ONE-BED FLAT
Love it
COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Steph Durrant, 30, a magazine journalist, and I live with my ragdoll cat, Cece. MY HOME I live in a one-bedroom flat in Chelmsford, Essex, which I bought in February 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It’s a groundfloor flat in a converted 1930s semidetached house. It was just renovated when I moved in and I was the first to live there, so needed to select flooring and put my stamp on the place.
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Hang a brightly coloured macrame pot holder to brighten up French doors’
AND NOW I didn’t need to do any decorating, but I’ve brightened the place with plenty of colour, using art, furniture, and handmade accessories.
STYLE TIP I prefer to keep walls and furniture white, then introduce vibrant pieces that can be swapped about when I get the itch for change.
YELLOW FEVER ‘The yellow chest of drawers is my most colourful piece’
HANDSOME PRINTS ‘I love clashing prints and patterns – Liberty London fabrics are my favourite’
‘Handmade touches
MAKE IT MINE’
Steph filled her renovated flat with handcrafted pieces and vintage finds to create a feminine sanctuary that’s full of personality <#A#> | JUNE 2017
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chose to live in Chelmsford as it’s an up-and-coming town that lots of my friends have gradually gravitated to, due to the excellent shops and a good main line to London,’ says Steph. ‘My flat is in a perfect position, as it’s within walking distance of the town and the station. It was newly renovated, which appealed to me as I wasn’t in a position to take on a project. It had fresh white walls, ready for me to unleash my passion for colour, plus fitted white goods, so I didn’t have to fork out to buy my own. The bathroom was brand new, too, with a Jacuzzi bath (a big selling point for me!). I liked that it was on the ground floor with its own
JUNE 2017 | <#B#>
ONE-BED FLAT
Love it
SOCIABLE SPOT
3 of the best
‘As the kitchen and living room are open plan, it’s a perfect space for entertaining’
TEAPOTS
Invite your pals for afternoon tea
PiP Studio floral teapot in pink, £40, Amara
Buy it
Shop our pick of vintage brights on PAGE 30
Abstract teapot, £25, Oliver Bonas
SNAZZY SHADE ‘My lampshade is wacky, but I love it! I used the original shade to carefully make the pattern pieces, then used remnants of quilt fabric to create the patchwork’
Ashdown Rose teapot, £28, Cath Kidston
TRINKET TROVE ‘I got my craft shelf for £30, painted it, and put wrapping paper on the back’
front door off the street, so it didn’t feel like a flat. It also has a quiet, southfacing shared garden and I have my own patio to put a table and chairs and pot plants on. The garden is scarcely used, so it often feels like it’s just mine. When I moved in, the first thing I had to do was pick flooring, which was fine as I knew a little independent shop that had fitted the flooring in my previous house. I chose a cream carpet for the bedroom and the same laminate flooring that was in my old property for the rest of the house, as I liked its rustic look and it was great value. The service was so much more helpful than in bigger chain stores.
Style inspiration
I’ve always had a strong idea of what I wanted my home to look like. I used to have an inspiration folder where I stuck magazine clippings of décor I loved and made notes of shops I liked. Nowadays,
<#A#> | JUNE 2017
Stylist
at Home ANDREA SAYS
‘Why not try making a pom pom garland like the one hanging over Steph’s patio doors? You can buy an easy-to-use pom pom maker from Hobbycraft.’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Pair a curvy antique chest of drawers with linear kitchen units to create a freestanding look’
JUNE 2017 | <#B#>
ONE-BED FLAT
Stylist
at Home ANNE SAYS
Love it
CUTE POTS ‘I like collecting succulents and planting them in unusual containers like a golden syrup tin’
‘Vintage finds and handmade items work so well together. It’s a great idea to keep the walls and large pieces of furniture neutral, so the pops of colour stand out.’
‘PAINT UP AND MOUNT A SHELF TO KEEP TINY COLLECTABLES AND HOBBY ITEMS IN ONE PLACE’ PERSONAL TOUCH ‘The kitchen is the standard design put into all the flats, so I used some colourful canisters and crockery to put my own stamp on it’
Make it!
DECOUPAGE MONOGRAM
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WINGING IT ‘There’s a bit of a bird theme in my flat, representing freedom and independence’
<#A#> | JUNE 2017
Buy an MDF letter, from £1, Hobbycraft. Use acrylic paint to colour the edges, and leave to dry. Spread a little PVA onto the letter front and stick on a piece of printed wrapping paper. Smooth and leave face down to dry. With paper face down, cut round the letter with a craft knife. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the back. Cut out smaller motifs from the wrapping paper and glue onto the front. Finish with layers of PVA.
