shows off her lighter side with blinds, curtains and cushion covers in soft caramels, warm mid-tones and textural plains; a step away from her trademark moody shades. Parker Caper Roman blind with Colette Kohl fringing, from Hillarys x Abigail Ahern. Prices from £180 Miko hanging shelf, £15, B&M Oyoy rainbow shelf, £100, Scandiborn
Put your feet up
WELL DRESSED
A neutralnew
These beautiful footstools are the latest addition to Julia Grant’s collection in her independent homewares shop, Winter’s Moon. Made by hand, they’ve been produced in collaboration with upholsterer Hilda’s Lounge in Southsea. The exclusive makes feature the Bloom fabrics designed by Lisa Baudry, and come in four colourways – Ink, Rose, Pewter and Curry – with detachable solid beech legs. £445, Winter’s Moon
and
Salsabil has cleverly infused her rental Edinburgh flat with subtle colour, wall art a
using
growing collection of houseplants
Rented apartment Curated calm
Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White, Dulux. Sofa, Editions.Swoon Rug, West Elm. Coffee table Oliver Bonas
‘Although I favour neutrals as a backdrop, I couldn’t resist this amazing wall boughthanging,inthe sale at saysAnthropologie,’Salsabil.
Salsabil knows she’s fortunate that Abdullah is happy to leave the interior design decisions to her. ‘I do consider him, but he trusts me to make the right choices,’ she says. ‘We enjoy working on the flat together and we regularly declutter, but he’s happy for me to select the paint colours and furniture.’
2120
Salsabil is inspired by travel and her Middle Eastern heritage. ‘I love going to countries like Morocco and Turkey,’ she says. ‘The colours are amazing, but I tend to pare them down to paler versions in my own home – it’s just a better fit. I love decorating with pale greens, soft pinks and white.’ She also enjoys watching period dramas for interiors inspiration. ‘In fact, it was becoming hooked on Downton Abbey that made me buy more vintage pieces for our home – I feel they add much-needed contrast to my quite subdued colour palette,’ she says. ‘I enjoy fashion as well and love how it permeates into furniture and interior design trends. Colours and patterns seem to move between the two so freely.’
For Salsabil El-Awaisi, a career in interior design was always at the back of her mind. ‘I was born in Palestine and my family moved to Scotland, as refugees, when I was two years old,’ says Salsabil. ‘When I left school, I chose to study interior design in Syria, at a university near Damascus. I lived there for three years, just before the war broke out. It was a truly amazing place.’ When she returned home after graduating, she married her husband, Abdullah, and worked for Homebase as an in-house interior design consultant – ‘which I really enjoyed,’ she says. ‘When our son, Adam, was born, I set up my own business so that I could work from home as well as be with him.’
Salsabil started collecting houseplants when the family moved in – ‘and I’m delighted to have found I’m quite green fingered! I’ve learned not to over-water; I think that’s key. Plants are a delight to have in a flat. The greenery brings such a sense of life to the space.’ There is also a shared garden in the block, too, which the family had never really used until Covid hit. ‘During lockdown it was a life saver and we use it a lot more now,’ says Salsabil. ‘It means we get to catch up with our neighbours out there, too, which is one of the many bonuses of living in a shared building. We love where we live – it’s a great fit for us.’
GIBBALISON PHOTOGRAPHS GIBBDOUGLAS
The family moved to this apartment in Edinburgh when Adam was still tiny. ‘It’s a lovely place to live – the area has a really friendly local community and the schools are excellent,’ says Salsabil. Although the couple knew they wanted to rent long term, they saw no reason to live in a magnolia box – and happily, the landlord of the property gave them free rein to decorate as they wished. ‘The upside of renting is that we don’t have to spend money on maintenance; we just get to do the fun things!’ Salsabil adds. ‘We painted the whole place white initially, and then added some quite bold accent colours, as we focused on each room in turn. As and when we could afford it, we’ve splashed out on investment pieces of furniture and some lovely artwork, knowing that we can take them with us to our next home.’
STYLINGANDWORDS
For Salsabil, interior design is all about balance. She loves organic forms and materials teamed with soft colours that hint at nature. ‘In a rented apartment you do have to compromise – but it’s amazing what you can achieve with a little layering, and by displaying personal collections and favourite books,’ she says. The kitchen is yet to be refitted, but it functions perfectly fine, and Salsabil has focused on creating practical, temporary storage solutions for the room. ‘By choosing only crockery and glassware that you truly love, and then displaying it on open shelves, you can soon put together a beautiful scheme with the things you use every day and at very little extra expense,’ she says. ‘I painted the cabinetry a soft blue, which has freshened it up nicely, and we’ve splashed out on some investment dining chairs.’ In the living room, she creates vignettes with collections that she changes up when she wishes – and it means the family can take everything away with them to their next home. ‘We live minimally and find this way of life really tranquil. We have no television– I’d rather watch on my laptop than have a huge TV on a stand.’
Above ‘I’ve used a couple of shelving ladders from Ikea to store blankets for when it’s chilly,’ says Glass-frontedSalsabil. cabinet, vintage Right ‘Our dining table is a great spot for me to work from; I can watch the world go by.’ Table, Wayfair. Chairs, La Redoute
21 2021 The tenants Interior designer Salsabil El-Awaisi hersalsabilelawaisi.com),(@seinterior;husband,Abdullah,apersonaltrainer,andtheirson,Adam The property A rented Victoriantwo-bedroomapartmentinEdinburgh PROFILE
Below and right repurposedSalsabila white Billy bookcase from Ikea as a pantry. ‘It makes for good storage because it’s so Wishboneshallow.’chairs, Cult Furniture. Artwork, by Adam Above Armchair, Ikea. Brown leather cushion, SE Interiors. Floor lamp, Iconic Lights Right ‘I painted the cupboard doors blue and the tiles white, both in eggshell, using a brush to achieve a really even finish,’ says Salsabil.
Here, Salsabil painted up to dado rail height in the same shade of blue as the back wall of the living room. Lower walls painted in Pinstripe, Dulux. Desk, La Redoute. Stool, Ikea. Rug, Homesense. Basket, Zara Home
#SOREALHOMES HOMES.COM/TAG/RENTINGREALTOHEADHOME,RENTEDAUPDATETOWAYSMOREFOR Below ‘I’ve turned around my books spine side in for a more neutralpleasing,display.’ Right Bath rack, Amazon. Towels Laura Thomas Co. For a bath mat, try Graham & Green Salsabil added the white painted MDF panelling herself. Above it, she painted up to the cornice in Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink. Bed, John Lewis & Partners. Ceiling light, La Redoute. Basket bag, Mango. Wall art, Homesense. Bedside tables, Ikea. Rug, Anthropologie. Bench, Habitat
27 REALHOMES.COM Left and below Canopy, Amazon. Bed, John Lewis & Partners. Bedside table and chest of drawers, Ikea. Rug, Habitat. Clothes hanger, made by Salsabil Right room,’forplenty‘There’sofspacetoysinAdam’ssaysSalsabil.‘Ievenmanagedtosqueezeinoneofmyplants!’ Playroom pack up Keep kids’ rooms tidy with fun boxes and baskets to store their stuff in Waldo toy box, £170, La Redoute Printed unicorn storage basket, £12.99, H&M Elmar Bankuan grass elephant bookcase, £359, Beaumonde Paper basket, £15.99£39.99, Zara Home
1 Clyde hand painted plant pot, £9.50, Oliver Bonas 2 Java Arc overreach floor lamp in natural rattan, £170, Made 3 Global Explorer wooden carved stripe vase, £44, Amara 4 Small ceramic vase, £3.50, Primark 5 Abigail Ahern fan palm, £15, Freemans 6 Arch wool palm rug, £110, Habitat 7 Shower resistant outdoor scatter cushion, £10, B&M 8 Wooden cutlery set, £12.50, Karakorum 9 Raffia ruff table lamp, £235, Rose & Grey 10 Terracotta eye incense burner, £6.95, Graham & Green 11 Folding seat, £49.99, H&M 12 Sunne cocktail tray, £45, An Artful Life 1 6 9 11 10
Satisfy feelings of wanderlust without leaving home by picking up ultra-stylish homewares inspired by global travel
FEATURE MORLEYANNA
NOSTALAFORPIECESSTYLISHOFPICKOURMONTH:NEXT
29 REALHOMES.COM
DESERT DESTINATIONS
Solar fluted stake light, £30 for four, Cox & Cox Orion portable lamp, £145, The White Company Phileas rechargeable lamp, £115, Matthew Williamson x Pooky Hawaii hanging lights, £149, Moda Furnishings
Solar hanging baubles in warm white, £16.99, Lights4Fun
Make your outdoor ‘room’ twinkle, twinkle like a star with glowing designs that set a magical ambience for twilight lounging, lingering and laughing
31 REALHOMES.COM HANDTOSENTIALSESYOURALLKEEPTOTABLESSIDESTYLISHMONTH:NEXT FEATURE PHILLIPSHOLLY
Riga outdoor wall lamp, £195, The Conran Shop Slate plastic solar-powered lantern, £20, B&Q Roma rechargeable brass and opal lamp, £119, Lights&Lamps Tealight holder with tassels, £2.99, Dobbies Hay PC portable table lamp, £99, Nest LED solar rattan pendant light in brown, £95, Ella James Alwar outdoor wall light in antique brass, £150, Nkuku
GARDEN LIGHTING
32 Large Arden dining table, £1,500; table hanging rail, £34.95; festoon lights, £45, Graham & Green FEATURE SMITHAMELIA SUMMER DINING From relaxed breakfasts to elegant dinners, lay the table and celebrate the season with these easy design ideas Looking up Attach a rail to your dining table and give your tablescape a whole new dimension. We love the simplicity of this festoon light design, but you could go wild with hanging floral displays or paper decorations, too.
Mustard yellow Sakura
Layer it on Add texture to your table by layering up your fabrics. This setting doubles up on placemats for an opulent and interesting look. The warm yellow will bring the sunshine even on cloudy days. allstarandnapkins,napkin,£60;glassplate,blossomcherrydinner£17;recycledyellowvase,mustardcotton£8;stripe£45forfour,glass&brasslantern,£45,RockettStGeorge
Blue haze small nesting bowl, £11; blue haze rice bowl, £14; Imperial blue gin glasses, £36 for a set of two, Denby
34 Warm welcome Make your dinner party feel extra special with place names. This down-to-earth idea uses plant labels in tiny pots –it’s a rustic, eco-friendly and really easy way to allocate seats.
Perfect palette Your dinner plates don’t have to be white, but they do have to blend in with your scheme. We love how these soft blue ceramics enhance the subtle French Riviera feel of the room. Elmire mango wood round dining table, £550; £170,three-light£340naturalStockholmdiningchairs,fortwo;Tahliachandelier,Next
Patterned metal mug, bowls and plates, spotted, from £3.99; brown wine glass, £6.99; metal cake stand, spotted, £17.99; all H&M
36 Pattern power Choose one cool pattern and stick with it. We adore the use of this splatter effect on all the metal mugs, bowls and dinnerware – creating a fun yet uniform feel.
Leckford Stoneware, from £3;
Ambient glow Candles aren’t just for winter – they bring a magical glow to late-night summer dining and add instant luxe to any scheme. Let them take centre stage on your table, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Lewisholder,candle£25;woodcontemporarynatural,linen£64;sheepskinMongolianruginivory,GOTSorganicnapkinsin£18fortwo;oaktrayinnatural,reversibledinnerandtealight£18,allJohn&Partners
Sabi stackable£35£45fornapkins,patterned£10three;Ornidinnerplates,forfour;Ornidessertplates,forfour;Slokistoragejars,£42forthree;Molyglasses,£30forfour,LaRedoute Statement textures Bring warmth, depth and interest to your scheme with natural textures –like this raffiastatementlight
designer spotlight designer spotlight
What’s your favourite thing about what you do? It’s always magic getting an insight into the life of the things we create once they’ve left the studio. Lots of people who craft with us do it to enjoy a bit of mindful, creative down time –it’s really absorbing and a lovely way to switch off from the outside world for a few hours. Or they’ve got a project in mind for their homes, or want to make something for a friend – we’ve even had people make their own wedding flowers.
A
Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world. This month, we’re talking innovative ways with paper that take it from stationery staple to home enhancer
Q How did you get to the point of having your own business? A It’s been a wiggly path of trial and error – it was a toss-up between starting a creative business and training as an accountant until I stumbled across paper flower making on social media. I’d never seen anything like it before and when I looked into the craft further, there were only a handful of people in the UK making a living from it. I taught myself how to make flowers by taking apart real ones that were starting to go over and using them to create my own templates. I’d then put them back together as true to form as possible in paper format.
Above kit,IcelandicPaperpoppy£35 Right Cards, £3.50, or £7.50 for three 40
Q
What has been your proudest moment – or moments – so far? I nearly lost the business when we went into lockdown. At the time, 90 per cent of our work was installationbased for retail and teaching workshops at events. When everything shut, we got wiped out; the business didn’t fit the criteria to receive any real support and I had to borrow money to pay my rent. I remember feeling like I’d worked too
Thought paper was just for jotting down your weekly shopping list? Think again. At the hands of a designer-maker, this versatile material is ripe for transforming into all sorts of clever creations for your home, from storage bags to waterproof (yes, really) sculptural vases. And what will you fill those vases with? Paper flowers, of course! This month, we spoke to Bee Watson, an artist who makes beautiful crêpe paper floral designs, and sells kits so you can give this intricate art a go, too. Here’s how she got started… Can you describe your business in a sentence? I create paper flowers inspired
BEE WATSON, WILD HIVE
41
Q Anything else we need to know? A We’re making moves into the world of print and pattern design. Over the summer, we’ve started using the paper flowers to create digital
POTS AND PAPER BY STEPH @potsandpaperbysteph ‘Pots and Paper by Steph is an experimental, small-batch and environmentally conscious handmade paper and paper pot production studio. I fell in love with papermaking when I worked in a technical papermaking studio at university. Lockdown gave me the opportunity to revisit the craft and I retaught myself the process with materials I had to hand. I now use locally-sourced waste paper donated by schools and businesses and turn it into handmade paper sheets or waterproof paper pots. The pots embody everything I love in paper form – consciously-made objects that are bold in colour and form and designed to challenge the notionstraditionalofpaper.’ potsandpaper bysteph.com hard to lose everything overnight, so within two weeks I’d rebuilt our website, bought a microphone, learnt how to use Zoom and programmed a six-week online paper flower-making course. It was a gamble whether my clients would get the same enjoyment out of it as crafting together in real life. We ended up running weekly classes for the best part of two years and built an incredible community of people who supported each other through the pandemic.
FEATURE FINCHELLEN PHOTOGRAPHS
Pots are available at Steph’s shop, or get a quote for a commission on her website stationery and fabrics. We’re going to be releasing a new in-house collection of prints and greeting cards each season, and we’ve got some exciting bespoke commissions in the pipeline!
Shop two more businesses making paper with purpose Good on paper LELLOLIVINGFRANCES, @lelloliving ‘LelloLiving started off as a family business. My mum and I design some of the products, my husband helps with the packing and printing, and my eldest, who’s nine, has designed things for us. Since Covid, we ship worldwide and have our own warehouse space with a soft play area for the kids. I’m eco-conscious and like things that can be reused. We’ve just started a range of seed paper cards, which I loved seeing go from an idea to a working product. One of our closest friends is getting married and we did the invitations on seed paper – the idea is that as love grows, so do the flowers! My favourite product is probably our paper bag planters –they’re versatile and washable.’ lelloliving.com
Follow Bee on
moreand@wildhivepaperflowersInstagramshopherkitsandatwildhive.co.uk
Paper storage bags, from £11.50
PaperJapaneseAnenomekit,£35
(LELLOLIVING)MEDIAGRAVZERO
REALHOMES.COM
Q If you had to pick, which would be your favourite flower kit? A I’m fickle when it comes to the flowers – I change my mind pretty much each month! At the moment, it’s the Japanese Anemone. You start to see them in gardens everywhere at this time of year and they look amazing all year round in paper.
43 REALHOMES.COM DUNELMFROMCOLLECTIONNEWTHEWITHAUTUMNFORHOMEYOURSTYLEMONTH:NEXT FEATURE SMITHEMILY For budget-savvy shopping this season, the new collection from Primark is sure to hit the right spot PRIMARK 1 Ivory upholstered bench, £45 2 Seagrass round tray, £7 3 Floral hanging canvas wall art, £3.50 4 Orange and white glazed ceramic jug, £6 5 Beige natural rattan lounge chair, £90 6 Red textured square cushion, £10 7 Green circle dinner candle holder, £7 8 White embossed tall grass faux plant, £8 9 Hanging rail, £45 10 Orange ceramic seashell-shaped vase, £3 11 Amber and bergamot scented candle, £4 12 Brown wooden speaker side table, £100 13 Jute floral print square cushion, £9 11 13 2 7 12 3 SHOPPING SHOWCASE
44 WORDS JONESALISON PHOTOGRAPHS MARFITTHEIDI Farmhouse renovation Show and tell Interiors expert Sam took a tired old farm building and made it a family home with a signature sense of style The owners Sam Marlow, founder and director of Lime Lace (limelace.co.uk), lives here with husband James, a financial advisor, daughter Grace and sons Freddie and Ted The property A four-bedroom house in a converted period farm building in Yorkshire Project cost £91,000 ‘This is our chill out zone at the end of a summer’s day.’ Vonge seats and coffee table, JYSK. Lamp, Ebay. Drinks cooler, Lime Lace. Green wall, made by Sam and James PROFILE
‘We get the morning sun on this section, then it wraps around the house and we get evening sun from the other side,’ says Sam. ‘It gets lots of use. Whenever we can we get out there.’
