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ELECTRIC

Alcaston Electric Stove shown in inglenook

better Spend less, live

Our homes can feel a little unloved come January – once the baubles and tinsel have come down – and with prices being what they are at the moment, many of us are streamlining even more than usual. So, in this moneysaving special, we’ve not only gathered hundreds of affordable styling ideas, savvy crafting projects (from p61) and thrifty recipes (from p100), we’ve also put together 10 pages of advice on how to use less energy. On page 114 we look at home improvements that will save you big bucks in the long run, while on page 118, we give you practical ways to start saving right now.

Ever wondered how interiors pros always manage to bring their projects in on budget? We asked 20 industry insiders to share their cost-cutting secrets on page 38 (I especially love Interior Design Masters’ Dean Powell’s clever upcycle!).

While the experts have some tricks up their sleeves, there’s no beating our homeowners for ingenious ideas. Check out Sam Lambert’s completely renovated terrace on page 74 – she’s got some great budgetfriendly tips – and our cover star Ben Favaro’s art deco hallway redo (p26). Don’t miss his bespoke stair runner hack!

MEL SHERWOOD EDITOR

Get an amazing 6 issues for £10 with this month’s subscription offer. That’s over 700 pages of décor, craft and food ideas, including 36 real homes to inspire – all for a tenner! Find out more on page 24.

Editor’s portrait Philip Sowels

IN THIS ISSUE...

January at home

08 This month we love Start planning for 2023, reed the room with fragrances and get in the (picture) frame

11 Household hints The ultimate guide to batch cooking, plus we review fabric stain removers

13 Smarter shopper Budget-savvy ways to save pennies andpounds on your weekly food shop

14 Focus on As 2023 rolls in, take a fresh look at your finances

Homes & makeovers

26 ‘Our hall is as beautiful as its stained-glass door’ Ben and Dave gave their 1920s hallway an ornate vintage vibe 30 ‘Our once-drab hall is now light, modern and quirky’ Lyndsey transformed her entrance with a bold and cheerful new look 34 ‘I wanted to make a dark and daring impression’ Alana created a statement hallway with clever storage and dramatic touches 74 ’We’ve taken our time to get this house just right’ Sam and Matt have spent years perfecting their home with unique touches and vintage finds 82 ‘Dark colours make my home feel like a cosy hug’ Kat’s love for Victoriana saw her swathe every room in dramatic hues and vintage curios 90 ‘We love spending time in our open-plan space’ Fliss and Daniel future-proofed their 1960s semi for a growing family

Be buzzed by bold electric blue

Style & decorating

20 Spotlight on Be inspired by the latest paint colours, paper patterns and tile designs with our looks to love for 2023 38 20 insider style secrets Give your home a professional sheen with expert advice on DIY hacks, décor updates and smart styling ideas 44 30 thrifty finds for under £30! New season buys for every room

Your features

50 Small changes, big impact How to refresh your kitchen without breaking the budget 54 Buyer’s guide No power? No problem. We look at the battery and USB devices that will get you through an outage 56 Green and clean Simple swaps and careful buys that will help the environment andsave you money 114 How to make your home more efficient Six updates to reduce the effects of the cost-of-living crisis 118 15 ways to save energy around the home We consult the experts who reveal how you can pull back pounds on your energy bill instantly

Easy updates for a new-look kitchen

Food & drink

Don

t miss out!

EDITORIAL

Editor Mel Sherwood

Features Editor Michelle Grady

Senior Production Editor Katie Nicholls

Editorial Assistant Sophie Ellis

Art Editor Tricia Ball

Deputy Art Editor Beth Charlton Lucas

Senior Digital Editor Cinead McTernan

Digital Editor Rebecca Messina

Digital Writer Thea Jeffreys

Staff Writer Katie Dutton

Thanks also to Rob Banino, Beth Emery, Yvette Filer

ADVERTISING

Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Business Development Manager

Phil Wallington, phil.wallington@ourmedia.co.uk

Brand Sales Executives

James Beckett, james.beckett@ourmedia.co.uk Dan Fauzi, dan.fauzi@ourmedia.co.uk

Ad Co-ordinator Lucy Dearn

Senior Ad Designers

Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike

MARKETING & PRODUCTION

Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris

Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter Buyer Karen Flannigan Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson

Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Production Co-ordinator Lauren Morris Senior PR Manager Ridhi Radia

Managing Director Marie Davies Head of Brand Marketing Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau

HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET

IKEA

Homes always look a little bare after the Christmas decorations come down, but the new year is a good excuse to freshen up them up. Bring the brightness back to your interiors with IKEA’s new Natural Neutrals collection, which uses cheerful plants and warming wooden tones to celebrate the beauty of minimalist, earthy schemes.

love…

SHAPING UP

All creatures

Illustrator Ellie Good is

by the colour and form found in nature, from funny expressions of cats and dogs to the beautiful abstract shapes of underwater creatures. Her online store stocks a range of homewares, stationery, art prints and gift cards, and each year she donates one per cent of her profits to charities, including City to Sea and Just One Tree. We love her trays, made from sustainably sourced birch wood, and this set of sweet notebooks that use 100-per-cent recycled paper and feature a variety of happy pooches!

Trays, from £19.99; Doggy Friends notebooks, £15 for a set of 3, Ellie Good Illustration

One of the joys of winter is the sight of flickering candles casting shadows around your room. But whether you prefer shallowsitting tea lights or candles that stand tall, their atmospheric flames always benefit from being placed in an elegant holder. These new candle and tea light holders from Henry Holland will add a point of interest to your mantelpiece, table or shelves.

inspired

It’s stationery lovers’ favourite time of the year

Bobbin picture frames, from £24, Rose & Grey

Picture this

Prints and photos can do wonders for your scheme, but finding the right frame is vital. So how about these colourful bobbin designs from Rose & Grey? You could pop a cherished birthday card in one, or show off some snaps from your favourite holiday.

REED THE ROOM

Founded by mother and daughter duo Ade and Antonia, Okiki Skincare’s fragrances use both Yoruba and British ingredients, and its best-selling Nana Yaa Serwah candle has now been released as a beautiful diffuser. The scent is a heady blend of amber, sweet musk, pink peppercorn and patchouli, and will give your home a warm, inviting aroma through the floral wooden stems for up to 12 weeks. For best results, place the diffuser away from radiators so the reeds don’t dry out.

Nana Yaa Serwah diffuser, £22, Okiki Skincare

inspiration

We’re reading…

Kurashi at Home, £25

It’s been a decade since Marie Kondo released her best-seller on the ‘KonMari method’, her holistic approach to tidying. Now she’s back with a stunning coffee table book on ‘kurashi’ (Japanese for ‘way of life’), in which she explains how to create spaces that help you pursue joy.

We’re following…

@sweethomeketteringa

Katie and Robin have balanced bold colours with tradition in their 1904-built semi. ‘We wanted to honour the original features, but also inject our own style. Downstairs is inspired by acid house with bright pops of colour, while upstairs is cosier with more Victorian-style décor.’

We’re listening to…

Art of Money Saving

‘Becoming a thrifty parent’ for some tips from Gabrielle Kyriacous (@mumlifemoney).

Feature Katie Dutton

YOUR Letters

We love hearing from you! Send us your tips, projects and photos using our details below...

Delightful DIY

I wanted our guest room to be decorated with panelling and wallpaper so I decided to give it a go myself as we were on a tight budget. I used videos online to teach myself – I’m so proud of what I achieved and I have saved myself a fortune!

Every letter featured wins a prize!

Thanks to non-alcoholic spirit company New London Light, our star letter has won its Discovery Collection, worth £50, while each runner-up receives a bottle of New London Light Midnight Sun, worth £25. Find out more at newlondonlight.com

New to you

This box was free on Facebook Marketplace so I resprayed, re-cushioned and reupholstered it, then finished it off with a new black trim. I’m really pleased with the end result. I haven’t done anything like this in a long time and I’d forgotten how satisfying it is!

Sally Lambert, via email

Sophie, Editorial Assistant, says: You’ve given this box a new lease of life, Sally. We love the tropical-inspired fabric.

Quick commute

Having our garage converted into an office space really makes working from home more comfortable! The house feels warmer, and the room will be multifunctional for us and for the kids to use too. It’s also been a good opportunity to get creative with my love for colour blocking!

Liz Cole, @extending_62

Michelle, Features Editor, says: Wow – this space has been completely transformed, Liz! It looks seriously stylish and we hope it will give you some much-needed room.

Anita O’Neill, Cornwall

Mel, Editor, says: What a lovely project, Anita: doing it yourself really can save money when you’re on a budget. It looks brilliant!

Star letter

Use up leftover paint to create an arch

Take a seat

Since moving into our house five years ago I’ve wanted to have a window seat. So, armed with some foam and a single duvet sheet, my mum and I set to work. We’re over the moon with our handiwork and I now have the perfect spot to read my books.

Sue Steer, Stockton on Tees

Beth, Deputy Art Editor, says: What a wonderful reading nook you’ve created, Sue – it just goes to show what you can do with leftover materials.

Household

HINTS

Freshen up your home with our handy tips and tricks

HOW

We all know that batch cooking saves money (and time), but where do you begin? Follow our top tips and you’ll soon be chopping, whizzing and freezing your way to batch success…

• Identify where the ‘gaps’ are in your current cooking routine. For example, do you struggle to find lunch inspiration, or are you picking up a takeaway every Monday on your way home from work? Start with a specific challenge that will really benefit you in your day-to-day routine.

• Make extra portions of what you’re already cooking and bulk out meat-based dishes with extra veggies or pulses, rather than buying more meat.

• If you’re planning to prep lots of meals in one go then it’s best to be methodical. Rather than hopping between chopping and stirring dishes, use a food processor to chop up lots of vegetables first and then turn your attention to the task of cooking each meal.

• Frozen veggies usually turn slightly soggy once they’ve been defrosted, so make sure to undercook them a little. Salt and chilli can also become stronger over time, so go a bit easy on the seasoning if you’re freezing portions for later. You can always add more when you reheat.

• You don’t have to freeze everything you make: choose recipes that will be better a day or two afterwards when the flavours have all been released, such as lasagne, chilli or curry.

Scan me!

Visit our website yourhomestyle.uk to discover more cleaning hacks, how-to guides and tried-and-tested reviews

Buy it once

Enjoy on-the-go eating with Brabantia’s Make & Take collection of portable lunchboxes, water bottles and bowls. We particularly love the soup mug (priced at £12.95), which is microwaveable and has a screw-on toppings container to keep croutons, seeds or herbs fresh and dry. Available from brabantia.com.

TO... start batch cooking HACK

If you have lots of candle jars filled with remnants of wax, try this handy idea. Boil a kettle, then pour the water into the candle and leave to soak until the water turns cold. You should be able to peel out any wax and the wick holders. Scrub with a hard-wired brush and washing-up liquid, then reuse as a storage container, or to make your own candle refills.

Weigh and prepare all your ingredients before you start cooking

If you’re anything like us, a clear-out and organising session is a necessary activity after the Christmas gifting season. Here are some handy hacks to utilise every inch of space

1. Roll this table out for bedtime essentials, then simply push it back in again in the morning.

WE TEST…

Biological odour and spot remover starter pack, £8.99, Clean Living (refills £1.99 each)

This eco-friendly cleaner comes concentrated in sachets, which you then mix with water in the spray bottle (included). While we found the sachet initially a little tricky to pour from, once mixed, it’s easy to use. Simply spray, leave for a few minutes, then blot dry with the provided cloth. Its naturally occurring microbes eliminated the dirt and any smells, leaving a fresh, subtle scent behind. It works on most fabrics, except velvet and items that need to be dry-cleaned.

Upholstery stain remover, £3.59, Dr Beckmann

We had high expectations of this well-known brand, and it didn't disappoint. The bristle-and-foam brush works the liquid into stains – simply squeeze some out of the bottle and gently rub in with the brush. Leave for a few minutes, then dab with a clean, damp cloth. However, it didn't work on stains that had been there for a long time, so you'd need something more heavy duty for lingering marks. Use on soft furnishings, car upholstery and mattresses – but not on silk or velvet.

Laundry stain remover, £3, Ecover

With a handy built-in brush, this laundry cleaner easily tackles stains without the use of other cleaning cloths or sponges to get the job done. The lightly fragranced gel gets to work instantly with a squeeze of the bottle and just a little rub. With recyclable packaging and plantbased ingredients, it’ll help you limit the use of chemicals in your home and keeps the effect on the environment minimal. It’s not recommended for wool, silk and other delicate fabrics.

White Wonder stain cleaning cream, £5.99, Lakeland

An all-round cleaner with a cream formula, this can be used on pretty much any colourfast surface, from carpets to worktops, so it’s a handy cupboard staple. It made quick work of cleaning a new stain on a rug – simply dab onto the stain with a sponge or cloth, gently rub it in, and then wipe it off. It’s economical, too, as a little goes a long way. Just be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first, and check the label for surfaces you can’t use it on, such as suede and untreated wood.

SMARTER shopper

Shrink the shopping bill

Data from the Office of National Statistics reveals that the average UK household spends £3,601 on groceries per year, plus £1,744 on restaurants and takeaways. With food prices rising, we look at 10 ways to save…

1. PLAN AHEAD

Meal planning is one of the smartest ways to save money on food bills while also reducing waste, as long as you stick to the programme and only buy what’s on the list so that you don’t succumb to temptations!

2. ENJOY MEAT-FREE DAYS

Meat products have seen one of the sharpest rises with the cost of chicken breast, for example, seeing an increase of 10.1 per cent since 2021; and while most products have gone up in price, tinned tomatoes, dried lentils and beans are still an economical way to make a meal, so factor in meat-free days.

3. AVOID THE PRE-PREP PREMIUM

Pre-washed and cut vegetables cost more and, though they save on time, are often lower quality and tend to go off more quickly than unprepared veg. Save time by bulk prepping instead – see page 11 for tips.

4. GET APPY WITH FOOD

Food sharing apps, such as Olio and Too Good to Go, save the consumer money and reduce food waste. Sign up to the app and see which suppliers in the local area are offering surplus food at a discounted price. Food is offered free by Olio and delivered by volunteers; with Too Good To Go you pay in advance and book a slot to pick up from the supplier itself.

5. FREEZE SMART

We all know batch cooking and freezing meals saves money and time. However, have

you ever peered through a layer of frost on a Tupperware box wondering what lies within? Invest in a roll of labels (or use a strip of masking tape) so that when you freeze meals you can identify it with details of the contents, when it was frozen and, ideally, an eat-by date.