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I like using Pinterest to gather ideas and working on interiors magazines, I get the serious ‘I-want’s’ every time a company brings out a new collection. The open-plan kitchen/living space is ideal for when I have friends over and the big patio doors are a treat to have open in summer. It’s such a light space and a cheerful place to be. My first house was styled a little like this one, but now I live alone, I have ramped up the girliness. It’s a little quirky, with plenty of handmade features and my friends say there’s always something new to see each time they come over. It’s often described as ‘very Steph’, but I’m still never sure if that’s meant to be a compliment or not!
Handmade home
Most of my accessories are from boot sales or vintage fairs. My mum is a
boot-sale sleuth and always finds a bargain. There is something handmade everywhere you look in my house, from my oven gloves and bedroom bunting to decoupage picture frames and the macrame plant hanger. I’m particularly proud of my quilts stitched in Liberty fabric and my rather jazzy handmade lampshade. The embroidered hoops featuring sassy song lyrics by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are a new little business venture (@spinsterandspool) and a great pick-me-up to have on the wall. The dream catchers in the living room and bedroom are handmade by my mum. I was also really pleased with the stacking tables I revamped in the living room. They belonged to an ex-boyfriend’s grandparents, who were going to throw them away. I rescued them, painted them up and added PiP Studio wrapping
KITCHEN KITSCH ‘I’m a big fan of bright kitchenalia, especially from Rice DK, PiP Studio and Cath Kidston’
Love it
Love it
ONE-BED FLAT
Do it!
EASY WAYS TO ADD SOME COLOUR
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Jazz up a beige sofa with printed cushions and throws. They can easily be swapped about or moved from room to room if you get bored of the look. Artificial flowers will never wilt or fade, and they require zero maintenance – apart from an occasional dusting. Pop individual stems into jugs, bottles or jars for a country feel. A vibrant rug adds instant impact, breaking up floor space and helping to zone areas. Give drab walls a boost with fun artwork. If a big print is too much of a commitment, try hanging smaller plaques and frames using Command strips so they can be moved around without peeling off the paint. If coloured curtains are too heavy for your space, brighten windows with bunting or a fun garland. Steph has strung felt balls on fishing wire to adorn her patio doorway.
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GLASS HOUSE
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‘The grey tiled panel adds texture and the green bottles are part of the vintage theme’
BEAUTY SPOT
STYLING LAURIE DAVIDSON FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS LIZZIE ORME
‘I was lucky enough to inherit the gorgeous 1950s dressing table that’s in my bedroom’
Where to buy her style
LIGHT ‘IF YOU HAVE A TIRED -LOOKING CHANDELIER-STYLE FITTING THAT NEEDS UPDATING, ADD SOME COLOURFUL GLASS DROPLETS IN YOUR CHOSEN COLOURS FOR A PRETTY NEW LOOK’
BERRY RED When it comes to eclectic homewares, you never know what you’ll find here. From bright textiles to quirky accessories, there’s a wealth of choice that will give your abode an artisan feel.
Stylist
at Home HAYLEY SAYS
BOMBAY DUCK For lovers of kitchenalia, online boutique Bombay Duck is a mustvisit. Beautiful china tea sets in candy colours are impossible to resist, alongside darling cake stands and kitsch melamine designs from Rice DK. DEBENHAMS Matthew Williamson is known for his bold use of colour and eclectic designs, and his new Butterfly Home range for Debenhams doesn’t disappoint. Take a look at his tropical motifs and intricate patterns in holiday hues both in the shop and online.
<#A#> | JUNE 2017
PEACEFUL SLEEP ‘Pretty pastel shades and ornate French furniture make this the ultimate girlie boudoir’
‘I like the mix of vintage and eclectic styles in this modern interior. The airy rooms and bright accessories create a really welcoming atmosphere.’
paper to the centres. Years later, I found the matching coffee table at an antiques centre and gave it the same treatment to make a complete set.
shelves – although Command picture strips come in pretty handy, too!
Troubleshooting
I think my main decorating advice is not to be afraid to express yourself. You don’t have to follow a trend to the letter – take inspiration from magazines, Pinterest and the high street, then surround yourself with pieces you love. Stick to a few key colours per space, then experiment with objects, textures, print and pattern. If you bring together the things you love, they will all work somehow. I think your home should be an exhibition that celebrates you and your story.’