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Vonge sofa, JYSK. Cushions, Mix 850 bioethanol fire pit, rug and Louis solarpowered lanterns, all Lime Lace. Side tables, Kartell. Lamps and parasol, Alice’s Garden
Copper
‘The living area is where we spend most of our time. I got a comfy velvet corner sofa that can fit us all on,’ says Sam. ‘The Kartell mirror behind the sofa reflects the outdoor area – it looks like another window.’ light, Tom Dixon. Sofa
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Furniture.WhitemeadowClock and Strap floor lamp Lime Lace
47 Right and below ‘We went for two colours in the kitchen with sleek and tall cabinets to hide things away. The room was going to get used a lot by the family, so I wanted it to feel like you weren’t just sat in the kitchen.’ Appliances, NEFF. Units, Kitchens.KesslerDining table, Habitat. Ghost stacking chairs, Heal’s. LED neon sign, Neon Filter. Lips print, Age of BourgieStudios.ReasonKartell lamp Cimmermann
Q Your home looks like the best mix of an old building and new styling. It obviously has a lot of history. A Yes – it used to be part of a big period farm building. It was divided into separate houses and we have one of the centre ones with the original barn door. We’d been looking for a house for over a year. When we found this one I liked the age of it: the exposed stone and the beams. We’re in the middle of the countryside with fields to the front and back, but it’s only 10 minutes to Ilkley and 15 minutes to Harrogate. The village we’re in has a school and a pub and that’s about it, but it’s got a lovely feel to it.
Q The garden is a real showpiece, and must have been a fabulous space to have during lockdown. A James did a lot of it; he levelled the garden and built the seating area. He’s been working on it for four years because he could only work weekends, but over lockdown he really knuckled down. We like to have a lot of parties, and I love being outdoors, so I wanted a space that pulled you outside. We can fit a good 20 people on the decking area, it’s that large.
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Q Because of your background in interiors, were you able to tackle a lot of the work yourself?
A I’ve got a background in property development, starting in an estate agent’s after university, then designing show apartments and moving into interior design. I’d done projects of my own before the house but for a few years I was looking for something I could put my stamp on. It was in a bit of a state when we bought it; very run down and not a very pretty property. I literally felt like pulling everything out and starting again. When we moved in, I found out I was pregnant, so we needed another bedroom. We did a small side extension and created a downstairs bedroom and toilet. The kitchen space was here but it was very old fashioned. We ripped the floor out and levelled it to put a new floor and underfloor heating in. We put in bi-folding doors
W hen it comes to finding inspiration for decorating and styling your newly renovated home, owning a luxury interiors business is a distinct advantage. Sam Marlow is the founder and director of online store Lime Lace, which started because she was so frustrated by ‘the lack of unique and creative’ home accessories available on the high street that she began sourcing and selling her own. Sam named it Lime Lace because she sells a mix of ‘fresh contemporary pieces and antique vintage pieces, and that is really the style of my house.’ We chatted with Sam to find out how she took an old-fashioned former farmhouse and transformed it into a relaxing family home that’s also a stunning showcase for her business…
A We did the decorating and painting, but the main structural items we did get the professionals in to do, and I sourced the materials. When we moved in, the bathroom was the most important room to get done first because I was pregnant and had two young children. I’m obsessed with baths – when you’re pregnant there’s nothing better – but we just had a toilet and a sink! We’d go to the gym to have a shower while the building work was going on. It was quite difficult when we didn’t have a kitchen for about three months – we ate, slept and socialised in our master bedroom. We only just finished in 2021. We did the main bits that needed to get done, but then I wanted to take my time with the other rooms, so it’s been a good four or five years.
Q You must be so pleased with what you’ve achieved – but with your passion for interiors, is it ever really finished? A I’m always changing up accessories and artwork; not the big things, just the little things. My husband comes home and goes, ‘Oh, where’s that gone?’. But when I walk through the door I do have that sense of relief that I can just close the door, shut away the stresses of the day and just feel really comfortable. It was worth all the stress around buying it and then renovating. This house represents us exactly. We didn’t compromise on our choices or our style, and it’s just a real haven to come back to.
Left ‘The farmer had put in some orange coloured beams. I painted those white and just oiled the original oak NeonGeorgebeams.’Michaellightframed artwork, ‘After the Disco’ print rug and terrazzo vase, all Lime Lace. Sofa, John Lewis & Partners. Ottoman, EeroMarketplace.Facebook1960sSaarinen table, vintage to create the inside/outside look I wanted. I also had the patio decked and raised. It was Yorkshire stone and I know it’s sacrilegious to get rid of it, but it wasn’t the modern look that I wanted.
Q It sounds like quite a special place. Was there a lot of competition to buy it? A It’s very rare for properties to come up for sale in the village and we had to fight to get it. In the end there were three of us who had to do silent bids, it was that much in demand. It was stressful because you don’t know what you’re up against. And the farmer selling kept changing his mind. We were really lucky to get it – there were quite a few tears at the end.
Q Once it was finally yours, did you already have big plans for what you wanted to do to it?
50 Left ‘My daughter got to choose her wallpaper – with a little bit of help from me. She’s a teenager and I was conscious it needed to be a bedroom she could grow with; it’s her Tropicalsanctuary.’leaves wallpaper, Eijffinger. Cushions, Lime Lace. wardrobeMirrored , John Lewis & Partners. For a similar bedside table, try Nyborg, Robert Dyas Right ‘In bedroomourwe fitted wardrobes and a dressing table to make better use of the space.’ Bed, printFurniture.WhitemeadowAnimal throw, faux lynx fur cushion Cole & Son Nuvolette Fornasetti Senza Tempo wallpaper, Alton table lamp and Mineheart Madame Blush canvas print, all Lime Lace. Chest of drawers, made bespoke. Candlesticks, Nkuku. Ceiling light, Houseof Project timeline BOUGHT HOUSE AFTER SILENT BIDS 2016 BUILT BATHROOMNEW 2016 TED BORN 2017 COMPLETEDKITCHEN 2017 JAMES FINISHED THE GARDEN 2021 FIRST PARTY IN THE GARDEN FOR TED’S BIRTHDAY 2021 Kitchen £25,000 Garden £15,000 Bedrooms £15,000 En suite £10,000 Bathroom and WC £8,000 Living room £8,000 Snug £5,000 Decorating and window dressing £5,000 Kitchen Kessler Kitchens, kesseler.co.uk Interior furnishings Lime Lace, 0330 058 4158, limelace.co.uk COSTS CONTACTS&
‘This is the most recent room we renovated. I love it because I’ve taken my time over choosing every bit.’ Timeless white tiles, wall-hungStore.PorcelainEthosvanity unit, stone basin, screenshower , Elegance thermostatic bar, shower and tap all Lusso JesmoniteStone.terrazzo pot, Lime Lace. Wall lights and towel holder, Made
Fresh 1ltr,paints,andFriendlyYellow,PinkFreshAqua£21forYesColours
As well as this, sunshine yellow is a great choice for sociable spaces, such as kitchens and dining rooms.
1 You want a burst of energy at home 2 You want to brighten a northfacing room 3 You want to create wow factor It’s forcolourtheyou if:
Our colour guru Amelia takes a deep dive into how to make it work
Sunshine yellow
Katie Barber, founder of Haule (haule. co.uk), points out that ‘sunshine yellow is the perfect example of Sunshine yellow is known for making us feel more positive and upbeat. It’s a happy colour, associated with smiley faces, sunflowers, bumble bees and, of course, the warmth and joy that comes from sunshine. It’s also a key trend for 2022 – the trend-setting London restaurant, Sketch, made waves in the interior design sphere recently by changing its décor from millennial pink to yellow, and so I bet we’ll only be seeing more and more of this friendly shade within the next year. I spoke to a number of industry experts, and it’s clear that sunshine yellow is an especially useful colour for one room in particular – the home office. ‘Yellow is known to stimulate Bring a burst of positivity and happiness to your home with this sunny shade.
the left side of the brain, which helps with clear thinking and decision making, so it’s certainly a hue to consider in your home office environment,’ says Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours (yescolours.com).
And Lisa Slack, head of product at Thomas Sanderson (thomassanderson.co.uk), agrees: ‘Yellow is the colour of creativity, making it the perfect shade for a home office to let those creative juices flow.’
Breatheasy Happy Daze emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltrs,
The sunshinepairingsperfectwithyellow
The rules the warm palettethe cool palette dopamine décor – giving an instant hit of happiness,’ so it’s best used in areas where you want to maximise energy.
CrownZany Jane Exceptional Finish paint and primer, £28 for 2.5ltrs, Valspar Banana Yellow Regal Select paint, £27 per Benjamin940mls,Moore
Complement your scheme with warm or cool hues
53 REALHOMES.COM FEATURE SMITHAMELIA
While I love the idea of using the colour as a pop of optimism and joy, Natasha Bradley, director of interior design and colour psychologist at Lick (lick.com), warns against using too much. ‘As sunshine yellow is a high-saturated and bright colour, it’s important to use in moderation. Being too consumed by the colour, by using it on all your walls, for example, will eventually lead to negative psychological traits by making us feel rather irritated. I’d suggest keeping it as an accent by painting your smallest wall, front door or skirting boards.’ If you’re about to pick up your sunshine yellow-soaked paint brush, here’s a handy tip from Victoria Yardley, managing director of eco paint experts Victory Colours (victorycolours. co.uk). The specific shade you choose will determine how best to decorate: ‘Pale yellow shades will have good opacity so may only need one or two coats. But the zestier, deeper shades are brighterforwhitecolour?overthree.willtranslucentmoresoneedtwoorPaintingadarkerPaintabasefirstaquicker,finish.’
Yellow bold pitcher,softstore.co£42.99, Hello Sunshine luxury sun cushion, £10, B&M Anderson two-seater sofa, £749, Cult Furniture
Do Balance out your scheme with white Try out samples first Combine with contrasting hues to make a statement Don’t Combine with burgundy or terracotta Use too much in a south-facing room Use in a room where you want to wind down
Trumpet Intelligent matt emulsion, £56.50 for 2.5ltrs, Little Greene
FEATURE SMITHEMILY
Whether it’s somewhere to drink your morning coffee or watch the sunset with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc, finding the perfect bistro set is a must for any garden this summer. With its minimalist yet striking design, the Lois armchairs and coffee table from Marks & Spencer will bring a modern touch to any outdoor space, no matter its shape or size. Even better, it won’t break the bank. So what are you waiting for? Grab a chilled drink, sit back and relax…
Let the good times roll Sage green Lois garden coffee table, £99; Lois armchairs, £119 for two; Lois nest of two tables, £99; alfresco outdoor rug, £69; straw outdoor cushion, £19.50; four Jungle picnic tumblers, £12, all Marks & Spencer Fallen in love with it too? We get you – it’s a style crush for a reason! Scan the QR code on the right to be taken to the website and make this piece your own
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
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Style crush
5756 SMALL LIVING ROOMS For petite homes or tricky rooms, the key to maximising space is flexibility. Clever paint effects, slim furniture and multi-use designs can help you switch up your living space with ease The Rebel threeseater sofa in Warm Grey with wood legs, £1,299, Snug Sofa. For similar accessories, try Amara
Kimball colour wave cushion, £10, Primark Embrace coffee table, £350, John Green
Hanging around Run out of surface space? Look to the ceiling (or your curtain rail, or the side of a shelving unit) to add more greenery to your room with a hanging planter. We love these cute designs. Jungle fever Despite a room’s small square footage, there’s always a spot just right for a leafy houseplant. Pick one that grows tall and narrow or trails for visual impact without taking up space.
Room for one more? Create a place for guests to stay with seating that easily transforms into a handy bed when needed. Curated display An open shelving unit comes with the opportunity to be styled in a number of ways. Neatly fitted storage baskets or caddies are ideal for keeping clutter at bay and freeing up shelf space for decorative books and houseplants. When choosing artwork, try to stick to a colour theme for a cohesive finish. The Appley two-seater sofa bed in Vintage Blue, £665, Willow & Hall Larsen two-and-a-halfseater sofa bed in ochre easy cotton, £2,190, Sofa.com
Flexiblefriend
upPerkplans
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This birch coffee table is a multiuse wonder, with a storage magazinetabletopshelf,andrackallinone.
Don’t be afraid to inject bold colour or pattern in a small space. Textural soft furnishing, accessorieseye-catchingandcarefullychosenartworkprovidevisualinterest.
Crane armchair, £229; LewisfromframedWaltersMarcus‘OK’print,£45,John&Partners
Three of the best: sofa beds
Roma single velvet chairbed in pink, £230, Habitat Hanging concreteeffect indoor planter, £10.50, Wilko Eyes Shut terracotta hanging planter, £10, Red Candy Strelitzia bird of paradise plant, £55, Ikea
Sink wall-to-wall storage into the background of your room by painting your shelving to match the wall. Accessorise with baskets and boxes to hide the clutter, and add pops of colour through vases and planters.
Laidback living Open shelving
The right window treatments are essential in a small living room. Enhance the amount of natural light coming into a space with shutters that fold back to leave the windows completely exposed, or add Roman blinds for texture.
footstoolGrönlid with storage Tallmyrainlightred,£199,Ikea
Three of the best: feelgood paints Punchy colours helps your space feel interesting and on-trend, no matter the size. Apply sparingly, such as behind shelves, to frame artwork, or on half the walls, to prevent the space from being overwhelmed.
Matt grey tray table, £28, B&Q Rive Droite bistro tray table, £30, Garden Trading Round tray table, £79.99, H&M Broste
In spotlightthe When choosing lighting to squeeze into a tight spot, opt for a design with an adjustable head to direct light exactly where you want it.
Multi-taskerFolditup
Think vertical Stackable storage such as these easy to ensemble boxes will always be useful and provides organiseopportunitythetoyourhome.
storagestackableCopenhagenStaciebox,£99each,APlaceForEverything
59 Store and sit A footstool, pouffe or ottoman with secret storage is a must-have for keeping small spaces in order. Choose one with a comfy cushioned top to provide a place to rest your feet, or use as extra seating.
If you don’t have enough room to comfortably fit a side table, opt for a fold-away design you can stow away behind the sofa or in a cupboard, then reach for when you need extra surface space. Nests of tables can be separated and used individually for extra surface space or neatly stacked away when you don’t require them.
Electric Orange matt, £21 for YesColours1ltr, Ultra Blue matt, £51.50 for 2.5ltrs, Little GreeneBeanstalk matt, £46 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown
Parquet brushed and glazed oak nest of tables, £219.99, Oak FurniturelandCarrietripodfloorlamp,£179,Sofology
PHOTOGRAPH BLACKMOREDOMINIC STYLIST (LEFT)SHARMASARITA
theLiftlook Swap artwork with an inexpensive and decorative rug to add textural interest to the walls. Hang horizontally to emphasise the width of a room or turn vertically to draw attention to the height.
A modular sofa that you can personalise to suit your space is ideal for smaller rooms. It can be adapted or added to at a later stage if you wanted to reshuffle your layout or up-size your property. Bay sofa, £2,769; Pond chair, £985; Oda stool in red, £209; Brostefloor,cottonwall,Edithlampshade,Ritta£186;woolrugon£1,119;Borisrugon£175,allCopenhagen
Perfectfit
Got a free corner? A slim storage unit that’s designed to fit snug to the wall provides a neat place to house books and a wide range of accessories. yourRejiglayout By pulling the sofa into the room, you can free up the walls for storage. You may have enough space to accommodate a slim console behind; just ensure you can walk freely around furniture and continue the spacious feel.
woodmangocornerladdershelf,£350,NextOlaottoman in pink, £495, Oliver Bonas Eclipse table, £349, Lime Lace Multi-Storey in Bandsawn, £545, Loaf
unusedUtilisespace
All-in-one Another top multitasking furniture solution, this time from Loaf. This pretty piece is a coffee table, footstool, chair and occasional bed, with a handy side table slotted on top – perfect for guests.
Total eclipse Rotate the wooden top of this handy compact table to the side to expose a tray-like forunderneathrecess–greatanextrasurfaceinaninstant.
Fill it up You might be lucky enough to have the perfect nook for this ottoman, or perhaps you’re looking to swap your seating for one with lift-up capabilities – either way, this extra place to tidy things away is super handy.