6. BUY IN BULK

Buying in bulk requires an initial financial outlay but promises returns. For example, 1kg of Sainsbury’s fusilli costs £1.65/kg, whereas 500g costs £1.90/kg. Another option is a bulk buyer, such as Costco. A Costco membership is £33.60 per year for those in its qualifying groups (it’s a broad list) or anyone can join for £15 per year for online shopping only.

7. WATCH YOUR WASTE

The double-headed impact of the current cost-of-living crisis and the environmental crisis has forced people to become more aware about waste. Households in the UK chuck edible food worth £13.8 billion, which, says ecoexperts.co.uk, amounts to a potential saving of £496 per year, per household. Good planning and batch cooking, wiser judgements with eat-by dates, plus a broader repertoire in the kitchen will all help.

cookFindnewwaysto withvegtokeep costsdown

8. BE A LATE-NIGHT SHOPPER

All the major supermarkets offer a ‘yellow sticker’ aisle with discounted products at the end of the day. Yellow sticker times vary depending on the brand and recommended times are: Aldi and Lidl from 8am; Asda from 7pm onwards; M&S, 30 minutes before store closure; Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s all offer yellow stickers from 6pm onwards.

9. DON’T BRAND BUY

A lot of the time switching to supermarket own-brand versions is barely noticeable, and moneysavingexpert.com suggests that ‘downshifting’ can typically cut grocery bills by 30 per cent. At a glimpse, in Tesco, four rolls of Andrex Classic Clean toilet tissue costs £3.15 while four rolls of the Tesco Luxury Soft toilet tissue costs £1.59.

10. COUNT YOUR POINTS

Most supermarkets have a loyalty card scheme and it’s worth having a few in your wallet or on your phone. Of course, supermarkets would love to have your undivided loyalty but it’s smart to shop where you can get the best bargains, and this will inevitably mean shopping around and trying different stores.

Bring down the increasing cost of food shopping bills with our top 10 tips for wise planning, buying smart and reducing waste

FOCUS ON

Money makeover

HOW TO... save money instantly

Set aside a morning or afternoon and have your internet banking app open and any financial paperwork to hand. This could be bills, phone or gym contracts, subscriptions, loans and anything else that you pay for monthly. Sit down with a cuppa and go through everything. It’s surprising how much you could be saving by cutting back and taking advantage of discounts and offers.

Frequently asked questions...

How can I earn more money if I need it?

One of the best and easiest ways is to sell any items and clothes you no longer need. Try your local marketplace and sellers’ groups on Facebook as well as eBay, Vinted, Depop, WeBuyBooks, CeX and Music Magpie.

Am I entitled to any benefits?

Anyone with a family income of less than £30,000 should check if they’re missing out. Use Money Saving Expert’s calculator at bit.ly/MSEBenefitsCalculator and you’ll know in about 10 minutes.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Can I get a tax rebate?

You may be entitled to a rebate if you’ve been taxed on the wrong tax code and have overpaid. Contact HMRC to find out more or visit gov.uk.

What about grants for home improvements?

There are grants available to help with improvements to make your home more energy efficient. Head to bit.ly/UKenergyGrants to find out more.

• Start by checking all your direct debits and standing orders. Are there any that you don’t need anymore? Look at gym memberships, TV subscriptions, insurance policies that are no longer necessary. You can cancel them instantly on your banking app, but some companies require you to contact them in writing to confirm as well.

• Next, look at your essential bills such as your gas and electricity, phone and broadband contracts, and car and house insurance. Energy prices are high everywhere, but it’s worth comparing quotes with different suppliers if your fixed prices are coming to an end. The same goes for your insurance, phone and broadband. Use comparison websites to see what others are offering, then contact your current suppliers to see if they can match those prices or do better.

• You can find plenty of extra advice on cutting costs at moneysavingexpert.com

• Compare prices for utilities and insurance policies at comparethemarket.com or confused.com

• For interest rates on savings, head to moneysupermarket.com or uswitch.com

• You can buy an annual NHS prescription prepayment certificate at bit.ly/NHSPrescriptionPrepay and a railcard at railcard.co.uk

If you do one thing...

Check if you’re in the right council tax band. It takes seconds and you can do it online. Visit gov.uk/council-tax-bands for an instant answer by entering your address. You can challenge the band if you still think you’re overpaying but remember that it could increase as well as decrease.

• For any credit card debts, look at consolidating them onto one card with the cheapest rate. A balance transfer credit card could save you thousands, especially one with zero-per-cent interest. For your mortgage, make overpayments whenever you can, as this will help reduce the mortgage repayments and term. You can also move banks or accounts to one with a bonus for joining or a better interest rate. And, if you can afford to save regularly, look into ISAs.

• Lastly, look at things that you don’t pay for regularly, but might be things you could save money on. A railcard could cut your travel spend, for example. Likewise, if you have a lot of NHS prescriptions, it might be worth buying an annual prepayment certificate.

The new year is the perfect time to take a look at your outgoings and see what savings you can make

Feature Hayley Gilbert Photo Getty Images

‘Our kitchen is now the heart of the home, thanks to Wren’

wall

Emma Morris and her husband, Greg, had visited a few kitchen companies in search of their dream design, but hadn’t found one that fit their vision until they went to Wren’s Greenwich showroom. They bought their home knowing it would need a lot of work as it’s an old property, and renovating the kitchen was top of their to-do list. ‘We wanted a bright, timeless design,’ says Emma, ‘and as soon as we saw the Infinity Plus Shaker Chelsea Ermine kitchen in Sage Green Matt, we knew it was the one!’ says Emma.

DESIGNED FOR FAMILY

The couple’s existing kitchen had a cramped galley layout, but they wanted a more sociable space that would work for the busy family life with their two children, Millie, seven, and Olly, 11. Their Wren designer, Ali, helped them decide on a new layout. ‘We told him what we wanted, and he was very helpful when we wanted to make changes,’ says Emma.

They chose to knock down a wall so they could have a dining area, a utility room, and more cabinets. ‘In particular, Ali really helped

us with the chimney design,’ explains Emma. ‘We weren’t happy with a big steel beam that was exposed after knocking down the wall. Ali suggested creating a fake chimney above the cooker, and we’ve also added a rustic shelf.’

GAME-CHANGING IDEAS

The new, open layout gave them plenty of space

for a large island, so the couple ordered the biggest one possible, as they wanted an area where they could all cook and sit together. ‘It works really well! The children love to help us cook and bake, and to eat breakfast at the island, too,’ enthuses Emma.

Again, Ali’s design expertise proved to be invaluable when it came to maximising storage

Emma has finally found her dream kitchen at Wren, with classic style and plenty of storage

Feature Michelle Grady

with lots of clever space-boosting solutions. He suggested installing the sink in the island, which gave the couple more worktop space – ‘that’s been a game-changer,’ says Emma –and also hiding away kitchen essentials in the island, including the bins and a dishwasher.

from start to finish, Emma particularly appreciated being able to view the kitchen design using the Virtual Reality Experience. ‘This is what sold the design to us – we were able to walk around the kitchen and actually see it,’ she explains. The delivery went smoothly, too. ‘Wren were amazing and we had support when we needed it,’ Emma says.

In the extra cupboard space created by knocking down the wall, they added a 6-shelf pantry tower and, next to that, a cupboard with built-in AEG Single Pyrolytic ovens with SteamBake and a microwave. ‘It’s a great space-saver as everything is integrated,’ Emma points out. She also loves the deep cupboards. ‘I have so much storage now,’ she says.

BROUGHT TO LIFE

While the whole design process was a breeze

Knocking down a wall gave Emma ample space to add a large island for cooking, dining and socialising

With the practical bits taken care of by Wren, Emma and Greg could start bringing the look together with finishing touches to create the contemporary-meets-traditional kitchen they wanted. While Emma was keen on wooden worktops, Greg persuaded her to go for shiny Quartz Aspen Ice worktops, which not only give the kitchen a sleek finish to contrast with the more rustic elements, but also bounce light around the room for a brighter feel. The couple also added brick slips to one wall for a farmhouse kitchen look.

HARMONIOUS HOME

The couple couldn’t be more pleased with how the final kitchen has turned out – in fact, they love it so much that it was their starting point when decorating the other rooms, as they wanted to capture the same feel throughout. ‘The kitchen has set the tone for the rest of the house – we’ve tried to keep it all tied in with the kitchen so everything flows,’ says Emma.

The kitchen has garnered praise from family and friends, alike, with visitors commenting on how homely and welcoming it is. Most importantly, though, it has completely transformed how Emma and her family use the room. ‘We all eat breakfast together on the weekends, we love the space, and the kitchen is now the heart of the home!’

Integrated appliances, including the AEG Ceramic 4-Zone hob in Black, ensure the kitchen feels sleek and uncluttered

The modern Oceanus Chrome tap and Maisie Chrome knob handles add a contemporary twist to Emma’s scheme

‘We all eat breakfast together on the weekends, we love the space.’

The time for holiday discounts has come. Feel the magic of Christmas! Go to the Website! enjoythewood.com enjoythewood_

tyle & S

DECORATING

Join us as we dive into deep blue, embrace fiery red, chill with calming neutrals and enjoy the fun of abstract prints

GET THE LOOK True blue, baby

The new year brings the potential for fresh starts and nothing says new, promise-filled beginnings like a crisp, fresh blue. YesColour’s best-selling Electric Blue matt emulsion fizzes with energy and positivity. Electric Blue is the ultimate shade for a statement wall (as shown opposite) and can be used with neutral colours to zone an area or for a mural that pops.

NATURAL HEALING

Our heads have been turned by the calming, warm vibe of Natural Textiles, one of four new looks (alongside Colour Pop, Wellness Blue and Instaworthy) from Carpetright for 2023. The Ardent Saxony carpet in Sand Plain (shown here), £39.99 per sq m, embraces a neutral shade to create a room that’s bursting with ‘relaxed sophistication’, says Carpetright. Turn to page 20 for a more in-depth look at four more new trends on our radar for 2023.

YH LOVES

Light the fire

We’re all about embracing the bold and a splash of red is a way to bring some instant warmth to a room while also making a statement. Adam Brown, MD at The Painted Furniture Company says, ‘Sitting opposite blue on the colour

OH, ABSTRACT

Wallpaper design house, Ohpopsi, has launched a new collection of wall coverings. The Abstract range, starting at £65 per roll, comprises six wallpapers and one mural, each featuring collaged motif and modernist statement shapes. ‘Through our colourful, abstract eyes, there’s no end to the creativity that alternative thinking can provide’ says Ohpopsi Creative Director Zoe Eaton.

Royal Blue cushion £14.99, Homesense

wheel, red looks great paired with navy, creating a modern, high-end feel.’ The Island Breeze bookcase, £725, by The Painted Furniture Company is painted in Cape Red by Little Greene.

Laura Ashley Sorrento 3lt table lamp and shade, £145, där lighting

Seashell art print, from £8, Skudaboo

Drops Persian Blue tiles, £96 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore

Feature Katie Nicholls

Electric Blue matt emulsion, £24 per 1L, YesColours

Nels large circle table lamp, £45, Habitat

SPOTLIGHT ON

Looks to love in 2023 in 2023

Be inspired by the latest paint colours, wallpaper patterns, and tile designs set to be this year’s decorating must-haves, and discover how to bring them into your home

‘The most wonderful thing about Wild Wonder is that it is ‘The most wonderful thing about Wild Wonder is that it is one of nature’s foundation colours and so it works one so effortlessly with every other colour you already have in with every other colour you already have in your home. Use it as the hero shade or just the supporting your home. Use it as the hero shade or the supporting accent and it will look equally good’ accent and it will look

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux

Mckenna border wool runner in Ochre, £99, Cult Furniture

Wild Wonder

Reconnect with nature by introducing the neutral sandy hue of Dulux’s Colour of the Year into your existing scheme alongside organic materials such as cotton and jute

This soft and calming shade is an ideal backdrop for creating a relaxed, bohemian style in your own space

Wild Wonder Dulux Matt emulsion, £30.20 per 2.5L, Dulux

Tribal Ochre Artistick wallpaper, £22 per 6m roll, Homebase

Melvin decorative tray, £10, JYSK

Mint organic jute placemat, £39 for a set of 6, Braided Rug Company

Boho Desert Cactus art print, £23, Green Lili

GET THE LOOK FOR LESS Wickes Champagne No.405 vinyl matt emulsion paint, £15 per 2.5L, Wickes

Awara baskets, from £29, Ella James

Furn Greta cushion, £19, Very

Florenzia

Feature Yvette Filer

Rectangle acacia serving board, £22, ProCook

Gold Hexagon Geo resin photo frame, £14.99, Gisela Graham

‘Raspberry Blush, although bold, is surprisingly versatile. is versatile. You can go all out and create an colour-drenched room You can go all out and create an colour-drenched room with complementary pinks and cinnamons with and cinnamons. Or you can pair it back with a neutral Or you can it back with a neutral shade, perhaps as an accent wall’ shade, as an accent wall’ Helen Shaw, Director at Benjamin Moore UK

Red velvet and brass pendant lamp, £19.99, Homesense

Persephone tea towels, £27.50 for a set of 3, Cambridge Imprint

Raspberry Blush

Baxter check throw, £12, B&M

GoodHome walls & ceilings Chelsea matt emulsion paint, £16 per 2.5L, B&Q

Keep the rest of your styling simple when using a bold colour indoors, and let the walls do the talking Raspberry Blush paint, from £20 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore GET

Benjamin Moore’s Colour of The Year really packs a punch! Mix and match with other berry tones for a vibrant and refreshing look

Rustic hallway bench, £150, Rose & Grey

Jura hall runner, £43.99, Walton & Co

Pink wild rose spray, £5.25, The Wisteria Tree

Countryside

Mason Cash in the Forest 29cm bowl, £20, Dunelm

Green

Twisted

Botanique Paradis Mere

The

Kendal

BRILLIANT

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‘Our hall is as beautiful as its stained-glass door’

Having fallen in love with a 1920s property and its ornate door, Ben Favaro and Dave Firth wanted to give their hallway a vintage vibe to match the home’s age

Although it was a financial stretch, Ben has no regrets about buying his rundown 1920s house, located a few minutes’ walk from Roker beach. ‘I was living in small terraced house in Sunderland before,’ he says. ‘It’s a coastal city but I wasn’t anywhere near the coast. I used to take the dog to the sea as a treat and I just thought –why not live by it?’