Storage can be a bit of a bugbear in this apartment. I only have a small understairs cupboard to store away all those occasional things like the vacuum cleaner and the Christmas tree (I’d like to point out, the vacuum does come out more than once a year, though!). I’ve inserted drawers and cabinets into every available nook – I think it’s just an occupational hazard of being an avid crafter! Since I’ve been living alone, I grew tired of trying to find someone to do my DIY and, considering it’s called ‘do it yourself’, I thought it was about time I learned to do just that. I invested in an electric drill, watched a few YouTube videos, and now I put up all my own pictures and
Follow your heart
Find more tips on creating a vintagelook bedroom at idealhome.co.uk
JUNE 2017 | <#B#>
n e ws | 25bh
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AUGUST
T R E N D S | W H AT ’ S N E W | M U S T- H AV E B U Y S
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r ay o f s u n s h i n e Take your style cues from the bright days of summer with eye-catching indoor and outdoor accessories in happy yellow hues
1 CITRUS BURST Kate Spade set of three Lemon Tidbit plates, £27, Amara 2 FLAMES OF DESIRE Park BBQ, £70, Jamie Oliver
3 CHILD’S PLAY Indoor/outdoor swing, £139, Bobby Rabbit 4 BRIGHT IDEA Mew lantern, £30, Habitat 5 SITTING PRETTY
Scandinave cotton vintage armchair, £140, Maisons du Monde 6 PACK UP A PICNIC Olli Ella Piki basket, £25, Sisters Guild
7 TOP TABLE Stockholm bedside table, £70, Ikea 8 FLOWER POWER Orla Kiely small fabric plant bag, £22, Cuckooland.com
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M O D E R N C O U N T RY C L A S S I C S
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reasons to love
NESTING TABLES COMBINING STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY, THESE SPACE-SAVING, TIERED DESIGNS LOVE TO BE GROUPED TOGETHER, BUT WORK JUST AS WELL ON THEIR OWN
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Rustic revival
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Eclectic twist
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All in the detail
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This trio features an intricate white lace design. Asha tables, large, H63.5x53cm diameter, col Natural White, £169, Barker & Stonehouse.
Made from solid mango wood, this set features an etched metal top. Kiku nesting side tables, large, H60x W52xD44cm, £229, Atkin and Thyme.
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Country Homes & Interiors
Country chic
The perfect place for your morning cuppa... Oxford painted nest of tables, large, H55xW68x D44cm, £199, Cotswold Co.
Feeling blue
A smooth, modern design and pastel finish give this pair subtle Scandi style. Lina side tables, col Blue, small, H50cm, £65; large, H55cm, £95, Cox & Cox.
Graphic effect
Tactile recycled wood and cool black metal create a contemporary mix. Chevron coffee tables, large, H45xW120x D70cm, £500.50, Maisons du Monde.
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Modern edge
Metal legs and a distressed surface add an industrial look. Theo nesting tables, large, H52xW55x D35cm, £199, Swoon Editions.
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Mosaic magic
Pep up your patio. Mosaic coffee table, H46x88cm diameter; Mosaic bistro table, H71x82.5cm diameter, £469 each, both West Elm.
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT
Add a touch of French farmhouse style to any nook. Country Ash nest of tables, large, H40xW60xD65cm, £199.95, Melody Maison.
Upcycling news Get your mitts on these fantastic buys and keep them to hand for any number of DIY and upcycling endeavours
Baker’s twine is perfect for hanging, wrapping and more. £3.95, Dotcom giftshop
Top cheat
Scrap happy
Wind lengths of scrap yarn around Clover’s pompom makers, £6.60, to create bright and bushy puffs to trim cushion corners or string to create pretty garlands that will take you back to your childhood
Casey York shows you how to turn unloved textiles into stunning soft furnishings in her new title, The Appliqué Book (C&T, £19.99)
Star buy Feature Stephanie Durrant Main photo Carolyn Friedlander
Pliers are super handy when it comes to twisting and cutting wire for DIY projects. This set of three pairs costs just £6 from Hobbycraft
On trend If you can’t find fabric the exact shade you’re after, check out Dylon’s range of machine dyes, £6.84, including Powder Pink for a nod to Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Rose Quartz
Product testing... Fabric scissors are an essential tool if you’re working with textiles, as paper scissors simply won’t cut it – literally! We tested three top brands for sharpness, ergonomics and design. The new RazorEdge shears from Fiskars win points for easy slicing and comfortable use, however the Prym and OKcut versions deserve brownie points for being left or right-handed, and come in bright and jazzy colours.
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Ultra-sharp blades make cutting a breeze and soft-grip handles provide extra comfort
Titanium blades for longer lasting sharpness and left or right-handed design
Sleek shape with stainless steel blades and ergonomic handles – great value, too!
£13.99, Fiskars
£7.19, OKcut
£5.50, Prym March 2016 91
Prep your sofa for the season with this pretty appliqué cushion, £12.99, Argos
The wish list... All the latest arrivals, top trends and must-visits for May
Blogger of the month
What’s new?
