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HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM FEBRUARY 2020

ENTIAL YOUR ESS

MONEY-SAVING ISSUE

Feed your family for less with our thrifty recipes

Afordable decorating ideas that won’t break the bank

HOW TO...

Turn trash to treasure with easy upcycling projects

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INSPIRING IDEAS

& bargain buys THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK

SL OF E Z I R P TA ORTH A TO

Style secrets to save you £££s

TO BE

3 Clever ways to use up leftover paint & wallpaper 3 Create a high-end bathroom at high street prices 3 Transform your kitchen on a shoestring budget 3 30 must-have buys for every room – under £50!

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your food bills ] Install a smart new bath panel ] Add a luxe look with fake inishes

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome

BE AN INSIDER We want to know what you think. After all, the more we know about you, the better placed we are to bring you the very best magazine and website possible. So we would like to invite you to join our online reader panel ‘Insiders’. Interested?

Photo Lizzie Orme

After the expense of Christmas and the January sales, February can often leave your bank balance feeling rather depleted. But a lack of funds doesn’t mean your home has to lack style. Which is why we’ve crammed this issue with heaps of thrifty tricks and bargain buys. Look for our little piggy-bank GREAT logo (left) throughout the mag for Log on to: BUY our money-saving must-haves and immediateinsiders.com cash-savvy tips. to fill out a short On page 38 we’ve trawled the high street for the best registration survey and budget buys to brighten up every room and they’re all under £50! If we’ll be in touch from you want to freshen up your décor but don’t want to splash out, then turn to time-to-time to ask for page 42 to discover some clever ways to use up leftover your opinions. paint, tiles and wallpaper to create a stylish interior WE LOOK FORWARD TO on a shoestring.

HEARING FROM YOU SOON! Revamping your bathroom or kitchen can often be a costly undertaking, so we’ve found some affordable ways to Treat yourself or a update your kitchen (p.48), while on page 56 we reveal loved one with our fantastic subscriber some purse-friendly options to give your bathroom a offer. See page 94 luxurious look for less. for details.

Your weekly food shop can often take up a large portion of your budget, so our recipes this £1.99 573 month are all about eating well while saving cash, whether that’s delicious midweek family fol low & sh are suppers (p.98) or your favourite Friday night w w w.you rh o memaga takeaway (p.102). zine.co.u facebook k .com/you rhomema @ Y I really hope you enjoy our_Hom g e instagram reading this special .com/you £3,694 rhomema pinterest gazine .c om/yourh money-saving issue. omemag

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ROOM IDEAS FOR EVERY GREAT-VALUE HUNDREDS OF JANUARY 2020

S BUDGET BUY s

t idea & brigh E YOUR HOME TO UPDAT

comfort Recipes for healthy vegan treats food & hearty

craft Quick and easy can do projects everyone

HOW TO...

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Clutter-busting e your home skills to improv Discover new for all the family m that works Create a bathroo TV with our expert guide smart Buy the right

Editor-in-Chief Anna-Lisa De’Ath Features Editors Catriona Burns, Michelle Grady Staff Writers Catherine Smalley, Hannah Tribe Editorial Assistants Ella Rhys-Jones, Katie Dutton Designers Sally Bufton, Beth Charlton Lucas, Libby Parfitt, Emily Waite Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Editorial Assistant Thea Jeffreys With thanks to Rob Banino, Carolyn Bunt, James Croft, Emma Lewis, Kate White, Sue Wingrove

Advertising: Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Senior Brand Sales Executive Sophie North Brand Sales Executive Phil Wallington Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts Ad Coordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike Marketing & Production: Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Junior Production Co-Ordinator Georgia Tolley PR Manager Toby Hicks Publishing: Managing Director Marie Davies Promotions and Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau

Contact Your Home at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST General Enquiries Tel 0117 927 9009 You can email the magazine at Yourhome@immediate.co.uk For subscriptions: yourhome@buysubscriptions.com UK: 03301 358962 Overseas: +44(0)1604 973748 © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2019, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. Your Home is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT

Contents 116

Get the high-end look for rockbottom prices

42

98

Turn old giftwrap into dazzling wallpaper

Thrifty feasts for all the family

38

Budget buys to brighten up your home

February at home

Pg 11

11 This month we love Our favourite things to buy, see and do in February 14 Household hints Recycle and reuse regular household items such as candle jars and egg cartons

42 A little goes a long way Transform decorating leftovers into features that will give your home a new lease of life

54 Contrasting pink and green put warmth back into my bathroom Brighten up a bland, old bathroom with some colourful Art Deco touches

Makeovers

56 Get the luxe look for less Give your bathroom a first-class feel at a fraction of the price

Pg 26

17 Smarter shopper Tips to spend less on groceries and waste less food

26 It’s gone from bland to bold!

Find out how Louise transformed a boring room into a striking study

52 Buyer’s guide Our pick of the best affordable appliances that deserve a place in your kitchen

30 I’ve created a relaxing, dualpurpose space Tips to turn a dining room into a hobby space… and back

Decorating

34 I turned an old stable into a craft studio Gail’s growing business gave an old stable a new lease of life

Pg 21

22 Trend alert: The handmade tale In praise of the human touch – dig out and display your homemade art

Kitchens&bathrooms

38 Thrifty finds under £50 Perk up every room in your house with these purse-friendly buys

48 Clever kitchen makeovers Create a kitchen that makes a splash, but won’t cost you all your cash

Pg 47

Reader homes

Pg 75

76 We saved money by doing all the work ourselves Heidi and Brendon found the help they needed to renovate their home in online videos 82 We love using materials in different ways Claire and Paul have created a quirky home where shoes are on show and sacks are used as art

Have you missed an issue?

Call 03301 358962 to order back copies

PLUS! 12-PA

GE PULL-OUT GU IDE

Make it easy!

Pg 61

Our practical guide is full of step-by-step projects to help you learn new skills Make napkins, coasters and trays

62 64 82

Claire Air has mixed and matched her way to eclectic perfection

88 I could see the potential, it just needed a little TLC Mixing styles and colours helped Leila make the most of her Glasgow flat

Food & entertaining

Pg 97

98 Feed the family for a fiver Hearty meals that won’t break the bank 102 Frugal fakeaways Resist the temptation of the takeaway with these low-finance feasts

Home improvement Pg 109 110 Improve your home for less Top tricks and quick, cost-effective fixes to spruce up your home 116 The Great British Fake off Lavish your home with lookalikes to give it that high-end, luxury look for a ludicrously low price

Don’t miss out!

7

Rejuvenate a tired old armchair Stitch stylish laundry baskets

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

94 Subscribe to Your Home Take out a subscription today and get your first three issues for just £5 120 Prize draws Enter one of our fantastic giveaways for your chance to win 3-in-1 Methven taps, wi-fi home security cameras, a Tempur Original Supreme mattress and more 122 Shopping guide Find out where to buy everything in this issue 124 Editor’s choice What we just couldn’t resist this month!

125 Coming next month Take a peek at what’s ahead in the March issue 130 Eco news Top tips and smart buys to help you and your family live well and save the planet

66 Plus, check out...

68 DIY masterclass Learn how to fit your own bath panel 70 Ask the experts Advice from the pros on eliminating draughts, smart thermostats and more 72 Craft stash must-haves The latest creative buys and workshops

GET IN TOUCH YOUR HOME NEEDS YOU! We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so send us your letters, tips, projects and photos. This month’s prizes are provided by Dibor.

fits and often take brand new panels, plinths and worktop off-cuts to the dump. These would make great materials for shelving and worktop projects. If only more people would call in and ask, much fewer materials would go to waste.“ Cherry Iley, via email

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Your Home says Thanks for sharing your tip, Cherry! Hopefully it’ll encourage more people to pop into their local showroom and see if there are any off-cuts they can upcycle.

A PAW-FECT DAY OUT

UPCYCLING MAGIC “My husband has recycled bits and pieces throughout our married life (53 years) and I would like to show you what he did for me with some odds and ends we had lying around. He made what I call a Shirley Valentine table from a Morris 8 car wheel, redundant fence posts, leftover plywood, scraps of decking and a colourful oil cloth.

He painted the different elements to smarten it up and I hope you agree it looks very swish.”

Sylvia Bailey, via email

“My husband and I went to the Craft Show at the NEC a while ago and took our Dogs for Good assistance puppy with us – the charity trains dogs to support people with disabilities.

Rexie was so well behaved and it was a really good learning experience for him. We loved the Craft Show where I did end up spending a bit of money! The Cake International Show was amazing too – the quality and craftsmanship of the cakes was incredible. We had a lovely day.”

Davina Williams, via email Your Home says We’re glad you enjoyed your day. Thanks for sending in the cute photos of Rexie. He must have been the star of the show!

STORE TO PLEASE “My first upcycling project was inspired by an unwanted unit I got free from work. I thought it could be useful for my son, who has recently bought a largely unfurnished flat. I took the back off and wallpapered the empty space in the same style as my son’s sofa before painting the wood white. I spotted the storage boxes in Wilko for a bargain £6 each. I was really pleased with the end result and so was my son.”

Tracey Baptie, via email

Your Home says What a resourceful way to recycle materials and put them to good use. We have to agree that your new table looks absolutely lovely, Sylvia!

let’s get social Tweet us your pictures and comments @your_home or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/yourhomemag

WASTE NOT WANT NOT “I work in a kitchen makeover showroom. We regularly have materials left over from kitchen

SEND YOUR TIPS, PHOTOS AND LETTERS TO: Your Letters, Your Home magazine, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST or email yourhome@immediate.co.uk

Your Home says What a lovely makeover, Tracey. It looks perfect for storage and we’re so glad your son is pleased with it!

Courtesy of Dibor, this issue’s letter of the month will receive a Wooden heart-shaped cheese board along with a Stag head cheese knife set worth £45. Three runners-up will each receive a Family photo album box worth £25. Find out more about Dibor and their products at www.dibor.co.uk.

Letters may be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be returned.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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Feature Katie Dutton

Signs of spring

This month we love…

For stockists see page 122

Whether you’re braving the outdoors or cosying up, here are our top tips for a fabulous February

It’s a magical time of the year when snowdrops appear. These hardy flowers signal spring’s approach and the promise of warmer days; a happy sight to see after the long winter months!

Forde Abbey, near Chard in south Somerset, is the perfect spot to see them in their full glory.

The beautiful 12th-century abbey has a rich and varied history and is surrounded by 30 acres of award-winning gardens, consisting of herbaceous borders, an arborteum and topiary-lined vistas. Now it the perfect time of year to enjoy carpets of sping flowers emerging from the crisp soil. Forde Abbey will be holding Snowdrop Weekends throughout February, and the tea rooms and gift shop will be open every weekend throughout the month. The gardens are open from 10am to 4pm and admission prices are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Find out more at www.fordeabbey.co.uk.

Hidden Gem:

Nest gift shop in Rhiwbina, Cardiff Discover an irresistible gift and homeware haven, nestled away in the ‘garden village’ of Rhiwbina in Cardiff. Despite being only a few miles from Cardiff city centre, Rhiwbina is a quiet, leafy suburb that has been gaining a reputation for its creative locals and businesses. Nest, a beautiful shop that’s just a stone’s throw from the local train station, is one such business. Selling one-of-a-kind products that you won’t find anywhere else, Nest favours small, Welsh stockists, meaning their store is a treasure trove of lovely local wares. Expect to see hand-crafted decorations, soaps and jewellery, as well as bigger items such as lighting and artwork. Knowing your lovely purchase will play a small part in helping the local community will make your shopping trip feel all the more worthwhile too. Find Nest at 2 Heol-Y-Deri, Cardiff, CF14 6HF or visit www.nestcardiff.co.uk.

Pin pals If you’re still in need of a Valentine’s pressie, why not treat the yin to your yang with these adorable friendship- and couplethemed enamel pins from Of Life & Lemons? Especially appropriate for cocktail lovers, these pins would make the perfect treat for your best pal or partner. Priced at £6.99 each, head to www.oflifeandlemons. co.uk to pick out your favourite.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

11

GREAT IDEAS FOR...

Pancake Day All you need to make flippin’ good pancakes for friends and family

Hand finished in Thailand this jug will make pouring a pleasure Arden blue stoneware jug, £12, Habitat

Bring some fun to the table with a cute and quirky new squeeze Ceramic cactus juicer, £26, Graham & Green

Colourful kitchenware If you’re looking for a quick way to brighten up your cutlery drawer, or are in need of some pick-me-up picnic accessories, Bombay Duck’s enamelware may be just the ticket. Their range of eye-catching cutlery in shades of mustard, pink, aqua and coral is just what is needed to liven up the dinner table. The colours aren’t the only reason we’re obsessed though, it’s what they’re made from too. Enamelware is durable, lightweight and tactile, making it a jolly accommodating addition to your kitchen cupboards and drawers. Prices start at £14.95 for a tea strainer. Find out more at www.bombayduck.com.

Plant the seed

Whether it’s flour or sugar, this will make sifting and dusting a breeze

Give your loved ones the gift that keeps on giving this Valentine’s or Mother’s Day, by sending them a tree-planting, flower-growing card. 1 Tree Cards are on a mission to help save the planet with their eco-friendly cards made from 100% recycled materials. With every card that is sold, the company will plant one tree in an area of mass deforestation.

Their cards also come with a packet of seeds inside so you can grow your very own beefriendly flowers. All cards are £2.99 each and you can stock up at www.1treecards.com.

Polka dot baking duster tin, £5, Emma Bridgewater

Gentle on your hands and soft on your stainless steel pots and pans, get ready to whip up a storm Leo Silicone Whisk, £8, Amara

Canine comforts Don’t compromise on style for your four-legged friends – these blankets from Charley Chau are so lovely and soft we might be pinching them for ourselves when the dog’s out! Available in a range of colourful, fleecy fabrics, these blankets make the perfect lining for an existing bed and are great protection for your sofa or the back of the car.

Charley Chau also make luxury cushions for the slightly more well-to-do pooch. Prices start at £45 for blankets and £55 for mattresses. Take a look at www.charleychau.com.

A hungry otter in pyjamas – what more could you want?

Pancakes go here plate, £23, Red Candy

12

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Top tips to keep the house clean and tidy without breaking the bank

HOW TO… MAKE USE OF ‘THROW AWAY ITEMS’ The beginning of the year is the perfect time to save money and get creative by repurposing items you would typically throw away.

Try out some of these resourceful ideas…

Candle jars are an easily reusable item. Clean out the leftover wax with a spoon then place the empty jars upside down on a baking sheet and tray.

Place the baking tray and jars in an oven on very low heat until all of the wax has melted. Protecting your hands with a cloth, wipe the remaining wax and soot from the pot. The jars are now good as new – use them as storage jars for makeup brushes or try making your own soy replacement candle.

Old spray bottles for cleaning products and disinfectant are very versatile, just ensure you properly remove and rinse out all traces of the original product before reusing them. Fill the bottles with your own homemade cleaning fluid or simply use the sprays to water your houseplants.

Egg cartons are nifty items that needn’t be thrown away. Instead, use them as small plant pots. Simply fill each well with soil and use the carton as a seedling tray for anything you’re trying to grow. As egg cartons are biodegradable, they can be planted directly into the soil once the seeds sprout.

Upcycle damaged, unwearable clothes by cutting the fabric into rags to use for both indoor and outdoor cleaning. Or you could use patches of fabric, such as denim, to repair holes and tears for an updated item of clothing.

Feature Ella Rhys-Jones Main image Getty

Editor’s choice Everyone wants a pleasant-smelling home and what better way to freshen it up than with an eco alternative to a synthetic plug-in? Incognito’s Room Refresher enhances your home with a 100% natural fresh pine and citrus fragrance. The refresher works for up to three weeks of continuous use, or up to four months if the lid is regularly replaced. With a recyclable tub and carbon positive status, Incognito is a brand to get behind when scenting your home.

Incognito Room Refresher, £8.99, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett and other health food stores

Q&A How can I prevent mould appearing in my home during the colder months?

Mould loves warm, damp conditions so the best way to prevent the issue is ventilation.

With air-conditioning a rare occurrence in British homes, the simple solution is to open windows to prevent humidity, especially when cooking or showering.

Keeping doors shut is also a good way to confine the moisture to those rooms in use, rather than allowing it to spread throughout your house. Other preventative measures you can take include checking for leaks and cracks, cleaning your extractor fan or getting yourself a dehumidifier to do the majority of the work for you.

Reduce excess packaging in your pantry with these easy-lock containers. Their minimal design will fit in with any storage space and they are airtight to ensure your ingredients stay fresh

What to look out for

Sistema ultra range, from £5.95, Robert Dyas

THIS MONTH Great buy These Antibacterial Protective Coatings from Bioarmor-Nano provide easy wipe-on protection for your home surfaces. One application promises to reduce surface bacterial growth by up to 99.99% for up to three months. Better still, unlike many other antibacterial wipes, these are 100% biodegradable, so you can keep your home clean without harming the environment. Available for kitchen and bathroom (£14.99) as well as home tech (£9.99). Visit www.bioarmor-nano.com for more.

Have your cooking essentials in easy reach with this sleek storage rack, which is ideal if space is at a premium in your kitchen. It includes a shelf, hanging hooks and even a kitchen roll holder

Addis under sink storage unit, £17, Argos

Tomas wall-mounted metal kitchen storage rack, £39, Made.com

Ideal for storing dry ingredients such as cereal, uncooked beans, rice and nuts, each of these containers comes with a spout for easy, smooth dispensing XO all-purpose dispenser, £12 for 1.1L and £14 for 1.5L, Lakeland

THINGS WE CONSIDERED O How easy was it to use?

O Did it catch the pips?

O How well did it juice the lemon?

We test… lemon squeezers We tried out a selection of lemon squeezers – here’s what we found…

LEMON SQUEEZER, £2.95, REX LONDON Although not the sturdiest, this squeezer successfully extracts all the juice without too much exertion. Its seed-catching device is useful and it doubles up as a container for storing leftover juice – a nice touch.

Its quirky lemon design means the squeezer won’t look out of place on your worktop and the spout feature makes it easy to pour out the juice!

Add some structure to that typically disorganised area under the sink with these adjustable shelving units

SPRITTA CITRUS SQUEEZER, £4.50, IKEA We love that this one comes with two different sized domes so you can juice any type of citrus. It successfully squeezes juice from a lemon, although it is not as simple to use as some of the others, due to the number of components. Smaller pips may fall through the holes in the metal dish intended to catch them, but the spout makes it quick and easy to pour out the juice without spills.

LEMON SQUEEZER, £5, GARDEN TRADING Made from white porcelain, this is the most attractive of the bunch and pretty effective at extracting most juice from the various citrus fruits we tried. It is fairly sturdy and the handle enables you to pour the juice with ease. It also features ridges that catch the lemon pips and prevent them from falling into the juice you’ve just squeezed.

CITRUS JUICER, £9.99, LAKELAND The easiest to use, this handheld juicer was also the most effective at squeezing all the juice out of a lemon. It required very little effort to squeeze the handles together and there was no way for pips to fall into the extracted juice due to the fine holes in the bowl. It’s the most expensive, but in our opinion worth every penny!

9/ 10 10/ 10

7/ 10 14

7/ 10 February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

THE A-Z OF DECORATING from Anaglypta to Zoffany

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THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Smart savings Re-usable coffee cups are all the rage. But they’re not just better for the planet, they’re better for your bank balance too. Most bigname coffee shops offer discounts if you use a re-usable cup. Greggs gives 20p off, Costa and Starbucks 25p, and Pret a whopping 50p. Even if you have a takeaway coffee just once a week, that could add up to a saving of £26 a year!

That’s enough to buy 10 bags of ground coffee.

Feature Catherine Smalley Images Getty Images

YH fab find Just Park is a free-to-download app (and website) that lets you book car park spaces across the UK. Say goodbye to the stress of battles for parking and instead choose your location, compare prices and reserve a space for hourly, daily or even monthly durations. And if you have some space on your driveway, rent it out and make some extra cash! Visit www.justpark.com.

Savvy save food and ways to... save money In the UK we throw away the equivalent of one in five bags of food shopping. That’s a total of 7 million tonnes of food a year, 5 million of which is edible. What a waste! Here are our top tips for putting less food in the bin and more money in your pocket.

Q Write up a weekly meal plan, use the plan to make a shopping list and stick to it! That way you will only buy the ingredients you need and will be less vulnerable to impulse purchases in the supermarket. And if you tend to forget what you’ve already got at home, take a ‘shelfie’ as a reminder of what’s in your kitchen cupboards.

Q Use up leftovers – not every meal has to be cooked from scratch. If you’re stuck for ideas there are many websites that let you search for dishes using specific ingredients. Try www.bbcgoodfood.com or www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

Q The freezer is your friend. Batch cook weekday lunches and dinners, and freeze individual portions.

Always remember to label them clearly to avoid surprises. It’s worth bearing in mind that a full freezer uses less energy too as the cold air doesn’t need to circulate as much – a win all round!

Q If you find loaves of sliced bread keep going stale before you’ve eaten them, store them in the freezer the day you buy them and only take out the slices you need – they won’t take long to defrost.

But if you do have stale bread, don’t throw it away; it can be used in so many recipes, such as bread sauce, bread and butter pudding, or how about in a warming ribolita soup?

FACT FILE An estimated £30bn of unused clothing hangs in UK wardrobes and the average lifetime for a garment in the UK is just 2.2 years.

Source: Wrap.

tech news If your electricity bills are too high and you want to find out why, then the Energenie ENER007 Energy Saving Power Meter Socket, priced £17.99, could be the solution. It lets you measure the energy consumption of individual household appliances.

Simply plug the appliance you suspect is sucking up most of your electricity into the Energenie and then plug the Energenie into the wall. You’ll know how much energy it’s using and how much it costs soon after. Find it at www.screwfix.com

i i www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

17

THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Forget cash – the latest ways to pay are smarter, with contactless cards and phone apps

T

hese days, paying for anything from a cup of coffee to our utility bills is so much simpler thanks to smarter ways of paying, such as online banking, contactless cards and even phone apps that make the whole process so much quicker. No more waiting in a queue at the bank or ordering a new cheque book; things have moved on and then some, so here’s our handy guide with all you need to know.

USING YOUR PHONE As well as contactless cards, you can also use your smartphone to pay for items: ● Simply add your card to your paymentenabled mobile phone or other smart device, look for the contactless symbol on the payment terminal at the checkout and hold your phone over the symbol to pay. ● You can use Google Pay on Android devices or Apple Pay on iPhone 6 plus or Apple Watch.

Feature Hayley Gilbert Image iStock

WHAT’S A MOBILE WALLET? It’s the digital version of cards in a purse.

■ It stores payment details from your debit or credit cards as well as cash balances on an app, which you can use to make payments.

■ It’s really secure, as it involves a complex encryption of your card details.

■ Use it for loyalty cards, boarding passes, tickets and the like, too.

■ Mobile wallet providers include Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay.

18

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS This the most common way to pay in shops, bars or restaurants for bills under £30 ■ You can use a debit or credit card, key fob but £30 is the standard amount you can pay or smart card with a contactless chip to make in one transaction. secure payments.

■ Most people don’t take a receipt but many ■ The chip emits radio waves and all you stores will ask if you want one. need to do is hold the card near the payment ■ It’s as safe as Chip and PIN and you can terminal and it will pick up the signal and make as many payments as you want, so long process payment. as each is within the £30 limit and you have ■ Each bank will have its own limit per spend, enough money in your account to cover it.

INTERNET BANKING There are so many advantages to family, friends or those you need to internet banking: pay for work. ● No more having to pop out, find ● It also enables you to keep an eye a parking space and queue for ages in on your transactions as well as see any the bank. pending payments. ● You can use ● It’s quick and simple; just log on to your internet bank’s website and sign up to create your banking to own unique user ID and password. pay your ● You can then use online banking When using bills, on your computer or laptop as well contactless to pay, transfer as on your phone by downloading money to the bank’s own mobile app. always check the amount

top tip

you’re being charged before you tap your card or phone onto the payment terminal.

USEFUL CONTACTS O Find plenty of helpful advice on all money matters at www.

Q

Could I be accidentally charged twice using contactless?

Yasmin Matthews, Plymouth

moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

A

www.moneysupermarket.com.

It’s highly unlikely this would happen as payment terminals are designed to prevent you paying for the same thing twice. However, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your transactions via your online banking.

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

O There’s lots of information on contactless payment in the guides part of the credit cards section at O To learn more about how Apple Pay works, head to www.apple.com or, for more information about Google Pay, go to www.pay.google.com.

Firing imaginations for over 37 years

WOODBURNING

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M U LT I - F U E L

| ELECTRIC

Find your local retailer at stovax.com

Decorating Feature Hannah Tribe

Bright ideas to bring a touch of spring into your home

MINI TREND:

SUNNY SIDE UP

Banish the winter blues with a pop of egg yolk yellow.

This shade will brighten up dark corners and lift your spirits while you wait for spring to arrive. This versatile hue will work equally well in a modern apartment as it would a retro maximalist wonderland, as it adds a touch of sunshine wherever it goes..

Sunflower Symphony 3, £27.56 per 2.5l, Dulux Hood metal desk lamp, £49, Cult Furniture

Mini Almira flocked bust, £25, Audenza Regency velvet cushion, £50 for two, Habitat

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE We can’t take our eyes off the outrageous but surprisingly versatile range of animal print vinyl from Atrafloor. The familiar and on-trend patterns are given a bright update with sugary pink and blue (Dare), and an nd deep b blue and orange tones (Wild). High-quality construction makes this flooring more than just co a novelty, the print is protected by a durable protective layer that guards the pattern from p scuffing and the fading effects of UV rays. The sc surface of the vinyl is slip-resistant and 100% su waterproof making it easy to clean and safe w for bathrooms and children’s bedrooms. We’d fo love to see the leopard-print Wild pattern lo update a tired kitchen. Atrafloor vinyl is u ccustom-printed and is priced at £59 per sq m.