Jute rug with Duck Egg border, £75, I Am Fy Signe tufted rug, £139, Cult Furniture Sigrid rug, £175, Cox & Cox Zaria
61 £479, CotswoldTheCo
Three of the best: rugs A wall rug that’s textured, patterned or colourful makes an interesting backdrop. Use the design to set the tone for your choice of textiles and colour palette for the rest of the scheme.
Q
Meet the people ready to help with your dilemmas
63 REALHOMES.COM Clinic The design
Christina Loves the high street and finding statement pieces at an entry-level price Millie Our foreditor,appliancessmallandcookingwithakeeneyethebestkitchenbuy
Jenny Has loads of reno advice – and her own doer-upper on the go SPECIAL
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
Camille Has plenty of advicewallet-friendlyspace-saving,forrenters
Ellen practicalSharesadvice for making your home more sustainable Caroline Our smart home editor with her eye on tech, from TVs to smart fridges Lindsey Is in the know about buying everything from soft furnishings to fridges
How do I know if I’m getting the best energy deal? A An estimated 15 million UK households could be paying too much for their energy as they’re on the more expensive standard variable tariffs (SVT) or default tariffs. After joining your energy provider on a fixed tariff, you often get moved to the SVT when your initial contract ends. If you haven’t switched or checked your tariff for 12-18 months, your bills may be higher than they should be. Read your bill carefully. You’ll almost always find a section called something like ‘Could you be paying less?’ If your tariff isn’t the cheapest, you not only aren’t getting the best energy deal from your supplier, but you could find significantly cheaper deals elsewhere by using a comparison tool. These days, many suppliers offer additional incentives for switching, ENERGY ADVICE
MONEY SAVING PHOTOGRAPH CURRIEJULIA
At serviceyour Jennifer The go-to for appliance advice, and where to get the best deals Anna Bringing you renting advice and practical tips to make life simpler
SHOPPING ADVICE RENOVATION ADVICE
A Go online and check out all the latest savings on GoCompare. Then have an amicable chat with your provider and mention the lower, like-for-like prices you’ve seen. Companies want to retain existing customers and may be able to price match or beat the competition’s offer.
A The answer depends on your home’s current size, state of repair and where it is. Improvements like extending, knocking down walls, converting your loft, adding a utility or bathroom and installing new windows are generally believed to add value to a house – but there’s no point in extending your kitchen, for example, if your current boiler doesn’t work well, if there are holes in the roof of the main house or if the façade is untidy.
INSURANCE ADVICE
Q With costsfoodonthe rise, how can I save money on our weekly shop?
So, before you proceed, it’s always worth talking to a trusted estate agent to see if the work you’re planning, and the budget you’ve put aside, will achieve what you want it to.
PHOTOGRAPH (RIGHT)SNOOKCHRIS
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£2.29,weeklySunflowerplanner,TheRange
Essential weekly meal planner pad, £9, Martha Brook Studio Wald A5 meal planner, £8, Albert & Moo
Q My insurance is coming up for renewal – any tips on getting a good deal?
A My top tip? Wash your laundry on eco, on a lower temperature, which uses less energy. Rates are often cheaper during the night, too, which are charged at off-peak rates. If you have a timer delay function, set this to finish when day breaks so the laundry is ready to hang up to dry. I swear that a longer wash cycle makes the laundry smell even fresher, too!
Q Any tips for cutting down laundry costs with a five-strong household? My washing machine is forever on!
Q What home improvements will add the most value to my house?
Equally, extending your house so that it’s markedly larger and better than any other house in the street or surrounding streets may make it nicer to live in, but you may find when you come to sell that the price you’d hoped for can’t be achieved because your spend has exceeded the profit potential.
A It’s all about the meal plan! Nailing the details of your weekly meals and snacks will help avoid overbuying –so you’ll spend and waste less. It takes prep, but saves time in the week if you’re too busy to think about what to eat. If you’re really struggling, not just keen to save a few pounds, do seek the help that’s out there from local charities or the government.
SEE SAVINGENERGY-MORETIPSONP.114
LAUNDRY ADVICE
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Q I’m hoping to buy a house next year and I’m worried about costs in the wake of Covid and a potential recession. How can I make sure I’m getting the best mortgage rate? A Getting a good mortgage rate is harder than ever as a result of the pandemic, and it’s worth doing all the research you can. To get started, use an online mortgage calculator to compare offers from a variety of lenders. Online mortgage expert Habito will chat with you, advising you on the next stages, helping you assess affordability and giving impartial advice to ensure you get the best deal. The bigger your deposit, the better the deal you’ll get. The very best mortgage rates are only available to buyers with deposits of over 25 to 30 per cent (and 40 will get you the cream of the crop). We recommend trying to save up for as large a deposit as you can manage before applying for a mortgage. The art of comparing mortgage deals is all about understanding how the terms of each mortgage product fit – or don’t fit – your life circumstances and plans. ADVICE
MORTGAGE
RENTAL ADVICE
❯ Look for household objects that can be reused in the garden. An old shoe or even a broken bird bath can be used as a container for, say, succulents to add a little whimsy.
A It might seem counterintuitive to invest in smart tech when you’re trying to save, but handy little devices like smart LED lighting, thermostats, plugs and water controllers can make a big difference to your bills.
Q I’ve moved into a new rented home and need to furnish it myself. How can I do it on the cheap? A As tempting as it is to go on a mega trip to Ikea, there are ways to fill your new home in a cheaper – and more planet-friendly – way. Charity shops and the internet are your friends here. Ebay can be great for sourcing vintage buys, but head to apps and sites like Freecycle, Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace and you’ll find perfectly good pieces up for grabs for next to nothing. Finally, scout out your neighbourhood and see if anyone’s throwing out something useful – you’ll be surprised at what people get rid of.
TECH ADVICE GARDENINGADVICE
Q Any ideas for a keen gardener looking to save some cash?
Q Should I invest in smart home tech to save money in the long run?
❯ Try to incorporate self-seeding perennials in the garden like BlackEyed Susans, which are easy to divide but will also naturalise in an area and provide lovely drifts of colour over time. ❯ Seed both annuals and perennials directly into the garden in spring. Annuals will flower in the same year, but most perennials won’t flower until the second year.
Wired kitthermostatsmartstarterV3+,£179.99,Tado Eve Aqua smart water £89.95,controller,Amazon White ambiance starter kit E27, £109.99, Philips Hue Make a table with The£75inrodaddscaffoldwoodreclaimedorold–justlegs.Triple-hairpinlegsDuckEgg,forfour,HairpinLegCompany
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A One of the great things about exploring different garden ideas is that many of the most impactful looks often cost next to nothing to create. From clever planting to savvy tips for growing from scratch, there’s so much you can achieve in your space even with a very limited budget. Ferns & Feathers garden blogger Vic MacBournie has some top tips to start with:
The owners Sophie Hannah Stanford, a content creator her@sophiehannahhome),(@sophiehannah;andhusband,RobinStanford,aneditor,liveherewiththeirtwoFrenchbulldogs,LunaandShadow The property A four-bed semi-detachedVictoriantownhouseinColchester,Essex Project cost £150,000 (includes gifts and PR discounts) PROFILE
69 #SOREALHOMES EALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONSRATHOMEYOUROVERMAKINGONADVICEANDIDEASFIND
Colour confident Sophie Hannah and husband Robin transformed a run-down Victorian townhouse into a true maximalist’s dream
Farrow & Ball. Orange Scott sofa, Sofa.com. Coffee table, Atkin & Thyme. Blue armchair Made. Leopard print armchair, Homesense. Tribal print rug, Lorena Canals at Amara daring
‘I had a set vision for each room in the house,’ says Sophie. ‘The living room is quirky, vibrant, and bold. As I work from home, it’s hard to switch off sometimes. I wanted a room where I could walk in and know that it was my time to relax; put my phone down, turn on Netflix and escape. This room didn’t actually go through as many renovations as the kitchen or bathrooms, but we definitely took it from dull and lifeless to vibrant haven.’ painted Hague Blue, design
in
A new paradise
Walls
The couple had no intention of starting the project immediately, but their new home forced their hand – on the day they were handed the keys they discovered rats nesting in the kitchen roof. ‘Luckily we’d managed to keep our little two-bed house so we lived there while we renovated,’ Sophie explains. ‘It was difficult as we hadn’t planned on paying two mortgages at the same time. Planning permission for the kitchen extension took three or four months, but it took an excruciating eight months to switch from oil to gas – that was a nightmare and I’d never do it again!’
71 REALHOMES.COM WORDS EWARTLAURA PHOTOGRAPHS CHUNGDARREN EDITSHOPPING SMITHEMILY
As works on the house began to slow down, it was time to tackle the overgrown and uneven garden. Intrusive bushes were ripped out and overgrown trees trimmed and pruned. The couple breathed new life into the garden, furnishing it with a tiki bar, a swing and on-trend outdoor furniture.
They knew they’d want to decorate, whatever house they bought – but it wasn’t until they got the keys on moving day that they realised how big of a project the house was. ‘And I had no idea how stressful renovating a house can be,’ says Sophie.
Left and below Sophie’s home office continues the tropical jungle scheme seen in the living room. Fun and colourful, the deep green sofa creates a homely feeling and a place to relax.
They hired an architect for the extension as they needed planning permission, but Sophie designed the rest of the house herself. ‘I created mock ups of every room on Photoshop so I could envision exactly how it was all going to come together.’
ccidental renovators Sophie Hannah and her husband, Robin, certainly weren’t looking for a project. ‘We’d outgrown our little two-bed and wanted somewhere near transport links that had plenty of space, especially as I work from home as a content creator,’ explains Sophie. ‘Ideally, we wanted a fourbedroom house in the Colchester area, but couldn’t find one that had more than two double bedrooms. When this house came up it was very affordable because it needed renovating, but it had three double bedrooms and a big single bedroom.’
A
Wallpaper, Cole & Son. Rutland sofa, DFS. Neon sign, Neon Beach. Desk Maisons du Monde. Chair, Homesense. Shelves, Amazon. Leopard ornament River Island. Print, Eleanor Bowmer
Sophie and Robin’s personalities are reflected in their colourful décor choices. From the moment you enter the bright and airy panelled hallway, you’re introduced to fun palettes, unexpected accessories and individual quirks that make this Victorian townhouse feel like a modern classic. The rich hues and jewelled tones used throughout feel on-trend yet timeless, especially in the kitchen, with its sleek black cabinets and eye-catching pink tiles.
A much-dreamed-about kitchen extension went smoothly and works began on the rest of the house. However, the two bathrooms ended up taking eight months to complete. ‘The freelancers working on them only came at the weekends – we think because they knew we weren’t living there they took on other jobs and just squeezed us in as and when,’ says Sophie. ‘Then we found a wall of asbestos in our bathroom, which paused everything for a few weeks until we could get a specialist in to safely remove it. We also didn’t factor in that the house would need a full electrical rewiring, so that cost us more than we had budgeted for – and then we had the holes to fill in! All of this did delay us being able to move in, but in September 2019, just under a year after we got the keys, we were finally in. So, a few problems – but all worth it.’
With the house now complete, would they take on another renovation? ‘I always said no while we were in the middle of this,’ Sophie admits. ‘But now it’s finished, I’ve got the itch again!’
Although Sophie had the vision for the majority of the house, Robin was still involved in final decisions. ‘I actually really enjoyed designing all the rooms,’ says Sophie. ‘It allowed me to be super creative and it was amazing seeing each one come to life. We love our house now – it’s a space that feels like it’s truly ours. It oozes with our personality and personal style, it’s fun but homely, and we’re still so appreciative of having more room.’
Sophie originally wanted green or navy units but saw a black kitchen online and fell in love. In the end, the couple opted for a layout that Sophie liked least – ‘but it made the most sense and it’s given us so much space. While we’re cooking, we can chat to guests. I still pinch myself that this is mine.’
Fairford charcoal kitchen, Howdens. Quartz worktop, Caesarstone. Oven, Rangemaster. Flooring, Moduleo. Wallpaper, Divine Savages. Dining table, Made. Dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Ceiling light, Wayfair
74 Above panellingBrightruns up the previously dark route to the stairs. ‘I love being met by my beautiful hall,’ says Sophie. ‘I’m glad we went for something bold.’ Hanoi floor tiles, Tile Mountain. Wall paint matched to tiles, Valspar. Mirror Amazon Home. Radiator, Best Heating. Vase and rug, H&M Home. Basket, Homesense Below What the previous owners used as a breakfast room, Sophie and Robin transformedhaveinto a utility. Gone are the bright pink walls, exposed pipes and wires, and uneven floor, replaced by a fresh, contemporary room that leads into the kitchen. Units, Howdens. Floor and wall tiles, Best Tiles. Mirror, H&M Home. Bamboo trolley, Oliver Bonas. Rug, I Am Fy. Taps, Taps for Less. Vase Anissa Kermiche Project timeline PLANS DRAWN UP November 2018 PLANNINGAPPROVEDPERMISSION January 2019 KITCHENFINISHEDEXTENSION June 2019 DECORATEDHOUSE Summer 2019 MOVED IN September 2019 FRONTFINISHEDGARDEN June 2021 BACKRENOVATEDGARDEN August 2020
Sophie and Robin were drawn to the potential and fantastic room sizes of this fourbed Victorian semidetached townhouse in Colchester, Essex
77 REALHOMES.COM Below ‘I can’t believe outdoorandan‘It’ssaysintransformationtheourgarden,’Sophie.gonefromovergrownneglectedspace to timeondoeshowWe’refriendssocialisewesomewherecanrelaxandwithandfamily.sohappywithitlooks;itreallyfeellikewe’reholidayeverywestepintoit.’ Corner sofa Modish Living. Cushions, Etsy and George Home. Coffee table Made. Floor tiles, Tiles Direct. Fences painted in Tudor Black Oak, Ronseal Left The inspiration for the garden was to continue the kitchen thoughtPinterestInstagram‘Ihouse’sschemecolourandthejunglevibe.researchedonandandaboutwhat we wanted from our outdoor space, and we pulled this off – with our builder’s help!’ says Sophie. Pink floor tiles, Tiles Direct. Macrame hangers, WallHangings,Rachaels-Etsy Plump up the volume Gingham print garden cushion, £18, John Lewis & Partners Icon boho broken stripe outdoor cushion, £19.95, Cuckooland Set of two leaf print outdoor cushions, £29.50, Marks & Spencer Halsey outdoor cushion, £49, Furniture Village Sit back and relax in the sun on lots of squashably soft garden cushions
Palm
The Cole & Son wallpaper is the perfect choice for a feature wall. ‘It’s one of my favourite things about this room,’ says Sophie. ‘I fell in love with the palm print. It is a little on the pricey side, but looks incredible when it’s up.’ jungle Son.
print wallpaper, Cole &
Neon light, Neon Crush Ottoman bed Made. Bedlinen, Emma J Shipley
79 REALHOMES.COMAbove In Sophie’s dressing room, she made Iacreator,asmalldrawersIkeacarpenter,storagecustomisedwithherusingwardrobesand–savingafortune.‘AsbeautycontentIgetsentlotofproductsneedtostore.’ Rast and Platsa storage, Ikea. Paint mixed at Kent Blaxill. Carpet, Tapi Carpets & Floors. Island worktop, Bland FramedDesign. print, Desenio. Blue chair, Homesense Mirror, William Wood Mirrors BEFORE Right ‘When we moved in, the floor was dark and the suite didn’t really match,’ says Sophie. After panesonetheyremovedownknockingawalltoasbestos,builtanewwithmoreglasstoletlightin. Suite, Bathrooms.HeritageWall and floor tiles Topps Tiles. Mirror, Amazon. Wall lights, Spark & Bell. Pink Feather Fan wallpaper, Cole & Son Kitchen/utility and building work £63,000 Painting and wallpaper £10,000 Bathroom tiling and fittings £10,000 Garden renovation £9,000 Flooring £7,500 Kitchen extension and garden Collison & Sons, 01206 795849 Architect Homa Design, 01206 272247 Plumbing and heating S.Cox Plumbing & Heating, 07990 727325 Decorator The Mils, 07969 370346, themilsdecorating.co.uk Flooring Jack Gordon Flooring, 07581 225180 Kitchen Howdens, howdens.com Bathroom fixtures Heritage heritagebathrooms.comBathrooms, COSTS CONTACTS&
HOME OFFICES
FULLY EQUIPPED Kitting yourself out with specific furniture and equipment needs more focus than other rooms. Finding a comfortable chair that’s supportive and adjustable should be a priority, plus a desk that’s deep enough to house a monitor and keyboard set up. Adequate storage should also be a must, as is a task lamp. Integrating this space into the rest of your home’s scheme can be seamless with well chosen items, so aim for consistency with colours, materials and accessories.