Ben remembers seeing the hall for the first time and being impressed by the space. ‘I love

yellow, so I really fell for the yellow stained glass,’ he says. ‘There was a grandfather clock, an old ship in a bottle, inch-thick wallpaper and a really busy, red, swirly carpet, but I loved how spacious and grand it was.’

THE PROJECT

Calming down the hallway’s busyness and revealing the space’s period features was Ben’s main aim. He also wanted to showcase the finds he has collected over the years. ‘I

WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Ben Favaro, 41, an English teacher, and I live with my partner, Dave Firth, 38, CEO of Leeds-based charity, Slate, and our lab lurcher, Juno. We live in a three-bedroom, 1920s terraced house in Roker, Tyne and Wear, which I bought in September 2021 (@roker.house on Instagram).

WHAT WAS UPDATED? The swirly carpet and Anaglypta wallpaper had to go. We sanded the floorboards, uncovered a boxed-in staircase, as well as putting up a tropical wall mural on the landing.

WHY THE CHANGE? We wanted to simplify the décor while restoring the period features.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took about three months during evenings and weekends, but it was worth it.

BUDGETRUNNER

Ben has had the sideboard for years and has upcycled it with grey paint and new handles. As he loves yellow, the lamps were a natural choice to match the original stainedglass window

wanted it to be like Beamish Museum of the North: old-fashioned, but with a twist –somewhere that I could display the life junk I’ve accumulated,’ he says. ‘Everything is a little frayed – much like me!’

After buying the house, Ben’s partner, Dave, sold his house in Leeds and moved in, so it was all hands on deck. ‘Every night it’s been suit off, overalls on,’ says Ben. ‘I’m the destroyer, whereas he’s the builder. He’s great at anything precise and meticulous.’

Luckily, their tastes are very similar, so the style developed to suit them both as the renovation project progressed. ‘We both love history and vintage pieces,’ says Ben. ‘Dave runs a charity that sells second-hand furniture, so he hates waste.’

WHAT WE DID

Ben started his DIY demolition on day one. ‘I remember carrying boxes and kicking holes through the boxed-in staircase to see if there were original Art Deco spindles behind,’ he says. ‘Luckily there were, so we stripped them and painted them off-black.’

My style tips

MAKE IT PERSONAL. The hallway sets the tone for the rest of your home, so fill it with a collection of artwork, furniture and accessories that represent you.

ADD LOTS OF MIRRORS. Hallways can be dark spaces, so add as many mirrors as you can to bounce light around the space. I’ve added a mix of large mirrors and small vintage ones.

MIX AND MATCH ART I’ve displayed new prints with vintage designs from a variety of different eras to give my gallery wall an eclectic look.

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

After blocking up the door to the kitchen, Dave made a window mirror using square adhesive mirrors from IKEA and a painted trim. ‘It brings loads more light in,’ says Ben. The Arts & Crafts chest of drawers was a freebie that has been buffed up with a wax finish

Stitchrugstogether and attach them to the stairswithcarpettacks. Add stair rods to elevate the look even further

TONE

Choosing dark paint for the stairs and lower walls is more practical with a dog. ‘It also takes away a bit of the height so the space doesn’t look too cavernous,’ says Ben. A vintage railway poster of Roker and Seaburn reflects the location, while a picture of the couple’s dog in historical garb takes pride of place in a gold frame

After getting an £800 quote for a stair runner, the pair made their own using five £20 rugs and second-hand carpet rods to keep them in place. ‘Dave matched them up as he’s got an eye for detail,’ says Ben.

Other big changes included turning the under-stairs cupboard into a WC, blocking up a door to the kitchen so it can only be accessed from the dining room, and removing Anaglypta wallpaper from the walls and in-between the panelling. ‘The wallpaper had weird Corinthian columns on it, so I didn’t want to just paint over it,’ says Ben. ‘And we couldn’t afford to re-plaster everywhere.’ While it was feasible to fill in the cracks and paint the panelling and upper walls white, the lower walls were more damaged. To solve the problem, Dave put in a dado rail and re-papered them with a nicer Anaglypta that hides a multitude of sins.

Then Ben sanded, stained, and varnished the floor, after having observed a professional

The radiator cover was one of the few things Ben kept from the old hall and he’s added a vintage mirror above. ‘Not only are they brilliant for bouncing light around, but I like the idea that somebody has used them their whole life,’ he says. ‘Mirrors see everything that goes on’

do it in their living room. ‘The sanding belt kept breaking every five minutes, but I managed to do the rest of the downstairs for about £30.’ Completing the 1920s feel, the pair replaced the light fittings with deco-style chandeliers and added drama on the landing with a wrap-around tropical mural.

HIGHS & LOWS

With six metre-high walls, decorating up the stairs was no mean feat. ‘The previous owner had used a series of ladders and planks of wood, but we’re both afraid of heights,’ says Ben. ‘Having tried Sellotaping a brush on top of a broom to paint the edge of the ceiling, we knew it was time to get in the professionals in to wallpaper the landing!’

The stairs were a real labour of love. ‘They were literally my Everest!’ laughs Ben. ‘But I’ve learned I can work a lot harder than I thought I could. As an English teacher, I spend my life reading poems and plays, but it’s nice to be physically creative, too.’

As the pair began stripping other rooms before the hallway was finished, the project did take its toll towards the end. ‘There was nowhere to sit, just a square on my bed where I ate my dinner and did my marking,’ recalls Ben. ‘I had to keep remembering why I’d bought the house and what the end goal was.’

THE FINAL DETAILS

Once the labour-intensive work was done, Ben could start styling the space, beginning

White walls and dark woodwork is a classic combination that will give your hall a designer look, and is practical, too

TWO

A curated gallery wall up the stairs was a key part of the couple’s vision, although attaching the pictures was challenging. ‘Don’t try this at home, but we were tied to

ROOM PLAN

THE DETAILS

LIGHTING £350 FLOOR £30 STAIR RUNNERS £190

PAINT £200 WALLPAPER £202 FURNITURE £50

with a huge gallery wall up the staircase. ‘I wanted somewhere the eye could rest for everybody,’ explains Ben. ‘So, some of it is very modern and some is more old-fashioned.’

Dave was able to display some of his collection of original Life magazine covers from the 1920s, while Ben could indulge his obsession with vintage mirrors. Two second-hand chests provide ample storage

and there are plenty of spots to display pieces the pair have picked up over the years. ‘There are bowls from when I lived in Africa and a picture of my grandma as a girl in the 1920s,’ says Ben. ‘It all reflects who I am.’

After their successful hall update, they have been spurred on to create a long-term home. ‘I like to be anchored,’ says Ben, ‘and this house is like a huge seaside anchor for me!’

3 OF THE BEST... deco drama

£5 from B&M

This hurricane candle holder features a modern twist on geometric deco designs.

£22 from Habitat Display candles and trinkets on a gold tray to elevate a console table.

£130 from där lighting Laura Ashley’s Vienna chandelier will bring a sense of occasion to an entrance.

ART AND ACCESSORIES £100 TOTAL £1,122

SHOPPING LIST

Walls painted in All White, £59 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Anaglypta wallpaper, £6 per roll, Sunderland Decorating Centre. Stairs and below dado rail painted in Valspar Premium wood and metal eggshell paint (matched to Off Black by Farrow & Ball), £40 per 2.5L; for a similar lamp, try First Choice Lighting clear glass pineapple lamp, £19.99, both B&Q. Floorboards stained in Morrells Medium Oak wood stain £14.95 per 1L, Wood Finishes Direct. No Nonsense Quick-Dry floor varnish, £25.99 per 2.5L, Screwfix. Vintage tropical Black and White wall mural, from £50; Moretti indoor outdoor runner 57m x 230cm (used as stair runners), £29 each, all Dunelm. Blodlönn 30 x 30cm mirror, £7 for four, IKEA. Aubrey frosted glass ceiling pendant £140, BHS. For a similar doormat, try geo print long doormat, £12.50, Matalan. For a similar mirror, try Evelyn round Black metal mirror, £19.99, The Range. Roker and Seaburn vintage A2 railway poster, £19.99, Ink Berry Moon Studio on Etsy. For a similar pet portrait, try custom vintage pet portrait, from £29.99, Purr & Mutt.

the bannister with dressing gown cords to prevent falling!’ recalls Ben

Youwalkthrough thelandingseveral timesaday,somake itinterestingwith a bold mural

An old Stag console table, bought for £2 many years ago, has been given a glam makeover with garden paint

‘Our once-drab hall is now light, modern and quirky’

Faced with a dull, plain space that didn’t reflect her home style, Lyndsey Wardman transformed her hall with a bold, cheerful, personality-filled new look

BEFORE

WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Lyndsey Wardman, 49, a self-employed hairdresser and interior designer (@myhomeismyhappy on Instagram). I live in a nine-year-old, four-bedroom detached house in County Durham with my husband, Lee, 48, a business development manager, our two teenage sons, and our shih tzu, Max.

WHAT WAS UPDATED? We laid vinyl flooring, repainted and wallpapered the walls, and added a gallery wall and upcycled furniture.

WHY THE CHANGE? It felt boring and bland, with magnolia walls, a plain white door and a drab carpet.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took a weekend for us to paint, then the floor went down the following weekend. We added the gallery wall gradually a year later.

When Lyndsey and Lee Wardman bought their four-bedroom detached house in 2017, the big, bright hallway was one of the main selling points. ‘For a new-build, it was much larger than usual,’ says Lyndsey. ‘In our previous house, there was hardly any room as you

walked through the door, but here the boys could kick their shoes off and run around.’

Although the size of the space was a big plus, the décor wasn’t exactly inspiring. ‘When we got the keys, it had the kind of apricot carpet you see in a 1970s hotel, and the buttery yellow magnolia walls made it feel

Although Lyndsey’s hall was a good size, with an attractive staircase and light coming from both the front door and a large window, it wasn’t inspiring. She revamped it with paint, wallpaper and upcycled finds, and it now offers a taste of what’s to come in the rest of the house

gloomy,’ says Lyndsey. ‘I knew it would have to be my first job on the list.’

THE PROJECT

Lyndsey’s goal was to create a bright, bold and welcoming scheme. ‘I used to like watching Through the Keyhole when I was younger, and the hallway is the first thing anyone sees so it has to make a good impression,’ she says.

She was also keen to inject some character into the new build with vintage details. ‘I love mixing old and new, so I wanted it to look contemporary with a colourful gallery wall, but mixed in with some more period-looking elements, like Victorian-esque flooring, a bombe chest and tartan wallpaper,’ she says.

WHAT WE DID

The starting point for Lyndsey was new flooring. ‘Everyone always assumes the floor is tiled, but it’s just sheet vinyl,’ she explains. ‘We laid it ourselves on top of the concrete

IDEA

Space-saving flip- down storage that hides your shoes is a much tidier option than racks, which can end up looking messy.

DIY DIY ideas

How to boost character in a new-build hallway like Lyndsey

1. Get the look of tiles on a budget with vinyl flooring. It’s not too difficult to fit it yourself to keep costs down further. There are lots of tutorials for how to do it online.

2. Installing period-look features in a new-build can be expensive, so get the look with vintage-style furniture instead, like my silver cabinet, or look for second-hand pieces that you can upcycle.

3. For a money-saving way to use a statement wallpaper, use it only on one wall, like my classic tartan design – using it sparingly will make more of an impact than it would if it was splashed everywhere, too.

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

The IKEA shoe cabinet was the first piece in the house that Lyndsey upcycled using Frenchic paint. She also made the key hanger from a plank of wood and pieces of dowel, which she painted the same colour as the shoe cabinet

floor using a spray adhesive. It wasn’t too difficult, as you just over-cut around the edges and then trim it to the right size.’

Next, the walls were re-painted to look much fresher. Lyndsey also painted the front door, opting for a splash of colour. ‘I wanted something light but not white, so opted for a pale grey for the walls,’ she adds. ‘I also gave the boring white front door a makeover with a lick of paint, and I added a door wreath.’

As a big advocate of sustainability, Lyndsey was keen to re-use whatever she could. The shoe cabinet, which was already in situ, is a prime example. ‘I painted that a darker grey and changed the knobs to blend in better with the rest of the space,’ she says.

For additional storage, Lyndsey found a beautiful chest of silver drawers in TK Maxx for the nook by the stairs. Luckily, there’s also a cupboard which conceals the washing machine and dryer, where Lyndsey has added hooks for coats along with shelves for bulkier boots to keep the hallway uncluttered.

HIGHS AND LOWS

One of the trickiest parts was wallpapering up the stairs, so Lyndsey hired a decorator to add the feature wall of grey tartan wallpaper,

which brings a touch of heritage style to her new scheme.

Although the hallway looks impressive now, Lyndsey admits to the odd mistake along the way. ‘I’ve painted the door many colours which haven’t worked, including dark blue, grey and green,’ she says. ‘The lighting was another sticking point as it needed to be bright but also a feature. We bought glass ones first, which actually hurt your eyes to look at. Then we found these ghost pendant lights from Creative Cables, which I’m much happier with.’

THE FINAL DETAILS

For about a year after the main decorating work was finished, Lyndsey kept an eagle eye

out, looking for artwork to create a gallery wall up the stairs. The end result features everything from Pop Art and fun slogans to song lyrics, which reflects the family’s travels and favourite music. ‘There are a lot of personal pieces that mean something and make it ours,’ she adds.

By starting her home decorating process with the hallway, Lyndsey has created a look she could carry through to the rest of the house to ensure a cohesive flow. ‘All the other rooms have a similar feel with a light background and pops of colour,’ she says. ‘When people saw the hall and loved it, it confirmed that I was doing something right and encouraged me to continue decorating to my taste throughout the rest of the house.’

Lyndsey picked these silver drawers as they have a period look and provide ample storage. However, in future she might turn this into an office nook for her new interior design business, myhomeismyhappyinteriors.co.uk

To add colour inside and out, Lyndsey painted her door on both sides. ‘I originally painted it green but then all the neighbours started doing the same,’ she laughs. ‘So, I went for a paler blue to make it easier to find when people come to the house for the first time’

3 OF THE BEST... gallery prints

From £19 from Fy!

Bring the outside in with organic motifs like Gagica Contra’s Matisse Linocut Yellow.

From £8.99 from Hidden Prints Get some morning motivation with a positive slogan.

From £9.95 from Desenio Inject warmth and style with this copper-hued arches design.