We were very excited to hear Lorraine Kelly has expanded her collaboration with JD Williams into her first range of homeware. Comprising pieces across two key trends, Coast to Glen and Coastal Mist, her tactile accessories and signature prints are perfect for spring
Written in both French and English, Karine Candice Kong’s interiors blog Bodie and Fou is ‘your perfect little black book of style.’ Bringing readers regular inspiration for creating effortlessly chic interiors, Karine’s approach to design is ‘mixing vintage treasure with designer pieces and high street bargains.’ Follow her at karinecandicekong.com.
hello, Birdie! Spring is the perfect time to put up a nesting box for small birds. Not only will you be helping out our feathery friends, but
you’ll have the joy of watching little bird families hop in and out. You don’t need a large outdoor space, either.
Paula bird house, £26, Amara
Yellow texture cushion, £22; Blue herringbone cushion, £18; Blue star cushion, £22; Set of three vases, £25; White wooden lantern, £29, all Lorraine at Home by JD Williams
Prettifying your space with home grown, hand-picked flowers
Creator of successful blog Petite Kitchen, Eleanor Ozich is back with more than 100 of her most loved, health-driven dishes. My Family Table (Murdoch Books, £16.99) is brimming with simple wholefood recipes that the entire family will be abandoning iPads and Xboxes for. Perfect for lunchboxes, you’ll find a how-to for these simple savoury muffins on our website.
Orla Kiely bird house, £23.95, Cuckooland.com
You don’t have to be living in a Jane Austin novel to collect wild flowers. Beautiful blooms are a quick and simple way of rejuvenating a room, as Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring show in Decorate With Flowers (Jacqui Small, £20). If you don’t have a garden, pop down to your local florist or market (bonnet and wicker basket optional) and select buds in your fave colours to display in creative ways, such as this floating centrepiece.
Feature Stephanie Durrant
This monTh, Try...
Top read
May 2016 11
spend vs save
Golden Dot wallpaper, Rice
Allow your fruit to ripen in style with an ultra-trendy wire fruit bowl
£42
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Menu Norm wire fruit bowl, Black by Design
£4
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Wire basket, Tiger
colour crush Combine on-trend exotic leaf prints with shade of the moment, mint green, and Pantone’s colour of the year, powder pink. Adorn your dining table with new for spring ceramics by Sooji Kim for Bloomingville, pieces from £5.95.
shhhh...
new strokes Be washed away by spring fresh watercolour prints and accessories
Well, the creative minds at Rice have been busy. Our kitchen cupboards are stacked with the brand’s cheerfully printed melamine cups, and picnics wouldn’t be the same without a plate or two, but now you can even have its eclectic designs on your walls! Rice has teamed up with wallpaper experts Eijffinger and there are 50 designs to choose from, including birds, butterflies and florals. Visit rice.dk to shop the range.
Poligon bowl, £21.40, DaWanda
Be the designer
Fearne Cotton bird cushion, £15, Very
Melamine platter, £15, Bhs
Crystal bed, £169; Jacquard brush strokes cushion, £8; Watercolour floral cushion, £12; Floral duvet set, £12; Birds in bell jar, £12, all George Home
The Spoonflower Handbook (Stewart Tabori & Chang, £16.99) helps you get to grips with creating your own prints, plus handy projects for making unique home décor. It’s super simple and all you need to start is a computer. May 2016 13
spring blooms Full of the joys of the season, no matter what the weather’s doing this May time, you’ll have a smile on your face serving tea with the bright and cheerful Flower Patch collection from Collier Campbell. New pieces have been added and, if you fancy dining alfresco, there’s a whole range of melamine ware starting from £5, including picnic perfect cups, bowls and plates.
bUY or DiY? Update your child’s room with this timeless new star wallpaper from Hibou Home at £70 per roll. Alternatively, make your own enchanting backdrop with Patternology metallic wall stickers from Mamas & Papas, £19 per pack, which contains 31 silver stars in various sizes.
GOOD IDEA
Make your own stamps to dip in white emulsion and make your own printed paper
Expert advice A sofa is a key piece of furniture and often an investment, therefore picking the right one is essential. To ensure you choose a settee the family will love and that will last, we’ve enlisted the help of Kate Tansley, the lovely Creative Director at Multiyork
Kate’s golden rules
1 Size matters First consider the size of the room and where you want to place your sofa. A large one in a tight space will make the room appear smaller. Likewise, if the sofa isn’t big enough, it can look a little lost. 2 Function first Ensure the style matches the function and décor of the room. Models with a fixed back and curved arms will look beautiful when combined with a traditional interior, while cushioned backs and straight arms will be better suited to a contemporary and/or family home. 3 Fab fabrics Patterned sofas are a great way to inject colour and playfulness into a room, but if you’re after a subtle look, a plain fabric decorated with scatter cushions in complementary hues will create a style that’s simple and sleek. 14 homestylemag.co.uk
she says...