Flexible, stylish, stimulating, inspirational, health boosting and comfortable: these are just some of the things a home office needs to be these days. Years ago it was considered a luxury to have a designated study – instead, it often got repurposed as multifunctional space, sharing square footage with kids’ playrooms, the family snug or even the communal dumping ground with a computer pushed into the corner. However, with so many of us needing to create a fully functioning work area, now is the perfect time to take this space a little more seriously. What was once a temporary measure has been replaced with one of more permanency. Remote and hybrid work life is here to stay, which means our demands for a fully functioning office environment in the home are now very real. Choosing where and how to create this purposeful space for the best, or how to refresh yours to make it feel more established, is key not only to having a productive day, but also to ensuring you achieve an integrated and stylish zone.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX… ROOM
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Whether you have a designated room or a bit on the side, home offices come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing where to set yours up will depend on a variety of factors –budget, space, logistics and individual needs being the most dominating. If you’re lucky enough to have a study already, odds are it’s set up for natural light, power, storage and a good-size desk. However, if you’re carving out an area in a shared room, make sure you have a good light source – ideally near a window – with the ability to alter the shade throughout the day, sufficient heating and electrical outlets nearby. A garden office is a fabulous place to work in, but these are big projects that need to be carefully considered – though as an investment it could add value to your property.
The type of work you do will also dictate where or how your office space needs to be. Do you make a lot of calls? Have samples or paperwork that need to be spread out? Do you work best in silence? Need multiple monitors? Before claiming your spot, take the time to consider whether you can spend a full day there – and check if it really meets your needs. If you’re combining living spaces, such as working from a bedroom or a playroom, be mindful of how these Give your work zone a well-deserved promotion with the help of our handy guide, and ensure this essential study space is as hardworking as you are to inspire productivity areas might work harmoniously and choose furnishings that complement the original use. Ensure too that when you shut down at the end of the day, this area can blend into the background so you can feel a sense of separation from work.
Elements Freja dining table, £229; steel pen storage, £8 each; alldiffuser,£10steeldeskboard,£12magazinesteelholder,each;wirepeg£20;Isaaclamp,£12;papertray,each;Elements£15,Dunelm
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
2 ACCESSORIESPRACTICAL Clock watching – or at least keeping your eye on the time – is useful throughout the working day, so include a cool timepiece and place it within your eye line. An attractive radio is another nice-to-have item that can help boost the mood when you need an audible lift
3 VARIABLE LIGHT SOURCES Working near a window is a luxury only some of us have, but with the sun’s position ever changing, being able to vary the degrees of light at our desk space is essential. Depending on what season it is, use blinds or curtains to control sunlight and task lamps after dark. zing Wow wallpaperwith Throw yourshapessomeonwallfor a touch of drama and interest Get creative juices flowing with an injection of moodboosting colour prints 1
Furnroll,per
5 2
£52wallpaper,PlumBotany Brown&Grahamroll,per
wallpaperSerpentine £22Green,Juniperin inwallpaperMadagascar roll,per£43Sandstorm, HomeLust
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1 STATEMENT STORAGE A piece with form and functionality. Not only does this colourful high storage unit look stunning, it has hidden depths, making it oh-so practical, too. Dress open shelves with displays of treasures for a bold look in any space, then file papers or less attractive work paraphernalia away in lower cupboards, behind closed doors.
5 BLENDED STYLE Incorporating items not found in a traditional office is a clever trick to make your work area feel more homely and in-keeping with the rest of your scheme. This stool injects a pop of sunshine colour and doubles up as a handy extra surface for notebooks – plus it’s a great place to put your feet up.
4 PRETTY PATTERN FOCUS
Baxter Swirl wallpaper, £30 per roll; Bobbin storage footstool, £229; Soren desk, £699; West Elm Cooper mid-century leather office chair, £385, all John Lewis & Partners Office chairs
Mya velvet office chair, £99, Dunelm Emily office chair in Moss Green, £139, Cult Furniture Knox mustard corduroy velvet dining chair, £110, Made Gloria meeting chair, £228, House of Dome
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Draw the eye to a focal point away from your desk by creating a striking wall feature with a vibrant wallpaper or mural. Choose to decorate a vast expanse for a big impact or select a small nook or section for just a shot of cheeriness. In doing so it will help turn down the remote office vibe and rev up the feelings of flexible, harmonious work-life.
Statement, comfortwhateversink-into-able:swivel,yourvibe,isking
#SOREALHOMES REALHOMES.COM/HOME-OFFICETOGOSPACE,YOURORGANISINGONADVICEANDIDEASMOREFOR
If you’re in a rental, decorating the back of shelving gives a punch of pattern without it being permanent.
5 Peio desk, £275; Neda rope shade, £46; Mickey dining chairs, £170 for two; Symbols rug, £195; Rafael Farias Door framed print, £40; gold wall planter, £8; Citrine allsucculent,large£10,Habitat
4 SMALL SOLUTIONSPACE Whether you’re tight on space or just prefer a different view, you may need a clever desk idea. This neat arrangement proves an awkward area or forgotten corner doesn’t always need a traditional desk. An alternative could be to fit a wide shelf at seat height to make use of any nook and cranny Or check out fold-down desk shelves that you can close when you’re done.
3 SAVVY SHELVING If you have an alcove, use floating shelves to utilise the wall. Getting things up off the ground is always a win-win, saving you valuable floor space – plus you can dress shelves with pretty accessories, not to mention filing any workbooks and folders. Think of shelving as an extension to your desk space and ensure you keep things neat.
ownchosentheytoAsofiscomfortableyourselfatworksimplewiththeuseacosyrugortwo.wellasbeingawaykeeptootsieswarm,helpgiveyourofficeareaitssenseofidentity.
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Rustic retreat Embrace industrial touches and natural textures for a relaxed and modern look
2 WELCOME COMFORT Making
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Pull your office area together with the use of zoning. One good way to do this is by painting halfway up your walls with a bold tone and placing the desk against it. Use this dual colour throughout the room or pull the top tone out for use in the rest of your space.
2 1ZONING PAINT EFFECT
I adapted the plant corner in my dining room, which was fairly easy and feels like a separate area.
house_67@the.wendy.administratorSchool DixonWendy REALHOMES.COM
2 ‘Luckily, because most of my work is online I don’t have a lot of paperwork, so my main consideration was finding a desk that fitted both my aesthetic and the limited space. The shelves were perfect for adding storage boxes that could hold anything I did need while keeping the contents out of view.
5 INTEGRATED STYLE Keeping accessories and catch-alls close to hand is a must, but ensure these items are hidden in baskets or boxes that are in keeping with your scheme. Follow your current interiors lead and add in similar materials for blanket, paperwork or pen storage
4
Desk storage Keep things neat storagewell-chosenorderlyandwithpicks
1 ‘I work from home one day a week. During lockdown I had to create a designated work space as I didn’t want to use my dining table.
5 ‘I love my work space and sit here very happily. I was thrilled to find this chair as it really is the perfect look – it was a find on cushionmakeastheMarketplace.FacebookIusedsamefabricthecurtainstoanadditionalforcomfort.’
4 ‘I’m very much an organised, tidy person and do like everything away and out of sight at the end of the day. Anything I do have I can either pop in my desk boxes or clip to my wall grid. The grid not only looks good and works perfectly with my home style –the added clips and little hanging storage pots are also perfect for holding a multitude of things.
3 MultiDrawer fivedrawer desktop filing cabinet in lilac, £102, Bisley Muutopinboard,story£50,Nest Fabrikör glass door£165,cabinet,Ikea
Cream throw, £15; Pinstripe £9.25,fern£15matt£5.50;inroll;wallpaper,black£15perseagrassbasketblackandnatural,GentleTaupeemulsion,for2.5ltrs;inblackpot,allWilko
3 ‘My home has a neutral and black palette with industrial-style wood tones throughout, so I’ve continued that here. I’m very much into buying second hand and recycling where possible and although my desk was new, my shelves are actually made from leftover wood from a building project at work. I love plants in the home and have a mix of real and faux ones.
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COMING NEXT MONTHOn sale 1 September Plus! Style picks, latest looks and best buys in your new PHOTOGRAPH LEEKATIE Small bedroom hacks, sociable kitchendiner schemes and clever ideas for hallways Inspiring before-and-after makeovers
WORDS WILSONKAREN PHOTOGRAPHS KATIELEE EDITSHOPPING SMITHEMILY
Renovated period house thought Pause for
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While it can be tempting to rush into a major renovation, taking your time at the planning stage can often result in a better use of space, as Becks and Martin Huntley discovered
8889 As the central focal point of the open-plan space, Becks wanted the island completely clear with no sink or hob. ‘It feels more social and flows into the living room better,’ she says. ‘The lighter tiles on the front break up the green cabinetry.’ Pendant lights, Nkuku. Stools, Next. Tiles on island, Tiles Direct. Rug, Wayfair
90 Clockwise from top A lot of thought went into planning the shouldhowablereallyfurniture.theoutdrewsaysisspace.open-plan‘Martinreallyprecise,’Becks.‘Heeverythinginchalkonfloor,includingItwashelpfulbeingtovisualisebigtheislandbe.’ Sofa, Swoon. Art prints, Desenio and I Am Fy. Cushions, Next, Homesense and H&M Home. Panelling painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball THE OWNERS Becks Huntley (@the_interior_lens), a market research freelancer, her husband, Martin, an intensive care consultant, and their sons, Sam and Jacob THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian detached stone-built house in Guiseley, Leeds PROJECT COST £85,500 Far right Becks wanted –husband’sherpianoa40thbirthdaygiftfromseveralmembersofthefamily–onshowintheopen-planspace.She’szonedtheareawithwoodenpanellingandboxshelvespainteddarkinside.‘Ilikethatit’snottuckedawaysoit’smuchmoresociable,’shesays.‘AndoursonSamislearningtoplay,too.’ Shelves, Maisons du Monde. Jazz Day print, Desenio. Plate, Homesense PROFILE
Ill-thought-out extensions had left the kitchen boxed in. ‘The only thing I liked was the sitting room ceiling,’ admits Becks. ‘But we were happy to get a doerupper and max out our budget to get the house we wanted.’
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Becks studying for a Diploma in Interior Design during the build also came in handy. ‘I made lots of mood boards and it made me think about the different colours and textures I liked,’ she says. ‘We did loads of travelling before we had kids, and Martin grew up in South Africa, so we’ve always liked rustic styles and pieces from different parts of the world – things that aren’t too matchy matchy.’
Becks would love to build a pod where she can run workshops on how to approach interiors projects. ‘It pays off to put the hard work in at the beginning and plan the space in detail, down to the colour palette and style of furniture,’ she advises. ‘And you don’t have to extend to get the home you want, either. We have so much more space as the thick stone walls we took out were about half a metre wide.’
REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONSATEHOMYOURTRANSFORMINGONADVICEANDIDEASMOREFIND BEFORE
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riced at the top of their budget and three times bigger than their previous place, Becks and Martin almost didn’t view the Victorian house in Leeds that would become their home.
The couple had bought a terraced house in Leeds, renting it out when they moved to London. When son Sam was born, they returned and lived there temporarily. But a detached house with a garden was the dream.
It took time to plan the kitchen layout as there isn’t a lot of wall space, so the island had to work hard to compensate with ample storage. ‘Using a local independent kitchen company meant we weren’t constrained by standard sizes,’ says Becks. ‘Martin was set on a range cooker, so the kitchen was designed around that, and I wanted deep drawers.’
The first floor was renovated first, while they saved up to reconfigure the tricky ground floor. ‘It was a blessing in disguise as we changed our minds a few times about the layout,’ she explains. After knocking down a structural wall to double the size of the bathroom, all the flooring was replaced and every bedroom redecorated. Four and a half years later, two structural walls were knocked down to create an openplan kitchen, living and dining area. Although the couple didn’t hire an architect, their structural engineer and builder proved invaluable in dealing with the different ceiling heights. ‘Our builder hid all the steels and levelled the ceiling,’ says Becks. ‘This was key to making it all feel like one space.’
Opening up the dining room – previously accessed via an archway from the living area – has also been a game changer. ‘A window was blocked up here to better zone the space and create a dining nook,’ says Becks. ‘We’d always wanted a built-in seating area that could fit a lot of people around.’
The pair agonised over the cabinetry style, too. ‘The old kitchen was so dark that I initially wanted something modern, clean and shiny,’ says Becks. ‘But then I realised it wouldn’t go with the age and style of the house. An in-frame Shaker style seemed more classic and timeless, while green is quite neutral and natural. It can also be re-sprayed in future.’
‘It had to be near good schools and the hospital for Martin being on call as a doctor,’ says Becks. ‘This house ticked all the boxes but had been on the market for over a year and required serious vision. It felt really dark and the skirting boards had been chewed by dogs!’
Despite a hiccup when the utility room floor had to be dug up and relevelled, the eight-week build went to schedule. However, the joinery took another eight weeks due to Covid and supply shortages. ‘It was horrendous,’ says Becks. ‘We had 14 weeks with no kitchen so we used a hob in the utility, washed up in the bath and kept our food in the living room.’
‘Colour blocking was a quick, cheap and effective way to zone this area and make the pendant lights stand out, while the hanging plants soften it,’ says Becks. ‘Before there were white uPVC doors with side windows, but our joiner made us some wooden bi-fold doors, which are more in keeping with the house.’ Stripe painted in Red 03, Lick. Lighting, Nkuku. Hanging planters Amazon. chairs Barker & Stonehouse. Cushions, H&M
Table and
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93 REALHOMES.COM Below ‘We moved the back door and blocked up a window in here,’ says Becks. ‘As it’s our main entrance, we added panelling and wallpaper to feel welcoming.’ Babylon wallpaper, House of Hackney. Wall panelling painted in Off Black, Farrow & Ball. Bench Ikea. Chest and mirror with hooks, Homesense HANGING AROUND Keep coats, scarves and bits and bobs handy when you’re nipping out Coat hook shelf with mirror in black, £35, John Lewis & Partners Rattan three-hook coat rack, £46, Quince & Cook Industrial rack with mirror, £85, Graham & Green Above ‘The utility room had no builtin units before and was a intothe‘Weground,’dumpingsaysBecks.blockedupoldwindowthekitchen to theaccommodatenewunits.’ Tap, Perrin & Rowe. Units, shelf and sink, Easturn. Prints Homesense and I Am Fy. Baskets, Ikea
As it’s a fairly dark space, Becks found the sitting room quite tricky to decorate. ‘It used to be dark blue to maximise the cosy vibes but I gave it a refresh recently,’ she says. ‘Now it has a neutral canvas with lots of pops of pink and green through accessories and artwork.’
Sofa, John Lewis & Partners. Cushions, Homesense. Walls painted in Drop Cloth, Farrow & Ball. Stool, Furniture 123. Rug, Rugs Direct. Art prints, I Am Fy
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Left With a bulky double sink unit and mouldy carpet, the main en suite was in dire need of a revamp. A vanity unit made from scaffold boards and concrete-effect wall tiles give this room a rustic, industrial look.
Vanity unit, Simply Bathroom Furniture. Hudson Reed basin, BerkeleyPlumbing,Victorianissimilar.
Right and above right ‘I wanted to put some of the old features back in and create a focal point, so this period fireplace from a reclamation yard was perfect,’ says Becks. ‘The wardrobes were already there, which was a bonus.’ Mirror, Argos. Wallpaper WallsWarnerhouse.
painted in Denim Drift, Dulux. Green throw and large blue vase, Homesense
floor tiles in Slate Blue, Topps Tiles. Jute rug Surrey Interiors.StyleMirror, Maisons du Monde
96 Below and right ‘I love the wall colour – it works well with green and ‘Thesaysbotanicals,’Becks.shelfand wall hanging are both handmade.’ Bed, Barker Stonehouse.& Bedside table, Maisons du Monde. Cushions, H&M Home and Asda. Lantern, WallsDebenhams.painted in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball Project timeline MOVED IN September 2016 BATHROOM RENOVATIONS / BUILDING WORK March 2018 ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING FITTED UPSTAIRS March 2019 WOOD BURNER INSTALLED IN SITTING ROOM November 2019 KITCHEN/LIVING/DINING AREA KNOCK THROUGH STARTED April 2021 BUILDINGCOMPLETEDWORK July 2021 Downstairs building work £30,000 Kitchen and utility £20,000 Family bathroom £10,000 Flooring £9,000 Joinery £5,000 Master en suite £4,500 Woodburning stoves £4,000 Guest en suite £3,000 Builders John Waddington Building Contractors, 01943 877176 Kitchen Eastburn Kitchens, 01535 656297, eastburn.co.uk Joinery James Harrison, 0779 2933084 Woodburner installation Greg Charles, 07889 897474, gregcharlesinstallations.com COSTS CONTACTS&
As Neighbours becomes TV gold, Jennifer Morgan asks if you can really have good ones, and what to do when things aren’t quite as ‘Scott and Charlene’ as you’d like Neighbourly love
Jo sold her house and moved into a rental while they looked for their next home. ‘We were so desperate to escape the noise,’ she says. ‘We found a converted barn set around a yard and met the loveliest neighbours we’ve ever had. We’d had a really bad run of neighbours, and had never experienced what a positive, welcoming, and warming effect they can have. While our children played together, we chatted about the world and our problems (being displaced by the pandemic and a lack of properties for sale). We were there for each other while respecting each other’s privacy. While they’ve since moved away, I know we’ll be friends for life.’