Some of the framed prints are pages from books found in charity shops, such as the one featuring Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken in EscapefromNew York. ‘It means something to us, as we’ve all been to New York and we love the film,’ explains Lyndsey

ROOM PLAN

5.18M

1.9M

THE DETAILS

FLOORING £400 FURNITURE £300 PRINTS AND FRAMES £200 PAINT £110 LIGHTING £215 WALLPAPER £45 ACCESSORIES £200 TOTAL £1,470

SHOPPING LIST

Monochrome Geometric Grey vinyl flooring, £9.99 per sq m, Flooring Superstore. Walls painted in Grey Morn Valspar Classic Walls & Ceilings matt emulsion, £30 per 2.5L; similar Jones Cocktail grey clock, £28, both B&Q. Hemnes shoe cabinet, £99, IKEA; painted in City Slicker Al Fresco, £19.95 per 750ml, Frenchic. Door painted in wood & metal eggshell in Burlington Arcade, £38 per 1L, Mylands. For a similar chest of drawers, try Silver antique French-style chest of drawers, £194.99, Homes Direct 365. For similar wallpaper, try Classic Check wallpaper in Grey, £15 per roll, I Love Wallpaper. Elora antique gold domed desk lamp, £84.99, Gecko Home Decor. Ghostbell pendant lamp, £67.50, Creative Cables. Coastal hanging star, £7.99, The Range. Monkey art print; and Rapper’s Delight art print, both from £15, 5ifty Print. No Drama typography print, from £10, Staying In Studio. Nobody Gets Out Sober art £99, Vintage Playing Cards.

‘I wanted to make a dark and daring first impression’

Having a large space to play with allowed Alana Miller to create a statement entrance filled with clever built-in storage and dramatic touches

BEFORE

On first viewing, Alana Miller was able to see past this property’s 1980s décor, and appreciate its spacious hallway with plenty of scope for improvement. ‘I loved this house the moment I walked in, even though it was dated,’ says Alana. ‘I adored the impressive hallway with its vaulted ceiling, and I knew that once we’d stripped away the outdated designs and brought the character of the house back to life, we’d have a beautiful, statement entrance.’

The whole house needed renovating, however, so Alana and her partner, Stephen, put the hallway on the backburner while they worked on other spaces. ‘We decided to make this our last project as the whole house WHO LIVES HERE? Alana Miller, 33, and I run my own interiors company, delveinteriors.co.uk. I live with my partner, Stephen Packwood, 32, our son, Marley, who is 10 months old, and our cat, Wesley. Our home is a threebedroom, Edwardian cottage in Letchworth Garden City, which we bought in March 2020.

WHAT WAS UPDATED? We replaced the old carpet with parquet flooring, installed bespoke storage, and decorated using a warm monochrome scheme.

WHY THE CHANGE? There was potential for an amazing entrance, but the original décor was dated.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? Due to lockdown and the amount of work the rest of the house needed, it’s taken a year since we moved in.

required a complete overhaul and we didn’t want to risk ruining the new paintwork or stairs carpet,’ she recalls.

THE PROJECT

When the time came to update the hallway, Alana decided to make the most of the space with some layout tweaks, along with the aesthetic changes. ‘There was some fairly ugly wallpaper and carpet, which had to go, but I also wanted to open up the space to let more light in, so we removed an internal doorway as part of the kitchen renovation.’

She also saw potential in the cramped under-stairs space. ‘It was hard to access, but I knew that with a bit of thought we could

‘This area needed some sort of window dressing. I initially worried that having the pattern so close to the mural would clash, but because the colour is quite subtle it does work and I love the look,’ says Alana

do something clever with it. So, I designed space-saving pull-out drawers, and a company called Shaped Interiors made and installed it for us.’ While Alana hadn’t fully decided on the look at this stage, she loves dark interiors, so ‘was pretty sure that black would feature somewhere in the space,’ she says.

WHAT WE DID

First, they needed to strip the space of the existing tired décor. ‘We began by removing

Alana has achieved a balance of beauty and practicality in this high-traffic space by adding clever storage solutions, lashings of rich, dark colour – great for hiding scuffs and marks – and an eye-catching mural

Faux sure

‘I knew a chandelier would be perfectly placed here even before I sourced one,’ recalls Alana. ‘This subtle teardrop design adds just the right amount of glamour’

My style tips

ADD BUILT-IN STORAGE

Investing in under-stairs drawers means we can keep the hallway clutter-free and maximise on this once-unused space.

LOOK FOR RECLAIMED

FLOORING To keep costs down, I searched for reclaimed flooring, rather than buying new, and I managed to find wooden parquet on Facebook Marketplace. It was a little tricky to fit, but worth it!

CHOOSE CLASSIC PRINTS To dial up the grand, period feel of my Edwardian home, I framed antique-looking portraits and landscapes. I also chose a William Morris-print blind – Liberty fabric would be a great option, too.

Feature Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

Add a touch of year- round greenery by weaving faux foliage and fairy lights in betweenspindlesstaircase

three layers of wallpaper and ripping up the carpet, most of which we managed to recycle as we want to be as sustainable as possible. We composted the wallpaper and used the carpet as a membrane outside to help get rid of the weeds, and it’s now almost completely rotted away,’ Alana explains.

The couple were hoping there would be attractive original flooring hiding underneath the old pink carpet, but no such luck. ‘Sadly, there was no wonderful reveal of amazing flooring. In fact, we had to replace some of the floor joists,’ says Alana, ‘but I managed to source beautiful reclaimed wooden parquet for free from Facebook Marketplace, though it took six months to lay as none of the pieces fit, so it was like doing a jigsaw puzzle without the picture.’

HIGHS & LOWS

As the couple were doing the work during lockdown, plaster was in short supply, which

PINK power

caused a delay and meant it ended up costing more than they had budgeted for. ‘We also had to isolate while electricians came in to fix a live wire that kept sparking. A leftover from the previous owners’ DIY attempts,’ Alana recalls. ‘But once these issues were dealt with, the fun part of decorating could begin.’

Although she chose a monochrome scheme, Alana wanted the space to still feel warm and inviting, ‘so I chose Rust-Oleum’s Tanglewood for the walls and painted the stairs in Farrow & Ball’s Railings, a soft black. Then, after lots of sanding and filling we had a stair runner and carpet rods fitted as a nod to the traditional feel of the house.’

THE FINAL DETAILS

Alana decided to go bold with a statement mural on the expanse of wall facing the stairs.

Installing bespoke understairs drawers was a gamechanger for Alana and Stephen as every inch is now accessible storage, so their shoes are no longer scattered throughout the hallway.

The couple also incorporated a clever pull-out hanger so their coats are out of sight, too

colourAddanunexpected schemepoptoadark with dried flowersandgrasses inboldhotpink plantpots

Alana was able to choose the placement of the mural design. ‘Graham & Brown has a system where, after I put in the measurements, I could choose how I wanted the design to appear on the wall’

ROOM PLAN

3.9M

‘I felt we could be brave with it. It took over a year to source the right look, but it was worth the wait as the landscape mural is the star of the space,’ she enthuses. ‘It feels almost magical when we descend the stairs, as if we could keep on walking through the image.’

Adding the gallery wall of antique-style paintings and portraits in a mix of gold and black frames was the finishing touch to the decadent, dramatic scheme Alana originally envisioned. ‘And now, having the luxury of

‘This area is the first thing people see when they come in,’ says Alana, ‘so I wanted to make it look appealing.’ She chose a vintage-style radiator, and added a shelf above to style with prints and plants, plus light-boosting mirrors. A basket keeps most-used accessories easy to find

the large hallway is a massive bonus. I love the striking first look people get when they come through the front door as it sets the scene for the rest of our bold home.’

3 OF THE BEST... bold doormats

£26 from Red Candy

This Tree of Life doormat design fits right in with Alana’s country wall mural.

£22.50 from Oliver Bonas

Let your doormat do all the talking with a friendly, colourful slogan design.

£20 from Joe Browns

Add a touch of glam to your hall with this striking, deco-style half-moon mat.

3M

THE DETAILS

MURAL WALLPAPER £200

PAINT £110 BLIND £183

STAIR CARPET AND RODS £500 RADIATOR £220 BESPOKE FITTED STORAGE £1,800 TOTAL £3,013

SHOPPING LIST

Stately Manor Grey bespoke mural £35 per sq m, Graham & Brown. William Morris Honeysuckle and Tulip Gunmetal Roman blind, from £136, Blinds 2go. For a similar chandelier, try the Empire crystal chandelier ceiling light, £140, John Lewis & Partners. For similar stair carpet, try the Clovelly Wigtown wool carpet, £67.99 per sq m; for similar stair rods, try the Homepride stair rod in Pewter, £12.99, both Carpetright. Woodwork painted in Railings Estate eggshell paint, £74 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Walls painted in Tanglewood wall and ceiling paint, £36 per 2.5L, Rust-Oleum. Bespoke under-stairs storage, £1,800, Shaped Interiors and Joinery. Keswick cast iron style traditional 4 column Anthracite radiator, £219.95, Victorian Plumbing. Rectangular zig zag basket, £28; Moss Green Tilda candleholder, £12; Green harlequin candlestick, £6; candles, from a selection, all Heavenly Homes and Gardens. Dusky Pink and Pearl herringbone armchair throw, £45.99; Olive Green herringbone armchair throw, £45.99, both The British Blanket Company. Magenta pillar vase, £22; Baked Blossom dried flowers, from £27, both The Happy Blossoms. For similar convex mirrors, try the Convex glass porthole mirrors, from £65, Graham and Green. Star by Julien Macdonald Pink wire planter on stand, £59, Freemans.

Discover how to give your home that professional finish with clever DIY tricks, easy décor updates and smart styling ideas from the people in the know

Refresh your home with these top tips and pro secrets to make your home’s décor stand out from the crowd, all without breaking the bank. From interiors influencers to creative directors, we’ve spoken to them all to share their tried and tested tricks that will save you money, without scrimping on style. From making your own artwork to faking a carpet runner with paint, we’ll help you revive your home and get it ready for the year ahead in no time!

20 insider style secrets insider secrets Decorate for less with Decorate for less with 1

FAUX FAUX-REAL REAL FINISHES

CHELSEA CLARK, Head of Brand at I Love Wallpaper

Metro Blush tile and Metro Deep Blue tile, £32.50 per sq m, both Topps Tiles

‘Classic marble, decorative panelling, and real wood are adorning our Instagram feeds. However, the cost of these raw materials often stops people from being able to use them in their home. Instead, faux-effect paper can give the look of expensive materials without the cost. Just a few rolls of wood panel wallpaper can give the “I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-real” effect, without the price tag!’

2GO BESPOKE WITH MOSAIC

HARRIET GOODACRE, Brand Communications Manager and Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles

‘If you’re looking to create a truly bespoke tile arrangement and are working to a tight budget, try creating your own mosaic using tile nippers. This handheld tool is affordable (we sell DEX tile nippers for £12.79) and is perfect for cutting ceramic and porcelain tiles that are no thicker than 8mm – simply mark out your cuts, use a handheld tile scribe to score your lines, then nip the tile. Play around with leftover tiles in varying patterns and colours for an eclectic, individual look for a fraction of the cost of commissioning an arrangement professionally.’

STEM STYLING

@lukearthurwells on Instagram

‘Styling vases with single branches is a big trend, however

arranging a bunch of flowers might be trickier, a branch has its own problems. If it doesn’t sit right with the shape of your vase, you can spend ages fussing to no avail. Sticking in a block of floral foam may be a solution, but for vases with tight necks, I like to fill the vase with dried rice. This gives your branch some purchase, and allows you to style it perfectly, in an instant.

LUKE ARTHUR WELLS, i

Antique

Wood panel in soft grey, £22 per roll, I Love Wallpaper

Image Luke Arthur Wells

Find more amazing

to refresh your kitchen on page 50

Valspar India Ink kitchen and bathroom soft sheen emulsion, £38 per 2.5L; Rust-Oleum Bright Gold-effect multi-purpose spray paint, £14 per 400ml can, both B&Q

6GALLERY GLOW UP

ANNICA WALLIN, Executive Creative Director at Desenio

‘It doesn’t matter what your budget is, with a gallery a wall, you can always create something brilliant. And you can take it with you if you move house! Select prints that are varied in style, that way you can create a gallery wall that has a range of art forms which are interesting to look at. You then need to consider the size and placing of the prints. Use plain paper cut to size and Blu Tack to temporarily attach them to the wall – this allows you to experiment with the composition to get it just right. I always space the pieces 5-10cm apart for an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.’

Art prints from a selection, from £7.67 each, Desenio

4COLOUR UP UP YOUR KITCHEN

5THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB

MEL SHERWOOD, Editor of Your Home

‘One of the best DIY purchases I ever made was a £2 sealant smoother – it was almost infuriating how easily it ran around the edge of the bath. I realised then that I’d been expecting to be able to achieve a quality finish as efficiently a professional would – just with a wipe of the finger. But I’m no pro – I’m an amateur! Since then, I always look out for cheap tools that can make it quicker and easier to get the finish I want on any given project – good painter’s tape; nice sanding blocks (instead of sheets of paper awkwardly wrapped around blocks) and, of course, my trusty sealant smoother (which also works on caulk).’

TOP TIP

Mix up poster prints with wallpaper samples and greetings cards – or even make your own (see p43) for a truly thrifty gallery display

Feature Lara Berry

ROCHELLE DALPHINIS, interior designer @rochelle_dalphinis and owner of @lunaspotdesign on Instagram ‘To refresh my kitchen at minimum cost I decided to repaint the cupboards. I took all the cupboard doors off, cleaned with sugar soap and lightly sanded them before loading the spray gun with my new colour. I chose a deep blue – Valspar’s India Ink from B&Q – giving each door four coats on both sides. I painted the frames and kick boards before replacing the doors To add that touch of glamour, I spray painted the silver handles gold using RustOleum Multi-Purpose Aerosol Spray in Bright Metallic Gold. A fabulous champagne look with lemonade money!’ See the rest of Rochelle’s kitchen in the January issue of our sister magazine, HomeStyle, on sale now!

budget-friendly ways

Maya Green Gloss structured plain ceramic wall tile, £30 per sq m, B&Q

Volden sealant smoothing tool, £2 for a set of 2, B&Q

8DETAILS ON A DIME

KIRSTIE DUHIG, Editor of our sister mag, HomeStyle ‘Give your living room a whole new look by adding affordable polystyrene coving. It’s available in lots of different styles and as it’s super lightweight it’s easy to cut to shape, then you just glue it onto the wall using a coving adhesive. Paint it with any water-based emulsion either to match your ceiling or as a standout feature. Prices start at just £5 for 2m from Homebase.’