‘Choosing the right sofa is vital – consider how many seats you need vs the space available, plus ensure the style works with the décor.’
Home notes JOIE DE VIVRE
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside!
Take inspiration from the elegant simplicity and unrivalled sense of style found in rural France in the pages of Perfect French Country (£30, Ryland Peters & Small). Author Ros Byam Shaw explores the beguiling beauty of Gallic homes, showcasing stonework, ancient beams and panelled walls.
O U R FAV O U R I T E D E S I G N E R M A K E R
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Helen Baker
Blakeney Point Oystercatchers cushion, £35; Ringstead Shoreline Stripe cushions, £30 each, all National Trust.
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT
Cornish textile designer Helen’s debut collection is influenced by her native county. With a fun take on coastal living and an ecofriendly ethos, her pieces are perfectly suited to modern country living. What inspired your range? While renovating our home in 2015, I was frustrated that I couldn’t find the soft furnishings to suit our family. My range ‘You can take the girl out of Cornwall…’ is my take on contemporary coastal designs – a far cry from nautical knots and anchors. What materials do you use? I create my designs on the computer, then send them to a fabric printers in London. They use ecofriendly inks to print my designs onto 100% cotton. I wanted the manufacturing to be done in the UK with as little impact on the environment as possible. What do you love about designing fabric? It is a lovely material to work with and adds such warmth to a
The art of the landscape space. You can use it to show your personality and I love that it is such an easy, cost-effective way to change a room. Do you have a favourite design in the range? I especially like the Cornish Clouds print, as I wanted to create an updated version of a seaside stripe design. I was inspired by Breton stripes and I love clouds, so it seemed an ideal combination. Describe your creative style? I am constantly inspired by the natural world – I think using these shapes within my designs means everyone can relate to them. Fabric from £58 m, cushions from £50 each and lampshades from £60, all helen baker.com.
Whether you’re heading out for a country picnic or planning an alfresco supper, you’ll love the National Trust’s new summer accessories range. Inspired by the salt marshes of Blakeney Point, Norfolk and East Head, West Sussex, the Estuary collection features inky prints of dramatic skies and wading birds. Melamine plates are just the thing for outdoor dining, plus there are cushions and a throw to keep you cosy. Even better, 100% of the profits go towards the conservation charity’s important work.
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Summer colour
There’s nothing like a fresh lick of paint to update your space and the new Colours of England paint chart by Little Greene has plenty of shades to inspire. Priced from £42 for 2.5L, there are 184 archive colours spanning 300 years of interior design to choose from. Our pick? The summer-fresh tones of Aquamarine. Country Homes & Interiors
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WE LOVE
HÔTEL LES ROCHES ROUGES Reflecting the light and beauty of Provence, this coastal escape is the epitome of elegant simplicity
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erched on the water’s edge near the town of Saint-Raphaël, Hôtel Les Roches Rouge is the first coastal property to be added to Les Hôtels d’en Haut’s portfolio. Embodying the relaxed spirit of the Riviera, the hotel has a modernist design with simple yet luxurious rooms featuring colours inspired by the sea and the red rocks of the nearby Esterel. Guests can enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean by taking a walk through the gardens planted with tamarisk, ferns and lavender, while two bodycare cabins and a relaxation room o≠er further opportunity for rejuvenation.
NEED TO KNOW ■ Located on the Cote d’Azur opposite the Île d’Or, the hotel has 50 rooms including two suites, from €355 a night. ■ There are two restaurants, one on the roof terrace the other on the beach, serving Provençal food. ■ The hotel has wellness facilities and an open-air cinema, with activities including diving and fishing. ■ 90 Boulevard de la 36e Division du Texas, 83530 Saint-Raphaël, France, 0033 4 79 33 01 04, hotellesrochesrouges.com.
Waffle hand towel, 40x65cm, £18, Khadi and Co at The Conran Shop, 0844 848 4000, conranshop.co.uk.
Colchester desk, H78xW185x D75cm, €2,100, Flamant, 020 7935 7632, flamantshop.com.
AA Butterfly chair in Yellow, H90xW70xD70cm, £470, AA New Design at Made In Design, madeindesign.co.uk.
<#L#> | H&G | AUGUST 2017
Pierre colourcontrast pot in Cobalt, H28.5x diam20.5cm, £58, Anthropologie, 00800 0026 8476, anthropologie.com.
Etawah cushion cover in Cream and Navy, 65cm sq, £49.95, Nkuku, 0333 240 0155, nkuku.com.
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT AND LAURA VINDEN PHOTOGRAPH BENOÎT LINERO
TAKE IT HOME Recreate the relaxed contemporary look of this stylish suite
OUT AND ABOUT With plenty of seating, natural light and leafy plants, Richard Booth’s Bookshop is a haven for lovers of literature.