L ove them or hate them, often you’re stuck with them –when it comes to neighbours, relationships can vary immensely. Two thirds of us have had arguments with our neighbours, according to the 1,000 people surveyed by goodmove.co.uk, with noise levels the biggest cause of complaints. This is something Jo Perry and her family have experienced only too well. ‘We’ve had everything from the nosey to the noisy,’ she shares. ‘Once, we rented a maisonette and had “Nosey Norman”, a retired policeman, living downstairs, who wanted to know everything that was going on in our close. He knew when everyone was on holiday and where they’d gone. He once even tried to talk to me over the hedge in a pair of yellow Y-fronts. I was glad to move, but I’ve since discovered there is a type of Norman in every close, road or street… although not always as creepy!’ In the same street, Jo experienced a couple in their 40s who had both separated from previous partners. ‘The ex-wife and daughter would come and shout abuse at the ex-husband and his new partner, even keying his car. We’d have the teenagers from the house having parties until the early hours and throwing beer bottles into our garden,’ she remembers.
REALHOMES.COM HOMEYOURFROMMONEYMAKECANYOUHOWMONTH:NEXT 99 IMAGE GETTY
‘We called the police on many occasions.’
Ann and her husband moved to a new build when their previous neighbours made murmurs about their extension plans. ‘They told us they’d withhold consent for our Party Wall agreement, even though they’d already extended their house. I got so angry that I jumped on Rightmove and found the perfect house off-plan that already had the kitchendiner we wanted to create.’ Ann had grown up in a close-knit neighbourhood. ‘My mum would just pop round our neighbour’s house for coffee – in fact, there were even a few steps made between gardens, so they didn’t need to take the long way round. I suppose I was hoping for that kind of friendship… but you can’t choose your neighbours; so much of it comes down to luck!’
The Citizens Advice Bureau (citizensadvice.org.uk) suggests discussing any issues with neighbours, and if that doesn’t work, then reporting them to the council or, if they’ve broken the law, the police. ‘Make a note whenever the problem happens, including as much detail as possible, and keep any messages your neighbour sends you and collect evidence if you feel safe to,’ they advise. But it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Jo and her husband then bought a terraced house in West Sussex and, on meeting their new neighbours, they were greeted with a ‘sorry we’re your neighbours’. Little did they know that they’d moved in next door to a local covers band – complete with drum kit in their living room and family members who liked to visit, sing in the garden and even play the spoons. ‘I remember feeling grateful during the first lockdown as they couldn’t invite anyone over for live sessions,’ admits Jo. ‘It’s the lack of respect that I couldn’t understand – and paper-thin walls!’
Moving to a new-build development means you’re at least all starting afresh. However, as Ann Castell, who bought a four-bedroom home off-plan in Kent, explains, it’s a little like ‘first day at school’ as you settle in: ‘Initially, you’re all really keen to make friends, with mums’ nights, Facebook groups and buggy walks planned, but then the novelty wears off.’ Ann found the social channels and WhatsApp groups becoming too much of a moan about the developer, endless snagging lists and parking problems, rather than a happy space. ‘I now have a smaller group of lovely friends, and I know the neighbours I can call on in an emergency, and that’s fine,’ she says. ‘I’ve realised I don’t need to be best mates with everyone!’
‘Only talk to your neighbour if you feel safe and comfortable – you can write, text, or call if easier,’ say Citizens Advice. ‘Tell them how their behaviour is affecting you and what would help. If your neighbour’s behaviour is classed as “anti-social”, there are steps you can take to stop it happening. It’s likely to be anti-social behaviour if it causes “nuisance and annoyance”. It isn’t anti-social behaviour if the problem is about normal day-to-day living – for example, if you don’t like your neighbour’s cooking smells or you can hear their baby crying. The only way to solve these problems is by talking to your neighbour to try and agree a compromise.’
Assistant editor Alison Jones’ story of the cannabis farmers next door It was the humming that convinced me there were ‘goings on’ in the house next door. Well, that and the police car that took up residence outside for a night one evening – but that was later. The humming sounded like a generator running and was loudest on the other side of the bedroom wall in my terraced house. Wondering what they might need it for, my mind, fed on a diet of journalistic cynicism and too much CSI, leapt to the conclusion that they must be growing cannabis. It turns out they were. And on an industrial scale. The house was rented out when I bought my nearly end terraced Victorian house. What these period properties had in charm, they lacked in sound insulation. In fact, the walls were only about a brick thick. My first neighbours moved out when they bought their own place, and, from then on. there were new faces every few years. There was the young couple (plus a baby and two dogs), who celebrated by ‘christening’ a few rooms in a time-honoured and very audible fashion. Then there was the mum temporarily separated from her husband and her posse of (my) space-invading kids, who were the reason I finally put up a fence (and then a bigger fence) between our two gardens. It was the marijuana growers, however, that convinced the landlords to stop letting it out to strangers and stick to family. There was something off from the start. Thick curtains were always pulled tightly closed across the front window, day or night, though a chink at the top revealed some kind of disco ball light. It promised a party atmosphere inside, and there was one evening it was flashing and there was music. But for the most part it was silent; so quiet I questioned if anybody was there at all. Over time the unused garden was neglected and grew into a jungle. And there was the day that water startedinexplicablypouringdownacornerofmylivingroomwall,comingfromtheirside.Ibangedonthe front door to get them to turn off/stop up whatever was causing it; no one answered. Not long after, I was pulling up weeds (the irony!) in the front garden when a young guy emerged from the house. I told him what had happened and he muttered what I took to be a promise that it wouldn’t happen again. It didn’t, the wall dried and I stuck the peeled-off paper back to the wall. But I was suspicious as to why so much water had come from a room that I knew to be a bedroom. Then I heard the humming. Though I was convinced the (assumed) generator was powering whatever was needed to cultivate cannabis (though ‘how to grow marijuana’ wasn’t an enquiry I wanted on my Google search history), I didn’t have anything in the way of proof to offer the police or the landlord. The dilemma was taken out of my hands when I came home one evening to find a police car parked outside. The officer revealed they’d been tipped off that someone was using the neighbour’s home as a grow house. They raided, found it was true, and he was there to guard the evidence while the tenants were on the lam. When it was no longer a crime scene, the landlords took back the house to see what damage the nice lads who’d rented the house had done. They showed me pictures because it was dangerous to enter. It was devastating. Gaping holes had been torn in walls and ceilings to feed a mess of writhing ducting throughout. With every room being used for growing, there was no space for anyone to live there – they would just pop back occasionally to check on progress. The cost of repairs came to tens of thousands. After the house was made habitable, the owners themselves moved in, and I bought another house down the road. I never found out if the toking tenants were caught, but it was a hard lesson for the landlords to learn they should’ve kept a closer eye on their property. But I have to admit, as I hear my new neighbour talking in his kitchen, I miss the quietness. The marijuana farmers were the best neighbours I never had. to Mary Jane
According to reports, 94 per cent of marijuana farms are illegally located in domestic properties. Apart from the damage caused to homes, with walls and floors knocked through, there is a serious risk of fire from the strong lighting, tampering with wires and meters, and the flammable materials. If you suspect you’re living next to a farm, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Living next door
What are the signs?
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2 A Mindful choice If you’re looking to get a bit more mindful in your DIY choices, Crown is leading the charge, as this innovative new collection is the first in the UK to be awarded Vegan Verification by independent testing house Eurofins. And the packaging is made using 100 per cent recycled plastic, proving that paint can be both beautiful and gentler in the home.
Not only is Crown pushing what’s possible in the eco and trend stakes, the redesigned tin looks and feels fresh thanks to the British artist, Paperface. What’s more, with Crown’s signature breatheasy® 99 per cent solvent-free formulation, the range limits exposure to airborne triggers of asthma and allergy, for a healthier space for the whole family.
Fairy Dust and Ruby mattWallsChocolate&Ceilingsemulsion
What’s thick, creamy and vegan? No, not the latest dish at your favourite deli, but Crown’s new Walls & Ceilings range, which has plenty to offer W ith a cool palette of modern colours and boasting some pretty impressive credentials (embracing veganism, anyone?) we’ve taken a closer look to discover what this latest offering from one of the UK’s leading paint brands is all about...
4 A Healthy Makeover
Figment Walls & Ceilings matt emulsion
ADVERTORIAL
3 Trend-led colours To create the eight new key colours, Crown’s experienced team of specialists took inspiration from current emerging trends. So if you are looking for a cocooning hue, there’s Ruby Chocolate, which is dark and rich. For a captivating hue that draws you in, try Botany Bay to give any space a restful feel.
5 Cost of Living friendly Think all this modern ecogoodness is going to make a large dent in your wallet? Think again, as the Walls & Ceilings range is very comfortably priced from £18 per 2.5ltrs. So you really can paint your own possible with this range.
Five reasons to try Crown’s new interior paint
1 Wide range Choice is EVERYTHING, and this collection comprises 80 colours, which includes 30 new shades, as well as eight key trend colours, making it one of the broadest colour palettes on the shelf. Coming in a matt or silk finish, the thick and creamy formulation goes on easily and covers beautifully.
Botany Bay Walls & Ceilings matt emulsion
We think this collection is true to Crown’s long-standing belief that every pot of paint is brimming with potential, and if you’d like to find out more information, go to crownpaints.co.uk
You’ve been relaxing and socialising in your garden in summer and just because the weather’s cooling, it doesn’t mean you can’t continue to make the most of your outdoor space. As autumn draws closer, try adding a few key accents outside to switch it up for the next few months. Accessories in warming shades of burnt orange and yellow are key to the look, while choosing the right lighting adds a cosy ambience.
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Garden
Sunflowers
FEATURE WILSONSARAH REALHOMES.COM
Warm it up
Bookworm How to Grow the Flowers by Camila Romain and Marianne Mogendorff (£22, Pavilion Books) Camila and Marianne – founders of north London micro flower farm Wolves Lane Flower Company – are on a mission to inspire people to grow their own blooms. Covering flowers from all seasons, it’s the definitive guide to growing, harvesting and arranging cut flowers all year round, whatever your ability or size of garden. With its stunning photos, this informative book will soon have you filling your plot.
A bumper crop of new product releases, ideas and tips for making the most of your outdoor space
The stars of the summer garden, these add vivid colour and height, in addition to working as bee magnets. They shoot up fast, plus there’s a huge range; as well as the supersized ones in fluro yellow, there are daintier varieties with numerous blooms instead of the one dinner plate. Sunflowers also come in late summer shades of fiery russet, ruby red, burnt orange and gold. Their proper name is ‘Helianthus’ (look for that on seed packets). Apart from staking them when they grow tall and watering them, they’re easy to look after – our kind of flower! Plant of the month – just make sure you have sharp secateurs for the job. We love this ash wood and stainless steel Bees secateurs set, £25, by Sophie Allport, with a bee detail on the blade and pouch. Tiger Eye F1, Suttons Seeds Petra outdoor dining table, £999; Lucas outdoor string lights clear starter set by Sirius, £59; fromcushionoutdoorGreenwichrecycledinyellow,£59;JarsplantpotbySerax,from£49;allfromHeal’s
Beautiful bay trees are in demand, and it’s easy to see why. With their smart, clipped lollipop shapes they look effortlessly cool and understated, suiting any outdoor space. They’re ideal if you want to smarten up your porch, and the leaves have a fresh and pleasant aroma to welcome you home. Bay trees work really well if you layer up the look in your own mini collection. They have minimal care needs. Simply water them when the soil feels dry to the touch and smarten up with a quick trim in late summer.
OFTHREETHEBEST Zinc poppy seed head Fat Snax feeder (also available in Rust), £19.99, Crocus Charcoal grey hanging bird feeder in extra large, £28, Dibor Little birds hanging bird bath/ bird feeder, £22, Rockett St George
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Did you know…
Hedgehogs are sadly now on the red list of endangered species, so wildlife specialists Vivara are making hedgehog baskets for gardens. These provide a safe space for hedgehogs to rest, rear their young and hibernate during winter. Line them with loose leaves and hedgehog bedding to make a snug, warm habitat. Cover the basket with leaves, branches and natural materials, making sure that the door is left clear, and place it somewhere quiet and sheltered in your garden.
HEAL’S/RESEARCH*FROM BARRIERSWITHOUT Hedgehog basket, £18.95, Vivara 106
The latest sleek fire pits are a focal point for your patio or deck, even in fall or winter. Woodburning fire pits add a crackle and pop to create a campfire atmosphere. All the better if the design comes with somewhere to keep logs dry and handy. This fire pit is also portable, so you can move it to suit the mood. Fire bowl with log store, £341, Firepits UK Add autumnsomeglow Bay trees, from £40, Beards & Daisies. £24.99,planters,GreenvilleLargerecycledfromElho
Bird feeders To welcome feathered friends into your garden
69 per cent of us believe that the state of our outdoor space is just as, if not more, important than that of our home’s interiors* HELP THE HEDGEHOGS
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Outdoor living expert Zest is the natural choice for stylish, sustainable wooden furniture, beautiful arbours, stunning planters, super garden bars and the handiest ‘grow your own’ options, even for small gardens – all superbly designed and built to last. One option that combines the ultimate in relaxation with a focal point for the garden or patio is a garden swing. Stylish, comfortable and a true talking point, the twoseater Zest Miami Swing seat is the perfect choice. Better still, Real Homes has three to give away! Ideal for a relaxing afternoon, the Zest Miami Swing has a fixed wooden canopy and a comfortable 1.2 metre swing seat. The elegant and strong structure comes with two shelves for summertime drinks. Using sustainable timber sourced from responsibly managed forests, the Zest Miami Swing is made from quality slow-grown softwood, pressure treated for real durability and lasting good looks. It is also guaranteed for 10 years against rot. As an added bonus, everyone who enters the competition will see a discount code that can be used against the full range of Zest swings –including the three-seater Zest Miami Swing and the Zest Santorini Swing –when bought via the Zest website, zestoutdoorliving.co.uk, giving a Real Homes discount of 10 per cent on any Swing offer on site for a limited period.
The prize draw opens at 00:00am on 1 August and closes at 11:59pm on 31 August 2022. Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified. Open to all residents of the UK aged 18 years or over (but see UK delivery exclusions), except employees of Future Plc and its group of companies (“Future”) and sponsor Zest (“Sponsor”). Entries limited to one per household regardless of the form of entry. Use of automated devices or methods of submission are not valid forms of entry. There will be three winners in total, each entitled to a Zest Miami Swing seat (RRP £545.99). Each prize draw entrant will also see a discount code to use on Zest’s range of swing seats when purchased through www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk for a limited time period. The winners will be randomly drawn from all valid entries received and shall be notified by Future by email within 28 days of the closing date. If a winner has not responded after 28 days, an alternative winner will be drawn. Sponsor will deliver the prize. Excludes Scottish Highlands and Scottish Islands, Northern Ireland and UK Islands and Channel Islands. Future and Sponsor reserve the right to substitute any product with an alternative product of equivalent value. The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no cash alternative. No purchase required. Void where prohibited. By taking part in this prize draw you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, the competition rules at: www.futureplc.com/competition-rules/ and collection of personal data in accordance with Future’s privacy policy at: https://www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy/. Enjoying your garden has never been more important, so now is the ideal time to ensure your outdoor space suits your lifestyle perfectly. To help you out, we have three snazzy swing seats up for grabs from outdoor living specialist Zest… For your chance to win one of three Miami Swings, and the benefit of a 10 per cent discount code, scan the QR code below to head to the entry page and answer this question: which US city gives its name to a Zest SwingHeadseat?to zestoutdoorliving.co.uk and follow Zest on social media. a swing for summer days
WIN
HOW TO ENTER Scan the QR code to enter competition.theGoodluck! Worth £545.99 TO BE Clockwise from left The Zest Miami Swing; the Vertical Herb Stand, £129.99; the Marford Hexagonal planter set, £124.99
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Becky, photographer,a her husband, Ade, a web designer, and their son, Henry, plus cats George and Charlie PROPERTY 1950sthree-bedroomhomeinStamford COST £27,290
Coastal chic garden makeover
PROFILE
THE
Ade and Becky turned a characterless suburban garden into a seaside-inspired oasis perfect for work, rest and play 108 A fter moving into their 1950s home, Ade and Becky spent the next 12 years extending and renovating it. However, the garden wasn’t lavished with the same attention. It had narrow, unkempt borders of shrubs and weeds, with a weathered grass lawn and large tree in the middle. ‘It was the same as when we first moved in – apart from the life-sized plastic animals on the lawn that the previous owners tried to sell to us,’ laughs Ade. The couple had plenty of ideas, with a garden room top of their wish list. ‘I imagined our ideal garden as a meadow with wildflowers and grasses,’ Ade adds. ‘Becky wanted it stripped back with white trees and rocks.’ Instead, they added a trampoline and football so Henry could play on the lawn. ‘He outgrew both, so we mostly stopped using the garden as a family,’ says Ade. Post-lockdown, they wanted outdoor space with a view and to be able use the whole garden. Becky also needed her own office. Over four months, the couple reinvented the garden. Local building firm Sanctuary Timber Builds built the outdoor office, and Ade and Becky landscaped, with guidance from their friend, Fiona, who is experienced in garden design. The builders found old cement posts buried in the ground, and the couple had to hire a boring machine to dig holes deep enough for the trees – but the low-maintenance, cat-friendly garden is exactly how they imagined it. The only thing left is to wait for the trees and grasses to grow and the lawn to become wilder to get the rural seascape they envisaged walking in.