7HEX LEVEL DESIGN

HARRIS, MD at Tile Mountain

‘If you’re looking to create a tiled l, an off-the-shelf hexagonal tile is a smart option. By avoiding lots of cutting, these shaped tiles not only offer great design flexibility, they also avoid excess wastage and the need to purchase specialist tools. Try creating unusual pattern layouts, or mix and match colours to create a more formal geometric pattern. If you’re looking to mix things up, then select a contrasting grout. These clever tricks will all help to achieve a high-end look, without the price tag to match.’

I

For

2.1m

JENNY BARKER, interiors influencer

@jenshomejournal

‘Vinyl is a cheap but effective way to upcycle furniture or transform a whole room. I’ve completed an entire kitchen makeover for less than £100 using vinyl to turn it from beech cupboards and black worktops to this! It’s a great way to keep things fresh and it can last years too.’

, Creative Director a ‘Spending

Wild Wonder, Woven Hemp and Malted Caramel, from £20.14 per 2.5L, all Dulux

Walls painted in flat matt paint in Persipan, ceiling and coving in flat matt paint in Percy, £26 per 1L, COAT Paints

similar try d-c-fix Ribbeck oak self-adhesive vinyl, £9.50 per 90cm x

length; d-c-fix whitewood matt self-adhesive film, £35 per 67.5cm x 15m length, both Wilko

JEREMY

Lithos white hexagon matt marble effect porcelain tile, £49.95 per sq m, Tile Mountain

Dean saved over £200 by making a chair that was inspired by a high-end design

12

11WOW-FACTOR WALLS

JUSTYNA KORCZYNSKA, Senior Designer at Crown

‘If you are looking to make a truly spectacular wall statement for less, paint your own mural. Murals generally work best in large, uncluttered spaces, so if the space is limited, go for one based on simple geometric or freehand shapes – it will still work well and provide a high impact. Save the pennies by using tester pots or leftover paint to create your very own bespoke statement wall.’

13

Breatheasy matt emulsion in Soft Shadow and walls and ceiling matt emulsion in Spotlight, from £14 per 2.5L, Crown

TOP TIP

Follow our free step-by-step guide to painting wall murals – search ‘mural’ at yourhome style.uk

BLEND OLD AND NEW

LOUISA SUGDEN, content creator and stylist @elegantlyknackeredstyle on Instagram

‘Old things in modern homes can work in pleasingly perfect harmony. For the best visual impact, I source collections of similar vintage wares – find affordable pieces at car boots and in charity shops. Whether it’s a shelf filled with colourful preloved vases, a gallery wall of old artwork, or a kitchen table piled high with pressed glass cake stands, the more you have of varying shapes and sizes, the more impactful the display will be.’

MAKE YOUR OWN LUXE

DEAN POWELL, interior designer and fashion stylist @darklordinterior on Instagram

‘I fell in love with ferm LIVING’s desert lounge chair, but not the £309 price tag! So, I decided to make my own version for less, using a £19 rug from H&M Home and a £76 lounger from Maisons Du Monde. I cut the rug down to size, using the old chair cover as a template, and got my sewing machine out. This project was really fun and it’s the first time I’ve used my sewing machine in ages, but it was well worth the wait! It cost me £98, so I saved £211 – that’s saving on style!’

Image Louisa Sugden

To save time, Cinead advises: ‘organise books into coloured piles before filling the shelves’

CODE

CINEAD MCTERNAN, Senior Digital Editor, yourhomestyle.uk

‘Ever since I colour coded the bookshelf above my desk, I have become addicted to this quick-andeasy trick, which transforms an often-chaotic book collection into a vision of harmony and order. What’s not to love? It’s an effective way to revamp a room and introduce a bright, bold focal point, and it doesn’t cost a penny. Think about how you want to organise your books – colour matching them horizontally or vertically – and as black and white spines can dominate, I tend to keep them on the lower shelves and introduce other colours onto that shelf to break it up.’

14

ELEVATE FOR LESS

YVONNE REAL, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys

‘A trick for creating a sense of height in any room is to hang your curtains several inches above the top of the window frame. You may need to consider what surrounds your window, for instance if there is a radiator nearby. Alternatively, if your curtains are fitted to a discreet track mounted to the ceiling, opt for long curtains that will fill the whole window wall, floor-to-ceiling, giving the illusion of height and elongating the room for that elegant, never-ending finish.’

16

FAKE IT UNDERFOOT

ANNIE SLOAN, colour and paint expert and founder of Annie Sloan

‘I love the idea of an eye-catching stair runner – consider using Chalk Paint to get the look for a fraction of the cost of a stair carpet. Be considerate with which paints to use where; for example, flooring should be painted with Chalk Paint and protected with two coats of Chalk Paint Lacquer for maximum protection. Simply mark out the look you’re after and then fill in with a paint brush. It’s a striking look that can be done in a weekend.’

Chalk Paint in Honfleur and Emperor’s Silk, from £6.95 per 120ml, both Annie Sloan

Abigail Ahern Wolfe Smoulder curtains, from £176, Hillarys

17DIAL

UP YOUR DISPLAYS

TOBY PERRYMAN-PAYNE, interior designer @tobyshome on Instagram ‘Dress bookcases or cabinets for free! First, gather what you’d like to display from favourite pieces you already own – books, glassware, collected antiques or heirlooms, or anything you love Use your largest pieces, like pots and vases, to anchor the look. Work in diagonals, so the visually heavier objects don’t look stacked and uniform. Group smaller items alongside the larger pieces, before filling the gaps with books and other functional pieces. Tweak as the seasons change for a fresh feel.’

18

SMALL SWITCH

ALLY DOWSING-REYNOLDS, CEO at Dowsing & Reynolds

‘To instantly refresh tired a bathroom, swap the handles on your cabinets – it’s inexpensive compared to changing a whole bathroom. When choosing a design, consider whether you want the handles to be an accent or match seamlessly with your units or fittings. It’s important to think practically too – metal handles are incredibly robust, suiting busy bathrooms. Whereas soft, leather handles will wear more easily, so best suited to en suites and WCs.’

THINK INSIDE THE BOX

19MAKE YOUR OWN ART

AISHA CLUITT, Content Marketing Manager at Hobbycraft

‘Don’t spend hundreds on statement artwork when you can make your own! Fluid art is a great way to create a unique piece, all you need is a canvas, pre-mixed pouring paints and a tray. Pour one colour onto the canvas, then add a new colour by pouring this into the middle of the previous one, to enable the colours to layer on top of one another. Do this until the canvas is covered. Now it’s time to get messy – place the canvas onto a tray and move it around to create mesmerising patterns. Allow your canvas to dry then hang it on the wall in all its glory.’

JAMES GREENWOOD, Brand & Interior Expert, Graham & Brown ‘Even DIY beginners can make a statement with wallpapered panels By containing your wallpaper in sections, you will save money as fewer rolls are needed than covering the wall completely It creates a beautiful effect, especially when the panelling is painted in a perfectly partnered shade. You’ll also avoid the difficulties of working around corners and windows.’

E

Fluid pouring art set,

for a 47-piece set, Hobbycraft

Image @tobyshome

Lucy

Deja easy-fit pendant in natural rattan, £26.40, där lighting

TruGlow LED votive candles, £19.99 for 4; TruGlow White LED pillar candle trio, £24.99; TruGlow Blush Pink ribbed LED pillar candle trio, £28.99; White pom pom heart light, £8; 10 glass heart fairy lights, £29.99, Lights4fun

£30

& UNDER

Treat yourself to statement pieces that’ll bring your scheme together

Churchgate cutlery set, £30 for 24 pieces; polylinen napkins, £8 for a set of 4; straw napkin ring, £6; Churchgate foliage tableware, from £4.50; water hyacinth placemats, £11 for a set of 4; Churchgate chopping board, £12, all Dunelm

Thea herringbone throw in Ochre, £29, Feather & Black

blanket youR BED in colour with a bright throw

Voyage Modern Grey marble textured area rug, from £29.95, Kukoon Rugs

Lighting Collection ribbed glass table lamp in Blush Pink, £25, Amazon

Calm Cream macramé mirror, £25, Joe Browns

Henry Holland Dante cushion, £28, Freemans

BATHROOMS Kitchens &

LUXE for less

Wickes’ latest tile collection starts from as little as £16 per sq m, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for savings: the range replicates natural textures and stone so you can create a calming space. For an elegant look, choose the faux-marble Capri tile – and if you install the tiles yourself, you can save even more money. Plus, all the tiles in the collection can be used on walls and floors.

STOCK UP

If you’re a fan of batch cooking, we recommend heading down to Dunelm to pick up this pot – excellent for soup and stew season. A tri-ply base ensures even heat protection (though it can’t be used on induction hobs) and it’s also dishwasher- and oven-safe. Priced at £20, it won’t break the bank either.

NEUTRAL HUES

Small changes can make a big impact in a room. If your bathroom accessories are seeming tired, swap them out for a matching set. We love this dusky pink duo from Next, which will look particularly chic in natural stone and dark navy bathrooms. Soap dispenser, £10; toothbrush tidy, £12; both Next.

Blooming brilliant

Refresh your kitchen with a change of textiles: this flora-inspired set will also add some springtime flair to perk up the dark winter. The sweet tea cosy will come in handy on chilly days when you have company.

Pimpernel Botanic Garden gauntlet oven glove; Pimpernel Botanic Garden tea cosy; £12 each; Portmeirion

YH LOVES

28cm stockpot, £20, Dunelm

Capri warm satin marble ceramic wall and floor tile, £26 per sq m, Wickes

Take inspiration from this month’s tranquil tiles, handy kitchenware and budget-friendly updates

Feature Sophie Ellis

BIG IMPACTSmall changes

Desperate for a new kitchen but don’t want to break the bank? Here’s how to transform the one you have…

Kitchen renovation is at the top of many home improvement lists; whether it’s old-fashioned cabinetry or tired flooring, something usually needs updating. However, you don’t always have to rip everything out and start again. Savvy changes, such as switching out door handles and updating splashbacks, add maximum impact with minimum spend. Plus, most of these are DIY tasks, so there’ll be no labour costs, making sure your updates stay on budget.

Paint your cupboards, rather than replacing them, for a colourful uplift Walls painted in: Serene Peach paint, £21 per 1L; cupboards painted in: Loving Orange paint, £21 per 1L, both YesColours

Add LED strip lights underneath cabinets to brighten up dark spaces – you can customise the colours of the lights, too Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus 2m Ambiance smart LED kit, currently priced at £55.99, amazon.co.uk

Swap out old handles with new ones to update kitchen units

GoodHome Annatto

Matt Black steel bar cabinet handles 220mm, £7 for a pack of 2, B&Q

Bauhaus hexagonal knob in Brushed Copper, £7.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

Choose kitchen utensils in chic finishes to display on your clutterfree countertops –everything else can be cleared away 5-piece knife set with ceramic peeler, £14.99, Blackmoor

Iswik star tile indoor/ outdoor kitchen rug, £22, La Redoute

COLOUR SPLASH

‘Adding a lick of paint is a simple yet effective way to update your kitchen. Whether you want to inject some colour by painting the cabinets and island or simply freshen up the existing paintwork, all it takes is a day’s work to give your kitchen a brand new look.’

Helen Shaw, UK Director of Benjamin Moore

Make budget-friendly metro tiles look extra luxe by laying them in a herringbone or vertical pattern instead of horizontally Whitechapel Gloss White flat mini metro tiles, £25.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors

Fold short edge pull handle in Brass, £11.95, Plank Hardware

For instant impact, paint behind shelving

Regal Select interior matte paint in Orange Sky, £29 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

If you’re DIY-savvy, why not take inspiration from Instagrammer Beth’s amazing splashback? She says: ‘In total, it cost us less than £70! We used white tiles from Homebase and stencilled over them with a colour-matched exterior paint.’

Zarzis tile stencil, from £5 per stencil, Dizzy Duck Designs

SHOW IT OFF

‘Open shelving provides additional storage and an opportunity to display pretty glassware, plants and jars filled with cooking ingredients. Before you install the shelves, decide what you’re going to display so you can work out how much height you’ll need between them, as well as the weight of the things you’ll be displaying.’

Deprez, kitchen specialist at MKM

To make a greater statement, focus on what you can see at eye level. DIY influencer Amy has applied a sheet of patterned vinyl to her metal splashback

Faces vinyl, £22 for 1m x 60cm, Jes Rose; Stick Ease self-adhesive vinyl floor tiles in Black geometric, £19.92 for a pack of 5, Home Bargains

@ourlifeatno.11

If your cupboards are structurally sound, but look a little worn, give them a makeover with specialist paint

V33 Renovation satinwood cupboard and cabinet paint in Agave Green, £40 per 2L, B&Q

Transform tired grouting with a grout pen: choose classic white or black, or make a statement with a fun colour

Rainbow Chalk large grout pen in Terracotta, £7.90, Amazon

Charlotte

@bethshomeandgarden

For quick character, add co-ordinating prints to create a mini gallery wall, or prop on a picture shelf Cosmopolitan cocktail poster; caffè cornetto poster, both from £9.95, Desenio

Craft a curtain to hide unsightly shelving

Panelling painted in: Carnaby Yellow Satin paint, £24.95 per 750ml; cupboards painted in: Amsterdam Green Chalk paint, £23.95 per 1L; curtain made in: cotton Ticking in Graphite, £34.95 per m, all Annie Sloan

We love Leanne and Ash’s kitchen transformation!

The savvy DIYers painted the tiles and cupboards –and even updated their countertops

Cupboards painted in Blackjack Al Fresco paint, £19.95 per 750ml, Frenchic; countertops wrapped in d-c-fix Ribbeck Oak sticky Back plastic vinyl wrap film, from £7, Create Your World

Otto Navy tea, coffee, sugar storage, £30, Typhoon Living

@sixtysevenbelmont

HOW TO STAY comfortable without power

Have a hot drink, watch Netflix or read a book under glowing light with our guide to the best battery and USB-powered essentials

There’s been talk about possible power cuts this winter and, while this is unlikely, it’s always wise to have some essentials that will see you through a short lapse in power.

Storms, wind, heat, ice and snow can all cause temporary outages so we’ve had a look at the essential comforts that will help in a blackout. Being able to charge your devices with a power bank, so you have access to digital radio, iPlayer, social media and, of course, Netflix is important. We always like to have a cuppa while we look for interiors inspo on Instagram, so we’ve found the best USB rechargeable flasks and mugs and, to

save you fumbling around in the dark, we cast light on the best battery and USB chargeable lamps on the high street.