Main image John Lewis & Partners

FIELD OF DREAMS

GET THE KNOWLEDGE

Clarissa Hulse took inspiration from botanical forms for her new Ginkgo Patchwork range of home furnishings. She has depicted swaying grasses from Suffolk, delicate ferns from Grenada and falling leaves from a Ginkgo tree near her home, in warm mustard and orange tones. The cotton bed linen is available in sets from single to super-king size, with co-ordinating Oxford pillowcases. You can also pick up matching cushions and lined curtains, to cover your bedroom with botanical bliss. Prices start at £60.

Hard to say, easy to look at, Kunskapstavlan prints are artworks full of useful information. ‘Kunskapstavlan’ is Swedish for ‘Knowledge Art’. Simple illustrations are teamed with matter-offact captions that give you only the key information, whether it’s identifying paw prints, decyphering washing symbols, or how to convert oven temperatures.

Prices start from £23.96 for a 30 x 40cm unframed print, from Kunskapstavlan.com.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DECORATING PAGES AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

21

STYLE FILE

TREND ALERT…

The handmade tale Embrace the imperfections and relish the textures created by the human touch

D

ig out your wobbly pottery, frame your children’s masterpieces and step away from the iron because this trend is all about the human touch.

This imperfect style has blossomed as an alternative to the stark, crisp lines of the digital aesthetic. With modern technology becoming an increasingly bigger part of our lives, we’re spending more time touching flat, glass screens and slickly moulded metal. These materials can seem cold and impenetrable, which creates a sense of distance between us and our surroundings and leaves us with a yearning for warm, tactile surfaces – such as velvet and wood. We’re also seeing the popularity of pieces that have a handmade or rustic quality grow, as these items retain a sense of the person behind the piece long after it’s been made and put on sale.

The trend incorporates the Japanese concept of ‘wabi-sabi’, which not only encourages us to come to terms with an object’s imperfections but to also see the beauty in them. One of the principles of Wabi-sabi is that growth and decay is inevitable, and peace can be found in understanding and accepting that process. So, if we leave dents in the sofa cushions or tarnish wood with our greasy fingerprints, it’s all just part of the fabric of human life.

Woven throw, £77, Shekåbba The Danish Home

Dipping bowls, £15 for four; two-tone bowl, £8; two-tone plate, £12; jute place mat, £10 for two; side plates, £20 for four; Radiance cutlery set, £28; shaped green vase, £25; navy embossed storage jar, £14; small glass storage jar, £10; large glass storage jar, £12; black metal candle holder,£10; glass decanter, £15; white napkins, £10 for four, all Debenhams

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Seagrass baskets, £25, Oliver Bonas

Enchanted four-seater sofa and armchair in blush sensual velvet, £799, DFS

STYLE FILE DID YOU KNOW?.....

According to a research carried out by Origin Frames, Imperfections, such as worn chairs and marks on the walls, are what makes a house a home for more than a quarter of homeowners (26%).

The same number feel that they grow a sentimental attachment to furniture and home items the longer they are owned.

“The longer we own something, the more it becomes an important factor in turning bricks and mortar into somewhere we consider our home.”

Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin Frames

Stoneware Artisan jug, £25, M&S

Hand-knotted cushion, £8, George Home

Feature Hannah Tribe

Velvet lampshades from £25, Abode Living

Clockwise from above left: Indigo Blue wallpaper, £60 per roll, Graham & Brown. Steel Parade paint, £27.56 for 2.5l, Dulux. Herringbone natural carpet, £45.99 per sq m, Carpetright. Velvet furnishing fabric in indigo, £30 per sq m, John Lewis & Partners. Forest fabric in winter, £120 per m, Melin Tregwynt.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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STYLE FILE

Stacking wicker basket, £14; printed linen cushion, £14; pasta bowls, £3.75 each; recycled glass jug, £10; mugs, £3.50 each; glass jar with white flower arrangement, £16; green wildflower bouquet, £16; cereal bowls, £3.75 each; side plates, £3.75 each; dinner plates, £4.25 each; Estuary table runner, £12, all Sainsbury’s Home

spend vs save Take a sip from a refreshing green, pressed-glass tumbler Fleur De Lys tumbler, £6, Anthropologie

Sunflower tumbler, £2, George Home

Rose bud vase, £19.50, Audenza

Handmade brass bowls, £39.50 for four, Bombay Duck

Nona tapas bowls, £6 each, Habitat

Rattan shade, £30; Sunflower tumbler, £2; Dots tumbler, £2; Diamond tumbler, £2; Black Dash dinner set, £20; brushed gold cutlery set, £15; terracotta succulent, £4; spiky succulent, £5, all George Home

Clockwise from above left: Puzzle fabric in marshmallow, £30 per m, Prestigious Textiles, Moliere décor mix floor tiles, £14.99, per sq m, Tile Mountain, Circular tin tile-effect wallpaper, £59 per roll, Woodchip and Magnolia, Caitlyn sable upholstery fabric, £50 per m, Laura Ashley, Taupe suede-effect paint, £23 for 2.5l, Crown Paint, Dutch orange estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

STYLE FILE

TURNED-WOOD CHAIRS The gentle curves of these chairs create a warm and tactile vibe

Miley waffle throw, £15; Apollo three-seater sofa, £749; floral sketch cushion, £15; portrait sketch blackframed print, £30; seagrass openweave baskets, £15; chevron stripe baskets, £15; imperial Aztec fringe shaggy rug from £39; Molly fabric tub chair, £109, all JD Williams

J77 dining chair, £139, HAY.dk

Malmros walnut dining chair, £99, Cult furniture

Eider pendant light in recycled green glass, £69, Pooky

Kentucky two-tone dining chair, £99 for a pair, Argos

Black stitch cushion, £8, George Home

Damiano solid wood dining chair, £192.99 for two, Wayfair

Talia Spindle back chair, £95, Habitat Samwell abstract print rug 120 x 170cm, £69, Cult Furniture

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

25

It’s gone from bland to bold!

Louise Hanson has transformed a once boring room into a striking study, brimming with colour, pattern and personality

H

aving recently opted to work from home in pursuit of a better worklife balance Louise Hanson, who lives in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in North Wales with her husband Pete, was keen to swap the dining room table for a dedicated office space. ‘I work in marketing, so while I still commute for meetings, the rest of my time is spent at home on the computer or speaking to clients, so my own office was a must,’ says Louise. Luckily, the solution was found in the couple’s under-used spare room.

STEP ONE ‘When we first moved here, we simply stripped and painted the entire room white, including the floorboards,’ recalls Louise. However, with a new office on the cards she felt the scheme was a little stark and clinical. ‘I wanted something warmer, so when a quick fix, in the form of a feature alcove, didn’t quite work, I decided to throw caution to the wind, and go all out bold,’ she smiles. The result is a combination of dark blue walls, offset with splashes of the original white, which Louise admits was a bit of a gamble in a small space. However, she is happy to report that ‘the room actually feels bigger and the blue is very calming and relaxing.’

STEP TWO Storage is a priority in any study so, with her dramatic blue walls complete, Louise tasked Pete with shelving

BEFORE 26

GOOD IDEA!

A flatweave rug adds pattern and interest to the floor One of Louise’s favourite features has to be the stunning sticker clock, which she bought from online company, Brume

out the large alcove. ‘I have a lot of files and books so this seemed the most cost and space effective solution,’ she explains. The resulting shelves are not as chunky as they may first appear – as the couple cleverly added a wide trim, before painting them to match the walls. An inexpensive radiator cover, spotted in a DIY store, was used to disguise the existing ugly radiator and provide Louise with a handy display ledge.

STEP THREE Rather than furnish the room from scratch, Louise opted for a mix of existing pieces and bargain buys.

‘I already had the two wooden filing cabinets that now make up my desk, so it was simply a matter of adding a top, while the cupboard had always been a fixture in the room,’ says Louise. A trip to IKEA resulted in the handy bench, while Louise’s smart, designer desk chair was found online. ‘To be honest, I didn’t really worry about sticking to a particular style as I think an eclectic mix helps add character, February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

is tweave rug d A practical fla an of fice an up gin sy great for co . The ise no en ad helping de l for ould be idea flat weave sh castors. a chair on

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER Bold blue walls gave Louise an easy way to instantly refresh her new office space – which is full of innovative and inexpensive touches

Feature Paula Woods Photos Lizzie Orme

A neat row of baskets provides a quick and easy storage solution in the office

total cos t £808,46

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

27

Relaxed seating, soft furnishings and a funky, motivational neon sign, from Lights4Fun, help keep the look casual and welcoming – rather than overtly officey!

ROOM PLAN

2.74M

2.04M

the details Paint & wall sticker Desk top

£27

Shelving

£118.48

Seating

and that includes the old art stool I found in a skip outside my local school and now use as a plant stand,’ she laughs.

STEP FOUR Unhappy with the existing painted floorboards, Louise then opted to continue her blue theme onto the floor by throwing down a generous geometric rug.

‘I love the splash of pattern, and the woven finish really does help cosy things up,’ says

Louise. She added a wood-effect Venetian blind before turning to the high street for a few soft furnishings and handy storage baskets. However, it was online that Louise discovered her favourite finishing touches – the statement sticker clock and neon sign.

‘They’re the first thing visitors comment on and I couldn’t be more delighted, as my new look office is now a pleasure to work in,’ concludes Louise.

3 OF THE BEST... GEOMETRIC RUGS £99 from Cult Furniture The clean lines of the Vida rug, shown in teal, will complement contemporary, minimal living spaces.

£99

£139

£139 from Cuckooland Liven up a dark space with the Lorena round rug made from eco-friendly washable cotton.

£299 from Made.com For a statement piece, opt for the Holden rug. Its muted colour palette combines pinks and greys for a sophisticated and calming look.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£299

£182

£109

Flooring

£84.99

Lighting

£59.99

Blind

£150

Radiator cover

TOTAL

£77

£808.46

shopping list Walls painted in Hicks Blue absolute matt emulsion, £45 per 2.5l; shelving in Hicks Blue and desk in Scree, both intelligent eggshell, £31 per 1l, all Little Greene. 18mm hardwood plywood sheet, £27 per 1.8m; Mayfair white radiator cover, £77, both B&Q. Spruce boards, £9.98 per 1.75m; pine stripwood, £8.25 per 2.4m, both Homebase.

Large Moda Trellis rug, £84.99; faux fur grey rug (on chair), £25, both The Rug Seller.

Made-to-measure Wood Illusions 50mm slat Lunaire blind, £150 (incl. measuring and installation), Hillarys. DAW style chair, £69, Cult Furniture. Skogsta bench, £40; Härliga glass dome, £8; potted euphorbia, £15, all IKEA. Dream Big neon sign wall light, £59.99, Lights4fun. Giant sticker station clock, £75, Brume. Silver foil belly basket, £8; monochrome rope basket, £9; faux leather drawers, £18; Essentials stripe cushion, £5; Mongolian faux fur cushion, £10; Elements Duva cushion, £12, all Dunelm.

Basket with handles, £10, Jysk.

CALL 0800 587 6480 OR VISIT HILLARYS.CO.UK

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER

I’ve created a relaxing dual-purpose space Budget-friendly upcycled, high street and second-hand buys helped Alexis Farmer turn an underused dining room into a versatile office and hobby space

W

hen Alexis Farmer relocated from London to her twobedroom, period cottage in Suffolk, her first priority was to add a single-storey extension in order to help open up her tiny galley kitchen. “This not only allowed me to create my longed-for kitchen-diner, but also free up space in what was a cramped and awkwardly sited dining area, off the living room,” explains Alexis. Being a prolific knitter and crafter, she instantly recognised its potential as a dedicated craft room and office.

cos t tota1l,050 £

STEP ONE Luckily for Alexis, her home had already been renovated by the previous owners, so no remedial work was required, allowing her to immediately turn her attention to matters of décor. “My first task was to strip the room of its worn carpet and while I had hoped to restore the original floorboards this soon proved too costly, as a lot of them were badly damaged and would have required replacing,” she recalls.

Instead, Alexis opted to simply cover them up using an easy-fit, click system vinyl in

Alexis’ new hobby room is now the ideal place to while away a few hours knitting, crocheting or simply catching up on paperwork

30

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

BEFORE

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER A palette of soft neutrals, rustic tones and fresh green is the perfect complement to Alexis’ period home

GOOD IDEA!

Alexis spotted her ladder plan t stand in IKEA, and repurposed it for her of fic e to keep her wool samples and to ols neat and to hand.

STEP TWO The beams were again a determining factor when it came to Alexis’ choice of wall colour. “I do love them, but they can be hard to work with and, as this is not the brightest of rooms, I was keen to keep things looking as fresh and light as possible,” says Alexis who, after much deliberation, opted for a warm soft grey for the walls to complement the textural timbers. In contrast, Alexis’ accent colour was chosen more by accident than by design. “I’d always admired an old painted cabinet in a friend’s house, so was delighted when she gifted it to me as a moving-in present – the pop of green really helps lift the scheme and also inspired my vintage vibe,” she smiles.

A vintage leather armchair provides a comfy spot for knitting or reading, while a simple metal and timber storage unit helps keep things tidy

Feature Paula Woods Photos Lizzie Orme

warm rustic timber tones – designed to echo the surrounding beams.

STEP THREE With limited funds to spare, budget was a huge consideration when furnishing the remainder of the room, so Alexis soon turned to the internet.

“I found my lovely old leather armchair

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

31

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER on eBay and the replacement wall lights are from Nkuku – one of my favourite online stores,” she says. “I also couldn’t resist ordering a generous shelving unit and robust jute rug from IKEA!” A day trip to Margate yielded a few lucky second-hand finds, including a £15 painted chair that turned out to be the perfect match for her cabinet. However, the bargain of the year has to be Alexis’ innovative rustic desk, made from an old door and two trestles, for just £10!

STEP FOUR As the home office is not overlooked, expensive window treatments were an unnecessary expense. However,

Alexis has still put the windowsill to good use by filling it with a neat row of handy homemade storage jars. In fact, she has ensured there is now a place for everything, thanks to a plethora of handy baskets and containers sourced from the high street.

Now that it’s all finished she couldn’t be more delighted. “It’s such a pleasure to spend time in what is now my idea of a cosy and welcoming room. I also love the fact that when visitors turn up unexpectedly, I can simply close the door on any mess, as it would previously have cluttered up the living room of my compact cottage home,” she smiles.

Alexis uses her lovely vintage Indian cupboard for storage and display. For similar try Scaramanga or Nkuku

For a budget-friendly desk option, team an old door with inexpensive trestles. Alexis used a redundant kitchen door, but you’ll find plenty at local salvage yards

ROOM PLAN

3.1M

2.8M

the details PAINT

£25.36

FLOORING

£359.91

DESK

£10

SEATING

£335

STORAGE

£125

LIGHTING

£195

total

£1,050.27

shopping list

3 OF THE BEST... STORAGE BASKETS £29.99 from Domu Brands Make storage stylish with this set of 3 pompom baskets in a classic black and white colourway.

£29.99 £48

£40 from Habitat Made from recycled magazines, the set of two multi-coloured Cohen baskets add a splash of colour to a dull room.

£48 from Rose & Grey For a natural look, this set of two baskets is ideal. Their zig-zag design offsets the understated colour palette.

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£40

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Walls in Chic Shadow matt emulsion, £25.36 per 5l, Dulux. Sundown Pine Pulse Click vinyl plank flooring, £39.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. Vintage leather armchair, £320, eBay. Vintage bench, £20; painted chair, £15, Scott’s Furniture Mart. Tubu brass double spot light, £180, Nkuku. Fjällbo shelving unit, £9; Lerberg trestle legs, £5 each; Satsumas plant stand with pots, £35; Lönholt rug, £90; Forså work lamp, £15; Pollett wall clock, £25; Myrheden memo board with clips, £12; Flådis belly basket, £13; Risatorp light green basket, £10; Byholma rattan basket, £6; Pudda felt baskets, from £4.50; Nordrana hand crocheted baskets, £8 per pair; Knuff magazine files, £7 per pair; Livslång vase, £6; Lindrande glass box, £29; Lindrande hexagonal decoration, £7; Torka woven balls, £5 for a set of eight; Daidai plant pot, £1.75, all IKEA. Wire magazine rack, £8; monochrome storage basket, £15; cable knit baskets, from £6, Dunelm

�+LJK TXDOLW\ ZDOO SULQWV IUDPHV �:LGH UDQJH RI SURGXFWV �)DVW D� RUGDEOH GHOLYHU\ www.posterlounge.co.uk

st total3c5o0 £2,

I turned an old stable into a craft studio When Gail Grant’s crafting business outgrew her house, she realised that a disused stable in her garden would make a perfect studio

G

ail Grant and her daughter Rebecca run a business called Home Tweed Home and make gifts, fashion and homeware from Scottish tweed. Gail lives in a unique architect-designed home on a smallholding near Edinburgh with her husband Keith. Rebecca lives nearby with her four-year-old daughter, Lily.

34

STEP ONE ‘We built the stables ourselves in 2000, with full planning permission, so no more paperwork was needed for our internal alterations.’ The space was already wind- and watertight, so Gail simply stripped out the internal space and lined it with chipboard. In fact, she did almost everything herself. ‘I’ve always been

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

BEFORE

HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER The exterior is painted in Valtti Opaque wood finish in indigo The wooden dog beside the stove is from TK Maxx. The zinc-edged cabinet is from Rejects. The Chilli Penguin Chilli Billie 3kW stove is perfect for heating cabins, boats and other small spaces

practical,’ she explains. ‘A lot of the artwork we create for Home Tweed Home (www.facebook.com/HomeTweedHome) – the stag silhouettes for instance – involves using a jigsaw.’ An electrician did the wiring, but Gail did all the joinery and decorating. ‘My brother helped as well – he was here on holiday from South Africa when I started stripping the place. Visitors often end up helping as I always have a project on the go!’ laughs Gail. ‘I usually need help with the animals, too: we have a herd of llamas and wallabies as well as sheep, a cat and three dogs.’

The framed pictures are by Gail and Rebecca.

They found the antlers mounted above the wooden mantel locally The colourful storage boxes on the IKEA metal shelving are from TK Maxx.

Gail bought the cupboard with the fretwork front from Drum Farm Antiques and painted it with Cuprinol wood stain in Fresh Rosemary

GOOD IDEA! ‘I shopped around for accessories in my chosen colour scheme and landed some lucky finds in Sainsbury’s – I love its ceramics.’

frame throughout the room. Making the studio warm was her top priority. ‘We’re in quite a windswept spot here, in the Pentland Hills, and insulation was my weapon of choice in this battle’, she says.

She wanted the space to be as warm as possible: the wood-burning stove, installed by her husband Keith, is the only source of heat in the room, ‘I wanted to be able to light it first thing and feel warm enough to work all day,’ says Gail. She lined the walls with timber, then laid insulation across the ceiling and floor as well as the walls. Very satisfyingly, Gail was able to use sheep’s wool from her own flock on the walls. ‘I sheared the sheep with scissors, washed it and dried it and pressed it in,’ she explains. ‘On the floor, I laid a foil under the laminate, and on the ceiling I used Kingspan, a commercial, synthetic insulation and a more practical solution for a roof space, as it’s lighter.’ Gail installed uPVC windows. ‘I wanted wooden windows, but uPVC was so much cheaper and I wanted to complete the project on a budget,’ she explains.

STEP THREE Finally, Gail lined the room with tongue and groove panelling, which she then painted in a light stone wash. She recommends you start at the bottom and warns that installing long

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

35

Feature Alison Gibb Photos Douglas Gibb

STEP TWO Next, she built a timber

ROOM PLAN The wood panelling on the walls adds texture, warmth and increases the feeling of height in the room Gail bought the old wooden desk from Drum Farm Antiques. The metal chair is from The Range. The Home Tweed Home dog collars are hanging on a wire rack from Jig, a wholesaler supplying items for shop display

Storage Room

Main Room 6M

GOOD IDEA!

‘I wanted to us e an earthy co lour scheme, so ha ve chosen oran ge and cream, w ith some zingy green and citrus acce nts. The timbe r wall have been was hed in a pale sto s ne for a light back drop.’

lengths is tricky, because they bend, so they have to be cut into shorter, more manageable sizes.

Gail used a lot of recycled materials in this project. Her home is an equestrian property and there was a schooling area for horses that’s no longer used. ‘I dismantled this area when my last horse passed away.

I’ve used the membrane that was under the sand floor to line the building and I used the kickboard for the horses as timber,’ she explains. There were some old scaffolding planks lying around as well, which Gail has repurposed as a feature wall at one end of the studio.

Home Tweed Home had outgrown the home office where Gail first set up, so the studio is the perfect solution. ‘The business was taking over the house, so it’s great to get everything out into a proper, purposebuilt studio that I can lock up and switch off at the end of the day,’ she explains.

2.5M

the details

£28.95

Made from rattan and threaded with fairy lights, this illuminated stag’s head will add a warm glow to your home all year long.

£65 from Artisanti Create a colourful focal point with this red deer head decoration. Complete with golden antlers, it’ll bring a ‘wow’-factor to any room.

36

Flooring

£120

insulation

£240

timber

£320

door

£180

Polyurethane lining for rooflights

£230

total

£59.99

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£1,000

£2,350

shopping list

£28.95 from Melody Maison

£59.99 from Lights4fun

£260

Wood-burning stove inc. hearth and flue

3 OF THE BEST...STAG HEADS For a striking metallic wall feature, look no further than this silver stag’s head in a polished finish.

Paint

£65

uPVC windows, £100 each; door, £180.

Chilli Billie wood-burning stove including flue and chimney, £1,000, all Chilli Penguin.

Wood stain, £22 per 2.5l, Cuprinol. Laminate flooring, £10 per sq m; metal shelving, £20, both IKEA. Wicker dog basket, £285, OKA. Notice board, £25; pheasant lamp, £70; table runner, £40; tweed cape, £280, Home Tweed Home. Birds on stand, £14 each, Time and Tide. Rug, £35; industrial-style desk lamp, £40; wooden dog, £30, all TK Maxx.

Metal chair, £35; clock, £28; pendant light, £16, all The Range. Zinc-topped console, £280; zinc-edged cabinet, £200, both Rejects.

Pyramid wooden shelving, £90, Sainsbury’s.

Clock, £39, Homer. Potting bench sink unit, £120 Garden Trading. Bunting, £11, B&Q. Table £22; fretwork fronted cabinet, £200, both Drum Farm Antiques

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South

Midlands 01592 774474 01896 759944 01592 774474 01592 774474 01738 638822

01254 693765 01302 364809 01253 283786 01472 343853 01423 862286 01133 910179 01772 631316 01625 464955 01670 789599 01663 746851 01609 780289 01777 707656 01246 416642 0151 6321670 01904 479792

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

0121 2705619 01384455755 01332 842534 01452 310451 01675 442705 01789 488899 01432 262820 01530 833960 01455 561200 01584 871960 01604 385050 01159 842842 01780 654321 01327 358180 01902 710545 01905 335408

East Anglia Ipswich Norwich Royston

01473 742200 01603 666161 01763 271991

Abingdon Arundel Barnstaple Basingstoke Bideford Bourne Bourne End Brighton East Bristol Budleigh Salterton Camberley Chelmsford Dorchester Esher Fordingbridge Hazlemere Helston Hemel Hempstead Horley Ingatestone Ivybridge London - Fulham

Visit our website: masterclasskitchens.co.uk

Wales 01235 554773 01243 696700 01271 267310 01256 810460 01237 423444 01778 420700 01628 528712 01273 628618 01179 246002 01395 442463 01252 522400 01245 392792 01305 520848 01372 467464 01425 650235 01494 718585 01326 565522 01442 803303 01293 786116 01277 350800 01752 897800 0207 3840511

London - Perivale London - Richmond London - Watford Melksham Polegate Purbeck Sailsbury Seaton Sherborne Storrington Tiverton Tring Trowbridge Wadebridge Waterlooville Whitstable Winscombe Witney Wokingham Worthing

0208 6162722 0208 3329166 01923 369706 07500 520140 01323 409222 01929 422345 01722 328777 01297 22559 01935 817111 01903 741004 01884 251675 01442 827997 01225 759800 01208 813231 02392 176380 01843 593069 01934 844144 01993 704105 0118 9783393 01903 201901

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

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

Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey

01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750

30

THRIFTY FINDS FOR UNDER £50!

Perk up your home with our pick of purse-friendly purchases

Living room

1

Cushions are an easy way to update rooms in your home – shop smart and they don’t have to cost the earth Matte velvet cushion burnt orange, £12; loop tassel cushion, £16; birds cushion, £18; ribbed table lamp, £40; elegant twist lustre vase, £12; cable knit Sherpa throw, £40, all Fox & Ivy at Tesco

2

Help carpet or flooring last longer by laying a sumptuous rug over it – plus it’s soft underfoot Asiatic adorn faux sheepskin rug, from £39, Cult Furniture

3

At less than £50 this coffee table is a must-have Amsterdam coffee table, £49, Out & Out

4

Embrace the rich colours of the season with this beautiful buy

GREAT BUY

5

Revive a tired armchair with this soft throw in an ontrend mustard

Amelie metal wall clock, £25, M&S

Porter throw, £25, Made

6

Create an eye-catching wall with some favourite photos in an on-trend geometric style – it’s a great way to personalise your home on a budget Hexxas wall prints, from £14.99, Cewe Photoworld

7

A soft glow, at a great price!