Hay-on-Wye’s Festival of Literature & Arts runs from 25 May to 4 June. Young and old welcome!
O U R FAV O U R I T E W R I T T E N - W O R D S H O P
Richard Booth’s Bookshop
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS MARY PEREZ, TOM PILSTON
BROWSE THE COLLECTIONS AT HAY-ON-WYE’S ORIGINAL BOOKSTORE-TURNED-CULTURAL HUB Founded in 1962 by Richard Booth in a former fire station on Castle Street, Richard Booth’s Bookshop moved to its present location two decades later. Elizabeth Haycox and her husband Paul Greatbatch bought the business in 2007 and it remains the oldest – and largest – bookshop in the town. Owner Elizabeth shares their story… WHERE ARE YOU? The bookshop is located in a former agricultural merchant’s, Robert Williams and Sons Ltd. After acquiring the shop, Paul and I began restoring and repurposing the listed building, which has an elegant facade leading into a vast, three-storey emporium. It
has a history of being used for community dances and other celebrations, and now plays host to classical music concerts, literary gatherings, artists’ workshops and the occasional wedding. I’ve also added a popular café and state-of-the-art cinema in previously under-used spaces, transforming the shop into a cultural hub.
or a well-loved edition of Jane Eyre lost during a move, and shelving old and new together gives options. WHO VISITS THE SHOP? Our customers are of all ages and can be a collector on any number of subjects. We have hundreds of thousands of volumes, ranging from natural history and fiction to transportation and art and design.
WHAT MAKES THE SHOP UNIQUE?
HOW WILL YOU BE INVOLVED WITH THE HAY FESTIVAL’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS SUMMER?
Paul and I travel all over the country buying collections and we think of ourselves as ‘re-homers’ of books, facilitating their journey from one generation to the next. What differentiates us from other bookshops is that we house new and secondhand titles together. A customer may be looking for the latest book from Robert Macfarlane
We’ll host the opening Friends reception, which is a highlight of our year. We love welcoming back those who find the May migration to Hay an intellectual necessity. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, 44 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA, 01497 820322, boothbooks.co.uk. Country Homes & Interiors
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DESIGN SECRETS
The country decorator
DECORATING WITH SUPERSIZED FLORALS FROM BLOWSY BLOOMS TO MODERN GRAPHICS, LARGE-SCALE BOTANICAL WALLPAPERS ARE THIS SEASON’S GO-TO LOOK FOR COUNTRY INTERIORS
Cinda’s Roses wallpaper, col Sunshine, £63.60 m, Lewis & Wood.
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F O L KSY F E E L
to patterns with folkloric influences. Cinda’s Roses features naive botanical motifs and meandering branches, bringing a natural charm. Magdalen Jebb, Creative Director at Lewis & Wood, says, ‘Looking at it, you feel you’ve joined a powerful fairy story – not too soft, not too sweet. It offers a modern version of nature, a popular theme in country homes.’
Plumes 2 wallpaper, £118.79 sq m, Francesca Greco for Devon & Devon.
3 Make a grand statement in the bathroom with BAT H RO O M S P L E N D OU R
1 Ensure your interior looks light and fresh by C R E AT E BA L A NC E
Rinjani wall art, col Autumn, £29 m, Voyage Decoration.
selecting a paper that teams a neutral background with modern brights – we love how the lively leaf colours are picked up by the accessories in this room, while the cream stops the space from becoming too dramatic. ‘If you’re using a statement paper for a country home, try choosing a matte variety,’ says Ian Dykes, Founder and Director at Voyage Decoration. ‘It will instantly soften brighter shades, giving them a chalky finish, which will always complement rural interiors.’
an ornate repeat, such as these clusters of majestic feathers in a moody palette. ‘This eclectic design boasts classic representations of botanical life,’ says Teresa Tanini, Marketing Manager at Devon & Devon. A dark background colour will make the pattern pop, while accessorising with ornate pieces will mirror the opulence of the print.
4 For subtle elegance that lends itself to any SCANDI SIMPLICITY
setting, choose a print featuring pigments close to nature’s own palette. ‘Zinnia is both current and classic, perfect for those living in the countryside or for those who yearn to,’ says Fredrik Nilsson, Managing Director at Sandberg Wallpaper. ‘I believe that designs with their origins in nature always work beautifully in rural homes.’
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Zinnia Blue wallpaper, £76 a roll, Sandberg Wallpaper.
Country Homes & Interiors
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Dinner At Eight wallpaper, col Spring, £80 a roll, Fired Earth.
Laurel wallpaper, £78 sq m, WallPepper.
Tours wallpaper, col Stone, £88 a roll, Zoffany.