A lack of power doesn’t have to mean you’re plunged into darkness. Keep your space light, cosy and stylish with a moodenhancing splash of colour with this trio of rechargeable lamps

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Amelia rechargeable lamp in Antiqued Silver with 18cm cone shade in Emerald Silk, £115; Phileas rechargeable lamp in Antique Bronze, £115; Walter rechargeable lamp with 16cm empire shade in Grey Green egg & spoon silk ikat, £115, all Pooky

Top up smartphones, tablets and laptops with this substantial power bank that boasts plenty of oomph (20,000mAh) – enough to fuel a smartphone five times over Charge Series 80 PD, £69.99, BioLight

In keeping with the trend for natural products, this bamboo/rattan lamp is powered by AAA batteries providing 72 hours of light

Mingus table lamp, £11.50, JYSK

This USB-rechargeable lithium battery powered bottle will keep your drink hot for 12 hours (or cold for 24). The smart LED lid has a built-in thermometer and a reminder alarm in case you forget to take a sip!

Clemently Smart rechargeable flask, currently priced at £29.99, amazon.co.uk

Despite its name, this is a power bank, not a power station but with 20,000mAh, it provides you with plenty of juice –an extra 73 hours on your smartphone, for example Mophie Universal Battery Powerstation, currently priced at £30, amazon.co.uk

Prep your PowerCore with a threehour charge and you’ll be rewarded with enough juice to boost an iPhone XS or Galaxy S10 two times over. Power capacity is 10,000mAh; plenty to see you through an outage or a long journey

Anker PowerCore USB charger, currently priced at £75.22, amazon.co.uk

BRING THE LIGHT

If a power outage was to occur during the evening, rummaging around in the dark for that head torch you know you used once for a camping trip is an unnecessary annoyance you could do without. Avoid the fumble with a USB-rechargeable or batterycharged lamp. This doesn’t mean compromising on looks either as there are some super stylish lamps on the market that will ensure that you keep your style rep intact.

If you’re looking for task lighting this sleek, batteryoperated lamp boasts 12 hours at the highest output and 72 hours at the lowest. There’s a choice of three colour modes, too, with remote control Hapfish table lamp, £36.64, ManoMano

Double-walled with a thermally induced vacuum (TIV) to keep your drink hot for four hours and cold for eight hours. It’s made from stainless steel and copper coated for extra toasty benefits Thermal mug in Silver, £15, National Trust Shop

Once charged this dapper smart mug keeps your drinks at just the right heat. Select the temperature you want using the app and an LED light will tell you when it’s ready. Use the charging coaster to keep it warm all day

EMBER smart mug2 in Gold, £129.95, Currys

GET JUICED UP

If you don’t already have one, a power bank should be number one on the shopping list to get you through time spent off-grid. If you have a power bank you can charge your smartphone and other USB chargeable devices, such as the hot flasks included here. Don’t get confused between a power bank and power station, which is much more powerful than a power bank. But if you’re willing to invest, they will power up all your gadgets and more when power goes down or you’re on a remote weekend away.

Power capacity is measured in mAh, meaning milliampere hour.

Available in four different colourways, this neat LED lamp might be petite (20cm high), but it packs plenty of power and can supply 100 hours of light. Charging comes via the included cable, or wirelessly on any Qi-standard charger (purchased separately)

ONE cordless LED table lamp, £139, Lime Lace

FANCY A

CUPPA?

Whether you’re embarking on a long journey, you’re waiting for the power to come back on or you’re heading out for a weekend off-grid with just a power bank for company, having a warming drink is essential. We have featured two rechargeable devices for long-haul outages and two regular, non-rechargeable thermal mugs for a budget way to see you through a brief blip in power.

With a 450ml capacity this reuseable mug will keep you in enough tea to cover a short power cut and keep your pecker up with its jolly design Sprinkles thermal mug in Raspberry, £28, Neonimo

G N E

Brighten up your bathroom the guilt-free way by choosing paint that’s kind to the planet without compromising on quality – such as this beautiful blue, which is durable, washable, solvent-free, virtually odourless and has an ultra-low VOC content Kitchen/bathroom emulsion in Alpine Forget Me Not No. 122, Olenka Design paint collection, £42.95 per 2.5L, Victory Colours

As concerns about climate change grow and our household energy bills reach an all-time high, there’s no time like the present to make some environmentally friendly changes to your bathroom. This might seem a daunting prospect, but it’s actually pretty easy if you take it step-by-step. To start, swap shower gel, shampoo and other toiletries with natural, refillable alternatives as they run out. Then, pick products made from sustainable materials wherever possible, and opt for water-efficient taps and energy-saving showers if you’re going for a complete revamp.

WATER wise

Like all Industville’s light fittings, these are handcrafted from 100-percent recycled metals and glass using traditional methods, built to last and compatible with low-energy LED bulbs. Better still, all the packaging is either recyclable or biodegradable Brooklyn outdoor & bathroom wall light in Brass, £90 each, Industville

This bamboo blind is an inspired choice as it’s made from sustainable wood, quick to fit, suits most décors and provides privacy while letting light gently stream through. And you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s reasonably priced, too Bamboo natural roller blind, from £20 for 61 x 137cm, Dunelm

This compact mixer tap has the latest technology to cut water use by up to 50 per cent while ensuring you still have enough for all your needs. It’s also designed to improve energy efficiency by not heating water unnecessarily and is a cinch to install

Start Edge mono basin mixer, from £62.95, GROHE

Reusable bamboo cotton cleansing pad set, £17.99 for a set of 12, Eco Garden

‘When having a shave or brushing your teeth, turn the tap off when you don’t need it. By doing this, you can save up to an amazing 8,500 litres of water a year.’

Adam Chard, bathroom expert at Victoria Plum

Alocasia Green Velvet, £48, Leaf Envy

Warm to walk on and slip-resistant, this vinyl flooring comes in 12 designs and has a hard-wearing textile backing, created from recycled PET plastic drinks bottles HarlemTex vinyl flooring in Clayton Stone, £26.99 per sq m, Lifestyle Floors

£3 per 1L pouch, Baylis & Harding

Essvik recycled glass soap dispenser, £4.99; Essvik recycled glass toothbrush holder, £3.99, both JYSK

Electric showers save water and energy by only heating up water that’s needed after taking it from the mains supply. This new eMotion model is A-rated for energy-efficiency, precisely controlled to minimise water usage and features a clear temperature display eMotion electric shower in Midnight Black, from £367 with free fitting, Aqualisa

EcoSmart

1 Spray Hand Shower 100, £24.18, hansgrohe

SHOWER power

‘It costs 20-30p to take a shower and up to 90p for a bath. Shower heads that limit the amount of water being used without sacrificing water pressure will help.’

100-per-cent recycled paper double-length toilet rolls, £44 for 48, Who Gives a Crap

A dual-flush, push-button WC vastly reduces water consumption as you can choose how much to use and, if you have a meter, you’ll immediately notice the difference in your bills

Orchard Wharfe close coupled toilet with 3L and 6L push buttons and soft close seat, £159, Victoria Plum

Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit refillable hand wash, from

Alex Beckwith, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing

Crometta

Not only is this luxurious rug soft underfoot, water-resistant, machine washable and easy to keep clean, but it’s made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, saving them from landfill or littering the oceans

Polperro Stripe Chinchilla 110 x 60cm rug, £45, Weaver Green

Get into the habit of shopping from retailers’ sustainable ranges, such as Dunelm’s Conscious Choice collection. Featuring materials including recycled glass, organic fabrics and responsibly sourced timber, every item in it has a lower environmental impact Sage green bamboo rack, £10, Dunelm

Made in Britain from wood grown in responsibly managed forests, these MDF wall panels don’t require grouting, can be cleaned with water rather than harsh chemicals and have a 30-year warranty so won’t need replacing during your bathroom’s lifetime White Terrazzo wall panels, from £121 for 2,400 x 598mm tiles, Multipanel

Black

200 bamboo cotton buds in handmade wicker basket, £9.99, EcoPandaGB from Etsy

Piedra mirror, £99, Maisons du Monde

square patterned seagrass basket, £12.50, Oliver Bonas

READER

on smart heating at Wiser

Wiser is an award-winning, smart multi-room heating system, which gives you control and visibility of the temperature in every room of your home, all via a handy smartphone app.

With Wiser you can set different room temperatures and heating schedules throughout your home to make it comfortable for the whole family. Additional smart modes, such as Eco and Away Mode, work out the most economical way to run your heating and reduce temperatures when your home is empty. These combined features mean you can save hundreds on your annual energy bills.

Simple to install, Wiser works alongside your existing heating system with no need to alter pipework or valves, making it easy to fit as a standalone project, during your annual boiler service, or as part of wider home renovations. Wiser can also be controlled by various smart home devices, such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Your Home readers can save 20% on Wiser’s White Thermostat Kits; find out more about the brand’s range at wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk

TERMS

62 EASY AS 1, 2, 3!

Create a trio of minimalist textured artwork using plaster.

68

TRY SOMETHING NEW

64 REVAMP

REPAIR RECYCLE

Add impact to a boho scheme with a budget lampshade made out of storage boxes.

66 SEW SIMPLE

Sew up this beginner-friendly microwaveable fabric heat pad.

Use air-dry clay to make a thrifty yet delightful decorative floral tile. It’s ideal for gifting as you can personalise it with different flowers, too.

70

CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

Learn how to produce beautiful prints with a lino printing kit, craft palm oilfree luxurious soaps at a workshop and go wild with animal-inspired fabrics for your next upholstery project.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

If you love the look of sophisticated, textured art, but balk at the prices, here’s how to create your own for much less…

Top tip

The raised surfaces and rough texture of plaster artworks work well with a single colour, but you could use paint pens to add detail in another shade

1

Create your shape out of tin foil, but whatever form you choose, make sure the base is wide enough so the shape can stand on its own. Test this as you form the shape, adjusting the base as you go. We went for an abstract shape inspired by Modernist sculptures, but you can make any shape you like. Smooth out the surface of the foil as much as possible.

2 Put on your gloves and fill the bowl with water, then cover your work surface to protect it. Prepare your plaster cast by following the packet instructions (ours needed to be soaked one roll at a time, for a few seconds, until it was fully saturated) before wrapping the roll around the tin foil.

1

Begin by drawing vertical and horizontal lines through the centre of the canvas to create guidelines for an even pattern. Next, cut out a series of triangles and rectangles in matching sets of two or four from your cardboard. Then, make a pattern with your shapes on the canvas. Hot glue it into position when you’re happy.

2

As you wrap each bandage around the foil, use your fingers to smooth the shape as you go. Keep checking that the shape will stand unsupported as you wrap it. Once the entire shape is covered, add another layer, again smoothing as you go. Keep adding layers until you’re happy with the finished shape, then allow it to set fully before styling it in pride of place.

3

Once your canvas is fully covered, add a few more shapes over the previous shapes to build extra dimension into the design. When you’re completely happy with the design, mix up a small amount of plaster following the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply the plaster to your canvas using an old brush and your fingers (wearing gloves). You want a thick layer of plaster that completely covers the design.

Allow it to dry fully before using a dry paintbrush dipped in a small amount of paint to brush over the design – catch the edges of the shapes to accentuate the textures.

SPIRAL ARTWORK

1

Place a bowl upside down onto your canvas and make sure it’s central. Draw around the bowl using a pen or pencil. Then, take a pen or pencil and draw a swirl from the edge of the circle working inwards towards the centre of the canvas.

3

2

Use a glue gun to stick a piece of string over the swirl, starting at the outside edge and spiralling inwards. Once it’s stuck in place, trim off any excess string at the centre and snip away any loose threads.

With your gloves on, mix up a small amount of plaster with some water.

Use your fingers to spread it across the canvas.

Take care to smooth between the grooves of the string so that it stays prominent beneath the plaster. Allow the plaster to dry fully and either display the spiral as is or paint it to match your décor (we choose an earthy grey).

Feature and step photos Heather Nugent Main photo Steve Sayers Styling

Tricia Ball & Beth Charlton Lucas

REVAMP REPAIR recycle

Astatement light can be the perfect finishing touch to a room, but buying one can take up a huge chunk of your budget. So why not create your own for a fraction of the cost? This easy-to-make pendant shade has a designer look that will give any boho scheme the ‘wow’ factor.

SHOPPING LIST

First,

centre of the base of the small box. Place the plastic shroud from your pendant lamp holder over the centre, making sure that the narrowest end of the shroud is on the box. Use a pencil to carefully draw around the inside of the shroud, then use a sharp craft knife to cut out the circle and create a hole for the pendant lamp holder.

circle. Once you’ve cut the circle out, use the sandpaper to gently sand the edges of the hole down to ensure it’s completely smooth.

4 Apply two coats of White or Cream chalk paint inside both of the boxes. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats.

2

Check that the hole is the correct size by fitting the base of the lamp holder through it. The base should fit snugly and the shroud should screw on comfortably. If not, carefully trim away more material from the edges of the hole using the craft knife. Once the hole is the right size, gently smooth the edges down using the fine sandpaper.

3 Next, centre the small box on top of the base of the large box and draw around it with a pencil. Set the small box aside for a moment, then draw a second circle approximately 1cm inside the first one and use your craft knife to carefully cut out the inner

Run a line of clear glue around the outside of the hole on the large box, keeping the glue between the hole and the wider circle you drew in step 3. Place the open end of the small box on top of the glue, then rest something heavy on top to press the two boxes together while the glue dries. Ideally, leave it for 24 hours to allow the glue to fully set.

5

6Cut a length of crochet ribbon to fit around the bottom edge of the small box and fix it in place using a hot glue gun. Cut a length of tassel trim to fit around the bottom edge of the large box and fix it in place using a hot glue gun. The shade is now ready to fit to your existing pendant light fitting.

This beautiful design fits in perfectly with the warm neutral trend for 2023. Turn to page 20 for more on this look

Top tip

Hang the pendant down low, as this shade should only be used with low-heat LED light bulbs (it’ll also create moodier ambience)

Project and step photos Anna-Lisa De’Ath Main photo Steve Sayers Styling Tricia Ball and Beth Charlton Lucas

SEWsimple

Cosy up in style with an easy-sew microwave heat pad made in two co-ordinating prints

Heat pads are great for soothing aching shoulders, or helping you to stay toasty on a chilly day. Just pop it in the microwave for around a minute or so, drape it across your shoulders, and enjoy its cosy warmth. Luckily, they’re as easy to sew as they are to use. Made from two wide strips of printed cotton fabric, with six sewn sections filled with rice (and an optional sprinkling of dried lavender if you’d like to add a calming fragrance), this is a simple, beginner-friendly project. We’ll be making a few as quick gifts for family and friends.