Clarendon table lamp, £35, Next

Kitchen

STYLE FILE Entertaining this month? Treat yourself to some new tableware

8

9

Make a style statement with this eye-catching cutlery Salter black and gold 16-piece cutlery set, £29.99, JD Williams Home

Bread basket, £15; side plate, £20 for four; dipping bowls, £15 for four; Radiance cutlery, £28; two-tone plate, £12; Oslo glasses, £20 for four; Danish Home glass storage with acacia lid, from £10; jute place mat, £10 for two; wood board, £30; pizza board,£45; napkins, £10 for four, all Debenhams

This cute addition can perk up your kitchen in an instant – for under £12 too!

10

Joules single wadded double oven gloves, £11.87, CHO

Now is a great time to update your saucepan set

11

Fancy refreshing your kitchenware? Pop to George Home and you’ll be amazed at its sleek range of budget-busting buys

12

Prestige Dura Steel three-piece set, £39.50, Dunelm

Grey speckle teapot, £7; cafetière, £10; sugar bowl, £3; pink, grey and green faceted mugs, £2 each; cereal bowl, £1.50; pink, grey and white faceted canisters, £5 each, all George Home

FROM £1.50

Wake up your worktops with some stylish new small appliances

13

Yellow four-slice toaster, £42; pyramid kettle, £35, both Next

14

Update utensils from just a pound

Silicone handled whisk, £1, Poundland

15 ONLY £1

Refresh kitchen linens with this pretty set

Highland Lodge Garden tea towels, £6, Sainsbury’s Home

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

39

Bathroom Take a walk on the wild side when restyling your bathroom. With prices this low you can have a complete revamp guilt-free

16

Grey leopard bath towel, £7; mustard leopard bath towel, £7; gold wire storage, £6 for two; leopard bath mat, £9; leaf shade, £20; animals bath towel, £7; animals dispenser, £5; animals tumbler, £3; zebra bath mat, £9, all George Home

Why not give your bathroom a colour injection this month

17

Tufted bath mat, £6, Wilko

Treat your bathroom windowsill to these fabulous faux arrangements – a great money-saver if you’re not the next Alan Titchmarsh

18

Faux echevaria in pot, faux sedum in pot and faux aloe in pot, £9 each, all Gisela Graham

DESIGNER LOOK

FOR LESS

Opt for stylish, purse-friendly marble-look storage next to the basin

Add warming, ontrend copper tones to your bathroom scheme

19

Collier copper metal pedal bathroom bin, £25, Habitat

20

Marble-effect soap dispenser, £8; marbleeffect tumbler, £6, both Matalan

Spacesaving and budget-friendly all in one – we love this solution for helping clear the clutter this month

22

Nautical wooden ladder shelves, £45, Dunelm

Upgrade towels with fresh new designs

21

J by Jasper Conran, from £11, Debenhams

40

Febrary 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Bedroom

STYLE FILE

23

Embrace a woodland theme with this gorgeous yet affordable duvet set Bedding, from £30, M&Co

Be moneysavvy with this stylish hanging

24

Macramé wall hanging, £29.50, The Den & Now

Sleek and stylish – perfect for perking up your bedside without taking up too much space

25

Metal table lamp, £13, Argos

Keep jewellery and other small essentials neat with this eye-catching tray

26

Gold feather tray, £4, B&M Bargains

A bold mirror can bounce light around and boost your space – and it needn’t break the bank

27

Champagne leaf mirror, £30, Dunelm

28

Scandi-inspired design, plus it’s purse-friendly too

Bjorn bedside table, £20, B&M Bargains

Transform your room into a spa-like haven with this beautiful fragrance that will help you to unwind

29

Natural Minty bonbon essential oil candles, £36, Petits Rituels

Beautiful hooks at a bargain can give your room a fresh feel for the new year

30

LOVES

Cosmo wall hooks, £12 for two, Debenhams

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

41

A little GOES A LONG WAY Is your garage overflowing with leftover paint, wallpaper, tiles and flooring? Or do you have loads of small gift-wrap offcuts, perhaps?

Put this stash to good use and make a big impact on a small budget TILED UP Wake up a plain and uninspiring tiled splashback with an eye-catching mosaic border. The extra detail can add colour and interest to your bathroom’s scheme and won’t cost a fortune either. Simply use leftover tiles, samples or just invest in a few tiles to update the space – you’ll be amazed at how different your space can look.

Antique grey glass mix mosaic with a gloss finish, £4.99 per 306mm x 302mm sheet, Tile Mountain

Zara Shimmer Metallic wallpaper in navy & gold, £20 per roll; Milan Metallic wallpaper in navy and gold, £20 per roll; Morocco Trellis wallpaper in navy and gold, £15 per roll; Astral Metallic wallpaper in emerald green and gold, £17 per roll, all I Love Wallpaper

USE WALLPAPER SAMPLES TO UPCYCLE A CHEST OF DRAWERS Give tired furniture a facelift with that personal touch by using wallpaper samples or leftover pieces to adorn the front of drawers. Choose samples from the same colour palette to ensure the finished piece will look stylish and cohesive – the perfect statement in your bedroom, hallway, living room or kitchen!

You will need: Screwdriver Cloth Sandpaper (optional) Wallpaper Pencil Scissors Adhesive Brush Foam roller Varnish

42

STEP ONE Use a screwdriver to remove the handles from the front of the drawers and keep them to one side if they are being refitted. Give the drawer front a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris, then smooth over any lumps and bumps with sandpaper and then wipe clean.

STEP TWO With the wallpaper face-down, place the drawer, face-down, on top. Draw around the front and cut out the wallpaper to fit the front of the drawer.

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

STEP THREE Apply the adhesive to the front of the drawer with a brush, then carefully apply the piece of wallpaper. Use the small foam roller to gently fix the wallpaper into place, smoothing out the paper and the adhesive as you go. Wipe away any excess adhesive that comes out around the edges. Leave to one side to dry.

STEP FOUR To give your drawer fronts a protective layer, apply varnish over the top of the wallpaper and leave to dry. Fix the handles back on once the drawers are completely dry.

Peach Baby Claypaint, £4.50 per 100ml sample pot, Earthborn Paints

DECORATING IDEAS

ECO-FRIENDLY UPCYCLING The sample pots of Earthborn Paints are ideal for a crafty project the whole family can get involved with. Made from 70% recycled steel, they’re perfect for transforming into cute planters to decorate your home. It's a fun activity and a productive way of using up leftover paint.

Simply wash out the pots, decanting any leftover paint into a dish that you can then use to decorate the pot with. Add your design to the outside and top rim of the pot and leave to dry overnight. Then pop some compost and your favourite succulent inside and voilà, your upcycled tins are now a lovely new home accessory.

They’re eco-friendly, sustainable and a pretty addition to any shelf, windowsill or fireplace.

CREATE AN EYE-CATCHING WALL Put leftover napkins, gift wrap or wallpaper to even better use by creating your own découpage wall. Transform a feature wall, alcove, inside a cabinet or even a table top with this clever découpage technique.

You will need: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ in Svenska Blue, from £5.95 per 120ml Paintbrush Floral napkins Annie Sloan Image Medium, £5.95 per 120ml Cloth Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ in Antoinette and Old White, £5.95 per 120ml Clear Chalk Paint™ wax (optional)

Image Annie Sloan

BUDGET

IDEA

napkins, gift wrap or wallpaper – getting as close to the image outline as possible.

STEP TWO Arrange the cutouts across your surface and, once you’re happy with the layout, brush a thin layer of Annie Sloan’s Image Medium over the part of the surface you’d like to transfer your image onto. Be careful not to make the area on which you are gluing much larger than the image, as the unused glue will leave a slightly sticky, shiny area when it is not covered by the picture.

STEP THREE Next, carefully paint the image, right-side up, with a very thin layer of Image Medium and, while it’s wet, slide it onto your surface face down. Make sure any air bubbles are worked out or even pricked with a pin as you don’t want these on your finished piece.

STEP FOUR Rub the image with a dry cloth, making sure the image is completely stuck to the surface and leave it to dry.

STEP FIVE Once it has dried, wet the image with a small amount of water.

When it begins to feel damp, start to rub the image in little circular movements with either a cloth or your finger. The image will gradually come away from the surface – it may look a little cloudy at first but keep going!

STEP SIX When you’ve removed all your images, cover the surface with a wash of watered-down Chalk Paint™ in a complementary colour for a slightly rough, textural finish, or with a layer of Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax for a clean, crisp finish.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

43

Feature Lara Berry

STEP ONE Cut out images from leftover

Image Argos

GO GEO Make tester pots go further with a funky, geometric design in your kids room.

It’s a simple DIY project that can be done in a day, but the impact will last for months.

Use Frog Tape to mark out your geometric pattern on the wall, then choose your tester pot colours to fill in the gaps with a roller. If you want your shapes to meet each other you’ll need to reposition the masking tape once the paint has dried, before applying the next shade. Once the paint has dried completely, carefully remove the masking tape to reveal your new feature wall.

GIVE STAIRS THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR Bring colour, style and personality to your stairs with this easy update. If you’re a wallpaper hoarder and just can’t bear to part with samples or end of rolls ‘just in case’, this is a great way of using these samples and placing them for all to see. And if your remnants aren’t quite big enough, why not go for an eclectic patchwork look instead?

You will need: Tape measure Ruler Pencil Scissors Adhesive Brush Small foam roller Varnish (optional)

STEP ONE Measure the riser of your stairs to draw out the shape you’ll need on to the back of your wallpaper sample. Do this for each stair upright in case they are not all uniform. Cut out the wallpaper shapes that you’ll need.

STEP TWO Apply your adhesive to the stair riser, or the back of the wallpaper, and carefully move the wallpaper into position.

STEP THREE Gently use your hands to smooth out the wallpaper, then use the foam roller to get rid of any lumps, bumps and air bubbles. Repeat these steps for each riser until you’ve completed the staircase.

STEP FOUR Once dry, protect your newly wallpapered stairs by applying a coat of varnish.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

I Love Wallpaper Morocco Trellis wallpaper in sage white, £15 per roll; I Love Wallpaper Tropicana Floral Leaf wallpaper in ivory and green, £16 per roll; Henderson Interiors Chelsea Glitter Damask wallpaper in cream gold, £15 per roll, all I Love Wallpaper

Parquet Charcoal luxury vinyl tiles, £46.80 per sq m, Parquet Collection by Harvey Maria

Image I Want Wallpaper

MAKE A STYLE STATEMENT Use leftover luxury vinyl tiles to create a statement in any room of your house – a runner in the hallway, a rug in front of the fireplace or zone the dining area. You won’t need many tiles to create a feature that will give your décor the impact you’re after. Vinyl tiles are extremely practical and easy to maintain, so using them where your current flooring is looking a little tired or worn, especially in busy areas of the house, is a great solution. The tiles themselves just need gluing or clicking into place – the perfect Sunday-afternoon project.

CREATE A GALLERY WALL Framing your favourite wallpaper and choosing the design aspects that will stand out is a smart, thrifty way of eliminating waste and getting the most for your money.

Wallpaper often has beautiful details that can often be hidden behind furniture, so why not make them a focal point by cutting out your favourite elements and framing them? These pieces will sit together perfectly as part of a gallery wall. Simply choose frames and arrange them in a grid or more ad hoc design to make your walls stand out from the crowd.

TOP TIP

If you have some emulsion left over from a previous room makeover, why not use it to make a statement with your radiators? The experts at Crown Paints say to simply apply two coats of emulsion, leaving it to dry fully in between, and then apply a clear radiator overcoat to ensure longevity. Choose a bright on-trend hue or even a metallic to make your radiator a funky feature!

Image Crown

EXPERIMENT WITH PAINT EFFECTS Get creative and paint an ombré effect on your walls. The experts at Crown Paints have this handy step-by-step guide.

You will need: DESIGNER LOOK

FOR LESS

Crown Chalky White, Duck Egg and Teal, all matt emulsion, £18 per 2.5l, Crown Roller Feathering brush

STEP ONE Once you’ve picked the three shades you want to create the ombré effect with, paint the whole wall in the lighter shade and let it fully dry.

STEP TWO Apply the darker colour to the bottom section of the wall.

STEP THREE Apply the mid-tone colour in the middle with a feathering brush, for a softer gradient.

STEP FOUR Run a clean roller on the divide to achieve a seamlessly blended look.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

45

Masterclass Kitchen Cabinetry - £10,000* We’re passionate about making your dream kitchen at: masterclasskitchens.co.uk.

Find your nearest Platinum Partner retailer.

Midlands

Scotland Dunfermline Galashiels Glenrothes Kirkcaldy Perth

01592 774474 01896 759944 01592 774474 01592 774474 01738 638822

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

01254 693765 01302 364809 01253 283786 01472 343853 01423 862286 01133 910179 01772 631316 01625 464955 01670 789599 01663 746851 01609 780289 01777 707656 01246 416642 0151 6321670 01904 479792

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

East Anglia Ipswich Norwich Royston

01473 742200 01603 666161 01763 271991

masterclasskitchens.co.uk *

Wales

South 0121 2705619 01332 842534 01384455755 01452 310451 01675 442705 01789 488899 01432 262820 01530 833960 01455 561200 01584 871960 01604 385050 01159 842842 01780 654321 01327 358180 01902 710545 01905 335408

Price does not include appliances, worktops, sink, taps, flooring or lighting.

Abingdon Arundel Barnstaple Basingstoke Bideford Bishop Stortford Bourne Bourne End Brighton East Bristol Budleigh Salterton Camberley Chelmsford Dorchester Esher Fordingbridge Hazlemere Helston Hemel Hempstead Horley Ingatestone Ivybridge

01235 554773 01243 696700 01271 267310 01256 810460 01237 423444 01279 898710 01778 420700 01628 528712 01273 628618 01179 246002 01395 442463 01252 522400 01245 392792 01305 520848 01372 467464 01425 650235 01494 718585 01326 565522 01442 803303 01293 786116 01277 350800 01752 897800

London - Fulham London - Perivale London - Richmond London - Watford Melksham Polegate Purbeck Sailsbury Seaton Sherborne Storrington Tiverton Tring Trowbridge Wadebridge Waterlooville Whitstable Winscombe Witney Wokingham Worthing

0207 3840511 0208 6162722 0208 3329166 01923 369706 07500 520140 01323 409222 01929 422345 01722 328777 01297 22559 01935 817111 01903 741004 01884 251675 01442 827997 01225 759800 01208 813231 02392 176380 01843 593069 01934 844144 01993 704105 0118 9783393 01903 201901

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

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

Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey

01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750

Kitchens &BATHROOMS

Our top kitchen and bathroom picks this month…

Twist and shout! Get great coffee in under 30 seconds Barista & Co’s new Twist Press produces high-quality, smooth coffee in less than half a minute. The twist design gives you full control over the press speed meaning that the finished result is never bitter. Just spoon your preferred grounds into the chamber, pour over hot water, brew and then twist into the mug. As an added bonus, the press is easily transportable so you can enjoy your favourite coffee blend whether you’re in the office or out on a hike. Available to purchase for £29.99 from www.baristaandco.com.

Feature Ella Rhys-Jones

RAISE THE BAR

Ditch the bottled shower gel that drains away as fast as water in an unplugged bath and instead opt for a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative: the classic bar of soap. T&G’s Ocean Soap Dishes, priced at £9.99, are designed to encourage this change and come in a range of colours including blue, white, taupe and green. Why not pair one up with a bar of T&G’s Ocean Organic Soap (£4.99 for 110g) in a fragrant lavender and rosemary scent? T&G donates part of the sale of every item in the Ocean range to Plastic Oceans UK. See www.tg-woodware.com for more.

Mono-dramatic

Black and white is a classic colour combination that will add drama to any modern home, especially with tiles.

That’s where Tile Mountain’s new Grazia Hexagon Décor range comes in. With 20 different patterned designs on offer, there is a tile for everyone in this range.

If that makes you feel spoilt for choice, try a combination of two or more tiles in a random arrangement. Made from porcelain, the sleek satin finish will ensure a polished look in any bathroom or kitchen. Available for £27 per sq m from www.tilemountain.co.uk.

WHAT A JOY Born out of a love for printed fabrics with a vintage touch, Collectajoy will enhance any kitchen in need of a bit of ‘wow’ factor. Featuring original, hand-drawn designs by founder and designer Abi Fashesin, this range of aprons, oven gloves and tea towels is sure to be the envy of all who set foot in your house. We love the ‘Blossom’ and ‘Home is where the heart is’ prints. Prices start from £12 on www.collectajoy.com.

VISIT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR MORE KITCHEN & BATHROOM INSPIRATION www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

47

KITCHEN IDEAS

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN

ON A BUDGET Give this important part of your home a fresh new look without breaking the bank

Y

our kitchen is the heart of your home, where people often spend most of their time. So if you’re going to pay one room in your house a bit of extra attention, this should be it. Especially when there are plenty of ways to update your kitchen and still have some cash left in your pocket.

FRESH FACED Start your kitchen update with the most visible feature – the cabinets.

Rather than buying a whole new fitted kitchen you can achieve the same new look by simply replacing the cabinet doors. If your kitchen units are a standard size then you should be able to easily buy the right-sized doors off the shelf.

BUDGET

IDEA

GoodHome Artemisia midnight blue classic Shaker cabinet door, from £20, B&Q

EXPERT TIP Installing a new worktop or tap is a great way to give your kitchen a cost-effective makeover. Alternatively, updating your appliances can make a big difference.

Lisa Ratcliffe, Category Manager for Core Kitchens, Wickes

TIP TOP WORKTOPS STAY GROUNDED

Replacing worktops can be an expensive job. But fear not, there are some cunning shortcuts to getting a fresh new look without the price tag.

You don’t have to splash out on real stone, wood, slate or marble flooring in order to achieve the same stylish effect. You can find fantastic vinyl or laminate alternatives, that give the same look and feel but are affordable and easy to maintain.

This laid back yet modern flooring will transform your kitchen.

A shiny new laminate worktop can give you the look and feel of slate, oak, marble, quartz or any other material, colour and finish you might desire

Series wood 12mm laminate flooring Lazio oak, £14.99 per sq m, UK Flooring Direct

Calcutta marble-effect worktop, from £120 for 3m x 600mm x 38mm, Worktop Express

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

KITCHEN IDEAS IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL A few choice accessories will freshen up your kitchen no end. Choose items that add pops of colour and pull together a theme. This is not about clutter, but bringing in personality.

Sleek and minimalist, this clock will bring modern styling into your kitchen

Copper tones look great on a dark worktop, or against contrasting wall tiles Noir recipe holder, £10, Sainsbury’s

Bring some joy into your kitchen with this bold print ‘This Kitchen Is For Dancing’ print by Onneke, £14, Not On The High Street

George Home marble-effect clock, £15, Asda

As well as being a great way to store your dry goods, these storage jars also make for a stylish feature when arranged on a shelf or worktop Vardagen jar with lid, from £1.50, IKEA

These herb planters will look great on the side of your fridge, bringing a burst of colour and life

These vases work beautifully as an elegant trio Cylinder vase, set of three, £15, IKEA

Magnetic china herb planter by Lahla Studio, £24.99, Not On The High Street

LOVE YOUR WALLS A fresh colour could brighten up the whole room, whether that’s a new colour throughout or highlighting a feature wall. A feature wall is a good way to define different zones within the room, such as a dining area.

The eye will be drawn to a feature wall, so make sure you choose a space that works well as a focal point in your room.

Cabinet interiors: Tarragon Glory 6, Easycare kitchen and matt, £18.68 per 1L, Dulux. Cabinet exteriors: Bowler Hat, Paint mixing satinwood, £16.42 per 500ml, Dulux

Pebble Drift 1, Easycare kitchen and matt, £18.68 per 1L, Dulux

Feature Kate White

Sapphire Salute Easycare kitchen matt emulsion, £22 per 2.5L, Dulux

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

49

Wire frame lamp shades look stark and classy

LIGHTEN UP Pendants over the kitchen table or breakfast bar give a great contemporary look – the size of your room will dictate the size of lampshade that will work for you. Use warmer bulbs in areas of your kitchen where you relax and eat, and brighter white bulbs in cooking areas.

Brunsta black pendant lamp shade, £19, IKEA

HOW TO...

PAINT CABINET DOORS

1 2 3

Remove the door knobs before you start painting.

Give the doors a good wash to remove any grease and dirt.

Once dry, remove any peeling paint and sand the surface. Even a high gloss or laminate surface will benefit from being ‘roughed up’ a bit with a sanding block. Remember to wipe away any dust after sanding.

Exposed wires and bulbs are an on-trend and affordable approach to pendant lighting, and one that can be easily updated if needs be. Edison bulbs look great with this approach

4

Sunnanö pendant lamp, £27, IKEA

Apply a primer to the surface.

Alternatively use a paint and primer in one.

5

Paint the surfaces with a highly washable interior kitchen paint that’s suitable for cabinet doors.

6

A small paint roller will give a smoother finish, but if you are using a brush, use one with synthetic bristles to avoid brush marks.

RISE AND SHINE The addition of a breakfast bar not only increases the usable surfaces in your kitchen but also helps define different zones within this active area of your home.

If space is an issue then a wall-mounted drop-leaf table is a great alternative to a breakfast bar

If your kitchen already has a breakfast bar or an island then replacing your bar stools will add to the fresh new look that you’re trying to achieve

Norberg wall-mounted drop-leaf table in white, £35, IKEA

Extra storage and an extra worktop or table to match!

Paint this clever unit to match the rest of your kitchen furniture for a seamless look

Rosie wooden bar stool, £89, Cult Furniture

Ivar storage unit with foldable table, £128, IKEA

Dining chairs are another highly visible element in your kitchen.

Updating them can liven up the room’s tone Imogen velvet dining chairs in grey, £139.99 for two, Argos

This table, with matching stools, will fit seamlessly into any urban kitchen design Stone effect bar table and two stools, £199.99, Argos

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

KITCHEN IDEAS DON’T SPLASH OUT ON YOUR SPLASHBACK Your splashback can get really tired looking, no matter how vigorously you clean it. Rather than completely replacing the tiles, try giving them a new lease of life with tile stickers.

EXPERT TIP Always spend time on planning and budgeting when considering a kitchen makeover.

Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising for Magnet

Green Sea glossy 3D metro sticker tile splashback, from £20.38 for one pack (1.8in x 11.8in), Etsy

Geometric hexagon abstract splashback

by HEXAGONdecor, from £47.97 for 47.2in x 23.6in, Etsy

DO IT YOURSELF

EXPERT TIP

An alternative to replacing your cabinet doors is to give them a fresh coat of paint instead.

A whole new colour palette will completely change the look of your kitchen. Even a fresh coat of the existing colour will give your doors a great refresh.

Splashbacks are not always a crucial part of the kitchen, instead paint the wall a striking colour with moistureresistant paint.

Mysterious Regal Select Pearl, from £24.50 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore Paint

Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising for Magnet

PUSH AND PULL You’ll be surprised at what a difference adding new handles to your units can make to the look of your kitchen. There are many different styles available, from rustic to modern, colourful to quirky and everything in between. When choosing new handles take note of the position of the original screw holes in case you need to choose a handle that matches the dimensions.

Chrome-plated straight-pull cabinet handle, £2.97, B&Q

BUDGET

BUY

A MOVEABLE FEAST If your kitchen is short on workspace, a kitchen trolley can be a great way to add an extra surface. This trolley doubles up as a wine rack.

WINDOW DRESSING A fresh pair of blinds or shutters can add to the finished look of your kitchen, especially at this time of year when the dark mornings and evenings mean they’ll be put to good use.

Bamboo roller blind in grey, from £15 for 90cm x 160cm, Argos

Kitchen trolley with wine rack, £60, Argos

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BUYER’S GUIDE

KIT OUT YOUR KITCHEN

without breaking the bank Thinking of investing in some new small appliances? We’ve done the hard work for you by finding some of the best options around, all at pocket-friendly prices

I

f you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, it makes sense to ensure that it’s as efficient and hard-working as possible to help save you time and energy.

As well as the humble kettle and toaster, there are now all sorts of small appliances available to give you a helping hand, from slow cookers to stand mixers. We’re always keen to save money, so this month we’ve chosen some of our favourites, all at great prices that prove a quick kitchen update needn’t cost the earth.

If you’re looking for great quality as well as chic Scandi style on a shoestring, this range from Tower could be just the ticket. The kettle has a 3kW rapid boil with a capacity of 1.7 litres, while the toaster offers adjustable browning control and seven toasting functions plus cancel, defrost and reheat settings Tower Scandi two-slice toaster, around £26.99; Tower Scandi cordless kettle, around £31.99, both Tower Housewares

Safe to use on fabrics such as silk and velvet, this handheld steamer is the ideal solution for delicate garments as well as for freshening up curtains and upholstery. It heats up in under three minutes, and features a removable fabric brush along with a detachable 250ml water tank. Its compact size makes it the perfect travel companion for crease-free holiday outfits

This powerful 600W stick blender comes with easy-tochange attachments that mean you can chop, whisk and blend your way through any cooking task. You can adjust the speed to suit your recipe, and it also comes with Lakeland’s three-year guarantee for added peace of mind Hand blender set with whisk and chopper attachments, £49.99, Lakeland

Handheld garment steamer, £24.99, Swan

BUDGET

BUY

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Judge’s mini chopper is the perfect time-saver for any busy cook. It has an easy-to-use, onebutton operation, a dishwasher-safe bowl and a 750ml-capacity.