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5 A contemporary, engaging feel can be achieved
DESIGN SECRETS
G O G RA P H I C
using extra-large-scale graphic florals overlaid on a simple background repeat. A single illustrated design draws the eye, blending with real foliage and printed fabric, adding a sense of fun to the walls. ‘Floral decorations with fine and romantic colours work best when trying to achieve elegant style,’ advises Diego Locatelli, Director at WallPepper.
6 Take inspiration from vintage horticulture books M I X A N D M AT C H
and choose a repeat of floral and fern motifs. ‘With its soft finish and sophisticated tonal variation, Dinner at Eight has a subtlety that makes it perfect for country homes,’ says Sarah Foster, Category Manager, Paint and Wallpaper at Fired Earth. Papering door panels adds interest to a space, while painting the frames creates the illusion of depth.
DA M A S K U P DAT E
Transform your hallway into a prestigious passage using an ever-popular damask design. Inspired by a brightly coloured, woven silk from the mid-19th century, this heritage pattern has been translated into modern colourways. ‘Elevated by the subtle use of metallic inks, this updated classic lends itself to restful and elegant surrounds,’ says Peter Gomez, Head of Zoffany Studio.
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Country Homes & Interiors
TAC T I L E C H O I C E
NEXT MONTH DECORATING WITH MARBLE
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT
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8 Traditional trough- and block-printing
methods give an exquisite tactile feel and a seamless look that creates a restful bedroom aesthetic. A textural paper is an easy way to add dimension, while a simple yet stylised pattern creates a calming but still contemporary backdrop that will soothe the senses. ‘Hegemone is a wonderfully optimistic print and looks almost as if it has been cut from paper,’ says Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball. ‘Its design is less rigid and defined than a classic floral pattern, as each colourful petal blooms freely in all directions.’
Hegemone wallpaper, BP 5702, £97 a roll, Farrow & Ball.
Expert advice
Wrecking ball
Conventional wisdom says that if you tap a wall and it sounds hollow, it’s only a dividing stud wall. In fact, some stud walls are load bearing and internal masonry walls aren’t always structural. If you’re thinking of removing or altering internal walls, you’ll need to make a Building Regulations application. They will inspect the work on site and issue a certificate upon completion.
Feature Stephanie Durrant
Thinking of relocating? First check our ideas for straightforward renovations and easy revamps
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ccording to home insurance provider homeprotect.co.uk, 49% of us are unhappy with our home, while 62% are delaying renovation projects. So is the solution packing up and shipping out? It could be. But, and we’re sure we’re not alone here, the endless chasing of solicitors, infinite form filling and frustration of being caught up in a never-ending
Double up If you’re not able to conjure up an extra room (or more to the point, the budget for one) then think about how you can make your existing space work harder. Multitasking furniture is your saving grace, so ditch the double bed from the spare room and swap it for a stylish sofa bed. You might then have room for a desk and book shelf so the area can double as a home office.
Folding chair, £10, Habitat 60 homestylemag.co.uk
vortex, sorry, chain, fills us with dread. Which is why we’ve collated a generous helping of ideas and expert advice for improving your existing property. Think of it as marriage counselling for your home, as we help you fall back in love with the house you have, while saving time, effort and a whole lot of cash. In fact, it could even increase your home’s value for when you eventually do move.
Be prepared for extra overnight guests with this compact corner sofa bed, £999, M&S
Add a sophisticated touch with the Living collection by Christiane Lemieux for House of Fraser
Divide & conquer
Don’t be constrained by the four – or however many – walls you’ve got. Start thinking outside the box. Literally. Opening up or dividing spaces you already have to suit your needs could be a much cheaper solution than packing up home, you just need to think creatively, but realistically. If you have the budget to expand, think about a side or rear extension, or adding an extra storey. Have a chat with a specialist like Simply Extend to find out your options and to chat costs. Alternatively, adding glass panelled doors will blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
In a large, open-plan space, room dividers could be the answer to sectioning off a room so it has a clear, separate function. Spaceslide’s dividers are made-to-measure and are straightforward to fit yourself. No need to consult Building Regulations! Available in a translucent glass finish, they’ll still let plenty of light through. So that dream dressing area may not be beyond reality.