SHOPPING LIST

1

Cut out four rectangles measuring 75 x 20cm from the plain cotton fabric, and one rectangle of same size from each of the two print cotton fabrics.

2

Place the two print fabric pieces together with the right sides (RS) facing, then sandwich them between the two plain pieces, lining up all the edges and pinning in place along the two short edges and the bottom long edge. The plain pieces will provide an extra layer to strengthen and insulate the heat pad.

3You can measure and mark equal sections for filling with rice at this stage on the inside of the pad, or mark them on the RS of the fabric later once it is turned RS out. To mark out the sections, find the central point and use it to measure and mark out six equal sections.

4 Sew along the short edges and bottom edge using a 1cm seam allowance. Carefully snip across the corners before turning the assembled panel RS out.

5

Push the corners out and press the panel flat. Fold in the raw top edges by 1cm and press them to the inside.

6

If you didn’t mark out the sections on the inside, mark them on the RS – ensure you use a pencil or an erasable fabric marker for this so you can remove the marks at the end. Following your marked sections, pin along each line to hold it in place before sewing a straight line along each from top to bottom.

7 Take a funnel (or make one from card) and use it to fill each sewn section with about 250g of dry rice – you can also add dried lavender if desired – and pin the top closed once the section is filled.

8

Once all the sections are filled, sew all the way along the top edge, either by hand using a slip stitch or by sewing close to the folded edge on your sewing machine, to finish.

Cuttingacrossthe cornerswillcreate turnedcrisppointswhen rightsideout

Top tip

Create a thoughtful gift set by sewing a pair of matching mini heat pads for hand warmers – it‘s a great way to use up fabric scraps, too

Project and step photos Samantha Claridge Main photo Steve Sayers Styling Tricia Ball and Beth Charlton Lucas

TRY something new

Create a lovely addition to a shelf or mantelpiece with this decorative floral tile. Made from air dry clay, this beginner-friendly project makes a great gift

The trend of bringing natural elements into the home promises to be a popular look for 2023, and this easy make fits snugly in as it uses floral stems to create a truly unique craft. Although you’ll need to leave the clay to dry for at least 24 hours, it’s a low-effort craft that makes a sweet present for someone special.

SHOPPING LIST

Makes four tiles ✔ baking paper ✔ wooden chopping board ✔ 500g air-dry clay ✔ rolling pin ✔ 10 x 10cm square template ✔ sharp knife ✔ dried flower stems ✔ tweezers For gifting: ✔ tissue paper ✔ newspaper or brown kraft paper ✔ string or ribbon ✔ gift tag 1

Place a sheet of baking paper on the wooden chopping board, then place the clay on top. Roll out the clay to a thickness of 1cm.

Top tip

Using your template, mark out four 10 x 10cm tiles. With a sharp knife, cut out the four tiles and remove any leftover clay from the chopping board. 3

2

Lightly place the dried flower stems on each tile and decide on a composition that you’re happy with. Once you’ve finalised your design, place another sheet of paper over the stems and then use the rolling pin to press them gently into the clay. 4

Carefully remove the paper and check the tiles to ensure that the stems are fully pressed into the clay and that nothing sits proud of the surface. If necessary, re-cover with paper and roll again. 5

Gently remove the stems from the clay with the tweezers. 6

Leave the tiles to dry for 24-72 hours in an airing cupboard (or another warm space –you can leave them next to a radiator). 7

If you’re gifting the coasters, you can wrap each tile individually in a sheet of tissue paper, or stack them on top of each other with a layer of tissue between each tile. Wrap the set in brown paper or newspaper, tied with string or ribbon. Finish with a gift tag.

For the template, use a ceramic tile or make one out of cardboard

GET inspired

This is an edited extract from The ArtofGiftingNaturallyby Angela Maynard, a contemporary guide to making presents by hand. From skincare and fragrance to wall decorations and candles, the projects embrace sustainability, slow-living and mindful crafting.

Hardie Grant, £16.99

Top tip

This project uses lavender and mixed grasses to decorate, but you can personalise this make by choosing different flowers

Project Angela Maynard Photos ©Jeska Hearne

Craft stash

MUST HAVES

Start the new year on a good note with plenty of smiles and a home packed full of style

Workshop

GOOD CLEAN FUN

Make the most luxurious soaps on Saturday 28th January at the Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co in Kent. Hosted by its founder, Paula Mateo, you’ll learn everything you need to craft fragrant soaps for yourself, or to give as gifts. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and afternoon tea is included. You’ll leave with eight palm-oil-free soaps that you’ve made from scratch. It runs from 10am-3pm, costs £129, and you can book a place on it at oldbexleysoap.co.uk. Paula also takes a Soap and Cosmetics Compliance Course, if you dream of launching your own soap business.

Nature's way

Make your own amazing prints with lino printing. This Botanical Lino Print kit is suitable for beginners (although you create designs that are as easy or difficult as you like) and comes with everything you need to produce stylised snapshots of nature. Each part of the kit is high quality, from the brayer (roller), to the handmade Nepalese lokta paper and artist-mixed inks. Plus, it’s so beautifully presented that it would make an excellent gift, £30, cleverhands.shop.

RAY OF LIGHT

Even if it’s raining outside, you can brighten up any day with this gorgeous Sew Your Own Sunshine kit. It’s a simple project that uses pre-cut felt and stuffing. The kit includes threads, safety eyes and full written instructions, £6.99, etsy.com/shop/ theorchidcraftroom.

Animal prints are a key look this season and can give any room instant sass. These striking zebra prints from Magnolia Fabrics are suitable for a range of upholstery creations, including curtains and cushion covers. They’re 100-per-cent polyester, washable at 30°C and cost £14 per 50cm. Browse this and the other glorious designs at magnoliafabric.uk.

Great art doesn’t have to be expensive and if you can paint your own it’s even better. In this book, Estelle Day shows you how to create nine mini works of art using oil paints. Each painting measures just 10cm2 and subjects include a juicy red apple, an espresso cup and autumn leaves. Complete beginners will find the outlines for each subject a useful starting point, and detailed information on the materials you’ll need is included. Pick up a copy for £12.99, searchpress.com.

Fliss Beasley extended and modernised her 1960s home to create a sociable, family-friendly space

Bright terrace reno

‘We’ve taken our time to get this house just right’

a relaxed home full of unique touches, vintage finds and splashes of colour

Sam and Matt met at university and, a few years after they graduated and started working, decided to buy a home together. ‘We moved in with my parents to save for a deposit,’ explains Sam, ‘but we soon realised our budget didn’t stretch very far. Matt suggested looking at this place even though it was out of our price range, but because it was a total wreck no one else wanted to take it on. So, the owner reduced the price, and we snapped it up.’

When the couple got the keys, though, they realised just how big of a project they’d taken on. ‘The floorboards were painted with fence stain rather than floor paint, the doors of the cheap kitchen units were falling off and the bathroom had seven different types of tiles on the walls,’ says Sam. ‘Because so much needed doing, we decided that we wouldn’t rush to move in but instead do one room at a time, so we stayed on at my parents while we got stuck into the renovation. We worked 9-5 jobs during the week, played badminton on a Tuesday evening, had Friday nights off, and then spent every other spare minute doing up the house,’ she says.

The wall between the living and dining rooms had been removed by a previous owner, so the first task on their list was reinstating it, as Sam hankered after a traditional layout with a cosy living room, open fire and separate dining area. ‘We then unblocked an old doorway in the living room, which opened

‘I wanted a bespoke in-frame kitchen, but couldn’t afford a handmade one and budget options aren’t easy to find. So when I was hunting for new cabinets, B&Q won with this design,’ explains Sam

Sam Lambert and Matt Bibby spent years revamping their fixer-upper to create

Sam didn’t realise how much work this house needed when she and Matt bought it, but has enjoyed making it her own

YES TO YELLOW

To bring together her colourful schemes, Sam has added mustard and ochre to every room so her house feels cohesive

KITCHEN

‘I wanted to move the kitchen and sink to this end of the room, and luckily the previous owners had their washing machine here which meant I could re-design the space without having to move any of the plumbing,’ explains Sam

OUR MUST HAVES For a similar kitchen, try Helmsley kitchen in Light Grey, from £175.08 for a 300mm single highline base unit –300 deep, DIY Kitchens. William Morris Fruit Citrus Roman blind, from £42.85, Blinds 2go. Neo Mint Tinkisso kitchen tap, £139.99, Dowsing and Reynolds

COME ON IN...

WE ARE Sam Lambert, on Instagram @overatsams, 37. I run my own marketing company, and I live with my partner, Matt Bibby, 38, an electronic engineer, and Wally, our house bunny.

OUR HOME IS An Edwardian, threebedroom terrace house near Prestatyn, North Wales and we moved here in December 2009.

MY STYLE IS Eclectic. I love the way mixing different styles can add pace and interest to a room, but also how they can complement each other.

WHAT I LEARNED You don’t have to redecorate every time you want a new look. We can’t afford to keep repainting, so when I want a change, I simply shop from my home.

‘Patterned tiles were high on my wish list. I wanted something a bit different, and after lots of research I finally found these. They were expensive, so I compromised and put them just behind the hob, rather than the whole wall,’ says Sam

FOR INSPIRATION I head to places where I don’t know what I’m going to find and where I can hunt for things that no one else has, such as charity shops, salvage yards, and Homesense.

MY BEST IDEA Creating a larder cupboard out of two kitchen cabinets was an inspired decision as I’ve got the look and functionality for a fraction of the cost of a bespoke one.

‘The green tap was part of a recent mini-makeover. I also added the pops of yellow,’ Sam says. ‘Even these small changes have made me fall in love with our house all over again’

‘Whenever we talk about moving, we can’t find anything as lovely as this home that we’ve created together.’

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Lee

a can of worms as the radiator pipe was in front of the new door so we had to re-direct the pipework. We also had to re-plaster the whole house, replace the electrics and restore the skirting boards and architrave.’

SALVAGED STYLE

The work it needed snowballed, so the couple decided to focus on doing the minimum to make it liveable. ‘We knew the bathroom and kitchen were huge jobs, so I just painted the walls and tiles, then we set about getting a bedroom finished,’ Sam explains. The initial renovation was such a big job that it took 18 months before the couple could move in. ‘Doing the work ourselves saved money, but we never expected it to take so long,’ she admits, adding, ‘YouTube wasn’t a thing back then, so we bought a really good DIY book and used that to slowly teach ourselves skills.’

Once they finally moved in, the fun part began. ‘I loved hunting through salvage yards to find original fireplaces and tiles, and initially I went big and bold with the colour scheme,’ says Sam. The couple also designed and made the alcove storage in the living

DINING ROOM

‘The dining chairs have changed regularly and have been every colour under the sun over the years. I don’t like a formal look or too much symmetry; I prefer a more unique, relaxed feel in my home,’ says Sam

OUR MUST HAVES

Acrylic eggshell paint in Chrysanthemum, £38 per 1L, Morris & Co. Let’s Stay Home neon sign, £355, Bag & Bones. Origami Hexagon paper easy fit pendant, £15, Dunelm

Sam designed the shelving herself. ‘While hunting for room inspiration, I stumbled across an image of a library wall. I thought it could work perfectly either side and over the door, so I drew out the design, concentrating on different-sized shelving for a quirky look, and after it was installed I painted it’

‘The original idea was to use the shelves simply for storage, but as my tastes have changed, I’ve started using them for display and styling.’

‘Lockdown meant that I had to make this corner a dedicated space to work, but we couldn’t go out desk shopping, so I decided to make my own. I constructed a box out of leftover MDF and attached two drawer runners inside to create a keyboard shelf,’ says Sam

Sam and Matt made the dining table themselves and it turned out to be a simple DIY project. They found precut plywood online, gave it a lick of varnish, and added hairpin legs

room. ‘I studied design technology for a year so I’m quite good at woodwork,’ explains Sam. ‘The original idea was to use the shelves simply for storage, but as my tastes have changed, I’ve started using them for display and styling.’

MAKING A HOME

Having brought the rest of the rooms up to scratch, the couple decided it was time to tackle the bathroom and kitchen. ‘The original bathroom was far bigger than

we needed, so I came up with the idea of reducing its size and using the space we gained to create a small walk-in wardrobe and airing cupboard,’ says Sam. ‘I also wanted a free-standing bath, so we re-designed the layout, boxing in the soil pipe and installing a shower at the same time.’

The kitchen renovation presented a lot of challenges. ‘We decided to move the back door and boiler to allow for a larder cupboard, and because of the long room we were quite limited with what we could do, so I went for

LIVING ROOM

‘When I first decorated this room it was very neutral, but during lockdown I started missing colour. So, I changed all the artwork, cushions and throws by just “shopping” from the rest of my home,’ says Sam

OUR MUST HAVES Ercol Forli medium sofa, £1,839, Stokers Furniture. Legs Over poster, from £15.95; The Nap poster, from £13.95, both Desenio. Matt Brass Ronda round hanging mirror, £125, John Lewis

BRANCH OUT

Go

Sam created a rustic display from a foraged branch. ‘It was originally meant for seasonal displays and I intended to change it regularly, but to be honest, it’s pretty much stayed the same. It adds a personal touch to the room, though’

Wanting to reinstate as many of the original features as possible, the couple trawled through salvage yards in a bid to find a beautiful fireplace to replace an ugly pine surround

foraging for a branch to use as a wall hanging. Like Sam, wrap it in fairy lights and hang artwork on it with twine and ribbon

MAIN BEDROOM

Sam recently brightened up her bedroom with a lick of light-blue paint. ‘It’s a north-facing room so needed some thing bit fresher than the previous dark blue, so I re-decorated using Oval Room Blue and Zoffany Mist by Farrow & Ball,’ says Sam

OUR MUST HAVES White Oliver bed, £399, Feather and Black Malm chest of 6 drawers (upcycled), £125, IKEA. For a similar duvet cover, try Wild Meadow duvet set in Royal Blue, from £21, furn

The couple have had these IKEA drawers for years, so Sam decided to give them an easy makeover by covering the drawer fronts in mixand-match floral fabrics

GUEST ROOM

While she’s redecorated other rooms in the house, Sam has kept the soft pastel palette in the guest room. She enjoys mixing different styles and believes that if you love something, you can make it work; ‘it is your home after all,’ she says

OUR MUST HAVES For similar day bed, try the Noomi Erika solid wood guest Bed, £299.99, Bed Kingdom. Eamesstyle RAR rocking armchair, £125, Star Design UK. Bumblebee embroidered cushion, £12, M&S

a galley-style kitchen,’ says Sam, who chose a B&Q in-frame kitchen for its stylish look and reasonable price. Problems arose when the work began, however. ‘Just when we had ripped out the old kitchen, Matt was called to work in America for a month. The new kitchen was in boxes everywhere, the back door was made of breeze blocks, areas of the floor were missing and there were holes in the ceiling for the electrics.’