Its compact design is easy to pop away in a cupboard, so there’s no need to clutter up your worktop Mini chopper, £45, Judge

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

With 35g per minute continuous steam and a 90g steam shot available, this iron is plenty powerful. The non-stick soleplate ensures that it glides along fabrics smoothly, while giving even heat distribution Russell Hobbs 23062 Supreme Steam iron, £20, Tesco

There’s something extra tasty about a toastie made in a sandwich toaster, so we were thrilled to discover this handy gadget priced at just £20. It can make two sandwiches at once, and the non-stick surface is super-easy to clean. It features a nifty system that seals the crusts, so you can pack lots of filling without it oozing out of the sides Breville sandwich toaster, £20, AO.com

BUYER’S GUIDE BARGIN At just £15, this slow cooker is a steal! Knock up hassle-free stews, curries and casseroles in the 3.5-litre capacity pot, making use of the three cooking functions – low, high and keep warm

BUY

3.5-litre slow cooker, £15, Wilko

For the luxury of café-quality coffee at home at an affordable price, treat yourself to this smart pod machine, which uses Tassimo T Discs. An innovative flow-through heater means that you don’t have to wait for it to heat up. Simply pop in the pod of your choice, press the button and wait for your drink. Varieties on offer include espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiato Tassimo by Bosch Happy pod coffee machine, £34.99, Argos

We love the chic matt grey finish of this greatvalue mixer. It boasts a powerful 1000W motor and six speed settings, allowing you to prepare cake mix, batter or dough with minimum effort. It comes complete with a large stainless steel mixing bowl and an array of attachments. Non-slip feet keep it steady on the worksurface while you work Matt grey electric stand mixer, £60, Wilko

A designer-look toaster at a great price, this four-slice model can keep up with even the busiest family breakfast.

It has a stylish brushed stainless steel finish, and boasts cancel, frozen, reheat and bagel settings Four-slice stainless steel toaster, £20, Tesco

We’re impressed with this lowpriced breadmaker, capable of baking a variety of loaves with its 12 pre-set programmes.

You can even change the colour of the crust to suit your preference. Wake up to a fresh loaf in the morning with the 13hour delay timer, and use the keep warm function if you’re waiting for guests to arrive Cookworks breadmaker, £44.99, Argos

Using little or no oil, this fryer uses high-speed air circulation to cook food quickly and easily, making it a great choice for healthier cooking. As well as a removable three-litre basket, it features a non-stick fourlitre pot, so you can use it for baking and roasting too Air fryer, £40, Wilko

GREAT This steam generator iron is a bargain at under £50. It has a ceramic soleplate which glides effortlessly over garments, while the continuous steam output makes going from fabric to fabric hassle-free. The temperature is adjustable too, so you can find the perfect setting for each item of clothing Swan SI11010BLKN pressurised steam generator iron, £49, AO.com

VALUE

At under £50, this food processor and blender is a great addition to any multitasking kitchen. It can handle any everyday task, including grinding, blending, mixing and juicing, and is built to last, with a rust-resistant motor. There are two speed settings and a pulse function, plus its non-slip feet and locking lid are designed with safety in mind Geepas 800W 4-in-1 food processor and juicer, £44.99, Robert Dyas

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53

BATHROOM PROBLEM ROOM

Contrasting pink and green An Art Deco-themed scheme with plenty of bold colour and pattern injected life and

INSIDER INFO WHO LIVES HERE? Carly Fee, a funeral celebrant and her husband, Simon, a counsellor, rented their four-bedroom maisonette in Wallsend for two years before buying it in 2015. The property occupies the top two floors of a three-storey Victorian house.

WHAT WAS THE OLD SPACE LIKE? ‘The house had been let to students and was run-down. The grubby white tiles and sanitaryware made the room feel cold. The basin was cracked and the shower stall’s flimsy door juddered open.’

WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP? ‘The vinyl floor looks as convincing as tiles but is much more forgiving underfoot.’

ANY MONEY-SAVING IDEAS? ‘Pick one feature item and go for quality as it elevates the look of the more affordable pieces in the room. My green tiles are high impact and were quite reasonably-priced.’

before

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W

hen Carly and Simon Fee first moved into their maisonette – an ex-student house they rented from Carly’s dad’s partner – they were allowed to paint the oppressive grey bathroom a cheerful green. ‘I love colour – I love green!’ says Carly. ‘I think it’s really restful, so later when we bought the maisonette and updated the bathroom, I looked for tiles in the exact same shade.’

The couple bought the property in 2015 and renovated all the rooms. The bathroom was last on the list and, by early 2019, they couldn’t wait to smarten up the worn-out room and make it their own. Carly was drawn to the bold look of traditional black and white floors and, of course, green metro wall tiles in the aquatic shade often associated with the Art Deco era.

‘I had about 40 samples and when this green metro tile arrived from Walls and Floors, I was so chuffed,’ says Carly.

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

The contrasting pink didn’t materialise until the last minute, after Carly felt inspired by a bubblegum-pink ceiling in a café. She realised that painting the bath panel and a small table in pink would add warmth to the room.

The couple used a trusted builder friend, Andy Peace, to fit their bathroom and do the tiling. He did an immaculate job in a couple of weeks but disaster struck when Carly had her first bath. ‘I lit the candles and ran a bubble bath but, when I lowered myself in, the bottom of the bath felt like sandpaper. It was awful,’ she says. A manufacturing fault meant the anti-slip coating on the enamel-coated steel bath was too rough to sit on. Carly and Simon received a replacement acrylic bath and the shop paid for it to be re-fitted.

‘I love relaxing in the bath. The candle light reflecting off the tiles is so pretty,’ says Carly. ‘This is such a calming room.’

BATHROOM PROBLEM ROOM

warmed up my bathroom fun into Carly Fee’s bland and worn out space MAKE BRAVE CHOICES The patterned floor, though bold, sits well with the bright colours because it’s monochrome.

White shower tiles, emphasised with grey grout, complement the floor

combine bold colours Carly has balanced her bold pink and green scheme by choosing complementary tones with warmth and softness to create a relaxing atmosphere with an Art Deco vibe.

Painting the wooden bath panel and side table is an easy way to introduce a second bright colour without being too overbearing.

SHOP SAVVY

shopping list

Wood Green gloss metro tiles, 200x10 0mm, £19.95 per sq m; Ma rvel 15x15cm Satin white wall tiles are similar , £10.95 per sq m; bot h Walls and Floors. White bo rder tile, £3.10 eac h; bath panel and small tab le painted in Valsp ar’s Mum’s the Word, £28 per 2.5l; all B&Q. Forenza bath, £252, Wickes.

Turin shower enclo sure, £319.95; Olympia Art Deco basin mi xer taps, £44.95; Olympia Art Deco bath showe r mixer tap and sho wer kit, £99.95; Bu rlington Victorian basin is similar, £164.95; Bu rlington close coupled toilet is similar, £227.80; all Victorian Plumbing.

Triton Kito chrom e electric shower, £219, Amazo n. Sintra Portuguese tile effect cushioned vinyl flooring, £19 .99 per sq m, Best4Flooring. Ca mbridge large tra ditional white towel rail an d radiator, £269.9 7, Soak.

Splash chrome-effe ct semi-flush bathr oom light, £25, B&Q. Go ld eye mirror, £15; gold fan candleholder, £3; both Flying Tiger.

Wall hanging mirror is similar, £40; Lucy cane cream night stand , £59; green leopa rd print hand towel, £7 eac h and bath towel, £10 each; all Dunelm. Nicole Farhi cotton towel in pink is similar, £8 for a ha nd towel, Matalan.

Similar pink plant hanger, £21, Frankie and Fle a. Umbra set of three shelve s is similar, £20, Con nox.

‘Bottoms Up’ eleph ants vintage print, £12, The Trumpet Shop

total cost:

Feature Jane Crittenden Styling Marisha Taylor Photos James French

Carly’s builder advised keeping the shower tray as it still worked well. They then bought a good-quality shower surround and door.

The toilet was a new one that Carly’s in-laws didn’t need from a bathroom suite; the planter and pots are from charity shops

£1,950

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55

BATHROOM IDEAS

Get the luxe for less Don’t fret if you lust after a luxury bathroom but don’t have a huge budget.

Here’s how to create a high-end look at high street prices

Luxe

The Bath Co. Dulwich free-standing shower bath suite with oak-effect seat, £839, Victoria Plum

Y

our bathroom is an important part of the house, whether as a hub of activity for everyone in the morning or a space to relax on your own at the end of the day. With some savvy shopping you can turn it into a designer bathroom look without the price tag.

This chrome wash stand will turn a functional washbasin into a stylish piece of bathroom furniture Keswick traditional basin and chrome wash

Feature Kate White

stand, £174.95,

Traditional yet as stylish as ever.

Match bath taps with basin taps for a coordinated look

A classic style of WC will stand the test of time

GoodHome Bynea

York traditional close-

chrome-plated bath

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Victorian Plumbing

coupled toilet and

pillar tap,£28 for a

soft-close seat, £159.95,

pack of two, B&Q

Victorian Plumbing

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

GREAT BUY

BATHROOM IDEAS A traditional free-standing bath combined with these fabulous chrome feet will bring a hint of elegance to your room

For Less

Appleby roll-top shower bath and chrome leg set, £399.95, Victorian Plumbing

Mix the stylish effect of exposed chrome with the practicality of a bath shower and handheld diverter

LOVES

Chatsworth thermostatic shower with diverter, rigid riser and fixed head, £249.95, Victorian Plumbing

Make the most of your bathroom space with a showering area within the bath Balterley square bath screen, £72, Homebase

A wooden seat can bring a softer edge to your bathroom design

Available with or without a mount, this pretty print comes in a variety of sizes

Soft-close toilet seat, natural

East Urban Home ‘Butterfly Collection’

pine effect, £30, Wickes

photographic print, from £14.99, Wayfair

top tip Set your budget before you start picking items for your bathroom and weigh up what you really want against what you really need.

To achieve this chic monochrome look, use grey grout with the white tiles and white grout with the black tiles Underground white, £11.99 per sq m; Underground black, £12.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain

A laminate alternative can give you a stunning oak floor finish, designed to withstand the rigours of bathroom use

DESIGNE LOOK R

FOR LESS

Tegola Exquisit Plus harbour oak grey laminate, £19.99 per sq m, Carpetright

This chandelier will add a hint of opulence to your bathroom without breaking the bank Wickham black five-lamp chandelier ceiling light, £50, B&Q

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BATHROOM IDEAS Benita two-door vanity units in Indigo Ash with wood grain textured finish, £275 each; one drawer/one door base unit, £275; slim solid surface crystal stone worktop, £281; cedarwood semi-recessed basins, £89 each; cedarwood close-coupled WC, £260; Quadro basin mixer taps, £85 each; RefleXion 6 wetroom panel, £290; designer ultra slim tray, £265; Circa shower pack, £245; all Bathrooms to Love

Luxe

Modern and chic, you can lean this towel rack against any available wall in your bathroom

Get a realistic marble flooring effect without the real marble price tag with these gorgeous porcelain tiles Calacatta matt white glazed

Zellar free-standing

marble-effect porcelain tile,

towel rack, £26.99,

£18 per sq m, Wickes

Wayfair

top tip These Mediterranean-style tiles have an authentically aged effect that will add real character to your room

Pay special attention to the colour you pick for your walls, as this will have a big impact on creating the right mood for your bathroom.

Esenzia blue wall tiles, £18.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain

Mix and match a recessed basin with the cabinet of your choice The modern curves of this design create a neat, clean finish

Premier Harmony semi recess basin, £59.95, Victorian Plumbing

Balterley Quinn pan with cistern and seat, £140, Homebase

Treat your toes to this cotton bath mat, which has anti-slip protectors on the back Bath mat in grey, £12.99, H&M

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

GREAT BUY

BATHROOM IDEAS A stylish addition in its own right, this accessory ties in beautifully with the marble-effect flooring

LOVES

top tip Be realistic about the space in your bathroom and don’t try to cram too many features in around the items that have to be there.

Dorma marble tray, £25, Dunelm

These are a great way to make the most of the space in your bathroom, enhanced by the stylish satin blue finish Chatsworth traditional blue double basin vanity and cupboard combination unit, £649.95, Victorian Plumbing

For Less

Add an unusual design twist to your bathroom with this pendant lamp Hektar pendant lamp, £22, IKEA

Whether you use this little trinket pot for storage or decoration, it will add a touch of glamour to your bathroom

If you’re a confident DIYer, you can buy a full wetroom kit as a package and install it yourself to really save on costs

Silver hammered trinket pot, £8, Dunelm

Wetroom kit with straight glass panel

DESIGNKER LOO

and 900mm tray,

FOR LESS

£444, Homebase

The gold frame of this sleek mirror will add a touch of warmth to your monochrome look

Timeless, classic and affordable, these accessories will help tie a scheme together

Brushed gold wall

Gaviken three-piece

mirror, £60, Next

bathroom set, £8, IKEA

This thermostatic shower is the perfect look for your modern bathroom Cruze concealed modern shower package with valve and flat dual fixed head, £169.95, Victorian Plumbing

This beautifully crafted soap dispenser, in concrete and copper, will add a touch of luxury to your bathroom Neptune lotion/soap dispenser, £16.95, Victorian Plumbing

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Fairford Charcoal Choose from over 75 kitchen designs in a variety of colours and finishes that will suit any home, style and budget. Bring your new kitchen to life with Howdens free home survey and planning service.

Together with a trusted trade professional, we can transform your kitchen.

VISIT HOWDENS.COM TO REQUEST A BROCHURE | TRADE ONLY Excellent Based on 6.606 reviews TRUSTSCORE 4.7 out of 5

MAKE, DO & CRAFT MAKE

MAKE IT EASY C

SEW SIM SIMPLE MPLE

REVAMP,REPAIR REVAMP REPAIR,RECY RECYCLE YCLE

old, dark February evenings are the perfect time to get stuck into a new project, and our crafts this month will help you to freshen up your home for spring. From a beautifully marbled tray that’s ideal for serving your favourite G&T from, to neat laundry hampers to save you from the disaster of a stray red sock. We’ll also show you how to re-cover a worn-out armchair. Plus, our team of experts solve your queries about smart home devices and we share the latest must-haves from the craft world.

Serve up a sparking tipple on this beautiful marbled tray

DIY MMASTERCLASS ASTERCLASS

Get on top of the laundry with these pretty hampers

Discover the latest craft news, workshops and latest releases

Our experts answer your questions about smart homes

CRAFT STASHH MMUST UST HHAVES AVES

ASK THE EX EXPERTS XPERTS

Give a tired chair a new lease of life

MAKE, DO & Embrace colour with these simple painterly projects

Resin-pour tray Create an eye-catching marbled effect using coloured resins

Mixed Lustre gin glasses, £30, Star by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams. Cocktail stirrer, £15 (part of a three-part barware set), Dunelm

SHOPPING LIST O rectangular teal tray, £10, Dunelm O clean cloth O plastic dust sheet O plastic cups O latex gloves O Coat-it 1 to 1 epoxy art resin, £27.49 per 500g, Resin8 O mini natural mica powders

in colours Burlesque, Dreamy Aquamarine, Deep Lake and New Denim, £2.45 each, Resin8 O lolly sticks O heat gun or hair dryer O opaque white pigment, £5 per 30g, Resin8 O toothpick

1

Clean the inside of your tray thoroughly to ensure there’s no dust, then leave it to dry. Put down a plastic sheet to protect your worktop, then place your tray on it. Mix up four cups of resin in plastic cups, following the instructions on the packaging.

Add a small amount of mica pigment to each one, then use lolly sticks to thoroughly mix the different colours.

2

Begin pouring your resins into the tray. We poured the Dreamy Aquamarine first, then swirled the other colours across it. Add a dab of white pigment in here and there using a toothpick, to react with the resin and add more movement to the design, then swirl the colours gently.

TOP TIP Place a cover over the top of your tray while it dries to stop dust or other particles settling onto it.

3

Use a heat gun or hairdryer to warm the resin and help blend the colours. Keep adding colours and using the heat gun to create patterns until you’re happy. Cover it carefully and leave the resin to set overnight.

Feature and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

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Ombré napkins

MAKE, DO & CRAFT

1

SHOPPING LIST O 1m linen or cotton fabric O tape measure O pencil O scissors O pins O sewing machine O non-reactive bowl O warm water O salt O Dylon hand

Make napkins in a colour that suits your scheme

wash dye in Jeans Blue, £3, Hobbycraft O jug O lolly stick O washing machine

1

Begin by making your fabric napkins. For each one, cut a 49cm square of white, 100 per cent natural fabric such as cotton or linen – do not use manmade fibres as these will not hold dye properly. Fold and pin a 1cm double hem along each edge, then machine topstitch to secure.

2

Dip your napkins in clean water, then wring them out so they’re damp. In a non-reactive bowl, mix up a small amount of dye with a lolly stick, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and adjusting the ratios of the different components accordingly.

Fold your napkins to make them easier to work with, then dip the bottom 2.5cm of the fabric into the dye and let it sit for around five minutes, to absorb the colour.

2 3

TOP TIP

3

Add a jug of warm water to the bowl and leave the fabric for another five minutes. Repeat, adding a fresh jug of warm water to the mixture every few minutes – this will create the ombré effect. Once you’re happy with the design, remove the napkin carefully from the dye and run it through one cycle in your washing machine to remove any excess colour. Lay flat to dry, then press.

Pour the water into the bowl carefully and slowly to avoid splashes.

Zen bubble glass tumbler, £4, Dunelm.

Four-piece modern gold stainless steel cutlery set, £28, Rockett St George

Alcohol ink coasters This quick technique creates a bright watercolour effect

1

Clean the surface of your tiles with isopropyl alcohol.

Apply strips of Frog Tape diagonally from one corner to the diagonally opposite one and mark off half of the tile as shown below.

SHOPPING LIST O Utopia 100mm square tiles, £1.04 each, B&Q O isopropyl alcohol O clean cloth O Frog tape O alcohol inks O straw O spray lacquer O cork roll, £6, Hobbycraft O scissors O PVA glue

Recycled glass small tumblers, £3 each, Dunelm. Woven glass cocktail shaker, £25, Rockett St George

2

Apply a few drops of the alcohol to the uncovered half of the tile and move it around to cover the surface. Drop a few spots of alcohol ink onto the alcohol and blow onto it softly using a drinking straw to move the ink around the tile. Repeat until covered.

3

Remove the tape, then use a drop of the alcohol on a clean cloth to clean up any ink that may have crept across onto the opposite half of the tile. Leave to dry fully, then spray three coats of clear lacquer over the design to seal it. Finally, cut a square of cork and glue to the back of the tile, to act as a base.

1

2

TOP TIP If you don’t like your ink design, simply use a drop of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to wipe it away and start again.

3

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REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE

4

Breathe new life into a tired old armchair with DIY upholstery

YOU’LL NEED O armchair O staple

remover O seam ripper each of Alvar Velvet in the colours Teal and Charcoal, £20.50 per m, Clarke & Clarke O dressmaker’s chalk O sewing machine and strong thread suitable for upholstery O staple gun, £6, and staples, £2, both Hobbycraft O upholstery tacks O hammer O scissors O 3m

T

his comfy old chair was purchased years ago for just £50 at a charity shop, but the fabric covering it was thin and it soon started to show signs of wear. The chair was still sound underneath the ripped outer fabric, so rather than send it to landfill we decided to recover it using simple upholstery techniques that can be completed in just a few days at home. We now have a bespoke, luxurious chair for a fraction of the cost of buying new. When choosing your new fabric, make sure it is robust enough to use for upholstery.

1

Begin by turning the chair upside down and removing the legs, if possible. Next, remove the dust cover – the fabric that covers the bottom of the chair. If you can, keep it intact, using a staple remover to gently ease out the staples without ripping the fabric.

2

Take a look at how the chair is constructed and carefully remove each fabric piece, keeping them intact and making a note of where each one went, and how it was attached to the fabric around it.

Use a seam ripper to unpick stitches without damaging or ripping the edges.

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3

Lay out the fabric pieces that you have removed onto sheets of paper and draw around them, to create templates. Lay each of your templates out onto the new fabric and draw round them with chalk, then cut them out carefully.

Using paper templates rather than the old fabric will stop any transfer of dust or other mess that might be ingrained in the old fabric onto the new.

4

Some of our fabric pieces needed hemming and others needed sewing together before they could be attached to the chair. We used a double-folded hem on the pieces that needed finishing and stitched French seams along the joined pieces, to strengthen the joins and conceal the raw fabric edges.

5

Begin to recover your chair. If the wadding or foam layers are damaged, now is the time to replace them. Ours were in good condition, so we just needed to reattach the new fabric over the top of them. Start with the last piece you removed from the chair, easing it into place and using pins to check that it sits properly.

Then carefully secure it into place with

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

6 a staple gun. Continue to recover the main body of the chair.

6

We decided to cut the sides and back pieces of our chair from a contrasting colour of velvet, and attached them last, as was dictated by the design of the chair.

We pinned them into position and then hammered upholstery tacks (available in a variety of finishes – we used brass ones) around the edge of each fabric piece to further secure and decorate the design.

7

Now the main body of the chair is finished, it’s time to recover the seat cushion. Make a paper template for the cushion as before, then lay the fabric out and use the template to cut two pieces.

Cut a strip to size to fit around the edge of the cushion, then stitch together, adding a zip to the back of the cushion to allow for easy removal.

8

With everything else complete, turn the chair upside down and re-attach the dust cover, or cut and staple a new one into place if the original was too damaged. Screw in the legs, then stand the chair up and pop the cushion into position.

REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE

Faux fur grey cushion, £12, Dunelm. All other items stylist’s own

top tip

Project and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

Before

If using a fa bric with a nap, such as velvet, mak e sure to cut your pieces laid along th e same grain .

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Help make wash day a little brighter by crafting these pretty laundry hampers

YOU WILL NEED O pencil O

thick paper or card O scissors O 1m each of Clio Mineral, Batik Mineral, Nusa Aqua, Alora Peacock, Alora Azure and Alora Delft fabrics, from ÂŁ15 per m, all Studio G O tape measure O pins O sewing machine and thread O 1mm thick felt in natural beige and dark turquoise, ÂŁ1.25 per sheet, Wool Felt Company O Big Shot die-cutting machine and alphabet dies (optional), Sizzix O fabric glue O needle O iron

2

ot many of us can say we enjoy doing the washing – but having somewhere pretty to help organise those dirty clothes can make the job a little more attractive. Create colourful laundry hampers from printed cotton, then add labels for each type of washing to make the designs really stand out.

N

With right sides of both facing outwards, slip the lining hamper inside the outer fabric hamper, matching up the straight back seams. Cut a 130cm x 50cm piece of thick paper or card and slip it in-between the two layers, to give the hamper shape and strengthen it. Pin the fabric together around the top of the work to hold in place.

Begin by cutting your main fabric pieces. From your chosen outer fabric, cut a 40cm wide circle (this will be your base) and a 60cm x 130cm rectangle, which will become the main wall of the hamper.

Make a set of handles. Cut two 8cm by 20cm strips of fabric and press each one in half lengthways. Open the fabric out, then press each of the long edges into the centre fold line. Fold in half lengthways once again, concealing the long raw edges of the strips within the folded fabric. Pin, then work a straight machine stitch along the long open edge of each strap to seal them. Put aside for now.

1 2

Bring the two 60cm edges of the fabric rectangle together with right sides facing, and pin. Work a straight machine stitch up this edge, leaving a 2cm seam allowance. This will create a fabric tube.

Press the seam open.

Once again working with right sides facing, pin one edge of the fabric tube all around the outer rim of the circle, easing it into place gently. Work a straight machine stitch all around, leaving a 2cm seam allowance. This will create the basic shape of the hamper.

Make small snips into the seam allowance all around the circular bottom edge, then turn the outer fabric hamper right-side-out and put it aside for a moment. Repeat steps 1-3 using your chosen lining fabric, to create an identical hamper shape.

Finish by making a label, either by hand or, as we did, use a die-cutting machine and alphabet dies to cut perfect letter shapes from thick felt. Use fabric glue to attach the letters to a separate rectangle of felt, then hand stitch it to the front of your folded cuff to complete the look.

4

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Work a straight machine stitch 5mm in from the top edge of the hamper, working through both the outer and lining layers. Once stitched, fold the top edge down by 1cm, then fold the fabric over again to form a thick cuff all around the top. Hand stitch into place, attaching the straps underneath the fold on either side of the hamper as you go.

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SEW SIMPLE

Feature & styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme Project and styling Sophie Tarrant Photos Lizzie Orme

Top tip Make your hamper sm aller or larger by scaling the circle and side piece up or do wn – use an online circumfer ence calculator to find the exact measurements needed.

All items, stylist’s own

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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masterclass DIY

Beautify your bathroom by fitting your own bath panel The Bath Co. Winchester bathroom suite with right-handed L-shaped shower bath and taps, £831.97, Victoria Plum

Feature Catherine Smalley Photos Victoria Plum

W

hether you have invested in a complete bathroom makeover or are doing a partial renovation, bath panels are not to be overlooked. They serve the practical purpose of concealing unsightly plumbing work, but if chosen carefully, can greatly enhance your bathroom’s style. In fact, just fitting a panel to an existing bath is an easy and low-cost way to re-energise your décor.

There are a range of materials, colours and finishes to choose from, and you might be surprised to find that they are not as difficult to install as you might think.

YOU’LL NEED O electric

drill and screwdriver O saw sealant gun O silicone sealant O tape measure O metal brackets O lengths of soft wood batten O wood adhesive O wood screws O wood varnish (if panel or plinth requires trimming) O

The Bath Co. Dulwich stone ivory wooden bath panel pack, £233.99, Victoria Plum

top tip

WHICH KIND OF PANEL

Most bath front panels are about 1,700mm long, while end panels tend to be 700mm. But sizes can vary, so be sure to measure your bath before buying a panel.

Q First you need to make sure you are buying the right size and shape of panel for your bath tub. Straight baths are the most popular design and require one front panel (the long one that runs down the side) and sometimes a shorter end panel too. Slightly more unusual are shower baths with a side panel that extends out sideways to accommodate the extra width of the shower section, sometimes called L- or P-shaped panels. There are also space-saving corner baths that require a curved or angled panel.

COLOURS AND PAINTS Q Painting a wooden bath panel yourself is a great way to ensure it matches your existing colour scheme, as well as enabling you to create your own unique style.