Settle down Formal seating arrangements are perfect in gardens where you need defined areas. Ade and Becky wanted lightweight seating that can be moved around with the light throughout the day. By night, solar lighting creates a gentle ambiance for watching the sun set. Adding colour to your table setting creates a modern alfresco dining experience. THE OWNERS
A
109 COSTS CONTACTS& Garden room £23,000 Plants and trees £2,200 Planters, cladding and garden clearing £1,600 Cotswold clippings £490 Garden room Sanctuary Timber Builds, sanctuarytimberbuilds.co.uk Garden consultation Fiona De Lys, fionadelys.co.uk Cladding James jameshardie.co.ukHardie,
WORDS AND STYLING MORGANMARCIA PHOTOGRAPHS SMITHRACHAEL shopping list Cedar Midnight VL plank boards, James Hardie. Cotswold buff chippings, Gravel Master. Trees and plants, Crews Hill Wholesale Plants. Planters painted in Tudor Black Fence Life paint, Ronseal, and Silver Copse grey paint, Cuprinol. Xtrastep laminate flooring, International Decorative Surfaces. Underfloor heating, Warmup. Kartell Bourgie table lamp, Made in Design. Garden chair, Habitat. Lighting, Lights4fun. Tablecloth napkins napkin rings and cushions, That Rebel House. Roman heads, Anthropologie. Cactus vase, Nordic Nest
110 BEFORE Upcycled planters ‘As part of the previous extension works, we had planters built into the walls that separated the house from the garden,’ says Becky. ‘They hadn’t been done properly so all the render broke off. They’d been an eyesore for years, so we finally had the chance to explore ways to fix them. Re-rendering the walls wasn’t an option: they can still hold moisture so we could have the same issue again. Our builders came up with a solution to reclad the planters in timber, then paint them grey and black.’
Landscaping ‘After lockdown we yearned to escape to somewhere outdoors and wild,’ says Becky. ‘We walked through fields and along coastlines whenever we had chance. Our garden combines both our loves.’ Cotswold buff chippings recreate the sound of beach shingles, while weathered grey fencing gives an aged driftwood aesthetic. ‘Fiona helped with planting,’ adds Becky. ’We took the Acer as the starting point, adding greens and white to keep it simple and graphic.’
111 Office outlook Positioned in a shaded area, the garden office has patio doors and windows to capture as much natural light as possible. The exterior also had to be low maintenance, so Ade and Becky clad the outside in a hard-wearing cement weatherboard. ‘We looked at other options, but we just don’t have time to maintain and treat wood cladding,’ says Ade. ‘This gives us a natural wood grain finish without the maintenancelong-termissues.’
‘Binoche’Heuchera ‘This plant brings a bit of black into the colour scheme, but is a soft addition to the graphic grasses.’ Carex Grass ‘A lush green that will spread across the blush stones and look wonderful with its sharp structure – and it’s easy to maintain,’
Best colourful plants Becky and Ade’s vibrantinaplantingthought-outwell-offersleafydisplayamixofhues
I used black and white for the rug and chairs and added pops of colour with my wall art. These prints had been leaning in my hallway for years as I ran out of space to hang them in the house.’
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Photinia Frame ‘Red Robin’ ‘I like how the leaves appear to be dipped in red so the colour isn’t nearoverpoweringtheAcer.’
‘RedHeucherellaRover’ ‘This vibrant colour just jumps out from the ground, and the leaves are like velvet. George loves it.’ Red Acer ‘We loved this when we first saw it. Ade cuts a circle of grass around it and lets it grow tall. It frames it beautifully.’
Peaceful palette ‘I love colour, but it can dominate small spaces,’ says Becky. ‘I wanted a simple, calming palette in my office, so I used white paint on the walls and a light oak laminate on the floor. We’ve installed underfloor heating and laminate works better to retain heat – plus it won’t get bleached by the sun.
A EFFICIENTENERGY-MOREHOME As fuel bills soar, take steps to conserve energy and cut costs in the home –while still staying comfortable 10 STEPS TO ThermalgoodcosyroomheatrollerEnergy-efficientblindsreflectbackinthetokeepit–andlookdoingit.LuxerollerblindinLimestone,£102.97,Blinds2go
3 Upgradeinsulationyour FEATURE JONESALISON PHOTOGRAPH (RIGHT)ELTESPOLLY
2 while a primary double glazed window with an air gap of 12mm will have one of 1.4W/m2 . 1 Replace windowsthe
Solar panels can help you produce your own energy, even fuelling your car if you switch to electric More strategies to andenergyreduceusagelowerbills
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Installing solar panels on your roof could see a marked reduction in your energy bills, and is a more environmentally friendly option than burning fossil fuels. Sunlight shines on cells made of semi-conductive materials to generate your own power (even on cloudy days, though not as effectively). And what energy you don’t use can be exported to the grid – which you can be paid for. It’s not inexpensive – the average domestic solar PV system costs around £6,500 – but can insulate you against spiralling energy costs. And with rising petrol prices, it can be used if you switch to an electric car. Prevent leaks
Top tip Curtains lined with white or reflective materials can cut the sun’s glare, reducing the need for fans or air con in summer
U-valueglazingSecondarythetheasasbebuttoisSecondaryinsulatingpanesthebetterglazedtemperature.comfortableDouble-windowsarethansingle,gapbetweentheactingasanbarrier.glazinganaffordableoptionreduceenergycosts,doubleglazingcanthebetterinvestmentitis,onaverage,twiceeffective.ThelowerU-value,thebetterenergyefficiency.doublewillhaveaaround2.7W/m
A quarter of a home’s heat can escape through an uninsulated loft, reflected in sky high bills (and the birds on your roof enjoying the warmth). If yours is old, it may only be a depth of 100 or 200mm, far below the now recommended 270mm. Mineral wool is the most widely used material, which you can lay yourself (with proper precautions). More sustainable options include recycled glass or sheep’s wool. The Energy Saving Trust says a well insulated loft can result in savings of £395 per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
115 You may not be able to see warmth escaping, but you can feel it if draughts are coming in through gaps and cracks. Covering doors and windows and fitting excluders are all quick and easy ways to counteract this. Thermallylined curtain and honeycomb-pocket blinds can create a barrier and insulate while still looking stylish. Energy-saving thermal roller blinds reflect heat back into the room and bring texture and colour to your scheme.
Use the sun4 If precious warmth is seeping out, your heating has to work harder to maintain a
Lightbulb moment 6
117 With regular maintenance, a boiler could last for 15 years or more. But as they age, they become increasingly less efficient in performance and energy. Replacing it is a big expenditure, but the rewards are a more energy-efficient home, and a drop in fuel bills and your carbon footprint. A modern condensing boiler can recover heat previously lost through a flue, and can be up to 99 per cent efficient. However, they must be set up correctly so when in condensing mode they run at a lower temperature (65°C or less), rather than the old 80°C, otherwise there will be no energy savings. Upgrade your boiler7 Look to your walls to hug the heat in. In a post-1920s home, you’ll likely have cavity walls, which can be injected with insulation. For homes without cavity walls, stud walls can be created inside with insulation between, though this reduces room space. If you’re plasterboarding, there are board options with an insulating layer. Externally, insulation can be fixed to outer walls and covered with render or cladding, though it can cost anywhere from £8,000 to £22,000. A masonry protection paint, such as Stormdry, can protect from penetrating damp and can save up to 29 per cent energy, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
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Updating your boiler can lead to a big improvement in efficiency. The new Navien NCB700 combi gas boiler, POA, can deliver hot water to three simultaneouslybathrooms
bETWEEN THE BRICKS In a busy family house, it’s common to find lights blazing away after whoever switched them on is long gone. With smart lighting, you can switch them off remotely if you know no one’s in the room, or tell the voice assistant to do it if you’ve forgotten before going to bed. If you change your halogen or incandescent bulbs for long-lasting LEDs, you can further slash your bills. Based on just six bulbs in a home, used for an average of six hours a day, the experts at 4lite estimate you can save as much as £209 every year.
Top tip To find out the age of your boiler, check the serial numbers on the outside, which can indicate the year of manufacture
Alison’s top tip
So-called vampire devices drain energy night and day, even when they’re not being used. To stop the suckage of appliances on stand-by or charge, install a smart plug to click them off via an app when not needed.
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Cooling homes can also be a drain on energy as fans and air conditioning strive to lower temperatures in hot and sticky summers. The sought-after connection to our outside spaces has seen a trend for glazed bi-fold and sliding doors, rooflights and even fully glazed extensions.
10 Stay cool The ability to regulate the temperature of your home via an app literally puts the control into your hands. With a smart thermostat you can switch it on or off or turn it up or down to suit your schedule, so you’ll never wastefully heat an empty space again. It can also react to changes in the home – such as people leaving or a window opening – and adjust itself. Digital thermostats can track energy usage and how your costs might be affected in the future, allowing you to take action to try and reduce them.
118 There has been a government push towards using heat pumps, offering help and grants to encourage people to install low-carbon heating systems. They work by taking heat from the outside, either from the ground or the air, and transferring it indoors, using it to warm and cool the house, and to heat water.
Air source heat pumps cost from around £3,000-£8,000 to install, though the units can look bulky outside the home. A ground source heat pump is a much bigger investment, and could cost from £30,000, with the pipes feeding it buried underground.
DUAL FO KETTLE Boil exactly the amount of water you need and no more with a Dual Fo kettle, which has a special one-cup dispenser at the side when you just need a solo brew in 45 seconds. Dual Flo kettle, £69, LAICA
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Top tip If you love the authenticity of restored floorboards, fill any gaps to stop draughts, or cover with a large but cosy area rug
Pump it up
Zone
Wunda,withsaveheatingyourandonbillsasmartsystemlikefrom£199.99forastarterkit
Specially coated solar control glazing reflects the sun’s rays away, helping to naturally cool rooms inside. New building regulations are actually coming into force to encourage more solar control glass to be installed in new builds to try and combat overheating.
Smarter heating Glass with solar control properties, such as preventSuncool,Pilkingtoncanoverheatinginhomes,reducingtheneedforfansandairconditioning
fireswoodburningRiva2
This woodburningluxury fire range has industrialchic styling with its landscapecontemporaryformat and wide viewing window. Available as home.optionswealthEcodesignonlyStudiobuilt-infreestandingbothandmodels,theAiroffersnotahighefficiencyburn,butaofinstallationtosuityour stovax.com
ADVERTORIAL
Chesterfield 5 woodburning stove Perfectly proportioned, with intricate detailing and a charming aesthetic, the Stovax Chesterfield 5 range is available in two sizes, and is a great fit for an inglenook or entirely freestanding. These elegant stoves deliver an exceptional heating performance, with all versions featuring convector design to reduce distance to combustibles and enhance heating capability. stovax.com
The best log burners to heat your home this autumn
Studio fireswoodburningAir
Reflex 105 multisided gas fire The desired.cornerbeoftheincludingreduceaangle.fireofferingloggivesmulti-sidedGazcoultra-modernReflex105gasfireahighlyrealisticeffect,whileaviewofthefromalmostanyThisfireoffersrangeofoptionstogasusage,adjustingheatandheighttheflames.Itcanconfiguredasainstallationif gazco.com
Avanti electric fires Ideal for media walls and TV installations, Onyx’s Avanti electric fire range provides dramatic flame effects and lifelike logs –with all the benefits of going electric, including a chimney-less installation. Only requiring connection to the mains to function, the Avanti offers a host of choices and features, including app control for fine-tuning your fireside ambience. onyxfires.com
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Create a warming focal point in any room with a stylish modern fire
There is nothing more relaxing when temperatures start to fall than sitting by the fire, whether that’s woodburning, gas or electric. Here are Stovax Heating Group’s top picks for transforming your fireplace ready for the cosy season.
Doubling the size doesn’t necessarily mean doubling your budget when it comes to adding a two-storey extension to your home. This project, while ambitious, can be a cost-effective way to expand your floor plan. Creating the foundations, for example, would be the same as if you were building a single extension.
#SOREALHOMES 121 Don’t think a multi-floor addition is for you? Think again – this ambitious but effective project could end up saving you money in the long run Project of the monthTWO-STOREY EXTENSIONS
WORDS ADEDEJIIFEOLUWA PHOTOGRAPHS TYE+FRENCH M/EXTENSIONSREALHOMES.COTOGOON,ADDINGABOUTADVICEMOREFOR
On top of that, with a multi-storey addition you’ll be adding much more value to the building by creating extra space up top for another bathroom, bedroom or home office. Extending an existing property can be a straightforward process, particularly if it falls under permitted development rules. If your two-storey addition does require planning permission, it would be worth enlisting a professional, such as an architect, to help you navigate that. We’ve got more tips on how to go through the planning process over the next few pages, plus ideas to inspire you to achieve a functional yet stylish space without breaking the bank.
Top tip EXTERIOR FINISHES Whether you’re opting for a modern finish or classic continuity, cladding options ranging from traditional brick to contrasting zinc mean it’s a matter of choosing your favourite. If you go for something more specialist, it might cost more to fit it. Applying a metal or rubber façade, for instance, will be more expensive than brick slips or a simple render.
GLOSSARY
A set of standards that should be adhered to when renovating or building a new property
LISTED BUILDING
REGULATIONSBUILDING
PERMISSIONPLANNING
A building subject to regulations because of its architectural or historical importance CONSERVATION AREA An area of land of special architectural or historical importance OFF THE SHELF
A request made to the local council to carry out building works on your property or garden
DEVELOPMENTPERMITTED Works that can be undertaken on a property or garden without needing planning permission
An item that’s in stock rather than made to order and customised. It’s usually cheaper than a bespoke option PARTY WALL A shared border wall that separates two adjoining buildings. Built on the boundary line, it demarcates ownership
> Your addition can’t extend more than three metres beyond the rear wall of the original house.
REALHOMES.COM
q Do I need permission?planning
> The materials you use should be similar to the existing house.
Clicking into place additional bedroom by using it creatively. This route has also allowed us to design in a double-height stair space with a lot of storage area. ‘We introduced the idea of a ply interior continuing into the bed platform along the side of the room. We added an internal window looking onto the stairs, aligning a roof window against the built-in wardrobe to bounce more light into the space and make it feel bigger. The home is now comfortable for all, with the youngest member of the family enjoying as much time as possible in his top-floor bedroom.’
q Do I need the help of a professional? a We’d advise getting in touch with an architect or architectural designer familiar with your area, and who’s worked on similar projects before.
> Any addition can’t exceed 50 per cent of the total area of the land around the original house – including any outbuildings.
123 This north London home had everything going for it; the location was ideal for good schools and offered a comfortable commute to work. However, undertaking the improvements the building required to create a practical family home proved to be less straightforward.
> Upper-floor side windows have to be obscure-glazed and nonopening, unless the window sits more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room it’s in. You can’t add a balcony or veranda.
q How much will it cost? a Expect to pay around £1,600 per square metre for a good quality build, or around £2,000 or more for a higher spec.
> The maximum eaves and ridge height can’t be higher than the existing house – or more than three metres if the extension’s within two metres of a boundary.
a You can usually extend over two storeys under permitted development, so long as you follow the rules:
Before you start Top tip INSIDE AND OUT A practical extension should create a seamless flow between internal and external areas. This is something you can establish at the design stage with glazing that offers uninterrupted views. Consider using materials that mirror each other, such as matching floor tiles either side of the doors. You can even run similar kitchen units out into the garden for an outdoor kitchen to use during warmer months.
‘The clients, a young couple and their daughter, bought the existing two-storey, two-bedroom terraced property located on a central London housing estate in 2016,’ says architect George Bradley. ‘From the outset their plan was to extend it, especially as they were priced out of three-bedroom properties in the area, and with a second baby on the way, they needed more space. They decided to investigate what could be done to create more room in their existing home. ‘However, the challenge with this property, unlike others on the estate, was that they were unable to secure planning permission for a single-storey loft extension, which they needed to for another bedroom. They received two planning refusals and weren’t permitted to build any higher than the highest point of the existing roof, due to it having a lower profile than the other buildings in the area. ‘Our solution was to approach the design as an interlocking jigsaw. We knew the half-height of the loft was fixed, so the design was all about creating two interlocking floor levels in the space of one-and-a-half floors. This solution meant we could build the design following permitted development (PD) rules. We may have given less footprint, but we created more volume and an
> Your roof pitch should match that of the existing house as far as possible.
> For something more interesting or ambitious, seek permission.