Velux sun tunnel, from £259.99, Screwfix
Flood dingy spaces such as halls with daylight by installing a Velux sun tunnel. As long as there’s 6m or less between your roof and ceiling, you can funnel light into any room, and with easy assembly, you don’t even need attic access. July 2016 61
Expert advice
Have it both ways with an over bath shower and contemporary click double bath screen, £255, Simpsons
Bathroom boost
GOOD IDEA
A double bath screen is extra protection against shower spray soaking the floor
There are plenty of bathroom updates that can be achieved on a budget, so we’ve enlisted the experts at Bella Bathrooms to give us some quick-fix tips. REPLACE TILES If your walls are in need of a touch up, then replacing tiles can give your bathroom a facelift without ripping out the whole suite. ADD ACCESSORIES Updating bathroom accessories can go a long way in making a space look brand new. A new vanity unit will allow you to store your toiletries stylishly, while adding new towels will brighten up the room. SPACE SAVERS If your bathroom is on the small side, the easiest solution may be to make it into a wet room. Corner showers and sliding doors can also help you to maximise an en-suite if space is tight. CLEAR THE CLUTTER If you’re struggling to fit a vanity unit in, then store bathroom items in a dedicated unit in the shower to keep the space clutter-free. STAY ON BUDGET Try out Bella Bathroom’s interactive bathroom calculator, allowing you to select your budget, requirements and priority rating for each element to create a bespoke suite you’ll love.
Cupboard love
Not all of us have an outdoor area suitable for a washing line and we’ve all wrestled with a clothes airer in a limited space – not fun! If getting your clothes dry is a frequent frustration, take a peek in your boiler cupboard to see if there’s enough room for a few shelves to create a makeshift drying zone. Just be aware of any pipes or electrics.
Budget, better, best Frustrated by low water pressure? Fit a high powered thermostatic shower instead
£198 Square off Mind thermostatic twin head shower, £99.97, Bathroom Takeaway
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Rain down
Cooke & Lewis Sillaro thermostatic mixer shower, £198, B&Q
£645
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Right angle
Modo thermostatic shower, £645, Frontline Bathrooms
In small bathrooms and en-suites, mirrored tiles will reflect light and look ultra glamorous – think boutique Art Deco hotel. These antique mirror tiles from originalstyle.co.uk have a vintage-looking bevelled edge. Extend your splash back and use them instead of a separate mirror above the basin.
Expert advice
And so to bed
If sleep space is at a premium, and unlike the Dursleys in the Harry Potter books, you don’t consider under the stairs a viable bedroom option, you may want to look into expanding upwards into the loft. Planning permission isn’t normally required, as long as specified limits and conditions aren’t exceeded, however you’ll need Building Regulations approval. A few factors will affect the cost, including whether the roof will need to be raised or ceiling below lowered, where the staircase is positioned and what windows are installed. Worst case scenario, you’re looking at around a £40,000 investment,
which sadly not all of us have tucked away under the mattress. Storage is often a conundrum, especially where the roof space inclines. Instead of searching for a property with an extra room just for your shoe collection, à la Carrie Bradshaw, fitted wardrobes may be the solution. Sliding doors mean easy access whatever space you have, and custom storage ensures you get the shelf and drawer space (not forgetting, shoe racks) you really need. Consider getting these bespoke-made as it can be a lot cheaper than buying from a fitted bedroom company.
A fully fitted Sharps bedroom starts from £2,000
A solid, scoop-roofed porch makes a practical yet attractive entrance. This one is priced from £1,595 by Garden Requisites
Outside in
If inside your front door is starting to look like a shoe shop, building a porch could be the answer to the muddy shoe/wet coat fandango that occurs when your entrance opens into a living area. For outside, consider an Isabelle door canopy kit from Mud Putty. Handmade to order, the British timber canopy is designed to be easily installed, regardless of your DIY skills. Prices start from £261.97. 64 homestylemag.co.uk
When the sun comes out to play, being able to extend your living space into the garden is invaluable, especially if you have little ones. Even a small area can be transformed into a functional outdoor room with some inexpensive or upcycled furniture, waterproof cushions and a few lanterns for added atmosphere.
Make your patio the place to be with accessories from Sainsbury’s
Fill your conservatory with pot plants – Ikea has a great selection
If there’s space at the back of your property, a conservatory or orangery will add space and light to your home, as well as extra value. If you’re worried about it being too tropical to bear in summer and penguins marching through in winter, most manufacturers now use energy efficient glazing to keep a constant temperature.
Expert advice If rendering or replacing a pebbledashed exterior is too costly, painting it is the next best thing. Jamie Taylor from Johnstone’s Paint gives this advice
Repair patchy or broken render with U-Can Render Repair Mortar, £7.85 per 5kg from B&Q
Look forward to returning home to a front door painted in Johnstone’s exterior gloss paint
PREP IS KEY Use a stiff brush to remove all loose chippings, dust and dirt, and use a scraper to get rid of any existing flaked coating. Fix all damaged pebbles using a filler and leave to dry. REMOVE ALGAE Apply a sterilisation wash to treat algae and mould, leave this to work for 24 hours. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. START PAINTING Dilute the first coat of masonry paint with water by 10% and apply to the entire surface area. Follow this with a further two coats of undiluted paint.