Q If you are painting an existing wooden bath panel a new colour, then you will need to do some preparation work. First sand it down to provide a ‘key’ (an uneven surface that the paint will stick to), then wash it with sugar soap and let it dry. If you have a new plain wooden panel, you can get stuck in with painting straight away!

Q Apply Ronseal One Coat Cupboard Paint, a primer and paint in one, priced £21.99 for 750ml at Homebase and available in a range of colours. Or use a primer for a base coat and then finish the panel with an interior woodwork paint, such as Dulux Quick Dry Wood Paint (right), £16 for 0.75ml at B&Q. Choose eggshell for a low sheen level that will work well in humid areas. Remember to coat all edges and ends to protect from moisture damage.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

HOW TO FIT A WOODEN BATH PANEL

2 1 DIY MASTERCLASS

Q Before purchasing your panels, measure from the rim of the bath to the floor [1]. This gives you the height your panel needs to be.

Then measure along the rim for the length.

Q If you have a front panel and an end panel, then you need to join the two together to form one L-shaped piece. Use a soft wood batten and brackets to connect the panels.

Q You will probably need to cut the plinth at the bottom of the panel to allow for any skirting boards or pipes. Any cut edges of your wood should be sealed with varnish to prevent water penetration.

Q Hold your panel to the wall and once in the required position, mark the wall with a pencil.

Remove the panel and if you have a cut section of plinth, line this up with the pencil line and make a second mark [2]. This is where your supporting batten will be placed.

Q Cut the batten to match the panel height and attach it to the wall with screws [3]. Drill pilot holes in the wood and use wall plugs if screwing into plaster board. Do this on each end that the panels meet the walls.

Q Apply some adhesive to the inside of each panel end where it will meet the batten fixed to the wall and slide the L shape into position.

Then fill the joins with a bead of silicone sealant to ensure a watertight finish [4].

4 3

top tip Before you fix the batten to the wall, check there are no electrical cables or pipes where you are about to drill.

Electrical cables will often run up vertically from plug sockets. Use a stud/cable locator if unsure.

Orchard Wye oak panel pack, £107.98, Victoria Plum

STORAGE SOLUTION Q Tight on space? Pick a bath panel with doors.

As well as hiding away pipes and fittings, it will also give you an extra, hidden area to store less attractive bathroom items, such as chemical bottles and cleaning equipment. Check out the Hideaway Bath Panel from Argos, priced £80.

FINISHES Acrylic Q These are perhaps the most commonly seen bath panels and for good reason – they are affordable, durable and easy to clean. Acrylic panels can be cut to size with a saw and fitted in just a few steps. Sleek and white, these will work well for a modern, minimalist look.

Wooden Q The benefit of wooden panels is that they come in a range of styles, such as panelled or tongue and groove. You can also buy

plain MDF panels from your local builders’ merchants, and then paint them in your choice of colour. A natural product, wood panels are perfect for a rustic or period look.

Tiled Q Another way to integrate your bath with rest of your bathroom décor is to tile your bath panel. You can buy ready-to-tile bath panels from various bathroom retailers. The panels are pre-formed with adjustable legs – you just add tiles to create a stylish wall-to-floor look.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

69

Ask the

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

Q

I have a wooden cabin in my garden and I’d like to install a woodburner so it’s usable in winter. Which kind of stove would be suitable and are there any safety restrictions?

Tim Smith, via email

A

Chris Baines, Managing Director of Mendip Stoves, has the following advice...

There are various safety considerations that need to be addressed when you’re installing a wood-burning stove. Probably the most important is the Distance to Combustibles (DTC) specification. At Mendip Stoves, we have two stoves with very low DTC specifications: the Woodland Convector Plus, which only requires 100mm to the rear and sides, and the Loxton 3 Convector Plus, which needs 100mm to the rear and 200mm to the sides. You will also need a 12mm-deep non-combustible floor below the stove, usually 850-900mm wide. You should also use an insulated flue pipe from the top of the stove, which must also comply with DTC specifications (about 50mm) when it goes through a timber roof. The chimney should be 4.5m tall to dissipate any particles.

Depending on the size of your cabin, you should carefully consider the output of the stove. The rule of thumb is the cubic meterage divided by 14 to calculate the output required. But if the cabin is uninsulated you will probably need a higher output than that.

Finally, to ensure your insurance is valid, the stove should be installed by a HETAS-qualified fitter or equivalent.

Feature Catherine Smalley

• For wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves, visit www.mendipstoves.co.uk

Q

My daughter is currently renting but finding her heating bills unmanageable. What could she do to bring them down?

Sheila Matthews, Hampshire

A

Matt Clemow, CEO of Igloo Energy says…

Winter heating bills can be expensive. But there are some simple steps your daughter can take to make them manageable, without breaking the bank or risking her deposit.

Use draught excluders (below) and seals to block gaps that let cold air in and warm air out. Good places to check are the edges of window frames, gaps under doors and around the letterbox. Draught excluders and seals are quite cheap to buy online and from DIY stores, but you can also make your own by filling a large piece of fabric with old clothes or rice.

You should also bleed your radiators to improve heat production and save money. Just turn off the heating and get a bleed key and cloth ready. Turn the valve at the top of each radiator anticlockwise until you hear air hissing out. Catch any water that drips with your cloth and once the water starts to flow, tighten the valve back up. Also, putting aluminium sheets behind radiators will prevent heat from disappearing through the wall by reflecting it into the room. You can buy sheets specifically for this or you can use regular kitchen foil.

• Read more about Igloo Energy online at igloo.energy

Q

My old front door took a battering over the last few winters.

How can I ensure my new one survives the elements?

Greta Hamilton, Kent

A

Oliver Abraham, Technical Manager at XL Joinery has the following advice…

Making sure your door survives the colder, more severe weather doesn’t need to be a difficult or expensive job. But it is vital you do it right, or you may end up paying for an expensive replacement.

If it is a wooden door, ensure the entire door and frame are properly treated. This means reaching to the tops, bottoms, edges, and the nooks and crannies under the hardware. This will be your first line of defence against the wet weather.

Another really simple, but sometimes overlooked, way of making sure your door survives the winter is by checking that the weather bar and gasket seals are present and fitted properly. The weather bar is a strip that runs along the bottom of the door, while gasket seals are fitted along the door perimeter. They are both there to keep out draughts and moisture, and are extremely easy to replace if needed.

Finally, investing in decent, heavyduty hardware is important, as this will keep the door in place and stop it from twisting; thereby minimising the impact of the elements to usually unexposed areas of the door.

• For more information about XL

The Woodland Stove, £1,129, Mendip Stoves

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Joinery, visit www.xljoinery.co.uk

Q

I’m looking at updating my heating system. Please can you explain the benefits of ‘smart heating’?

Lisa Sands, Lancashire

A

Peter Filcek, Smart Home Expert from Hive, says…

Smart heating is a home heating system that you can control remotely and at the heart of the set-up is the

Hive Active Heating system, £249, Hive

smart thermostat (left). A smart thermostat connects your heating system to your smartphone via the internet. This means you can control your home’s heating system from your smartphone, no matter where you are.

A run-of-the-mill central heating timer is great if you have the same schedule every single day. But life isn’t always that predictable.

What happens if you decide to go out after work? Or the weather gets warmer?

Meanwhile, your boiler is heating your home unnecessarily, which isn’t good for your bank balance or the environment.

With smart heating, problems such as these are easily solved. You can ensure your home is heated to the temperature you want, at the times you want it to be heated. By pairing a smart thermostat with other smart appliances, such as Hive Motion Sensors or Hive Radiator Valves, you can also avoid heating a room when the windows are open, and heating an empty home becomes a thing of the past.

Not only do smart heating systems reduce your impact on the environment, but they can also help you to reduce your heating bills – our Hive Active Heating could save you as much as £120 a year.

• Find out more about smart heating at www.hivehome.com

Q

I would like to add a touch of luxury to my bathroom without an entire renovation – any tips on how I can do that?

Sarah Turner, Lincolnshire Emily Redhead, interior stylist at Bathroom Takeaway, has this advice…

Creating a luxurious bathroom doesn’t need to be an expensive or difficult. The key is to keep all your creams and bottles out of sight.

Introducing some bathroom furniture is a great way to hide away all your bathroom clutter to create a relaxing and more luxurious atmosphere. Have some nice new towels, a new soap dispenser or some elegant decorative jars on show instead.

To keep your bathroom looking clean and more on trend, why not change the colour of your tile grout to grey – not only will it look stylish, but it also doesn’t stain as easily as white. Or if you really want to add some ‘wow’ factor to your bathroom, why not be brave and introduce some gorgeous patterned wallpaper?

An inexpensive way to give your bathroom more of a luxury feel is to add some plants, real or faux – they’ll create a sense of peace

ASK THE EXPERTS

A

Feel Curved bathroom suite, from £69.97, Bathroom Takeaway and nature. Alternatively, a LED mirror can work wonders as a decorative feature of your bathroom while also cleverly making the room feel more spacious.

• For bathroom solutions, visit

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST or send an email with the subject ‘Ask the Experts’ to Yourhome@immediate.co.uk

www.bathroomtakeaway.com

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WORKSHOP

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

must haves

ON PAPER The Great Exhibition of 1851 was a celebration of Victorian industry.

Whirring cotton mills and treasures from all over the British Empire were brought to The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. One of the new technologies showcased here was cheap and bountiful wallpaper printing with more intricate patterns and use of colour. But many leading designers and educators didn’t approve.

Discover what the fuss was all about at The Whitworth in Manchester until 1st July, at its free exhibition, Unreformed.

You’ll see some of the offending papers, as well as the designs considered to be ‘good’ taste at the time, exhibited alongside patterns that are available today; whitworth.manchester.ac.uk.

LEARN A SKILL: A stitch in time

CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

Feature Hannah Tribe

We all have a jumper that’s wearing thin at the elbows, or a pair of socks that’s gone threadbare at the heels.

Don’t just throw them out – turn them back into clothes you love by learning how to darn. Hikaru Noguchi’s new book Darning (£19, Hawthorn Press) is a beautifully illustrated guide to this delicate craft. In it, she outlines a range of techniques, from beautifully uniform ‘square darning’ to dainty but re-enforcing ‘seed stitch’. Follow the clear, step-by-step photographs and simple instruction to help you get the hang of it, and feel good about generating less waste while you’re at it. A library of Hikaru’s own repair projects will inspire you to great things.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Mood indigo Take your hand-dying to the next level by learning the Japanese art of Shibori on this day course in Kendal on 22nd February. Shibori is a traditional form of resist dying that creates intricate and complex patterns by wrapping, stitching and folding cloth into varied forms.

The course costs £60 per person and you’ll also learn how to create an indigo dye bath, allowing you to dye your items a deep, ancient blue. Old clothes and stained tablecloths here we come!

Visit breweryarts.co.uk for more information.

Northern Brights Fill a drab winter’s day with colour, by using these beautiful, handmade pastels from Unison Colour in Northumbria. This starter set of eight key colours costs £28 from sirgordonbennett.com. The pastels are highly blendable and water-soluble so you can create exactly the right shade. And they’ll last longer than lesspigmented pastels, as you can use less to create the same effect.

Box of delights The latest fun box set from chalk paint wonder woman Annie Sloan contains a palette of colours that you can mix to lighten, darken or use straight from the tin for a beautiful wash of colour. Miniature tins of Oxford Navy, English Yellow, Burgundy, Louis Blue and Pure (white) nestle next to two detail paint brushes, a tin of wax to seal your work and a wax cloth to apply it. The small tins give you enough paint to upcycle a chair or bedside table. Practise on the wooden box they come in and gain the confidence to tackle a bigger project. The Artist Box would make a great present and costs £49 from www. anniesloan. com.

Ultimate Allium Mix

rare | unusual | exciting BUY!50 FOR

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£1

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HINING SPHERES of colour will add dimension to your borders or hover magically above your decorative pots throughout May and June. Cut for unusual bouquets or leave the blooms to dry for ornamental interest during late summer.

An interesting fact – Allium is an ancient name for garlic, once known for their medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities as much as their flavour. Easy to grow in any welldrained soil in sun or part shade. Height 45-60cm (18-24").

Your order will be confirmed along with a copy of our latest catalogue and your bulbs will be delivered within 14 days with our No Quibble Guarantee.

Your Allium collection of 100 comprises 20 × cowani; 10 × christophii; 10 × nigrum; 20 × sphaerocephalon; 20 × Oreophilum; 20 × Purple Sensation

You will receive half the quantity when ordering 50

ORDER • ONLINE hayloft.co.uk • PHONE 0844 335 1088 QUOTE YH1119 YH1119

SEND THE COUPON TO: Hayloft Plants, FREEPOST RTGR-JAGJ-JETG, Pensham, Pershore WR10 3HB NAME & ADDRESS

PLEASE SEND

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Occasionally the advertised delivery date may change, however, this will be clearly stated on your order confirmation.

HAYLOFT PLANTS, MANOR FARM NURSERY, PENSHAM, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE WR10 3HB

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HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM JANUARY 2020

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BUDGET BUYS

& bright ideas TO UPDATE YOUR HOME

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HOW TO...

Decorate your home with this season’s latest looks

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READER HOMES PACKED WITH DECORATING INSPIRATION

@ Banish those

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Clutter-busting storage solutions for every room Discover new skills to improve your home Create a bathroom that works for all the family Buy the right smart TV with our expert guide

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YOUR OPINION As you’re a loyal reader of Your Home, we’d like to invite you to join our ‘Insiders’ panel – our online community that helps us to bring you the best magazine possible

HOW DOES IT WORK? Throughout the year, the Insiders team conducts a number of surveys that are relevant to readers of the magazine. This is your chance to tell us what you like and dislike about our publications and give us your opinion on a range of topics.

If you choose to sign up, from time-to-time we’ll contact you by email and ask you to complete an online questionnaire. Every time you complete a survey, you’ll be entered into a prize draw for a chance to WIN some great prizes!

To get started, visit immediateinsiders.com and fill out a short registration form. It’ll only take a couple of minutes. It’s FREE to join and you can unsubscribe whenever you want.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Reader homes Turn the page to discover three fabulous homes filled with ideas and inspiration

76

Discover how Heidi used online videos and tester pots to revamp her Wiltshire home

SHOW OFF YOUR HARD WORK IN YOUR HOME Have you just finished decorating your home? If so we’d love to see your photos and, who knows, it may even be featured in a future issue. You can share them on Instagram using #YHlovemyhome and #YourHomemagazine, or email yourhome@immediate.co.uk

PLUS IDEAS TO STEAL

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93

87

82

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Quirky objects in unexpected places help give Clair’s stylish home a unique touch

Leila turned her Glasgow flat into a striking space by mixing and matching colours and styles

FIND MORE INTERIORS TO INSPIRE YOU AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

75

REAL HOME

We saved money by doing all the work ourselves Heidi and Brendon Ford used YouTube videos to help create a lovely family home

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

‘The front door of our house opens straight into the living room, but sacrificing a hallway has given us a bigger living space. We use our back door all the time so it’s not a problem,’ says Heidi. The cushions and curtains were from B&Q, and the Place Name map, from Mapiful, adds a personal touch

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

REAL HOME COME ON IN...

OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom detached house in Bowerhill, Wiltshire, built in 1990.

WE ARE Heidi Ford, my husband Brendon, ‘Our log-burner is the main feature when you walk into this room and it makes the space feel really cosy. I love the warm wood-effect laminate B&Q floorboards, which we laid ourselves.’ Heidi decided to wallpaper just the recesses of the fireplace wall to add a touch of pattern to the space without overpowering it. The baskets were from Matalan, and Heidi made the matching cushions to go on top. For a similar rug, try the Sirena striped grey rug from B&Q. For similar wallpaper, try the Arthouse Twilight Cream from Wardgroup Interiors. For similar flooring, try the Mossley natural oak-effect laminate flooring, £14 per sq m, from B&Q

‘T

‘The open-plan stairs mean we can keep an ear out for the kids when they’re playing upstairs. I made the “Beautiful” wire sign after seeing similar in the shops. Brendon made the picture ledges for our family photos.’ Try Desenio’s Oak Picture Ledges. The sofas were secondhand on eBay. For similar, try the Milano fabric sofa from Argos.

o be honest, when we initially saw this place, there wasn’t much we liked about it. The price and size were the main things we fell in love with!’ laughs Heidi, remembering her first viewing of the house. The couple were living in a tiny two-bedroom property in a neighbouring village, but needed more space as Heidi was pregnant with their first child.

‘Everything at the house was in fairly good working order, if a bit tatty and old fashioned, but the décor was just not to our taste and the layout didn’t function well,’ says Heidi. But she admits to having a good eye for design and knows what she does and doesn’t like, while her husband Brendon can turn his hand to almost any form of DIY, so she knew that together they could transform it into a really lovely home for their family. ‘I did cry when we first moved in and I realised how disgusting the bathroom actually was with its stained carpet and mould on the ceiling, though,’ recollects Heidi.

Over the years, the couple completely revamped the whole house. ‘To start with

Millie aged seven, Violet, four, and Willow who’s one, plus several pets.

MY DECORATING SECRET IS Buy tester pots! So many times, we’ve bought paint and it’s been so much darker or completely different to what we expected.

TOP TIP Don’t expect your home to ever be finished. I’m always looking at how we can update or refresh a room.

SHOPS I LOVE ARE Sainsbury’s Home range and H&M, plus HomeSense as it always has one-offs or something unusual.

FOR INSPIRATION I go to places like nice pubs and spend hours on Instagram – my own account is @thenotsobighouse.

FIRST FLOOR Master Bedroom

EnSuite Bathroom Landing Bedroom 4

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

GROUND FLOOR Utility

Kitchen

Bathroom

Living room

Porch

Dining Room

For stockists see page 122

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77

REAL HOME The sink overlooks the garden, so that the couple can keep an eye on their chickens as well as enjoying a view of the outdoors while washing up. Heidi chose the striking design for her kitchen blind to complement the geometric tiles below. The Lattice Navy Blue Roman blind was from Blinds2go. The retro-style radio came from Emma Bridgewater ‘The kitchen is one of my favourite rooms as it has the sun on it all afternoon and I love opening the door into the garden. We chose a neutral palette as I wasn’t brave enough to go for a dark colour, but we love the curved cupboards from Cooke & Lewis at B&Q. They feel a bit unusual and a bit more child-friendly.

The island was a great idea – the girls and Brendan sit there while I’m cooking. It’s created a sociable space and provides useful storage.’ The Carisbrooke Ivory kitchen units are Cooke & Lewis from B&Q

good idea! ots installed sp The couple ce of ur so n ai m as the the kitchen, lighting in ts ose pendan ch so al t bu the island e ov ab ng to ha r solution fo as a stylish g. in ht lig d focuse

78

‘We tried to make the most of the space, and fitting an extra oven was one of the best decisions we made as it’s always handy for Sunday lunches and Christmas dinner.’ The floor tiles were in the sale from B&Q, now discontinued. For similar, try the Reclaimed Concrete-effect Porcelain floor tiles, in off white, from B&Q

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

we only had a tiny budget for each room, which we had to stick to, so for a while we put up with the house as it was while we saved,’ she explains.

They did start some work straight away – doing the quick and cheap jobs like painting and decorating the worst of the rooms and getting rid of the old carpet.

They also had to rip out the fireplace that was originally in the living room because there turned out to be a slow gas leak. ‘It was an ugly fake marble affair and wasn’t even attached to the wall properly, so it was no great loss,’ says Heidi. ‘We initially put a fake fireplace there to replace it, until we could save for a real log-burner, which had always been on my wishlist.’

The original kitchen was tiny, with U-shaped units and a small table squeezed into it. Attached to this was the garage, which the couple never used, so it made sense to knock through and convert it into a dining room and update the kitchen with modern units and an island. ‘I like the fact that we have a separate dining space for a large table, so I don’t need to move anything in the kitchen when the girls want to craft and play, but I can still see and hear them,’ says Heidi.

‘To help save on costs – and also landfill – we sold the old kitchen on a local selling site, but we then had to take it out really quickly, well before the new one was delivered, so we ended up without a useable kitchen for three months.’ To manage, Brendon brought a cheap second-hand

REAL HOME

Brendon made the table and bench because the couple couldn’t find anything in the size they wanted.

Heidi then painted the legs and dining chairs, a bargain from Gumtree, to match. For a similar painted dining table and chairs, try the Wiltshire Painted collection from The Cotswold Company

Heidi has created what, at first sight, looks like a dresser by hiding the ugly radiator with an attractive cover from B&Q. She painted the wall unit the same colour to blend it in and filled it with her favourite ceramics

‘The downstairs loo tiles probably have the most pattern in the whole house. I fell in love with them straightaway and discovered that a small room seems to be able to take a bold design and colour.’ The rusty metal star came from Amazon, while the Casablanca Mix tiles are from Porcelain Superstore

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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REAL HOME ‘The original room only had a bath but, with a growing family, we felt we needed a shower too. We took measurements of the furniture we wanted, then marked it on the floor and played around with the layout to make it fit. Our best discovery, and what made everything work, was the slightly smaller bath from soak.com. My favourite colour is green and I knew Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle was just the right shade for the panelling. Brendon made the bath rack and shelves from spare wood left over from the kitchen worktops. The bathroom floor tiles were from Tons of Tiles’ Heidi tried to keep the colours soft and romantic in this room for a restful, relaxing feel. A picture ledge abve the bed is the perfect spot for displaying favourite family photos. The bed linen is from Tesco and B&M. For similar, try the Fox & Ivy Painted Floral set from Tesco

good idea! nelling is Wooden pa to cover ay w h is yl st a perfect nha -t ss up le icker and qu is walls and tiling. an cheaper th

cooker, but they still had to use a bucket as a sink for a while. For Heidi, this was the worst bit of the renovation. ‘At one point, we were also all sleeping in one room while we completed the master bedroom and fitted the bathroom, so it hasn’t all been plain sailing.’

The family bathroom is the place Heidi is most pleased with and finds most relaxing and, although it was one of the last rooms to be done, it was worth the wait. ‘We bought a slightly smaller than standard bath, so we could have the luxury of a separate shower,’ she says, admitting that she fell in love with the new flooring before they’d even started the work, and used the tiles as her inspiration.

‘Originally the wall on the landing was covered with plastic panelling, which we replaced with tongue and groove. We loved it so much that we carried the look

80

through to the bathroom and are really pleased with the result.’

Apart from an electrician friend who came in to check the electrics, Brendon and Heidi have done all the work themselves, with a little help from Brendon’s dad.

‘We’ve updated the plumbing, laid floors, tiled walls and even done some plastering. It has been hard work, but watching “how to…” YouTube tutorial videos became our evening entertainment and it’s been so satisfying each time we’ve finished a room.

We’ve also saved a fortune on labour costs.’

Going forward, Heidi would love to change the wallpaper and colours in the living room and replace the sofa, as it was one of the first rooms they did. ‘Our taste and style has definitely evolved over the years,’ she says, ‘but I think we’re going to have a rest for a while and enjoy spending some time in our gorgeous home!’

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

REAL HOME IDEAS TO STEAL Heidi makes her own wire words, but if crafting isn’t for you, buy them ready made.

Gold Laugh wire word, £9.50, Bombay Duck This oversized metal clock will tick all your statement-wall boxes.

Large black iron skeleton wall clock, £48.95, Melody Maison

Choose patterned black and white floor tiles for a sophisticated effect.

Derby Pattern porcelain tile, £16.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain

‘We’ve tried to decorate this room so it grows with Millie and doesn’t need updating every few years. It’s awkward as it’s longer than it is wide. We’ve kept it light so it doesn’t feel too narrow. I bought the canopy from eBay. For similar, try Maisons Du Monde. The duvet set was a Primark bargain. We made the shelves out of offcuts from the kitchen worktops and the rug came from HomeSense.’ For a similar look, try the Fading World Jade Oyster rug from Wayfair

‘The hoops were from eBay and I simply stretched some spare bits of fabric over them. It was easy and cheap but effective, and using pink and green ties the room together.

The soft-green wall colour is Willow Tree by Dulux and it showcases the pink and coral accessories beautifully. The wardrobe was a Gumtree bargain that I sanded and painted in Valspar Coral Passion. It’s an unusual colour, but I love it’

A chrome, globe ceiling light will take centre stage and brighten up any room.

Aria Lace Ball pendant, £32, Dunelm

Rounded cabinets soften the look of a fitted kitchen and make it feel more welcoming. e 150mm single base unit, prices start from £47.32, DIY Kitchens

Start off your collection of decorative wall plates with this stylish set of six.

Royal Doulton Pacific porcelain tapas plates in blue, £48 for a set of six, John Lewis & Partners

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REAL HOME

We love using materials in different ways From parquet bathroom walls to money sacks framed as artwork and shoes displayed on shelves, Claire and Paul Air have created a unique, quirky home

I

n the seven years since Claire and Paul Air bought their four-bedroom Victorian house in Newbiggin-bythe-Sea, Northumberland, the couple have redecorated it from top to bottom several times.

Having both previously owned new-build properties with former partners, they were desperate for a place with character when they started house hunting. Luckily, they’d been able to save up a sizeable deposit while living with Claire’s parents for two years in the same town, and weren’t afraid to tackle a doer-upper. ‘Paul’s always been mega handy and we’re both quite creative, so nothing scared us too much,’ says Claire.

After viewing four period houses, the couple found a Tardis-like house on a

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

terrace overlooking the beach. ‘We’d discounted it initially as it was above the stamp duty threshold, but when we finally viewed it, we just had to have it,’ says Claire. ‘There were tenants living there and it was like a squat, with enough animals to fill a zoo. All the doors and walls were scuffed and there were heaps of sand on the windowsills due to the single glazing. However, the proportions ticked all of our boxes.’