Unless you’ve managed to save a large amount of money for your extension and renovation, carrying out a project in split phases is becoming the norm. The potential problem with this approach? It can create a disconnect between different areas of the house. To avoid this, you can start by planning both phases at the same time, even if one aspect won’t be completed until a later date. Knowing what you’ll be doing will help keep you focused on achieving the same aesthetics. Think about the fixtures and fittings, such as tiles and flooring materials you want to use, and whether the same style can be applied throughout. Your use of colour can also have a big impact on the finish; likewise, taking products from the same range that use recognisable design elements will help link the completed scheme. Ensuring continuity Top tip ADDING CHARACTER You can create a characterful addition while being sensitive to the existing property – for instance, add fun pops of colour in strategic spots around the space, or create patterns and textures using wall and floor tiles. Add the wow factor by incorporating the structure of the extension into the design – leaving steel or timber beams and brick walls exposed.
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COSTS CONTACTS& Project cost £110,000 Architects Bradley Van Der Straeten, 07376 135 223, b-vds.co.uk Builder Grego’s Builders and Decorators, 07427 332884 Construction time Two years (with planning delays)
REALHOMES.COM
BEFORE
One of the most important ways to keep your costs down is to know what you want from the beginning and plan all the elements. The small details matter: things like the placement of light switches and plug sockets can have a big impact on the finish. Knowing where an armchair will sit may influence the placement of a reading light or side table – or, at the rear of the house, might affect whether you choose sliding over bi-fold doors. The type of materials you choose and their ease of use can also affect costs. Fitting off-the-shelf products such as sanitaryware, windows and kitchen units can save time and money; however, this will mean you need a building designed with standard-sized openings and angles to fit these products. Don’t forget to try and secure a discount if you’re not purchasing in the sale, and look for bargains in your local antiques centre or charity shops. Ex-display units for kitchens and bathrooms are a great way to get a designer look on a budget. Cutting the cost Top tip Top tip LOCATION, LOCATION
If you have room to the side of your property, it may be worth investigating whether to build your extension here. You’ll increase space using a formerly redundant zone rather than eating into any of the garden. But building to the rear may be more straightforward or could give you more room. Weigh up the pros and cons with the experts to get the best result for you.
HIRING AN ARCHITECT Pick a local architect or designer who knows how the planning process works in your area. They should be familiar with the type of project you’re doing and happy for you to speak to former clients. They’ll work with you to develop ideas for the extension, and suggest improvements that may not have occurred to you. They could also manage the project and hire trades.
PROJECT
The latest ideas, trends and essential buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation
Step outside
NEWS
Curve hand-painted tiles in Cobalt Blue and white, £20 each, feild.works
Add an artistic flourish to your walls with tile maker Sophie Caufeild’s handpainted beauties. The founder of feild.works, she creates these mini masterpieces in her studio in London. Inspired by the classic blue and white tiles of Porto’s cathedral, the Cobalt Collection comes in four designs and is ideal for a painterly flash of colour. Classic cobalt Light show Lights too bright? Quickly turn to the Phillip’s Hue tap dial switch and dim them to just the right degree of ambience and comfort. The switch, which costs £44.99, has four buttons that can be set to control smart lights in up to three separate rooms or home.aroundzonestheHandy!
QUIET PLEASE In an open-plan kitchendiner, an extractor keeps cooking smells from drifting – but the sound of it working can drown out chat/the TV. Franke’s solution is the Avant Silence wall and island cooker hood, which has technology.noise-reducingTheSoundProBlowersmeanthat,evenatmaxpower,theextractionoperationislessjarringtotheears.Thehoodsstartfrom£1,070
If you aren’t crazy for your patio paving, there’s still time to give it a late summer makeover. Porcelain Superstore has released five new tiles to help you transform your outside space. Athena and Everest come in beige or grey, with the timeless quality of marble or the subtle warmth of sandstone flags. Tibet Grey is a wood-effect plank made from robust 20mm thick porcelain slabs that won’t splinter or crack. The new tiles cost from £43.50 to £51 per square metre.
FEATURE J0NESALISON
Kitchens enjoyed a blue period for years, with hues from navy to duck egg a must-have for units. But now we’re all go for greens as we tap into the colours of nature for calming yet vibrant spaces. The Shaker-style Colbeck in Heritage Green from Aura Kitchens is a gorgeous combination of classic and modern that reflects the garden outside. Flashes of gold add a glam touch. Prices start from £16,500 Green piece
128129 129 REALHOMES.COM support to anyone needing extra assistance when getting in and out of the shower or tub. Practical and stylish, they’ll look good in any room, and can also be fixed outdoors. The grab rails cost from £14.50 each. Coat colouron Set the mood in your rooms with Crown’s new Walls & Ceilings range, with 80 asUKisartistdesignedwithandchoices.colourThethickcreamypaint,packagingbythePaperface,thefirstinthetobeverifiedvegan.
CherryWinter Overjoyed CreamAntique BayBotany Aftershow RECYCLED PACKAGING
A CUT ABOVE Keep your garden in the pink with a limited edition mower that raises money for a cancer charity. Cobra is selling its GTRM38P electric mower in a pretty bubblegum pink, with £25 from every purchase of the £137.99 mower going to Breast Cancer Now. This is part of an charitycollaborationongoingwiththetofundresearch.
Painting garden furniture Small-scale outdoor woodwork is fiddlier, so you’ll need a range of brush shapes and sizes. Flat, round and angled brushes are suitable for flat surfaces, curves and spindles. For tricky areas, use triangular and angled brushes, or even a small hobby or craft brush. Painting metal You need brushes intended for use with metalwork paints for items like railings. A round brush will cover gates, rails and finials, with flat brushes for garages. How to outdoortacklepainting
SandPale BeigeBirch AmberDark BrownKimono
Pop a cork Cork has so many more uses than sealing Champagne bottles: this sustainable material makes excellent flooring as well. Recork has launched the Una, which is made from waste cork and comes in six colourways. The collection starts from £45.80 per square metre, excl. VAT Go anywhere Whether it’s in a new loft conversion en suite, under the stairs, in the basement or a garden room outside, sometimes you need to put a loo where it’s not convenient (pun intended). Roca’s new macerator WC, the Gap D-Trit, which costs from £1,177.20 excl. VAT, can be fitted where a soil stack can’t go. Sleek and modern, the toilet can fit into tight spaces, and is quieter to operate than traditional macerators. It also comes with a Supralit® hygienic seat. Reeded glass is ideal when you want a discrete but light-boosting design. Both retro and a hot trend right now, it works perfectly in the bathroom. Shower designer Roman has launched framed shower and bath screens with the option of fluted or clear glass. This combo of matt black frame and textured glass brings elegance with an industrial edge. It costs £900 Shower chic
ECO CHOICE
Marcus Jarvis, in-house painter & decorator at Harris (harrisbrushes.com), offers advice on updating outside Preparation First lay a dust sheet on the ground in your work area. To ensure a smooth surface for painting, remove any old paint or varnish using sanding blocks suitable for wood, plastic and metal, and flexible enough to cope with curves. Even bare wood should be sanded for better paint adhesion. Repair any damage at this stage. Use a damp microfibre cloth to remove lingering dust. Tape off areas you don’t want painted with masking tape, for sharp edges without seepage. Pick your paint Choose an outdoor paint designed for use on your type of surface. Be aware that most metal will benefit from a primer, especially if using a bright colour. fencing and decking For large areas or garden structures, the easiest way to get a perfect finish is with an angled brush, like the Harris Ultimate Swan Neck Brush. It holds more paint and lays it off well to ensure good coverage. With the handle at a natural angle, you can paint faster for longer. Attach an extension pole for hard-to-reach areas. A storage case will keep the brush head wet so you can do your project in stages.
Create the perfect culinary space with a helping hand from Benchmarx
ADVERTORIAL
So if you’re gearing up for a kitchen renovation, head to benchmarxkitchens.co.uk where you can order a brochure, use Benchmarx’s kitchen visualizer tool, or book a free design consultation.
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The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it’s no wonder it’s the room we usually invest in the most. From gathering the family round a statement kitchen island to cooking a feast for friends, your kitchen is the backdrop to so much, it’s important to choose the right design for you. While planning your new kitchen is an exciting project, getting to grips with the best layout options, styles and colours can be quite challenging. Whether you’ve got a specific look in mind or not, do your research, study the brochures and use online visualisers to get a feel for what you do and don’t like. Buying a new kitchen is always a big investment – so see the process as a marathon, not a sprint, and take your time with every decision. If you’re feeling a little nervous about embarking on such a project, turn to Benchmarx. The knowledgeable and trustworthy kitchen designers will be by your side throughout every step of the process – from planning to installation – so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. All of the kitchen designs are high quality, trend-led and available in a range of gorgeous colours and finishes, to create a look that feels bespoke. Benchmarx has launched a brand new premium kitchen range: the Marlow collection is the perfect blend of old and new, with traditional Shaker-style units combined with sleek and simple lines and fresh, modern colours. From striking navy to luminous Porcelain White or a more muted Stone Grey, there’s a colour to suit every room and every style. With the true handleless design, the custom cabinet system allows for a completely seamless and streamlined look, while maintaining the Shaker character. Benchmarx is expanding its existing collection further by introducing new colours to its Soho and Cambridge ranges. Including Midnight Blue, Forest Green and Driftwood Blue, these new, natureinspired, look-at-me shades bring a whole new feel to these kitchen designs. We love the idea of combining two different coloured cabinets – be it one shade for your floor units and one for your wall units, or choosing a different coloured island – for a fun and contemporary look.
Design your dream kitchen
The owners Bethany Childs, a pilates instructor, and her husband, Clancy, chief product officer for an AI tech company, live here with their children, Beckett and Archer The property A 1930s end-of-terrace house in Londonnorth-west PROJECT COST £200,000 PROFILE
Greener pastures kitchen extension
The search for the perfect colour for her kitchen took Bethany Childs back to her New England roots
Decking, Ecodeck. Garden furniture and cushions, Cox & Cox
‘We had the decking done before the kitchen, but it was all part of the same vision,’ says Bethany. ‘It carries on the grey from the terrazzo tiled floor, so it feels continuous.’
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Sourcing local ‘We lived in the house for three years before starting work in 2019. We wanted to see what worked and how we’d use it. We didn’t increase the footprint as we didn’t want to lose any garden. But we really needed to open it up and make more storage and a better space for entertaining. We hired a local architect who’d done a house a street away that I really liked. In addition to the new kitchen, they carved some space out between it and the front living room to create a utility and loo.
‘I found interior designer Claudia Urvois, who was also local, and approached her to help us lift the design. She and I took on the choices of all the materials and the colours.’ ‘We thought about bi-folds, but the way they intruded when folded wasn’t ideal. These have really slim metal frames to maximise the amount of glass and view. With three sliding panels, we can open two at once.’
1 oneStep
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WORDS JONESALISON PHOTOGRAPHS TAYLORMEGAN
TWOStep
Silestone worktop, Such Designs. Handles, Mini Circus from Superfront. Ovens and hob, Miele. G4 All in One tap, Ziptap. Beech bar stools Another Country. Walls painted in Soba by Paint & Paper Library STYLING DENHAMMELISSAW
henever you renovate a house of a certain age – whether that’s midcentury or more than 100 years ago – you’ll inevitably end up dealing with the legacy of the previous owners’ design decisions. Some are built to last, like the enduring and colourful tiled hall floors that the Victorians loved. Others look outdated after only a couple of decades. For Bethany Childs and her family, the conservatory that was added to the back of their 1920s house somewhere round the 1980s, and a tacked-on downstairs toilet, had definitely had their day. They were sacrificed in pursuit of light and openness, and a fresh green colour scheme that’s a nod to Bethany’s American heritage. We chatted to her to discover how a clumsily extended space became a showpiece kitchen built for entertaining that’s the apple of her eye… Spotting potential ‘My husband and I are both American, and have lived in London since 2005. We bought this house six and half years ago and it was our first proper project. I didn’t anticipate living in a 1920/30s house: they weren’t what I was drawn to. But when we looked at the housing options around here, we really liked the width of them – the rooms feel open and spacious. ‘The kitchen was a hodge-podge of the original old-fashioned galley with a dining room off to the side and a big fireplace. They attached a conservatory in the 1980s/90s, and there was the old loo towards the back that was probably an outhouse. It was a few different spaces squashed together.’
Our builders
134135 REALHOMES.COM Building work £100,000 Kitchen units £45,000 Designer and architect fees £20,000 Glazing, including sliding doors £16,000 Appliances £13,000 Flooring £3,500 Lighting £2,500 Architects Newman newmanzieglmeier.comZieglmeier, Builder Jonny De Vere Green, 07794 364145 Interior designer Claudia Urvois Design, claudia-urvois.com Kitchen supplier Such Designs, 020 8451 0800, suchdesigns.co.uk
doing that but it all came together.’ Kitchen units, Rotpunkt, custom painted in Hunter Green, Benjamin Moore. Cortizo sliding doors and rooflights, Southern Windows. Terrazzo tile flooring, Diespieker COSTS CONTACTS&
from
‘The lights are from the 1960s from the Czech Republic. We found them in Retrouvius, an amazing reclamation store. Claudia designed it so they’re suspended the skylight. didn’t love
3THREEStep
136 5FIVEStep4FOURStep
‘Some decisions were dictated, like creating the little shelves. There’s a pipe running down behind so we couldn’t have a full-depth cabinet, but we wanted to do something. Our builder and designer came up with the idea of the bookshelf.’
Going green ‘I’d always loved green kitchens. It took a while to find the right shade because a lot were coming up grey and not very vibrant. Claudia had the idea of looking at American paint companies, and that’s when we found it. This colour green is really traditional in New England, so I was drawing on my roots. ‘We worked with local kitchen company Such Designs, but the units were made in Germany. We wanted it to feel modern and fresh, and the flush cabinets struck the right note. ‘Claudia and I played on the combination of green and natural tones by getting the builder to put oak insets into the window frames and door frames as well.’
Out of site ‘Work started in February 2019 and it was done by July. We moved out to a rental in the neighbourhood. We have two children and just knew it would be really stressful to live in it, because the building site always extends further than you think it’s going to, and we were essentially doing the entire ground floor. ‘The build went pretty smoothly. At one point we hit some Victorian drains in the ground, which slowed us down a bit, but I don’t think that’s uncommon in London. ‘The units weren’t in when we moved back so we had to set up a temporary kitchen. But we’re so glad that we did it in 2019 instead of 2020.’
Professional finish ‘My favourite part about the kitchen is the colour. People always comment on it, and three years later I’m still really happy with it – it was a good call. ‘I also love the pendant lights over the island. That was a learning curve! We discovered retrofitting vintage lights is challenging to get right – it’s definitely not as simple as buying off the shelf – but it’s worth it because they’re quite unique and beautiful. At night they reflect up into the skylights. ‘Calling in the professionals to help was the best way to go. Using their expert knowledge and taste elevated the design and the finished product, and we had a team who could problem solve. It was a game changer.’
‘We enjoy entertaining and the banquette makes it comfortable to sit there so people kind of stay put. Looking back, I would have chosen a different colour because it’s not super kid-friendly.’ Kvadrat Heal’s.
fabric Dining table and chairs,
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Berlin sofa, Loaf
Banquette seating, custom built with
Nothing beats the sight, sound and smell of a humble sizzling barbie, but why stop there? With alfresco living the thing of modern times, spruce up your garden – large and lawned or compact and urban – with an enhanced outdoor kitchen area that creates the ultimate sociable cooking space.
Picture doing food prep, cranking up the heat and entertaining happy, hungry guests in one dedicated freshair spot – and without the hassle of darting back and forth between indoors and out with various cookware and side dishes. Elevate your outdoor living further with the full kitchen experience; we’re talking grills, refrigerators, ample work surfaces and storage options. We mean everything including the kitchen sink – because if you incorporate one of those as part of your outdoor design, you’ll avoid heaving heavy loads of dirty dishes back and forth. And did we mention that they’re rather tasty to look at, too?
Outdoor kitchens
Top tip Choose appliances with weathered or tarnished patinas to effortlessly blend your cooking station into its surroundingsnatural
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Sizzle, season and (sun)shine with a fully functional outdoor space for cooking, dining and socialising all year round
Bring a rustic slice of Mediterranean charisma home with a charming freestanding pizza oven that entices all to gather round its warming glow – even when there’s no stonebaked action involved! Rusted outdoor pizza oven, £588, Rowen & Wren Storage is key for an outdoor kitchen. A trolley or butcher’s block with multiple levels and shelves will let you access pantry-style essentials on the go. Nestle in some kitchen garden herbs for a flavour flourish. Alvin shelf in black, £339; kitchenware, from a selection, all Bloomingville
FEATURE PHILLIPSHOLLY PHOTOGRAPH (RIGHT)@LIFE.AT.THE.ANVIL
Whether you’re an avid sizzle and smoke barbecue cook or a fresh and fast dough chef extraordinaire, set up your space with the right woodfired grill or oven, or both, to enjoy alfresco feasts all year.
Cooking options
If entertaining is your thing, create your dream outdoor kitchen with a built-in pizza oven, sociable bar-style seating and an undercover dining area. Integrate log storage for a spacesaving hack that adds to the Brooklynaesthetic.outdoorglobependantlightinPewter,£80,Industville
‘Pizza ovens are ideal for an outdoor kitchen,’ says Jayme Muller, brand manager at RTA Outdoor Living. ‘Consider a mid-sized, countertop pizza oven large enough for a family but small enough to save space and money.’