Being in a strong position, the couple’s offer below the stamp duty threshold was accepted. ‘We spent the first two weeks shuttling back and forth from my parents’ house with an army of family and friends helping us to gut and clean the place,’ says Claire.

REAL HOME

COME ON IN...

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

Claire and Paul quickly realised the proportions of the rooms demanded large-scale furniture and artwork to make them work.

‘Paul had idolised the massive parrot picture from Barker & Stonehouse for months so I bought it for his birthday,’ she says. ‘It’s the best thing we did as it’s a bit of a talking point and looks much better than a gallery wall with lots of little pictures’

The wooden fire surround was purple marble-effect when they moved in. ‘It looked horrendous, so we painted it white to freshen it up,’ says Claire, who bought the antique wooden lamp from a local auction house. For a similar mirror, try the Natural Kubu Wicker Mirror from Sustainable Furniture

WE ARE Claire Air, 37, head of client services for an advertising agency, my husband Paul, 38, team manager at Sage, and our daughter Wren, one.

‘Repainting the ceiling white has completely lifted the room yet you still have the drama of the walls.’

OUR HOME Is a four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (@our_home_on_sandridge on Instagram).

MY BEST BARGAIN IS The huge Alexander & James sofas we found on Gumtree for £750 (around £5,000 new).

MY TOP TIP Is to start with what you’ve got before spending lots of money. Things can take on a new life in a different room.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The top-floor loft bedroom/office. It’s my happy place!

GROUND FLOOR Kitchen Living Room

Dining Room

good idea!

Utility

Framing finds from antiques or ju nk shops can make uniq ue and unusual ar tw orks that add a touch of character to your home.

FIRST FLOOR

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bathroom

Nursery

SECOND FLOOR

Bedroom 3

Although they considered painting the door frames blue like the walls, the couple felt they should leave them natural since the door is original. ‘We found these old money bags at Tynemouth Market for about £5 and decided to frame them,’ says Claire

Dressing Room

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REAL HOME A Cactus Garden mural by Rebel Walls creates a bold, dramatic effect, while white IKEA pendant lights and painted stars provide contrast. ‘Rather than looking for big pieces of art, we let the mural wallpaper be the art as it’s so impactful,’ says Claire, who used a Valspar colour match for Farrow & Ball’s Railings on the walls.

The room is furnished with second-hand pieces including an eight-foot distressed dining table, plus dining chairs and a church pew from Gumtree

good idea!

Add a shelf ab ove a plain radiator to create a decorative fe ature that’s useful display space for ornaments .

The two spaces flow much better now the couple have laid a DIY plywood floor to replace the light laminate in the dining room and tartan carpet in the hallway. It’s been stained with Ronseal Diamond Hard floor paint in black satin and dressed with two second-hand Persian-style rugs which cost just £50 from Gumtree. ’We bought the console table years ago as it has an old distressed vintage feel to it even though it was new,’ says Claire. ‘It’s such a huge piece of furniture so it’s perfect for the space’

Paul made the alcove shelves from reclaimed scaffolding boards and Claire stumbled across the vintage unit at a nonprofit organisation called CT Furniture in Newcastle for £45. ‘It was originally in a bakery and has slats for cooling the bread,’ says Claire. The cactus vase is from HomeSense

As they didn’t need new central heating, electrics or re-plastering, the main jobs were installing double glazing, sanding the floorboards and painting the walls white.

‘We lived like that for a while as we didn’t know how the light would affect each room or what our collective style would be,’ admits Claire.

Before long, they realised the white living room walls didn’t suit the space. ‘It’s a big room and it didn’t feel very cosy, so we painted the walls and ceiling dark blue,’ says Claire. ‘It felt lovely in winter with the twinkly lights on – like a gentlemen’s drinking den – but in summer it felt too dark and gloomy.’

Although Paul still loved it, re-painting the ceiling white was a happy compromise.

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‘It’s completely lifted the room, yet you still have the drama of the walls,’ explains Claire.

The revamp also included replacing their brown leather sofas, Chesterfield chairs and a chaise longue with two huge modular sofas found on Gumtree – a task that ultimately necessitated removing the living room window. ‘It’s changed the whole feel of the room,’ she says. ‘But there’s still ample space for our big family who often visit and plenty of room for Wren to play.’

Claire and Paul’s least favourite room was the scruffy kitchen as the doors were hanging off, and they hated the laminate flooring, turquoise mosaic splashbacks and black marble-effect worktop. Initially however they simply painted the walls and tiles white until they could afford to replace

REAL HOME Paul got the idea for the two-tone tiled splashback from Pinterest and laid the grey and white metro tiles from Wickes himself. The copper clock is from Dunelm and the roller blind from Wilko. ‘We eventually want to add a living wall in the yard so there’s something nice to look at when you’re doing the dishes,’ says Claire

the units, swap the laminate flooring for grey tiles and buy a new range cooker.

‘Paul fitted everything himself,’ says Claire. ‘He’s a perfectionist and if he doesn’t know how to do something, he’ll find a YouTube video.’

However, it’s the bathroom that’s seen the biggest transformation. ‘It had a Jacuzzi bath on the back wall, which we never used, as every time you pressed the button, black stuff came out,’ says Claire. ‘And the toilet and basin were on the left-hand side.’

After painting and adding lino as a quick fix, the pair eventually found some parquet flooring from a school in County Durham that would form the basis of their new look.

‘It cost just £50 but it took weeks to clean off the bitumen with help from the family,’ says Claire. ‘At first we just did the floor, but I carried on up the back wall and then did the side wall too. The bathroom has just celebrated its fourth birthday and we still love it as it’s so unusual and unexpected.’

Although there was already a steep staircase to a loft storage room, the couple have turned this space from a dumping ground into a proper room. ‘We wanted

After a temporary quick fix when they first moved in, the couple had a re-think about the kitchen layout. ‘There were units across the back wall, which made the room feel so much smaller,’ says Claire. ‘Taking them out has made a huge difference – we just had to be clever with the storage we had left’

By using second-hand freestanding IKEA units, the couple were able to redo their kitchen for just £1,500. Scaffold board shelves have been added at both ends, which makes the room feel wider. For similar artwork, try The Officer’s Mess by Thierry Poncelet from King & McGaw

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REAL HOME

to maximise the sea view but still retain some element of storage, so we created a walk-in wardrobe and added the biggest Velux windows we could get,’ says Claire.

‘We didn’t have Wren at the time, so we moved our bedroom up there and almost hibernated over the winter. It was like having a mini loft apartment with a kettle and tiny fridge.’

The most recent space to be transformed is the dining room, which has been made over twice. Initially the white walls were painted light grey and the cheap laminate flooring replaced with grey carpet. However, there was still something missing.

‘It gets quite dark in the afternoon, so we always struggled with this room,’ admits Claire. ‘We realised we needed a statement piece as in the living room. Having used mural wallpaper in the bathroom, we decided to do a similar thing in here.’

Although their dream was for reclaimed parquet flooring throughout the ground floor, at £4,000 to £5,000 it was just too

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Claire and Paul made the bold choice to go from white to black walls in this bedroom. ‘The house has such big rooms that it can handle strong colour,’ says Claire. ‘But I got my design director at work to mock up the room in photoshop to make sure it would work.’ The super kingsize bed and bedside tables are second-hand, but Claire wants to wax them so they match

expensive. They eventually settled on a plywood floor stained black, which cost £350. ‘Even if it doesn’t wear very well or we get bored with it, that’s OK as it hasn’t cost us an arm and a leg,’ says Claire.

After seven years of hard graft and evolving decor, the couple have no plans to move as they have all the space they could ever need. ‘We’ve created a home where everyone’s welcome - it’s definitely not a shoes-off at the door kind of house,’ says Claire. ‘Although we don’t have a garden, we have a beach, a park and my parents’ garden nearby. It’s taken a lot of time, effort and imagination, so only a stonkingly good house would ever tempt us to move.’

The fireplace was painted white to match the surround in the living room, and Paul added scaffold-board shelves in both alcoves for Claire’s collection of over 100 shoes. ‘I’ve displayed them by colour so they look as aesthetically pleasing as possible,’ she says.

‘I like to think of them as art’

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

REAL HOME

good idea!

As a stylish al ternative to a bedside table, stack several second -hand vintage suitcas es next to the bed.

IDEAS TO STEAL

Go for an industrial-style bed like the one that Paul created for the loft bedroom.

Brooklyn natural solid oak and metal kingsize bed, £649.99, Oak Furnitureland

Be inspired by Claire and Paul’s bird artwork in the living room.

Paul made the bed himself from reclaimed scaffolding boards and the corner sofa was another Gumtree find. ‘Although we’ve gone dark elsewhere, this room has a beachy relaxed feel as if you’ve been transported to a different place, so we’ve kept it light,’ says Claire. ‘It’s a bit of an anomaly, but I love it’

The new bathroom features reclaimed parquet flooring, a wallpaper mural from Rebel Walls, sanitaryware from Bathstore and grey herringbone tiles from B&Q. ‘I do a little skip when I walk through the door as I love it so much,’ says Claire

Large Pablo pink parrot print, £65, Audenza

Colourful vintage-style rugs break up Claire’s dark dining room floor.

Dutchbone bid antique-style Persian rug in old red, £279, Cuckooland

Pick white pendants to hang above a dining table for a stylish look against dark walls.

Marsh white pendant light, £85, Habitat

Create a desert feel, with some on-trend cactus accessories.

Ceramic cactus, £6.99, HomeSense

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REAL HOME Leila has used brass accents to create a faux dado rail to break up the block of colour on the walls and give a modern nod to the period nature of the property

I could see the potential, it just needed a little TLC Mixing different styles and going bold with colour, interior designer Leila Talmadge has made the most of the original features in her Glasgow flat

M

any people discover unusual things when renovating their home, and Leila Talmadge’s Glasgow flat was no exception as it had a strange little secret. ‘This property was fairly drama-free as refurbishments go, but I did come across something for the first time. Of all the sash windows in the flat, only two opened when we first moved in, so it was a priority to get them all

88

professionally refurbished and working,’ Leila explains. ‘Someone had painted them shut – probably to protect them against the strong Glasgow winds. When they were being worked on, I also discovered that someone had used chopsticks to block in all the gaps around the frames, then painted over them in white. It’s the first time I’ve seen chopsticks used in building works,’ she laughs.

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

It was the original features plus the space and private terrace at the back that sold Leila and her husband on the property.

The couple decided to move from London as Dale’s family are from Fife, about an hour and a half ’s drive from Glasgow, plus the benefit of more space and a slower pace of life appealed. They knew that they wanted a two-bedroom flat in the city’s leafy West End, and were surprised with

The dining area has the original wooden floor, but due to the floor being uneven, the living area has a stepped level which has been carpeted for comfort. The dining table was handmade in the UK. Leila found it from a maker on Etsy as she wanted something very specific for the space available. Then four fabric dining chairs in grey were picked to match the Chesterfield buttoned upholstery look

Feature Rosalind Erskine Photos Fiona Walker-Arnott

REAL HOME

Craig & Rose Vintage Period Colours paint in Flanders Blue was used on the walls for the deep feature colour. Vintage downlights were added around the room with exposed filament bulbs, then three other vintage table lamps were added for extra metallic accents. The Chesterfield sofa has been passed down from Leila’s family and complements the modern teal fabric sofa and matching footstool, both from Made.com

COME ON IN...

good idea!

anses large exp Break up by ll a w d of painte wn border o r u yo g creatin lour or asting co in a contr e, as Leila has u h . metallic ing room in the liv

WE ARE Interior designer Leila Talmadge and husband Dale Tod, a positive psychology coach, and our two French Bulldogs Marlene and Rodney.

OUR HOME Is a two-bedroom lower ground floor flat, which was a former townhouse built in 1895.

OUR STYLE IS Vintage one-off pieces for me, while Dale loves clean, modern items.

I love bold darker colours, whereas my husband loves bright pops of colour.

I BOUGHT THE HOUSE Because of the period details and the potential I could see in it. Plus the stairway to nowhere!

MY TOP TIP Is to incorporate vintage items into a design scheme. It saves money and creates a unique look.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM Is our master

Leila has a mix of modern and vintage art on the walls in her living/dining room. The wooden carving in Leila’s dining area is a vintage piece that her Dad found in a skip in Tooting and restored. This is complemented by a lightbox-style piece, a Jimi Hendrix print by famous photographer David Montgomery and a George Michael print, picked by Dale, which are hung on other walls in the room

‘There are so many beautiful properties in Glasgow, but this one really stood out to me.’

bedroom. After years of living in homes with white walls due to lack of space and light, it was really exciting to decorate this room. It's big enough to handle the dark green colour.

LOWER-GROUND FLOOR Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2

Shower room

Bathroom

Hall

Kitchen

Lounge

Leila and Dale were drawn to their West End flat thanks to the period features and large proportions

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REAL HOME

good idea!

Instantly upda te kitchen units by chan ging the handles on th e cupboards to a matt blac k, copper or, like Leila, leather.

Leila and Dale didn’t have the budget for a whole new kitchen, but Leila wanted to make it a lighter space. They fitted white metro tiles and painted the walls white and cupboard doors grey, as well as installing a marble worktop and adding vintage pendant lights.

Vintage iron and wood stools and leather handles complete the look

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what their budget could provide. ‘There are so many beautiful properties in Glasgow as the architecture is so striking, but this one really stood out to me. We wanted a two-bedroom property in the West End for a better quality of life, and the square footage of this flat was double what we had in London. So the main selling points for me were the size of the rooms and the height of the ceilings – particularly for a lower ground floor flat,’ Leila says. ‘The property also had some beautiful original features – wooden floors, iron stair railings, dolly switches, large sash windows, wooden shutters and the double storm doors.’

As an interior designer, Leila could see the possibilities in the property, especially when it came to the design and style of her new home. ‘I could see so much potential in

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

the interior – it just needed a little TLC – so that’s always an attractive point for me as it means I can put my stamp on the design.

I also loved the fact that there’s a communal garden around the front, which gives a green view from every window, but more importantly there was a private courtyard garden at the back.’

After dealing with the chopstick windows, Leila started decorating her home. ‘I just went with my gut on the design and colours,’ Leila says. ‘My style has developed over the years and I love to banish beige. I like bold colours and interiors that reflect the owners’ personalities. I wanted to ensure that I honoured the period of the property and enhanced the period features, while simultaneously creating a home that we

REAL HOME The wooden carving above the bed has been in Leila’s family since she was a child, and stands out against the dark green walls Leila has painted the master bedroom in Mercer Green from Abigail Ahern, and wallpapered the bottom half of the wall with Abigail Ahern’s tin tile-effect paper.

The window area has been designed around a botanical feel to bring the outside in.

Green vintage Danish chairs were sourced from a private seller on Etsy and the lamp, by the window, was from Salvation Glasgow. Leila hand made the curtains using fabric she sourced from eBay. The chair cushions are from Wolf & Badger

good idea!

If you can’t find bedsid e lights to su it your room make your , own, as Leila ha by using sa lvaged Victo s, ria iron pulleys , modern co n pper shades, and green electrical fle x.

‘After years of living in homes with restricted room sizes and light, it was a joy to decorate the master bedroom.’

Leila made the upcycled bedside lights herself by combining a mix of new and vintage materials.

These match the copper accents in the room, including the kingsize bed and bedside tables, all from Made.com

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REAL HOME

Leila painted this French Bulldog ornament so that it fits in with the colour scheme perfectly Leila designed the spare bedroom, which doubles as an office, around the theme of grey and yellow.

The corner G-Plan bookcase unit was Leila’s gran’s, which Leila has upcycled by adding a pop of yellow on the back to break up all the dark wood. The pull-down desk next to the bookcase was also from Leila’s gran and she upcycled it using Annie Sloan chalk paint. Original features such as the floorboards and ceiling rose have been left untouched and complement the vintage items in the room

love being in, with modern touches. I knew I wanted colour to be the main element of the design, so choosing the right colours was the most important thing for me.’

This was a plan that has worked out well, as Leila has not only added her stamp to the flat, but has made the most of the features within the period home, including a quirky stairway to nowhere. ‘This is a strange original feature that is a result of splitting all the floors up into individual flats, but we love it,’ Leila explains.

The space available within the property has allowed Leila to create her dream bedroom, something that wasn’t possible before. ‘After years of living in homes with restricted room sizes and light, it was a joy to decorate the master bedroom. The room is so spacious that it can take the dark green walls, and creates a wonderfully calm, cosy

The vintage metal storage trunk from Salvation Glasgow ties in with the other vintage items in the room. The artwork on the upcycled picture rail is a mix of album covers and prints picked by Leila and Dale Leila loves grey and yellow as a colour combination, so this room was designed around that. Upcycling vintage items with pops of yellow add that extra interest in a simple, clean design

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

The main focus of the bathroom is the tiles, and Leila designed the room to show these off. The white colour scheme gives space to the small room, with splashes of colour in the luxury Jo Malone bath foam, accessories and plants

space to relax in. At the same time, the giant sash windows let in so much light that it can be a beautifully bright room to read in,’ she says. So what made her choose the bold colour? ‘I was inspired to try darker décor in this room, as the lower light helps create a more relaxing space. I wanted to mix vintage pieces with a bold colour on the walls, and the metal accent details lift the room.’

Leila now has her sights set on the garden. ‘Our next project is focusing on the outside, so we’ve started planting and working on creating a space outside that will fit with the lovely inside. Ultimately we feel we have the perfect home now, so right for us that we can’t ever imagine moving,’ she says. ‘Maybe one day we’ll have to buy the flat above and put them back into one, but then we wouldn’t have a stairway to nowhere any more!’

REAL HOME

IDEAS TO STEAL

Choose a sofa in a contrasting colour to add a focal point in the living room.

Becca two-seater sofa in mineral blue, £549, Made.com

A patterned cushion in a palm print adds interest to a plain sofa.

Palm leaf velvet cushion, £30, Cult Furniture

Button-back dining chairs add a touch of luxury.

Regent button-back dining chair, £89, Cult Furniture

The bathroom used to be a storage cupboard, so it was quite a transformation. Leila wanted to echo the period of the property so she chose a simple monochrome look with white metro tiles, patterned floor tiles and a Victorian pedestal sink and roll-top bath

Mix and match metallic accents in a room to add some timeless style.

Gold round side table, £79, M&S Patterned floor tiles add a feature in a plain bathroom.

Retromix Star floor tile, £1.07 each, The London Tile Co

Plants, fake or real, bring life to every room.

Zebra plant in ceramic pot with stand, £45, M&S

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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EDITOR’S CHOICE

We couldn’t resist these adorable foxy pots from Dobbies – ideal for your desk or windowsill. The succulents inside are easy-care, making them perfect even for the less-than-green-fingered among us!

Choose from a kalanchoe (left) in a 12cm pot for £7.99 or a 13cm pot for £14.99. Alternatively try a mini aloe vera (right) in an 11cm pot for £9.99.

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Food & drink If you do one thing this month...

Save time and pennies with Heinz’s ‘Pot Soup’ range, which now includes the new flavours Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom. Simply pop the pot in the microwave, heat up the soup and then tuck in!

The soups are available in various sizes to suit your appetite, every pot is 100% recyclable and prices start from just 99p. Get your hands on a pot in most major UK retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

3 ways with... Cauliflower O To roast a whole cauliflower, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4.

Set the cauliflower on a baking tray and pour over 1 tbsp of olive oil. Season and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle over 1 tsp each of cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, 1-2 crushed garlic cloves and a drizzle over a little more olive oil then return it to the oven to roast for another 10 minutes.

Serve whole with a squeeze of lemon and some fresh herbs sprinkled on top.

This month we love...

Treat yourself to Billington’s singleorigin maple syrups, which come in Amber and Very Dark varieties. The smooth, caramel notes of Amber mean it goes perfectly with pancakes, while Very Dark’s more intense flavour suits both sweet and savoury cooking.

They cost £6.99 for 260g from Waitrose.

O For gluten-free pizza, blitz ½ a chopped and cooked cauliflower in a food processor until a couscous texture is formed. Add to a bowl and stir in 1 beaten egg and 50g Parmesan until the mixture comes together. Spread onto a lined baking tray in a pizza base shape and bake for 15-20 minutes at 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6 until golden. Top with whatever toppings take your fancy and bake for another 10 minutes until cooked through.

O For a warming bowl of soup, cut the florets from a cauliflower and finely chop the stem. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and sauté a chopped onion and the prepared cauliflower for around 10 minutes. Add 2 sliced cloves of garlic and 1 tbsp curry powder and cook for 1 minute before pouring in 1l of vegetable stock and simmering for 20 minutes. Whizz until smooth with a stick blender.

Try me…

Eat me…

Buy me...

Wall’s Pastry has launched its first-ever vegan sausage roll range so everyone can enjoy their signature flaky pastry. Try the Vegan Jumbo Roll (£1.25) for a classic sausage roll flavour, or the BBQ Jackfruit Jumbo Roll if you’re a lover of smoky flavours.

Also available in snack-sized packs of four (£1.50) from selected Asda and Tesco stores.

If you’re lacking snack inspiration, why not try Indie Bay’s Cheeky Pretzel Bites? Adding a chocolatey spin to a classic pretzel, these bites are crunchy, under 150 calories per portion and so moreish. Available in milk chocolate and a vegan-friendly dark chocolate, they’re the perfect pick-me-up. Priced at £1.25 for 31g. Visit www.indiebaysnacks.com.

Fancy doing some baking?

Bag a copy of Aran by Flora Shedden (£22, Hardie Grant). As it takes you through a typical day at Scottish bakery Aran, the cookbook shares recipes such as Blueberry Crumble Brioche, Black Pudding Sausage Rolls and Apricot Almond Frangipani to help expand your repertoire.

C CHECK OUT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR MORE TASTY RECIPES www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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Feature Ella Rhys-Jones

Survive winter with the help of these products and recipes

Feed the family for a fiver Still feeling the post-Christmas pinch? Fear not‌ Save a few pennies by giving these budget-friendly midweek dinners a go

Lentil and mushroom cottage pie

Feature Emma Lewis

+ 500g potatoes + 35g sun-dried tomatoes + 1 onion + 2 carrots + 1 celery stick + 200g Portobello mushrooms + 2 garlic cloves + a handful of thyme leaves + 400g tin of green lentils + 40g tomato ketchup + sea salt + 200ml boiling water + 2 tbsp olive oil + freshly ground pepper Q Fill a large pan with water and add a pinch of salt.

Scrub and peel the potatoes, then chop them into small, bite-sized chunks. Slide the potatoes into the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until you can crush them with a fork.

Q Meanwhile, fill your kettle and boil it. Slice the sun-dried tomatoes and put them into a heatproof jug, then pour in 200ml boiling water. Set aside to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Q While the sun-dried tomatoes soak, trim, peel and finely chop the onion and carrots. Trim the dry ends off the celery, and finely slice it. Pour 1 tbsp oil into a pan and bring to a medium heat. Slide in the chopped onions, carrots and celery. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring a few times, until the veg start to brown.

Q While the veg is frying, thickly slice the Portobello mushrooms. Peel and grate or crush the garlic. Stir the mushrooms and garlic into the veg. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and fry, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

Q Drop the thyme sprigs into the pan. Drain and rinse the lentils, and add them too. Add the tomato ketchup. Pour in the sun-dried tomatoes and their stock. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce thickens.

Q The potatoes should be tender by now. Drain them, then tip them back into the pan. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes until they’re smooth.

Q Heat your grill to medium-high. Fish the thyme sprigs out and taste the sauce. Add a pinch more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. If your frying pan is suitable for sliding under the grill, then leave the lentil and mushroom mix in there. Otherwise, switch the lentil and mushroom mix into a heatproof dish. Spoon the mash over the mix.

Q Slide the pan or dish under the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, until bubbling and golden. Remove it from the grill and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of www.abelandcole.co.uk

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PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 2

vegan

Pea, potato and Cheddar frittata + 250g new potatoes + 500g garden peas + 2 spring onions + 2 garlic cloves + a handful of mint leaves + 100g Cheddar cheese + 6 eggs + sea salt + freshly ground pepper + 1 tsp cumin seeds + 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar + 50g sweet salad mix Q Fill and boil your kettle. Pour the hot water into a large pan, topping it up if needed, and add a pinch of salt. Cover and bring to the boil.

Q Open the pea pods and pop the peas out into a bowl. Scrub the potatoes and cut them into 1cm-thick slices. When the water in the pan is boiling, add the potatoes and simmer for 8 minutes until just tender. Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Q While the potatoes simmer, trim the spring onions and finely slice them.

Peel and finely chop or crush the garlic. Finely slice the mint leaves.

Q Coarsely grate the Cheddar. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork to combine, then add ¾ of the Cheddar. Stir to mix. Preheat your grill to high.

Q Put a deep, ovenproof frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and toast for 1 min, shaking the pan, then tip out into a bowl.

Q Add ½ tbsp oil and the spring onions to the pan. Fry for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin seeds, cook and stir for 1 minute, then stir in the mint.

Q Add the potatoes and peas to the pan and stir to mix. Pour in the beaten eggs. Turn the heat down to medium and fry for 5 minutes, till the edges of the frittata are set. Sprinkle over the remaining Cheddar. Transfer the pan to your grill and cook for 15 minutes until the frittata is set and golden brown.

Q While the frittata is under the grill, whisk 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar with ½ tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper to make a salad dressing.

Toss the salad mix in the dressing.

Q When the frittata is golden and set, remove it from the grill and let it cool for a few minutes in the pan, then serve in wedges with the salad on the side.

FOOD & DRINK PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 2

veggie

Recipe courtesy of www.abelandcole.co.uk

Turkey teriyaki meatballs PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 18 MINUTES SERVES 4

+ 50g White’s Jumbo Organic Oats + 1 red onion, peeled and halved + 2 small carrots, peeled and shredded + 500g minced turkey thigh + finely grated zest and juice of 1 small lemon + 1 tbsp olive oil + 2 large pak choi, trimmed + 100ml white wine + 3 tbsp reduced-salt soy sauce + 3 tbsp caster sugar + 2 tsp sesame seeds + thinly sliced fresh red chilli (optional) + salt and freshly ground black pepper Q Roughly chop half the red onion and place into a food processor with half the shredded carrot, minced turkey, oats and lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and whizz to a well-combined mixture. Using wet hands shape the mixture into 20 equal-sized balls. Chill until ready to use.

Q Thinly slice the remaining onion. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the onion and meatballs for 10 minutes shaking the pan occasionally and turning the meatballs frequently until the onion has softened and the meatballs are evenly browned.

Q Meanwhile, shred the white bulbous part of the pak choi and the leaves and set aside.

Q In a small bowl mix together the wine, soy sauce, lemon juice and caster sugar. Pour over the meatballs and bring to the boil, turn down the heat, scatter over the white bulbous part of the pak choi and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Scatter over the green pak choi and remaining carrot and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring until the pak choi has wilted. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and red chilli if using. Serve with plain steamed rice.

Recipe courtesy of www.whitesoats.co.uk

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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FOOD & DRINK

Speedy mac and cheese

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 2

+ 200g wholewheat penne + a head of broccoli + 100g Cheddar cheese + 200ml crème fraîche + 1 tsbp wholegrain mustard + 25g breadcrumbs + 50g watercress + sea salt + freshly ground pepper

veggie

Q Fill and boil the kettle. Pour the hot water into a large pan and pop it on a medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and bring it back up to the boil. Tip in the pasta and cook for 7 minutes with the lid on (keep your eye on the pan and turn the heat down if it looks like it might boil over).

Q While the pasta cooks, trim the dry end of the broccoli. Cut it into small bite-sized florets and cut the stalk into matchsticks.

Q Grate the Cheddar and pop half in a bowl. Mix in the crème fraîche and stir in 1 tbsp mustard. Add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Preheat your grill to a medium-high setting.

Q When the penne has cooked for 7 minutes, add the broccoli and cook with the pasta, lid off, for 3 minutes until the pasta and broccoli are just tender. Scoop out a mugful of water then drain the pasta.

Q Tip the pasta and broccoli back into the pan and add the crème fraîche mixture. Trickle in some of the pasta water so that the sauce is slightly loose and coats the pasta well. Taste and add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it.

Q Tip the creamy pasta into a medium ovenproof dish. Scatter over the remaining Cheddar and the breadcrumbs. Slide under the grill for 5 minutes until the dish is bubbling, the top is golden and the cheese is melting.

Q Serve big spoonfuls of the mac and cheese with generous handfuls of watercress and a good crack of black pepper over the top.

Recipe courtesy of www.abelandcole.co.uk

Spicy sausage penne + 2 tbsp olive oil + 1 onion, finely chopped + 2 garlic cloves, crushed + 2 x 400g cans Co-op chopped tomatoes + 2 tsp caster sugar + 150ml Co-op semi-skimmed milk + 500g Co-op penne + 454g pack Co-op Butcher’s Choice pork sausages + 1 tsp chilli flakes + zest of 1 lemon + 25g Co-op Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated + ½ x 25g pack flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped Q Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat.

Add the onion and cook for 8-10 minutes, until softened.

Season, add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the milk and cook for 5 minutes more. Take off the heat.

Q Cook the penne as per the instructions on the pack.

Q Meanwhile, heat the rest of the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Squeeze the sausage meat out of the skins and fry for 10 minutes until golden, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Add the chilli and cook for a further minute.

Q Drain the penne, reserving 2 ladlefuls of the cooking water, then add the pasta and water to the tomato sauce and heat through. Stir in the sausage mixture, along with the lemon zest, and serve sprinkled with the cheese and the parsley.

Recipe courtesy of www.coop.co.uk

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PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 4

FOOD & DRINK

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4

Cauliflower and chickpea bake + 1 large cauliflower (about 700g), leaves trimmed, cut into florets + 3½ tbsp olive oil + 2½ tbsp Co-op plain flour + 2 garlic cloves, crushed + 1½ tbsp Dijon mustard + 500ml Co-op semi-skimmed milk + 100g Co-op British white mild Cheddar, grated + 150g Co-op British cabbage, shredded + 400g can Co-op chickpeas, drained and rinsed + 1 Co-op rustic white bread roll, blitzed into breadcrumbs Q Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/ Gas Mark 5.

Q Cook the cauliflower in a large pan of boiling water for 4 minutes, then drain it and set it aside.

Q Heat 2½ tbsp of the oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and add the flour, beating to make a paste.

Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it starts to smell biscuity.

Q Stir in half the garlic with the mustard and cook for 1 minute.

Q Add the milk a little at a time, whisking, until the sauce has thickened.

Q Stir in the cheese and season. Add the cauliflower and stir until well coated.

Q Heat ½ tbsp of the oil in a medium frying pan and fry the cabbage for 3-4 minutes, until wilted, then season and stir into the cauliflower, along with the chickpeas. Pour the mixture into a large ovenproof dish.

Q Fry the breadcrumbs and remaining garlic in the rest of the oil until crisp and scatter over the dish.

Q Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden.

veggie

Recipe courtesy of www.coop.co.uk

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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FOOD & DRINK

Frugal

fakeaways Stave off the temptation of the takeaway and save money with our easy-to-make fakes!

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 4 0 MINUTES SERVES 4

Feature Catherine Smalley

Chicken and butternut Madras + 1 tbsp sunflower oil + 1 large onion, chopped + 1 pack Essential Waitrose 6 British chicken thigh fillets, cut into chunks + 2 tbsp Patak’s Madras spice paste + 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3cm cubes + 400g can Essential Waitrose chopped tomatoes + 150g pot natural yogurt + 28g pack fresh coriander, leaves roughly chopped + naan, to serve

Q Heat the oil over a medium heat in a large saucepan and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the chicken and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.

Q Stir in the curry paste, squash, tomatoes and 150ml of water. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the chicken is cooked through with no pink meat.

Q Divide between shallow bowls and top with a spoonful of yogurt and a sprinkle of coriander. Serve the curry with warm naan bread.

Q For a meat-free version of this dish, swap the chicken for paneer cheese.

Recipe courtesy of www.waitrose.com/recipes, home to more than 5,000 recipes

SAVE £££

FOOD & DRINK PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 2

Spicy beef tacos + 1 tbsp olive oil + 500g M&S Select Farms British beef mince + 1 pack M&S fajita seasoning + 1 tin chopped tomatoes + 100g plum tomatoes + half a small red onion, finely sliced + 1 coriander, roughly chopped + 2 M&S Select Farms avocados + 1 baby gem lettuce, shredded + 8 M&S soft tacos + sour cream + lime wedges Q Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the mince and cook on a high heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir in the fajita mix and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the tinned tomatoes and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Season to taste.

Q Make the salsa by slicing and deseeding the plum tomatoes, then mixing them with the onion and coriander.

Q Toast the tacos in a pan for 30 seconds on each side.

Q Spoon the chilli into the tacos, then top with baby gem, slices of avocado and salsa. Serve with sour cream and a squeeze of lime.

Recipe courtesy of www.cookwithmands.com

Homemade chicken burgers + 400g pack Essential Waitrose British chicken breast chunks + 70g pack Cooks’ Ingredients diced pancetta + 1 small onion, very finely chopped + 1 tbsp rosemary, finely chopped + 1 avocado, halved and stoned + 2 tbsp mayonnaise + 4 Waitrose ciabatta rolls, split + 50g bag Waitrose wild rocket + 150g bag Waitrose sea salt hand-cooked crisps

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4

Q Place the chicken in a food processor and whizz until finely minced. Add the pancetta, onion and rosemary and pulse once or twice until well mixed but not minced.

Q Shape the mixture into four even-sized cakes.

Cook under a medium grill for 6-7 minutes each side or in a griddle or frying pan for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through with no pink meat.

Q Mash together the avocado and mayonnaise.

Transfer the burgers to a warm plate and quickly toast the inside of the ciabatta rolls.

Q Pile some rocket on the base of each toasted bun and sit a burger on top. Spoon over the avocado mayonnaise and position the lid on top. Serve swiftly with a handful of crisps on the side.

Recipe courtesy of www.waitrose.com/recipes, home to more than 5,000 recipes

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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FOOD & DRINK Cheat’s fish fingers + 100g cornflakes + 1 tsp sweet paprika + 500g skinless, firm white fish fillets, such as hake or cod, sliced into chunky fingers + 4 tsp cornflour + 1 egg, beaten + ketchup, to serve (optional) + 1 sweet potato, cut into chips + 1 baking potato, cut into chips + 2 carrots, cut into chips + 300g celeriac, cut into chips + 2 tbsp sunflower oil PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4

Q Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/ Gas Mark 6. For the chips, toss the potatoes, carrots and celeriac with the oil; season well. Spread out over 1-2 large baking trays and bake for 30 minutes.

Q Meanwhile, put the cornflakes in a sandwich bag and gently bash with a rolling pin to coarse crumbs. Tip into a bowl and stir through the paprika. Put the fish in a bowl and sift over the cornflour; toss to coat. Dip each fish finger in the beaten egg, shaking of the excess, then into the cornflakes, turning until completely coated.

Q When the chips are nearly ready, push them to the side of the baking tray and add the fish. Bake for 8 minutes, or until cooked through and golden. Serve with the chips, ketchup and minty peas, if you like.

Q To make minty peas, mash 500g boiled peas with ½ tbsp mint sauce and 4 tbsp crème fraîche.

Recipe courtesy of realfood.tesco.com

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FOOD & DRINK Vegetable Thai green curry + 1 tbsp vegetable oil + 3 shallots, thinly sliced + 3 large garlic cloves, finely sliced + 4cm piece ginger, finely chopped + 4-5 tbsp Thai green curry paste + 2 kaffir lime leaves + 1 lemongrass, cut in half lengthways + 400ml can coconut milk + 1 tbsp fish sauce (omit this for a vegetarian version) + 1 aubergine, cut into 3cm chunks + 2 courgettes, cut into 3cm chunks + 300g Basmati rice + 100g sugar snap peas + 100ml Elmlea single cream + 1 lime, cut into wedges + handful Thai basil leaves

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4

Q Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic and ginger and fry for 10 minutes until starting to soften.

Q Add the Thai green curry paste, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.

Q Add the coconut milk and fish sauce and season to taste.

Mix through the aubergine and courgette, cover with a lid and leave to simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables have softened.

Q Meanwhile, cook the basmati rice according to the packet’s instructions.

Q Once the vegetables have cooked, remove the kaffir lime and lemongrass and stir through the sugar snap peas and Elmlea single cream.

Q Serve the Thai green curry over the rice with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of Thai basil.

Recipe courtesy of elmlearecipes.co.uk

15-minute pitta pizzas + 6 Essential Waitrose white pittas + 200g Waitrose vine-ripened tomato salsa

+ 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced + 2 tbsp Waitrose Italian Taggiasca olives, plus 1 tbsp of the oil from the jar + 100g pack Waitrose Italian cooked ham + 150g Waitrose grated mozzarella + basil leaves, to garnish Q Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C Fan /Gas Mark 7. Place the pitta breads on a large baking sheet and spoon over the salsa.

Q Toss together the sliced mushrooms, olives and oil from the jar. Spoon on top of the salsa.

Q Tear the ham and sprinkle over the pittas, then scatter the cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the pizzas are heated through. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with a leafy salad.

Q If serving the pizzas to young children, opt for pitted black olives or try other colourful toppings such as sweetcorn and red peppers.

Try making these yummy pizzas using essential Waitrose wholemeal pittas for added fibre.

PREPARATION TIME 5 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 6

Recipe courtesy of www.waitrose.com/recipes, home to more than 5,000 recipes

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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FOOD & DRINK Lamb kebabs with pickled carrot and mint yogurt + 600g diced lamb leg + 2-3 rosemary sprigs, leaves finely chopped + 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped + 3 tbsp olive oil + 1 courgette, thinly sliced lengthways + 1 carrot, coarsely grated + ½ red onion, finely sliced + 2 tbsp white wine vinegar + 1 tsp sugar + 200g Greek yogurt + 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped (optional) + 4 tortilla wraps + 100g baby spinach leaves Q Place the lamb, chopped rosemary, half the chopped garlic and 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a bowl, season well with salt and pepper and mix well with your hands. Push the lamb onto skewers, cover and set aside.

Q Heat a griddle pan on a high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil and, when very hot, cook the courgettes for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until there are clear black griddle lines. Remove from the pan.

Q Place the carrot and onion in a bowl, add vinegar, sugar and a little salt and pepper, and toss together. Place the yogurt, mint (if using) and remaining garlic in another bowl.

Stir to combine and season to taste.

Q Reheat the griddle pan on a high heat, add the lamb skewers to the pan and cook for 8 mins, turning halfway through. Heat another large frying pan on a high heat and warm each tortilla wrap for 30 seconds on each side until they start to brown.

Q Fill each tortilla with the lamb pieces, courgette, pickled carrot, mint yogurt and spinach leaves and roll up and serve.

Marinating the lamb for 2-3 hrs before cooking will intensify the flavours. You can even marinate it in the fridge overnight.

PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4

Recipe courtesy of www.realfood.tesco.com

Sesame and honey chicken PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 2

+ 1 pack long grain rice + 1 large chicken breast, sliced thinly + 2 tbsp sesame oil + 1 thumb of ginger, finely grated + 2 tbsp honey + 2 large pinches of five spice + 3 tsp soy sauce + 1 tbsp oil + 3 spring onions, sliced + Toasted sesame seeds (optional) Q Mix together the sesame oil, ginger, honey, five spice and soy sauce. Coat the chicken with this liquid.

Q Add the chicken to a hot griddle pan or wok and fry until cooked and a lovely golden-brown colour. Set aside and keep warm.

Q Heat the oil in the same pan and gently fry the spring onions until soft. Heat the long grain rice in the microwave for 1 minute and then add to the spring onions.

Q To serve, heap the rice mixture into a large bowl and top with the chicken. Drizzle any leftover juices over the chicken and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds (if using).

Recipe courtesy of Tilda Rice

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FOOD & DRINK Super Veg Pad Thai + 150g shredded cavolo nero + 150g folded rice noodles + 1 tbsp oil + 1 yellow pepper, sliced + 1 red birds eye chilli, sliced + 4 spring onions, thinly sliced + 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter + 2 tbsp reduced salt soy sauce + 1 tbsp vegetarian fish sauce + 2 tbsp chopped coriander + Juice 1 lime + To

Q Cook the cavolo nero in boiling water for 3 minutes then drain. At the same time, cook the noodles according to the pack instructions, or until tender, then drain.

Q Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the pepper for 2-3 minutes. Next, add the chilli and spring onions and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce and 4 tbsp water. Add the noodles and cavolo nero and stir to combine. Stir in the coriander and lime juice.

Q Divide between two bowls and serve scattered with peanuts, coriander leaves and lime wedges.

serve: chopped roasted peanuts, coriander leaves, lime wedges

Recipe courtesy of www.discovergreatveg.co.uk

veggie

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 2

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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Essential

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Feature Katie Dutton

Home IMPROVEMENT

Turn the page to find quick and easy tips for creating your dream home

Clean and clear Fed up with cleaning windows in hard to reach places, like conservatory roofs and sky lights? Getting that difficult bit of dirt off glass panes positioned high on your house and at an awkward angle is now a thing of the past thanks to the new Activ range of glass products from Pilkington.

Activ glass combines self-cleaning and solar-controlled properties to keep the surface free from grime and crystal clear.

Dirt is broken down by UV rays and is then washed away by rain, leaving you free to simply sit back and enjoy the view.

Pilkington Activ Range, price on request, www.pilkington.com

Warm up

Built to last Keeping your garden fence shipshape can be time consuming and messy, so it’s understandable that many of us leave that job at the bottom of the to-do list or just put it off altogether. Now you can put your fence maintenance worries to bed thanks to Permafence; a new and robust fence that is made to last at least 25 years. The metal fence from PermaGroup is virtually maintenance free, requiring only an occasional wash down and its high-quality steel eliminates the threat of rot. Permafence comes in a range of classic and contemporary colours and it’s also been wind tunnel tested, ensuring it is as sturdy as it is stylish. Panel Kit 1.8m wide x 1.2m high, £79.53, www.permafence.co.uk

If you fancy the glow of an open fire but can’t face the fuss of installing a flue or chimney, a bioethanol fireplace could be the solution to your problems. Bioethanol is a natural fuel made from fermented sugar and starch. It burns cleanly and with 98% efficiency, so you can warm up a room quickly. The Ground Wood bioethanol fire from Le Feu (right) is not only stylish and freestanding, it’s also portable, so you can use it to keep your lounge cosy but also take it outside to take the chill off a spring evening.

Le Feu Ground Wood Bio Ethanol Fireplace, wooden legs available in Oak, Ash or Wenge, from £1,399, Cuckooland.

Green carpets A recent survey by carpet specialists ScS found that 80% of Brits admitted that they could be more ecofriendly at home. With that in mind, the company has launched a sustainable carpet range made from regenerated nylon, recycled carpets and abandoned fishing nets collected from the sea. The Sedna carpet range is super-soft and luxe, making it a gorgeous feature in your home – a win for you and the planet.

Sedna Oceanus Carpet, from £34.49 per sq m, www.scs.co.uk

FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE AND CASE STUDIES GO TO WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

Give the front of your house added kerb appeal with a newly painted front door or some lovely lighting and potted shrubs.

St Ives Ships Light, £45, Garden Trading

Sophie Allport’s latest textile designs include the elegant Peacocks collection – a new tea towel, £8.50, and double oven glove, £20, can instantly update the cooker and sink area

IMPROVE YOUR HOME FOR LESS W

hen it comes to home improvements, it seems there’s always something that needs doing. Whether it’s replacing tired and outdated kitchen cabinetry or fixing that broken guttering, the to-do list seems endless sometimes. But improving your home doesn’t need to cost the earth or take much of your time, as there are plenty of quick and easy solutions to creating your dream home.

UPDATE THE KITCHEN

1

The hub of the home is usually our kitchen, as it’s a space where family and friends can come together to cook, eat, chat and generally catch up. If yours has seen better days, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to add an instant update. Cabinet doors could be painted or replaced or you can simply change the handles. You may find that a new sink and tap is all it needs for a fresh new feel, while changing the splashback behind the sink or hob can add instant impact.

Colourful or patterned acrylic panels are easy to install and keep clean while some new lighting can make the room feel brighter and is probably more energy efficient, too. Or simply invest in a new kettle and toaster set – the latest looks include metallic rose gold and inky blue designs – while even some new utensils, tea towels and oven gloves can make a difference.

Used Kitchen Hub buys and sells used kitchens with prices from just £2,500

SAVE £££

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Give your interior or exterior space a swish new look without breaking the bank with these top tricks and quick fixes

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New window dressings can instantly spruce up any room. Find a pretty floral roller blind like this one from around £30 at English Blinds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

BUDGET

BUY

ADD KERB APPEAL

DO ALL THOSE DIY JOBS

MAKE A BOUTIQUE BEDROOM

It’s easy to improve your outdoor space over a weekend. Start with the front door. At the very least, give it a good wash down to remove dust and dirt.

Next, consider painting a wooden door with something bold and colourful, or more muted for a classic look. Could it do with a new door number, doorbell, knocker or letterbox? Spend some time mowing the front lawn, trimming hedges, weeding flowerbeds and generally tidying up. If the bins are overflowing or there’s rubbish to clear, take it to the tip. Pop to the garden centre or DIY store and pick up some new pots and flowers, plants or mini trees and place them outside the front door for a welcoming entrance. Look too at fences and gates, fixing wonky panels and staining or painting old, tired-looking timber.

Nothing makes a house look more uncared for than all the little DIY jobs that have been left unattended. Now’s the time to get cracking and put you or a family member or friend’s skills to good use. Look for leaking taps or toilets, squeaky floorboards, dodgy light fittings, wonky guttering, cracks in walls (that you know aren’t anything serious), dirty grouting and mouldy seals around the bath. If you can’t manage them yourself, call in favours and offer something in return such as babysitting or a bottle of wine. If you need a local handyperson instead, ask for recommendations or check local pages on Facebook as most areas have groups that swap useful contacts.

Never attempt anything that needs a professional, such as electrics or gas, and be mindful of your limits, especially if the job involves climbing ladders.

It’s so lovely to come home after a hard day to a beautiful bedroom, so turn an unloved sleeping space into a something more akin to a five-star boutique hotel. If budget allows, fit new carpet and change the window dressing. Consider painting the walls or adding a feature wallpapered wall. Take any old, but decent, bed linen to a refuge or charity shop and treat yourself to some new cotton sheets and a pretty or bold-printed duvet set. If the duvet itself has seen better days, buy a new one – pillows too. Move furniture around to get the best use of space and a window view from the bed where possible.

If space allows, pop a little bedside unit or table on either side and add table lamps on each. Finish with framed photos and a vase of fresh flowers plus a few succulents or ferns dotted around.

Paint walls in two tones of the same colour for an on-trend look. GoodHome Walls & Ceilings emulsion paint in the tones Hamptons and Cincinnati, £12 for 2.5L, B&Q

3

4

Fit new flooring to smarten up the bedrooms. Pampas Nordic carpet in Helsinki, £28.50 per sq m, Kersaint Cobb

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Feature Hayley Gilbert

2

HOME IMPROVEMENT A whole new bathroom suite

DESIGNER LOOK

can be cost-effective, leaving you enough money to add a feature wall and some new accessories to finish the look. Suites cost from £200 at Bathroom Takeaway

FOR LESS

EXPERT ADVICE BLITZ THE BATHROOM

5

We tend to accumulate clutter in the bathroom, which is not ideal as it’s usually the smallest room in the house. Start by emptying all the cabinets, storage containers, nooks and crannies and have a good sort out – remove any out of date medicines and tablets and dispose of them safely. Buy some attractive new baskets or plastic tubs that you can display on the windowsill or open shelving and treat the family to some nice new shower gels, bath oils and soaps.

If you have a bit of budget, new basin and bath taps can instantly update a plain white suite, while a new mirror above the basin can also add the luxe look for less. Look at your current window dressing and see if it could do with changing – roller blinds are ideal for bathrooms, or go for patterned window film to create privacy on an unfrosted window or if you’re overlooked.

Add privacy and a pretty frosted look with removable window film from The Window Film Company, with prices from £30

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‘It’s becoming easier to change the look of your home on a budget, as most supermarkets are now offering increasingly affordable and designled homewares that are accessible to the everyday shopper. The most budget-friendly way to refresh your home is by simply updating the accessories.

New cushions can instantly refersh your sofa by introducing a new colour palette or print and don’t have to break the bank.’

Steven Rowe, Head of GM Design and Product Development, Tesco

useful con tacts

� Used Kitchen Hub offers brand new ex-display kitch ens from showroo ms at a fraction of the no rmal price. Find out more at ww w.usedkit chenhub.com . � B&Q has plent y of practical ad vice on every thing from heating and plu mbing to tools and eq uipment, painting and decorating at ww w.diy.com. � Head to ww w.findatrade.co m, ww w.ratedpeo ple.com or ww w. mybuilder.com for local tradesp eople.

Xxxxxxxxxxx 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

FRESHEN UP WITH A LICK OF PAINT

6

Repainting walls is one of the cheapest, quickest and easiest ways to improve your home. If you’re using the same colour in different rooms, buy in bulk with large, five-litre pots of paint as this will save money.

Remember that preparation is key for best results so wash the walls to remove any grease, fill holes and cracks with a suitable flexible filler, sand and prime these filled areas then paint with at least two coats of your new colour. Current colour trends include spiced honey, velvet dark greens, elegant navy blues and natural nudes.

Team with matching soft furnishings for a co-ordinated look and simply re-do the paint colours when you fancy a change.

Create a moodboard and let your imagination run wild. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is ideal for updating furniture quickly as you don’t need to sand it down first

CASE STUDY ‘You can improve for less but still add value to your home’

W

Built in 2013, Alex and Charlotte’s secondfloor flat is in the perfect location, very close to their workplaces and family homes

job as a buyer with the Kingfisher group, which owns B&Q, has been a great help, as she was able to use her staff discount to cut the cost of materials such as paint and wood flooring for the kitchen. ‘We weren’t happy with the existing vinyl and carpet,’ says Charlotte, ‘so we ripped it up and got Alex’s dad Dean to lay the new flooring in exchange for a couple of beers!’ A carpenter by trade, he has also built a wall of wardrobes in the main bedroom, supplying the materials and negotiating a deal through his contacts on a run of mirror doors. His next job is to install a shower screen that Charlotte bought in a sample sale for £20 and fit a wall bracket for the shower to make the main bathroom more suitable for guests. Other improvements are in the pipeline and the couple believes these can only help add value to their home.

Buying on credit enabled the couple to furnish their living room in style. The TV cabinet, ladder storage and side table are from Next and the sofas and footstool, DFS. For a dash of colour, Charlotte added ‘super, super cheap’ cushions from IKEA

Feature and photos Gill Rothwell

With a degree in Retail Management, Charlotte loves her job as a buyer and is fortunate her staff discount has enabled her to cut the cost of improving the flat

hen Charlotte Watkins and Alex Mintram decided to set up home together, they struggled to find a house in their price range close to where they both work in the Southampton area. ‘We were beginning to lose heart when my mum came to the rescue,’ says Charlotte. ‘She went online and found us a two-bedroom/two-bathroom flat that was affordable, in the right location and needed very little work. Up to that point we hadn’t considered buying a flat, but as soon as we saw this one, we fell in love with it and knew just how we could make it perfect for us.’