‘The popularity of smokers continues to rise, but charcoal and grills remain king of the garden,’ says Declan KingsleyWalsh, managing director of Morsø UK. ‘This trend is exemplified by the Morsø Forno outdoor oven – you can be the envy of your friends making dishes such as roast beef, grilled steak, pizza, tarts, smoked salmon and breads.’
Bring the full kitchen experience outside with a luxury set-up that boosts functionalitytheof your space. Go above and beyond a built-in barbecue with add-ons such as a pizza oven, outdoor fridge, storage, and/or barbecue island with bar seating. Shed & Fence all weather barrier in Grey Shadow, from £17 for 5ltrs; Classic All Purpose woodstain in Ebony, from £33.99 for 2.5ltrs, both Sadolin
It’s all about location, location, location. Ideally, an outdoor kitchen should remain in close proximity to the indoor one, making trips inside to get more cooking supplies quick and hassle free. To maximise year-round use, you’ll also want to consider protection from the elements – come rain or shine. Choose the least windy spot, and use an awning or pergola to provide shelter, to make your outdoor space an extension of the home. ‘Try to avoid placing your outdoor kitchen in direct sunshine,’ says Stuart Clarke, home expert at Victory Curtains & Blinds, ‘as if you have a stainless steel barbecue the rays can make it too hot to touch. A secluded spot in the garden, with a few trees for shelter and close to the house, should cater well for most gardens.’ The perfect spot
‘We loved the idea of having an outdoor kitchen, and after building the outdoor shower and pergola, we decided that a kitchen area next to the barbecue would complete the space‘Afterperfectly.findingsome
inspiration on Instagram, we did some rough sketches, drew up plans and bought timber. Jono set about building it to match the style of the rest of the space. ‘We incorporated a butler sink given to us by a neighbour – just right for washing the grills and even muddy rugby boots (not at the same time, though!) – and added industrial style copper taps made by our plumber to match the shower and wet suit rack. ‘We used some of the gorgeous patterned tiles we had left over from another project to create a splashback, which adds a fun pop of colour and pattern and works really well against the pink walls behind and the blue walls of the house. ‘We love to entertain and often have friends and family round for food and drinks. This area offers an extra dimension to our outside space. It’s practical and looks great – we love it!’
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@catrin. stuarthome StuartCatrin
141 If you lack the space or budget for a full built-in outdoor kitchen, you can still benefit from the sunshine grill and chill experience with a transportable cooking station. Choose a split level kitchen trolley on wheels, equipped with all the ingredients and cooking tools you need in one dedicated spot. Forno Gas Grande, £899, Morsø
Top tip Simply load up the goods from the indoor kitchen and wheel outside to ‘show and cook’
Just like butter melting on griddled corn cobs, outdoor kitchens provide the ultimate opportunity to blend materials for a layered look. Textured façades like stone or tiles add a rustic edge, while a sleek concrete finish is popular for a contemporary look. Vlaze outdoor kitchen, £12,000, Garden House Design
Top tip Material matters Timber is the most versatile staircase material: it works in traditional and modern homes and goes great with glass and metal. Glass helps light flow and adds a contemporary touch, but is more costly. Metal can be used for elegant spindles,Victorian-inspiredortoaddanindustrialedge.
143143 Staircases Whether you’re revamping your stairs or installing something new, let us help you decide on your dream design A GUIDE TO WORDS FINCHELLEN PHOTOGRAPH O’FLAHERTYCMARK Skirting Farrowforeggshell,GreenCookinginAppleEstate£2975ml,&Ball
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topEllen'stip Style On a budget You can get a new-look staircase for less with a bit of imagination. First, paint: it’s an easy update you can change as trends come and go. Second, stickers: these are a great way to add pattern to risers. We’ve seen stripes, geometrics and animal prints on Insta that look fabulous and fun. Finally, a stair runner can help bring texture to your scheme. Dusted Oak in-line Neville£2,000staircase,glassfromplusVAT,Johnson
The staircase is usually the first thing you (and your guests) see when you step inside your home – so it makes sense that you want yours to make a statement, or at least tie in with the rest of your scheme. Whether you’re looking for a traditional style or something a little more ‘out there’, today’s designs are varied and exciting, from shapely spindles to floating steps and colour-block finishes. Wanting a new look doesn’t mean you need to spend loads, either. If your existing staircase is in good condition, perhaps all it needs is a lick of paint and a new stair runner. For the more DIY-savvy, you might decide to install your own contemporary balusters and handrail to update an old-fashioned version – though you’ll need to follow some guidelines to make sure these meet Building Regulations (see over the page for more). A staircase is made up of several key components, and knowing these will come in handy when you’re shopping for a design. First, the stairs themselves: the riser is the vertical part of a step, and the tread is the horizontal bit you step on. What you might term a bannister is made up of a rail (the top part you hold onto as you go up or down the stairs); posts, or newels, which connect the stairs to the rail; spindles, which are the slimmer bits in between; and shoes, the part at the bottom that the spindles fit into. Last but not least, the stringer is the small panel either side of a staircase, to which the stairs are fixed.
144145 145 Q How much does a new staircase cost? A According to Checkatrade, the average cost for a new standard staircase is between £1,500 and £4,000 – including building and installation. Go bespoke and you could pay from £5,000 to £50,000 or more. Pricing is affected by size, shape, materials, complex designs, and any alterations.structuralItmay be tempting to go for cheaper materials, but when it comes to stairs you oncompromiseshouldn’tquality. Q Can I do it myself? A Some confident DIYers might decide to update an old staircase with modern new spindles and a handrail, but we’d recommend hiring a pro. Do it wrong and you’ve got yourself a big safety issue. Contact a local installer or joiner for help. Need to know Grey metal stairs offer industrial style in contemporarythis space Bespoke oak open plan staircase with embedded glass balustrade, from £2,795, Stairbox Joinery painted in Bone China Blue Intelligent eggshell, £35 for 1ltr, Little Greene PHOTOGRAPHS (BELOW)ASHBEEMARK(LEFT),STATHAKIANNA Top tip Space solutions Maximise space on the underside of your staircase to suit your needs. You could fit built-in storage to tidy away busy family life; install a pet station where your furry friend can chill out; or create a handy home office away from a busy living room or chilledout bedroom.
A Most of the time, you won’t need planning permission for a new or replacement staircase – unless you live in a listed building, in which case you might need to apply for listed building consent. All staircases must, however, comply with Building Regulations Part K to make them safe:
> There are minimum and maximum limits for rises and treads. A private stair should have a rise between 150 and 220mm, and a going (depth) of between 220 and 300mm.
> Stairs should have a maximum pitch of 42 degrees.
> Search online for Approved Document K for the full list and some helpful diagrams.
Volute newels, from around £79; handrails, from £130; plain balusters, from £8; base rails, from £52, all Richard Burbidge
Top tip Staircase style Got an eye on your budget? You’ll want to opt for a straight staircase, which is simple to fit. If that doesn’t work for your room, no fear: you can add ‘turns’ to help navigate tricky spaces. Spiral staircases are possible, but they’re often bespoke (so more expensive) and can be hard to get furniture up and down.
Find staircasemoredesignideasrightthisway
REALHOMES.COM PHOTOGRAPH FRENCHJAMES
STYLING (TOP)TAYLORMARISHA
> You should have a handrail on at least one side for stairs less than a metre wide, and on both sides if wider.
> You can have open risers in a private dwelling so long as the treads overlap by a minimum of 16mm, and a 100mm diameter sphere can’t pass through the gap.
Walls painted in Obsidian Green and China Clay Mid Metalsheets,Greene.£26mattAbsoluteemulsion,for1ltr,LittleBrassPOA,Sheets
> Stairs need a minimum headroom of two metres – or 1.8 and 1.9m in a loft conversion.
Q What are the Stair rules?
Best for a quiet wash If your washing machine is in an open-plan space rather than a separate utility, you’ll appreciate one where chat doesn’t get drowned out by the whirr of the drum. The large 10kg LG Steam™ F4V310WSE is QuietMark certified, and keeps the noise down to a comfortable level. Steam technology gently sanitises clothing, and if you forget something, you can pause and add items without waiting until the cycle finishes. Buy it for £429 Best programmefor choice This integrated washing machine sits concealed behind a cupboard door for a streamlined look. Its 8kg drum can easily cope with a family’s laundry loads, while 16 programmes offer a range of washing options, from a 15-minute Quick Wash to an Anti-Allergy cycle for people with sensitive skin, and MyChoice –a customised setting. C1381 integrated washing machine, £399, CDA
▼ Best for a professional finish
The new I-PRO SERIES 3 from Haier is designed to give results as good as having your laundry professionally cleaned. It has Steam and Quick Wash programmes that can sanitise, freshen and clean in as little as 15 minutes. And with an A energy rating – the highest available for washing – it’s 33 per cent more efficient than a D-rated machine. Prices start from £479 for the I-Pro Series 3 range Tackle the laundry with clever washers designed for speed, efficiency and economy, with cycles to suit all fabrics
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Washing machines
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Best for load measuring Fisher & Paykel’s SmartDrive™ technology is so precise, it can sense the load size to the nearest 1kg. Then, instead of just pouring in a cup full of detergent, its ActiveIntelligence™ can dispense exactly the right amount, and adjust the wash time. This means less detergent residue, and it eliminates the need to fill the dispenser for every wash. Water is also sprayed onto clothes from above for better distribution during rinsing and greater water efficiency. The WH1260F2 is £1,200
Add JUST ENOUGH detergent If the detergent dosage is wrong, you’ll have semi-unwashed clothes to deal with at the end of the cycle. Using washing pods is easiest. If you’re washing a half load, put less detergent in to prevent residue build-up in your machine, making your next load dingy. In hard water areas, manufacturers recommend using slightly more detergent than normal. To check if your water is hard, pour some into a clear glass container, squeeze in about 10 drops of liquid soap and shake. If a thick foam forms above clear water, it’s soft. If it’s thin suds and cloudy water, it’s hard.
Jenny Mcfarlane reveals how to get the basics right when washing Don’t overload
Follow loading order Check loading instructions for your washer so you prevent excessive suds and potential fabric damage. The most common load order is detergent, then clothes. Set the right temperature and cycle to start the machine.
Best coolerforwashes Washing at £449bubbly!coolerliftquicklypenetratescreatingwithsotensionbreakformmachineEcobubbleSamsungenergyCO2asforknowntemperaturesloweristobebettertheenvironmentitcutsdownonemissionsandusage.TheSeries5washingusesairtobubblesthatthesurfaceofthewateritmixeseasilythedetergent,afoamthatfabricstobetterthedirtatatemp.LovelyItcostsatCurrys
‘Imagine how heavy the load will be once it’s soaking wet,’ says Lara Brittain, category director at Currys. ‘Too much weight can unbalance the machine and affect its performance over time.’
Front loading machines should have clothes piled no higher than the top of the door. Avoid loading top-loaders past the agitator. If you’re washing duvets, blankets and rugs, put them in separately, adding a few towels for proper spinning action.
If you cram clothes too tightly in the machine, water won’t have room to properly circulate, leading to wrinkles and limited stain removal. The items shouldn’t fill the washer more than three quarters full and be evenly and loosely spread out.
Evan Brody, chief marketing officer for Tide, suggests: ‘Place your hand into the drum. If it fits between your clothes and the wall of the drum, you have the perfect load size. If not, remove an item.’
Expert advice ▼ Best for a busy household If you have an active family that create lots of washing, a larger drum can mean that you’re not running the machine all day every day. The Indesit BWE101683XWUKN has a 10kg drum, which can more than cope with school uniforms, muddy sports kits and stripped beds. An easy-touse Push & Wash programme washes everything together on a handy mixed cycle. Select Economy Wash to use less water and energy. It costs £399 from ao.com
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Whip
The Smart Scoop ice cream maker, £339.78, John Lewis & Partners VonShef stainless steel ice cream maker, £44.99, VonHaus Ninja ice cream maker, £199.99, Ninja Kitchen
151 FEATURE SMITHAMELIA FOCUS ON Digital ice cream maker, £49.99, Lakeland Cook’s Essentials ice cream maker, £109, QVC
Ice cream makers up your favourite sunny-day and fun
treat with the best designs that are simple
Emtronics pink electric ice cream maker, £18.99, OnBuy The Gelato Expert, £499, Magimix Springlane ice cream maker, £139, Amazon
Iced dessert maker in light pistachio, £140, Cuisinart UNDER £20
153153 #SOREALHOMES S.COM/BATHROOMREALHOMEATBATHROOMYOURFORINSPIRATIONMOREFIND FEATURE JONESALISON Countertop basins Make sure your bathroom looks a cut above with a statement sink on the vanity FOCUS ON UNDER £100 Dune countertop basin in Ice Blue, £618, Aston Matthews Sebastian Herkner Zencha washbowl, £504, Duravit Handcrafted copper countertop basin, from £629, BC Designs GoodHome Nura white round countertop basin, £90, B&Q Inox stainless steel Grade 316 countertop basin, £795, JTP Quinn sit-on basin in Twilight, £240, Utopia Mode Orion Sage Green round countertop basin, £125, Victoria Plum Hudson Reed oval countertop basin, £119.99, Drench See vanitybathroomstorageideasthatwillliftyourspace
155 FEATURE JONESALISON FOCUS ON Compact 300RBS robotic lawnmower for lawns up to 300m2, £399.99, The Range Mac Allister MRM250 cordless robotic lawnmower, £319, B&Q Flymo EasiLife 350 robotic lawnmower, £619, ao.com LawnMaster L10 Robotic lawnmower, £399.99, Amazon Robot mowers Keep your garden looking trimmed and tidy while you sit back and relax with a cool drink Bosch Indego XS 300 robotic lawn mower, £650, Homebase Garden edging ideas to define your lawn landscapingand Mowbot robotic mowers, for lawns from 800-1200m2, from £663.99, Cobra WR167E M700+ Landroid robotic mower, for lawn up to 700m2, £1,074.96, WORX RMI 522 C iMOW® robotic mower, for lawns up to 2100m2, £1,870, Stihl
156 FEATURE JONESALISON
Pro Connected smart carbon monoxide alarm, £50.39, FireAngel ABB Busch smoke alarm detector, £28, ABB Sync smart water sensor accessory to alarm, £40, Yale Heat-detecting motion sensor, £29.99, SimpliSafe
BatterySPECIFICATIONSlife: Up to 8 months Storage: Cloud storage Compatibility: iOS, Android RRP: From £219.99
Stay safe and get alerted to dangers ranging from break ins to fire, CO2 leaks to flooding
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Home alarms
Pro smart security system with police response, bundles from £279, Boundary Smart Home base package, from £195 for supply and installation, ADT REVIEW COR NE R
REASONS TO BUY ■ Customisable security system ■ Affordable ■ Easy to install yourself
The Ring Alarm allows you to build a customisable smart security system that works for you. Connect the alarm to the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet and control your entire home security set-up from any location – perfect to check on your home while you’re out or on holiday. By installing it yourself, it cuts the cost of the system, and you can take it with you if you’re a renter. The kit includes a base station that links the other elements of your home security system to the internet, a keypad, a contact sensor, a motion detector and a range extender, all for less than £250. The Ring alarm can be connected to the Ring video doorbell or Ring security cameras for visuals, too.
REASONS TO AVOID ■ Does not include any security cameras Ring alarm home security system
4 Once you’re happy with the design, use Frog Tape to run along the pencil lines. Make sure the edges are pressed down firmly.
Looking for more inspiration? See our Sunday Project hub for plenty of ingenious ideas to transform your home You will need: Whether it’s updating last year’s garden hideout or giving a new purchase the personal touch, adding paint can be a quick and cheap way of creating a unique focus point while also protecting it for years to come. The only question: will you let the little ones help? Room for a little one Base colour: Warm Stone; coloured panels in Baby Pink, Cranberry Crush, Fire Engine Red, Marigold, Mustard Yellow, Primrose, Cornflower, Bristol Blue, Grass Green, Willow, all Protek Wood Stain and Protect, ranging from £12.60 for 1ltr. Try Very or Plum Play for a similar wooden structure
2 Place all the panels on the floor, laying them out from the centre. This ensures that when they’re put together at the end, the panels match from one to the next.
3 Using a pencil and a long straight edge, mark out the pattern, making it as random as possible. The triangles should be larger at the base, gradually getting smaller as you near the top.
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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
5 Before you start to paint, mark each triangle with the colour you’re going to use, trying to make sure each triangle is surrounded by a different colour.
8 The structure can then be constructed in situ.
■ Wooden structure ■ Pencil ■ Large rule ■ Frog tape ■ Outdoor paint ■ Paint brushes
7 Once all the panels are painted and completely dry, remove the Frog Tape.
What to do: 1 If you’re assembling your wooden structure, paint two coats on all the panels with your chosen base colour or coat of wood stain.
6 Paint the triangles with one coat and leave to dry before applying a second coat. The colour choice here was based on a rainbow, running from greens and blue at the base, through to yellow and orange, and then to pink and, finally, red at the top.
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