A big attraction of the six-year-old flat was the large kitchen/dining area complete with fully fitted units and appliances. ‘We’re so lucky that everything was already here as we could never have afforded to start from scratch,’ admits Charlotte. In fact, when the couple moved in, they had nothing more than a bed, a TV and a single mattress on the living room floor that doubled up as a sofa. Gradually however, they’ve been able to furnish the flat, taking advantage of available credit deals with 0% interest over several years. ‘We bought a sofa set from DFS and other items in the living room from Next,’ adds Charlotte. ‘Between us, we’re paying out £70 a month, which is manageable, but we intend to pay that off as soon as we have the money.’ Her

Christmas, covered.

Committed to exceptional performance, CDA’s collection of designer kitchen appliances provide the perfect finishing touches for your Christmas.

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

WIN! a Tempur Original Supreme mattress WIN a ma

ttress

P

remium mattress brand, Tempur, is giving one reader the chance to win a Tempur Original Supreme mattress, worth over £2,000 and available as either double or king size. With a ‘medium’ firmness rating, the mattress has a depth of 21cm for the perfect balance of comfort and support.

Tempur mattresses are constructed from a formulation of the brand’s proprietary pressureabsorbing material, originally developed by NASA scientists in the 1970s to support and cushion astronauts during lift-off.

Whether you are a side, back or front sleeper, the Tempur Original Supreme mattress

is responsive to individual body shape and temperature, providing the right support and distributing weight evenly across its surface to reduce pressure points. This ensures the correct anatomical position for the spine, aligns the shoulders and hips, and aids blood flow, providing the ultimate support and comfort while you are sleeping.

The Tempur material also helps to prevent tossing and turning during the night – perfect for restless sleepers. Unlike many mattresses, the Tempur Original Supreme is easy to maintain, thanks to removable covers which are washable up to 60°C for fuss-free cleaning.

Tempur products offer maximum quality, comfort, support, durability, value for money and, most importantly, aid a restorative night’s sleep. Your sleep experience could be revitalised with the Tempur Original Supreme mattress.

Visit uk.tempur.com for more information.

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you'd like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 3 March 2020 at 11.59pm TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale.

The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 10 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 3 March 2020. 11 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 12 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days. 13 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 14 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 15 The prizes are as stated above. 16 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 17 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home February 2020 Giveaways, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared. 18 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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JOIN THE GREAT fake off Give your décor that high-end look – and save cash – with affordable lookalikes

I

f you’re planning on bringing a touch of luxury to your home improvements – think parquet flooring, timeless wood panelling, exposed-brick walls – you don’t have to blow the budget. Thanks to the latest lookalike materials you can achieve a quality look at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Opt for affordable vinyl and laminate, faux wallcoverings and clever paint tricks, and you can give your décor a quality nip and tuck with cash left over to splash on that statement sofa.

Floors with flair

Choose luxury vinyl tile if you want to achieve a more intricate laying pattern such as this striking diagonal effect.

LVT is more expensive than sheet vinyl but it’s more durable – and this particular one comes with a lifetime guarantee Knight Tile Grey Limed Oak SMKP138 luxury vinyl tile, £42.49 per sq m, Karndean Designflooring

If you’re looking for contemporary wood-effect vinyl, this has a waterresistant finish, making it a practical choice for every room

EXPERT COMMENT

Goliath Arcadia Beige vinyl, £24.99 per sq m, Carpetright

This faux wood laminate not only looks stylish, its surface is scratch, stain and moisture resistant making it an excellent choice for busy living rooms Impressive laminate in Royal Oak Dark Brown and Classic Oak Beige, from £23.99 per sq m, both Quick-Step

‘In recent years there have been many innovations in flooring. Materials such as laminate, vinyl and luxury vinyl can create incredibly realistic effects such as slate, wood and stone. Before purchasing, look at whether the detail replicates the desired style’s elements. Do the knots and grains in the wood look authentic; or is the colour of the stone similar to the natural material? Choosing a design that has a slightly worn look will make any flaws less noticeable.’

David Snazel, Hard Flooring Buyer, Carpetright

Three of the best… lookalike vinyls Timberline Cabana vinyl, from £21 per sq m, Leoline

Tile Superior Veracruz vinyl, £18 per sq m, John Lewis & Partners

FAB FIND Perfection 585 Sintra vinyl, £18.99 per sq m, Carpetright

HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

Paper cuts Ideal for a feature wall, this washable paper features a brick pattern on a textured glitter background

Feature Alice Butler

Three of the best… faux-effect wallpapers GoodHome Bucy pink wood-effect wallpaper, £18 per roll, B&Q

Arthouse Diamond Brick wallpaper in silver, £10.99 per roll, I Want Wallpaper

EXPERT COMMENT ‘Exposed brick walls are absolutely huge in home décor – however, they’re not always easy to achieve.

Perhaps you live in a new-build house or a rental? Even when homes do feature real brick it’s no secret that stripping back wallpaper and plaster can take a lot of time and effort. Faux wallpaper gives the “exposed” effect with minimal effort and it’s great for running through a whole room or using as a focus wall.’

Grandeco Metallic Concrete Black wallpaper, £22 per roll, Homebase

Hemingway red brickeffect wallpaper, £21 per roll, Wickes

Alex Whitecroft, Head of Design, I Want Wallpaper

Replicating the subtle pastel tones and detail found in natural marble, this design is a dead ringer for the real thing.

It’s also printed on paper from sustainable sources using eco-friendly water-based inks

Whether you’re after a rustic look or a cosy log-cabin feel the neutral tones in this design will complement any scheme Wizened wallpaper, £36 per sq m, Murals Wallpaper

Crema Marble wallpaper, £36 per sq m, Murals Wallpaper

For a pared-back industrial feel, choose a concrete-effect wallpaper Erismann Concrete wallpaper, £13.99 per roll, I Want Wallpaper

GREAT BUY

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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Offset a plain white wall with a light-reflecting graphic shape

Glow-getter paints

Spotlight matt emulsion, from £14 for 2.5l; Rose Gold metallic emulsion, from £19 for 1.25l, both Crown

Add subtle shimmer to a calming bedroom scheme with this metallic emulsion

For a tactile brushed suede effect choose a textured emulsion paint Fawn Suede textured matt emulsion, from £21.50 for 2.5l, Crown

GoodHome Santa Cruz Metallic Effect emulsion paint, £15 for 2l, B&Q

Three of the best… metallic paints EXPERT COMMENT

Millionaire Metallic emulsion, from £19 for 1.25l, Crown

‘Metallic paint is perfect for adding texture and movement to your walls, giving a unique finish to any room.

It also complements different types of lighting, adding warmth and glow at night when paired with candles or table lamps, and reflecting the sun during the day. Layering metallic paint alongside a flat matt emulsion will make the colour pop and stand out as well as creating depth to the room.’

Judy Smith, Colour Consultant, Crown

Rust-Oleum Medium Shimmer Gold Glitter paint, £11 for 250ml, Homebase

Craig & Rose Artisan Copper Effect paint, £12 for 250ml, Homebase

Get the Shaker look for a snip with MDF panels. They’re a great way to cover uneven walls and will also add a layer of insulation MDF Primed Shaker wall panels, price on application, Howdens

Another way to achieve that timeless woodpanelled look is with wallpaper Gustave Black wallpaper, £36 per sq m, Murals Wallpaper

Pick a panel

HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

Tile style Flex your creativity with a stencil and paint to recreate a tiled look Chalk Paint in Old White and Graphite, from £5.95 for 120ml; Tallulah stencil £4.45, both Annie Sloan

Printed using highdefinition technology, each of these ceramic tiles is different for a realistic stone finish Perla Grey Matt Stone Effect Ceramic tile, £16.05 for a pack of six, B&Q

EXPERT COMMENT ‘When creating a repeat pattern with a stencil, always find the centre first using a tape measure or string. Paint your first stencil in the middle of the tabletop to ensure your finished pattern is centred. Continue stencilling your motifs one tile apart until you have covered the desired area. When your motifs are dry, finish and protect your work by applying Annie Sloan Clear Chalk Paint Wax.’

Get the contemporary geometric tile effect with practical easy-clean vinyl Eclipse 596 Emilia vinyl, £22.99 per sq m, Carpetright

Annie Sloan, Colour and Paint Expert

If your budget won’t stretch to authentic tin tiles, aim for a modern industrial look with this wallpaper instead

If you’re after a quick and simple tile solution, these peel and stick designs are perfect for creating a feature in the kitchen

Contour Vintage Tin Tile White wallpaper, £17.50 a roll, Homebase

InHome Sea Glass Self Adhesive Backsplash tiles, £18 for a pack of four 10 x 10in panels, Dunelm

BUDGET

BUY

FOUR AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER! • FOUR AMAZING PRIZ

We have fabulous goodies up for grabs this month!

Win a Burg-Wächter security camera for your home

Win a super comfortable Mammoth mattress

We have teamed up with Burg-Wächter to offer three securityconscious Your Home readers the chance to win a BURGcam Smart 3020, a standalone wi-fi surveillance camera for inside your home. The UK Crime Stats website states there were over 32,000 burglaries in February 2019, most occurring when no one was at home. With rates that high, it makes sense to take another look at home security.

The BURGcam Smart 3020 is stylish, petite and easy to operate.

With remote monitoring through the BURGcam app and the ability to set up motion detection alerts, you will be able to keep an eye on your Three home wherever you lucky are. To find out more, winners visit www.burgwachter.co.uk.

We have teamed up with Mammoth, experts in sleep, health and wellbeing, to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a Wake® mattress, worth up to £549.

Mammoth’s all-new Wake® collection is currently available exclusively at Argos and designed with healthcare in mind, to ease aches and pains and improve sleep. Every Wake® mattress contains Mammoth’s naturally cooling Medical Grade™ foam – scientifically tested and shown to improve sleep.

It won’t overheat and neither will you, giving you more good nights and more great days.

To find out more One about Wake®, visit lucky www.argos.co.uk/ brands/mammoth. winner

Win a £100 voucher for the Posterlounge online art shop This month, we’re giving away five vouchers to spend at Posterlounge, worth £100 each! The winners will be able to choose from the online art shop’s diverse collection of thousands of high-quality wall prints.

Whatever your tastes and whichever the room, there’s sure to be an artwork that you will love! And with different sizes and materials to print on (including premium posters, elegant canvas, splash-proof acrylic glass or natural wood) and a range of frames to accompany, you can give your favourite designs your own unique twist.

Five Head over to www. lucky posterlounge.co.uk for inspiration. winners

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

ZE DRAWS TO ENTER! • FOUR AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER!

Two lucky winners

Methven is offering two lucky people the chance to win their 3-in-1 Instant Hot Water Tap, worth £789, complete with an installation service.

The latest in Methven’s tapware range, this product is the perfect solution for those looking to inject some ‘wow’-factor into the kitchen and help make their lives easier with time-saving technology.

Featuring seven pre-set temperatures, including normal, hot and cold, the tap delivers hot water with just the push of a button. Make hot drinks with ease and add convenience to your cooking, from blanching vegetables to boiling pasta.

Waiting for the kettle will be a thing of the past with an instant hot water tap.

Visit www.methven.com/uk/tapware/ instant-hot-water-taps/.

Win a Methven 3-in-1 Instant Hot Water Tap

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you'd like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 11.59pm 3 March 2020 TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 10 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm 3 March 2020. 11 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 12 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days. 13 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 14 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 15 The prizes are as stated above.

16 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 17 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home February 2020 Giveaways, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared.

18 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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Shopping guide A

Abel & Cole 03452 62 62 62 www.abelandcole.co.uk Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 www.abigailahern.com Abode Living 01273 621116 www.abodeliving.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 www.amara.com Amazon www.amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01993 770061 www.anniesloan.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476 www.anthropologie.com A0.com 0344 324 9222 www.ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 www.argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 www.artisanti.com Asda 0800 952 0101 www.asda.com Atrafloor 0151 305 7376 www.atrafloor.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 www.audenza.com

B

B&M 0330 8389000 www.bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3357 www.diy.com Bathrooms to Love 0800 8 77 88 99 www.bathroomstolove.uk Barista & Co 01202 619 500 www.baristaandco.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 8206 www.barkerandstonehouse. co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 www.bathroomtakeaway.com Bathstore 0330 053 5661 www.bathstore.com Benjamin Moore Paint 01753 575756 www.benjaminmoorepaint. co.uk Best4Flooring 0800 17 07 123 www.best4flooring.co.uk Blinds2go 0800 862 0464 www.blinds-2go.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 www.bombayduck.com Brabantia 01275 819119 www.brabantia.com Brume 01364 73090 www.brume.co.uk

California Shutters 0800 195 0196 www.californiashutters. co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 www.carpetright.co.uk CEWE Photoworld 01926 463107 www.cewe-photoworld.com Charley Chau 0161 848 8702 www.charleychau.com Chilli Penguin Stoves 01758 721 247 www.chillipenguin.co.uk Clarke & Clarke 01706 242 010

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www.clarke-clarke.com Clarissa Hulse 0207 226 7055 www.clarissahulse.com Clean Living 0800 031 4316 www.cleanlivingint.com Cloudberry Living 0330 123 3301 www.cloudberryliving.co.uk Collectajoy www.collectajoy.com Connox 020 349 901 94 www.connox.co.uk Co-op 0800 0686 727 www.coop.co.uk Cotswold Co 0333 2001725 www.cotswoldco.com Craig and Rose 01383 740011 www.craigandrose.com Crown Paints 0330 024 0281 www.crownpaints.co.uk CT Furniture 07912 388201 www.ctfurniture.org Cuckooland 01305 231231 www.cuckooland.com Cuprinol 0333 222 71 71 www.cuprinol.co.uk Crown Paint 0330 024 0281 www.crownpaints.co.uk Cult Furniture 0208 185 6960 www.cultfurniture.com

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Debenhams 0344 800 8877 www.debenhams.com Desenio 020 3318 2047 www.desenio.co.uk DFS 0808 159 3879 www.dfs.co.uk DIY Kitchens 01977 608418 www.diy-kitchens.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 www.dulux.co.uk Dobbies 0131 561 6406 www.dobbies.com Domu Brands www.domubrands. com Drum Farm Antiques 0131 660 5678 www.drumfarmantiques.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 www.dunelm.com

E

Earthborn Paints 01928 734 171 www.earthbornpaints. co.uk eBay 0345 355 3229 www.ebay. co.uk Emma Bridgewater 01782 407733 www.emmabridgewater.co.uk English Blinds 0121 439 6770 www.englishblinds.co.uk Etsy www.etsy.com/uk Evolution Windows 01767 821 548 www.evolutionwindows.com

F G

Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 www.farrow-ball.com Flying Tiger uk.flyingtiger.com Garden Trading 01993 845559 www.gardentrading. co.uk

February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

George Home direct.asda.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 www.giselagraham.co.uk Go Wallpaper 0161 724 9085 www.gowallpaper.co.uk Graham & Brown 0808 168 3795 www.grahambrown.com Graham & Green 01225 418 200 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Granite Transformations 0808 256 3156 www.granitetransformations. co.uk Gumtree www.gumtree.com

H

H&M 03 44 736 9000 www2.hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 www.habitat.co.uk Harvey Maria www.harveymaria. com Haxnicks 0117 934 1795 www.haxnicks.co.uk HAY www.hay.dk/en-gb Hillarys 0800 916 6516 www.hillarys.co.uk Hive 0333 202 9614 www.hivehome.com Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk Holland & Barrett 0330 058 2025 www.hollandandbarrett.com Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk

Homer 01887 820 802 www.athomer.co.uk HomeSense 01923 473561 www.homesense.com Home Tweed Home 07526913405 Howdens www.howdens.com

I

IKEA 0845 358 3363 www.ikea.com Indie Bay Snacks 0203 567 0801 www.indiebaysnacks.com I Love Wallpaper 01429 803932 www.ilovewallpaper.co.uk I Want Wallpaper www.iwantwallpaper.co.uk

J

JD Williams 0345 071 9018 www.jdwilliams.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 www.johnlewis.com Jysk www.jysk.co.uk

K

Karndean Designflooring www.karndean.com Kersaint Cobb 01675 430 430 www.kersaintcobb.co.uk King & McGaw 01273 511 942 www.kingandmcgaw.com KitchenAid 0800 381 04026 www.kitchenaid.co.uk Kunskapstavlan +46721722987 www.kunskapstavlan.com

Where to buy everything in this issue

L

Lakeland 015394 88100 www.lakeland.co.uk Laura Ashley 03332 008 009 www.lauraashley.com Lifestyle Floors www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk Leoline www.leoline.co.uk Lights4Fun 01423 816040 www.lights4fun.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 www.littlegreene.com Loom and Last 01394 775 670 www.loomandlast.com

M

M&Co 0333 202 0720 www.mandco.com M&S 0333 014 8000 www.marksandspencer.com Made www.made.com Magnet 0161 923 4994 www.magnet.co.uk Maisons Du Monde 0808 234 2172 www.maisonsdumonde.com Mapiful www.mapiful.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 www.matalan.co.uk Melin Tregwynt 01348 891 225 www.melintregwynt.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000 www.melodymaison.co.uk Mendip Stoves 01934 750500 www.mendipstoves.co.uk Mothercare 0344 875 5222 www.mothercare.com Murals Wallpaper www.muralswallpaper.co.uk

N

Nest Cardiff 029 2062 0950 www.nestcardiff.co.uk New Leaf Nurseries www.newleafnurseries.co.uk Next 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Nkuku 0333 240 0155 www.nkuku. com Not on the High Street 020 3318 5115 notonthehighstreet Nutley’s Kitchen Gardens 01903 233299 www.nutleyskitchengardens. co.uk

0

Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk Of Life & Lemons www.oflifeandlemons.co.uk OKA 03330 042 042 www.oka.com Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 www.oliverbonas.com Out & Out 02037 728752 www.outandout.com

www.pooky.com Porcelain Superstore 0330 094 0304 www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Poundland 0333 2341877 www.poundland.co.uk Prestigious Textiles 01274 688448 www.prestigious.co.uk Primark www.primark.com

Q R

Quick-Step 0283 025 04 77 www.quick-step.co.uk

Rebel Walls 020 3002 1116 www.rebelwalls.com Red Candy 0121 2247728 www.redcandy.co.uk Rejects 01592 655 955 www.rejectsonline.com Rex London 0208 746 2473 www.rexlondon.com Robert Dyas 0333 103 6677 www.robertdyas.co.uk Rockett St George 01444 253391 www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk Ronseal 0333 256 8730 www.ronseal.com Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 www.roseandgrey.co.uk

S

Sainsbury’s 0800 328 1700 www.sainsburys.co.uk Salvation Glasgow 07788702317 www.salvationglasgow. com Scott’s Furniture Mart 01843 220653 www.scottsmargate. co.uk Screwfix 03330 112 112 www.screwfix.com SCS 0800 731 0048 www.scs.co.uk Shekabba The Danish Home www.shekabba.com Sizzix 0844 499 8181 www.sizzix.co.uk

Soak 0333 004 6333 www.soak.com Sonic Direct 01274 575000 www.sonicdirect.co.uk Sophie Allport 01178 560 256 www.sophieallport.com Studio G 01706 242 010 www.studiog.uk.com Sustainable Furniture 01726 884123 www.sustainablefurniture.co.uk Swan 0333 220 6050 www.swanbrand.co.uk

T

T&G Woodware 01275 841 841 www.tg-woodware.com Tesco www.tesco.com The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000 www.conranshop.co.uk The Den & Now 01244 911 890 www.thedenandnow.co.uk The London Tile Co 0333 320 80 48 www.londontile. co.uk The Range www.therange.co.uk The Rug Seller 0161 876 4566 www.therugseller.co.uk The Shop Floor Project 01229 584537 www.theshopfloorproject. com The Trumpet Shop www. thetrumpetshopvintageprints.com The Window Film Company 01494 360862 www.windowfilm.co.uk Tile Mountain 01782 223822 www.tilemountain.co.uk Time and Tide 0131 285 0678 www.timeandtidestores.co.uk TK Maxx 01923 473561 www.tkmaxx.com Tons of Tiles 02477 500004 www.tonsoftiles.co.uk Tower Housewares 0333 220 6066 www.towerhousewares.co.uk

U

Unison Colour www.unisoncolour.com UK Flooring Direct 02476 012 840 www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk Used Kitchen Hub 0203 002 0005 www.usedkitchenhub.com

V

Valspar 0344 736 9174 www.valsparpaint.co.uk Very 0800 092 3355 www.very.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 www.victorianplumbing.co.uk Victoria Plum 0344 804 48 48 www.victoriaplum.com Victor Verace www.victorverace. com

W

Waitrose & Partners 0800 188884 www.waitrose.com Walls and Floors 01536 314 730 www.wallsandfloors Wardgroup Interiors 01229 811222 www.wardgroupinteriors. co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 www.wayfair.co.uk Wickes 0330 123 4123 www.wickes. co.uk Wild & Soft www.wildandsoft.com Wild & Wolf 01225 789 909 www.wildandwolfshop.com Wilko 0800 032 9329 www.wilko.com Wolf & Badger 020 7229 4848 www.wolfandbadger.com/uk Woodchip and Magnolia 01254 702553 www.woodchipandmagnolia. co.uk Wool Felt Company 0115 956 9468 www.woolfeltcompany.co.uk Worktop Express 0345 22 22 644 www.worktop-express.co.uk

91

P

Permafence 01773 441 952 www.permafence.co.uk Petits Rituels www.petitsrituels.com Pilkington www.pilkington.com Pooky 0207 351 3003

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

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EDITOR’S CHOICE

Feature Catherine Smalley

At 71cm high, this elegant yet quirky table lamp is a real statement piece. The distressed gold giraffe is right on the jungle trend and will bring an exotic feel to your interior – just couple with deep shades of green and blue for a bold effect.

Available from Audenza for £128

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Next month in‌

Take a peek at our stylish reader homes, filled with inspirational ideas Get creative with our craft projects to make for your home

Put a spring in your step with our seasonal recipes

Give your interior a new lease of life with all things botanical

On sale 4th February 2020 To subscribe call 03301 358962 or visit www.buysubscriptions.com/YHP251 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

125

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

GREAT BRITISH SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER UP TO 30% OFF IN OUR JANUARY SALE

JANUARY SALE NOW ON

Agatha 3 seater sofa was £869 - Sale price £649

www.sofasofa.co.uk

For a free colour brochure call 01495 244226 GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

ϬϭϱϬ� ϮϯϰϬϬϬ � ǁǁǁ�ŇŽŽƌƐŽĨƐƚŽŶĞ�ĐŽŵ ĞŶƋƵŝƌŝĞƐΛŇŽŽƌƐŽĨƐƚŽŶĞ�ĐŽŵ

was £1859 January Sale price £1399

Call now for a brochure or visit

01443 771222 www.thomaslloyd.com To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Re-Silver Plating

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TURN THIS…

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• Candlesticks • Jugs/Tankards • Some Jewellery (please ask) • And much more!

Easy to apply 5 New colours for 2018

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R P Day & Co

0114 2467240 www.steelcitycutlery.com/plating

ALWAYS FITS

NEVER SLIPS www.croydex.com Tel: +44 (0) 1264 365881

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Highly water resistant

SHOPPING DIRECTORY To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Feature Katie Dutton

EDITOR’S CHOICE

For all garden lovers, this floral, Scandi-inspired wallpaper from Cloudberry Living is for you.

Rabarber was designed by Gocken Jobs as part of the Boråstapeter Scandinavian Designers range, and will make you feel at one with nature – from the comfort of your own sofa! It’s available with a blue (pictured) or white background, starting at £59 for a roll 10m long by 53cm wide.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk February 2020

129

GREEN LIVING SMALL BUT MIGHTY Water is the main ingredient in most cleaners and shipping it uses energy that can be saved.

Instead, mix a sachet of Clean Living’s biological cleaner with water to make a powerful product that’s gentle on the planet.

Clean Living’s cleaners use ‘friendly bacteria’, which produce enzymes to break down dirt.

Buy a Clean Living Starter Pack for £6.99 and you’ll get a reusable bottle, a microfibre cloth and a sachet of those hard-working bacteria.

See www.cleanlivingint.com.

Eco

A NEW LEAF

news

Treat yourself to fresh lettuce when you want it and save a fortune on pre-packaged salad bags with this clever indoor garden. The Smart Garden’s adjustable LED lamp beams down the perfect light for plants to thrive.

Pods containing Click and Grow’s nutrient-rich ‘Smart Soil’, complete with seeds, will have you growing in no time. You can also buy ‘Smart Soil’ pods without seeds so you can add your own favourites. Watch the plants you love to eat flourish indoors. The Smart Garden 3 is available for £95 at The Conran Shop.

Save money and energy with our best buys

GREAT TASTE, LESS WASTE Our taste for quick and convenient coffee has been a source of pollution for years, from non-recyclable takeaway cups to the single-use pods required by home coffee machines. As reusable cups are in everyone’s handbags these days, it’s time to eliminate the waste created by pods. Nespresso runs a recycling scheme for its pods, collecting 200 at a time from your home and turning them into pens and even bicycles. However, you can avoid creating this waste altogether with one handy gadget. At the push of a lever, The Capsulier Lite fills a Nespresso-compatible, stainless-steel pod with the ground coffee of your choice. You’re free to grind your favourite beans or pick a blend from the supermarket. You’ll no longer be tied to the flavour and price of ready-made pods. Order the Capsulier Lite from Amazon.com for £99.

3 of the best… eco-friendly seed trays Use these trays to sow your gardener’s delights, without creating plastic waste

3

1

2 Half size biodegradable seed tray, £6.50 for 6, Nutley’s. www.nutleyskitchengardens.co.uk 3 Coir seed trays, £2.50 for three, New Leaf Nurseries. www.newleafnurseries.co.uk

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February 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Feature Hannah Tribe

1 Sage green bamboo seed tray, £3.99, Haxnicks. www.haxnicks.co.uk

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