Eventually, though, the work was finished, and the trickier parts of the process forgotten. ‘Our home is a real haven now and I’m loving bringing colour into the house,’ says Sam. ‘Whenever we talk about moving, we can’t find anything as lovely as this home that we’ve created together.’

‘I loved hunting through salvage yards to find original fireplaces and tiles, and initially I went big and bold with the colour scheme.’

‘The guest room hasn’t changed much since we first decorated so still has a shabby-chic feel to it, which was our home’s first look. We replaced the original bed with a day bed to allow more space for us to use it as a dressing room, too,’ explains Sam

‘The bathroom shelf with peg hooks was a lockdown project,’ says Sam. ‘They’re expensive to buy ready-made so we got some wood and made our own over a weekend. The shelf allows me unlimited faffing!’

BATHROOM

‘We invested in the edging and skirting tiles and then got cheap metro tiles for the walls, and it’s made the room look far more expensive than it is – it’s all in the details,’ says Sam

OUR MUST HAVES Dado and skirting tiles, from a selection, Casa Ceramica. Modern emulsion in Cromarty, £59 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. For similar peg shelf, try Wall Shelf with hooks, from £34.99, Haus Projekt on Etsy

SHELF CARE

Make use of a blank wall above the bath with a long pegboard shelf. Keep toiletries and accessories on the shelf, and hang towels and robes on the pegs

1. Yellow Monica stoneware vase, £19, Cult Furniture 2. Let’s Play neon wall light, £49.99, Lights4fun

Bees embroidered linen blend cushion

£64, Sophie Allport 4. Solomon iron double bed, from £259 for a double, The Original Bed Co. 5. Windsor multi patterned tiles

Mountain

Denim Drift paint, £43.18 per 2.5L, Dulux

Victoriana makeover

‘Dark colours make my home feel like a cosy hug’

After starting a family, Kat Wagstaff wanted to move closer to her mum, so she and her husband, Ian, began looking at properties nearby. ‘To be honest, this was the worst house in the best area, so, although we could just afford it, we knew it would be a project,’ she says. ‘The house needed a lot of love, as sadly all the original features had been stripped out and the tiny kitchen wasn’t family-friendly – it couldn’t even fit all of us in it.’ As every room needed renovating, ‘it actually felt like a blank canvas where I could simply start again,’ explains Kat. ‘Although I know “renovation fatigue” is a real thing, so we made sure not to start too many projects at once.’

ROOM BY ROOM

Their first priority was creating a comfortable room for Darcy Rose. ‘So, we painted the walls white to freshen the space and laid new carpet. I did consider ripping up the rest of the carpets at the same time, but the thought of fixing the whole house’s floorboards was too daunting, so we decided to tackle each

To find a home within budget in their ideal area, Kat and Ian bought a property that needed a lot of work and renovated one room at a time until it suited their style

room individually.’ The couple quickly moved onto the living room next, ‘as I knew we’d ultimately want a sanctuary from the rest of the reno,’ says Kat. ‘We stripped off layers of wallpaper, had the walls re-plastered and

replaced the carpet with pale, wood-effect laminate as a low-maintenance alternative.’

Kat was most excited about replacing and restoring the original features, ‘and to start bringing back some charm and character to

Kat Wagstaff swathed every room of her 1940s semi in snug, dramatic hues and finished the look with vintage curios to express her love of Victorian style

‘The first room I changed was the living room. I began to feel my style coming together.’

TILE TWIST

Use

‘I’m drawn to the Victorian era as I love the history older pieces hold and how they carry a story. I like to wonder whose house they were in 100 years ago,’ says Kat

LIVING ROOM

Keen upcycler Kat prefers old furniture to new. ‘The corner cabinet was one of the first pieces I transformed for this house,’ she says. ‘I love the unique feel secondhand pieces give a home, but it’s also about sustainability for me, so it feels good to give a piece of furniture a new lease of life’

OUR MUST HAVES Stocksund armchair, £349, IKEA. Hurricane Satin Nickel floor lamp, £85, Dunelm

‘I love to create little displays and vignettes around the house,’ explains Kat. ‘Although, this large cabinet is also really useful as it’s full of the girls’ pens and toys’

COME ON IN...

WE ARE I’m Kat Wagstaff, 39, a stay-athome-mum, and I live with my husband, Ian, 36, an occupational therapist, our children, Darcy Rose, nine, and Beatrice May, who is six, and Frosty, our rabbit.

OUR HOME IS A 1940s, three-bedroom semi in Burbage, Leicestershire. We bought it in January 2016. See more corners of my home @little_rose_house on Instagram.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The kitchen-diner. I love the vintage vibe with lots of gorgeous pre-loved furniture and accessories, but I also love the fairy-tale feel I’ve created by hanging wall murals.

MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE Living in the house with two small children while the extension was being built. We had a flood, plaster fell off the bedroom wall and at one point we didn’t have a cooker or sink, but it was worth it.

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

Feature & styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

the place. We began by putting up a picture rail and knocking a hole into the wall big enough for an original Victorian fireplace.’ She initially chose a white and grey colour scheme for this space. ‘It felt like an easy choice at the time, as my mum was unwell and I had two small children to look after, and I continued the same theme into our bedroom.’

The couple decided to keep the existing fitted wardrobes in the bedroom as they provided useful storage, but they looked tired and worn. So, they gave them a budget-friendly paint job. ‘The white gloss paint had started yellowing with age,’ says Kat, ‘so we sanded and re-painted it, and then decided to paint the floorboards. We didn’t have a large pot of money to throw at the project, so I was constantly looking for ways to update the house without spending a fortune. Painted boards was a far cheaper option than laying new carpet so that was an easy win.’

WORTH THE WAIT

After a couple of years, they finally had the funds to build Kat’s longed-for extension and create an open-plan kitchen-diner. ‘I didn’t want white goods taking up valuable storage space, so we

Kat dreamed of a Butler’s sink, ‘but we couldn’t afford the expensive worktop it would have needed to sit on. I’m really happy with the black sink and Victorian-style tap, though, which match my aesthetic’

KITCHEN

The couple included a separate utility in their extension plans to hide away white goods, as ‘I wanted the kitchen to look good as well as work well. We also chose large base cabinets for storing pans and crockery’

OUR MUST HAVES For a similar tap, try the Schon traditional bridge kitchen tap, £48.59, Victoria Plum. Schock Lithos 1.5 bowl Black Granite sink, £139.99, Taps UK. For similar handles try Antique kitchen drawer handles in Antique Silver, from £3.08, Decor&Decor

‘I know the dark side isn’t for everyone, but I love the way it wraps you up and feels really cosy and inviting.’

WALL TO WALL

If you don’t want to commit to a feature wallpaper, display an extralarge wall hanging instead, which can be easily moved if you fancy a change

DINING ROOM

‘I wanted to create a magical space for the girls – I love the fact that they pretend to be in the jungle while they eat their breakfast,’ says Kat

OUR MUST HAVES For similar dining chairs, try the Farmhouse fiddleback chair, £69.48, Trent Furniture. Extra large jungle wall hanging, £75, Folk Interiors. For a similar star garland try 7ft Gold star garland, from £5.88, HouseOfPomPomsShop on Etsy

Her keen eye for a bargain allowed Kat to bag these beautiful antique drawers for only £20. ‘Dark wood seems less popular than other materials, for some reason’

Her daughters love Kat’s quirky home style as much as she does. ‘With the mural, I’ve created a backdrop for a whole world of imagination for the girls, who love to put on shows in front of it’

converted the old kitchen into a utility, and I worked with a kitchen designer to plan the new layout.’ She chose a classic Shaker-style design and was initially considering black units, but thought it might look too stark. ‘So, I finally chose a dark grey that had a hint of blue to inject a touch of warmth and colour to the space. I wanted a symmetrical look with a streamlined run of cupboards, so we placed the oven in the middle of the wall and went for space-saving corner cabinets to store functional pots and pans.’

Although Kat was pleased that work for the long-awaited extension was underway, living around the build was tricky. ‘We had a time without a cooker or sink, and when the props went in to support the back of the house during the renovation, loads of plaster fell off Darcy Rose’s bedroom wall. Then, when the build was finally finished, we had to live with a bare concrete floor for a year while we saved

Kat keeps adding more and more prints to this wall as and when she stumbles across them. ‘Most come from charity shops as I never spend a huge amount of money on them’

‘We didn’t have a large pot of money to throw at the project, so I was constantly looking for ways to update the house without spending a fortune.’

DARCY ROSE’S BEDROOM

Nine-year-old Darcy Rose asked her parents for a more ‘grown-up’ bedroom, so Kat repainted it in dusky pink. ‘Rather than adding a picture rail, I painted three-quarters of the wall, which feels more modern at the moment,’ says Kat

OUR MUST HAVES Colour-block walls painted in modern emulsion in Sulking Room Pink, £59 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Be Kind art print, from £15, Nanas of Anarchy

BEATRICE MAY’S BEDROOM

Beatrice May gave Kat a brief, explaining that she wanted a shelf for her teddies and a different pink to Darcy Rose’s room. ‘To prevent it feeling like a box, I added the panelling and wallpaper, as I sometimes think smaller rooms can take more bold pattern than bigger ones,’ Kat says

OUR MUST HAVES For similar wallpaper, try the Fresco Pandora drama Black & pink floral smooth wallpaper, £15 per roll, B&Q. Walls painted in matt paint in Pink 07, £42 per 2.5L, Lick. For similar frill cushion, try the Guldblomme cushion in Beige, £8.50, JYSK

for the flooring – but it’s made me appreciate the space all the more.’

DRENCHED IN DRAMA

During lockdown, Kat finally began to inject some personality into the décor. ‘I love anything Victoriana or vintage and enjoy hunting for unique pieces to give a home to. I also started upcycling second-hand furniture for our home.’ The biggest change she made, though, was to the colour scheme. She worked her way around the house, replacing the white and grey with dusky, dark colours to create a cocooning feel. ‘I know the dark side isn’t for everyone, but I love the way it wraps you up and feels really cosy and inviting. The first room I changed was the living room, choosing RustOleum’s Tanglewood, and after adding panelling to the walls I began to feel my

A muted paint shade of your child’s favourite colour will work for all ages, so you won’t need to repaint it when they’re older

ROOM TO GROW

style coming together,’ she explains. ‘I chose Lick’s Green 03 for the bedroom, “colour-drenching” the room to give it a modern edge, then I panelled and colourblocked the girls’ bedrooms in dusky pinks.’

The final job on Kat’s list was updating the beige bathroom. ‘I brightened it up with white tile paint and chose new floor tiles that completely transformed the room into a stylish place that I enjoy spending time in.’ Now that every room is saturated in rich colour, Kat loves the inviting, unique home she’s created. ‘Of course, there are always small updates to be done,’ she says, ‘but I feel so fortunate to have such a lovely home to enjoy with my family.’

The existing wardrobes provided handy storage, but Kat felt they needed texture to add some visual interest, ‘so, I added the moulding. Replacing 12 handles was too expensive, so I just painted the existing ones with gold enamel paint’

MAIN BEDROOM

‘I love a “colour-drench” and decided to use the look in this room as a way of injecting a modern edge to the antique Victorian vibe,’ says Kat

OUR MUST HAVES For similar bed, try the Burford vintage Victorian-style metal bed frame, from £449 for a double, Crazy Price Beds. William Morris Acanthus Vintage Blue cushion, £30, Blinds 2go. Walls painted in matt paint in Green 03, £42 per 2.5L; and cupboards painted in eggshell paint in Green 03, £42 per 2.5L, both Lick

‘I love anything Victoriana or vintage and enjoy hunting for unique pieces to give a home to.

I also started upcycling second-hand furniture.’

BATHROOM

In the long term, Kat wants to swap the existing wall tiles, ‘but as a short-term fix I used a DIY tile transformation kit. It took a day to completely change the look of the ugly beige tiles’

OUR MUST HAVES Stello Black floor tiles, £59.20 per sq m, Topps Tiles. Rust-Oleum tile transformation kit, £66.92, Rawlins Paints. Walls painted in easycare washable & tough matt in Olive Grove, £43.18 per 2.5L, Dulux

‘We love spending time in our open-plan space’

Not everyone would be brave enough to embark on a big extension project while raising two young children, but Fliss and Daniel Beasley weren’t fazed. Luckily, baby Ivy turned out to be a very deep sleeper. ‘She literally slept through hours of drilling, hammering and general chaos,’ says Fliss. ‘Trying to extend a house while you’re

living in it, working and looking after two young children might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but it really didn’t bother us. We just got on with it, knowing it would be worth it in the end.’

After a long property search, they were happy to take on a home that needed work. ‘We had been looking for a bigger house for

The original dining room and lounge has been turned into an open-plan kitchen-diner and living area. The previous kitchen is now a utility room. ‘It’s a better use of space and we spend most of our family time in here,’ says Fliss

OUR MUST HAVES Siena bar stool in Black, £89 each, Dunelm. Clear glass/cork carafe with stopper, £4, IKEA. For a similar kettle, try ANYDAY JLK093 kettle in Black, £25, John Lewis & Partners

To future-proof their 1960s property for their growing family, Fliss and Daniel Beasley created a sociable living space with a contemporary feel

Modern extension

‘It’s a great space for entertaining, a very sociable room, but we can also make it feel really cosy. It’s the best of both worlds.’

Fliss and Daniel took on the extension project that the previous owners had begun

KITCHEN-DINER

GLASS ACT

In light, airy spaces, pick glass pendants to let natural light through in the daytime

COME ON IN...

WE ARE Fliss Beasley, 30, and my husband, Daniel, 38. We run a property management company and live here with our two daughters, Ella, six, and Ivy, three.

OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom, 1960s detached house in Leeds. We bought it in March 2019.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM Is the smallest room in the house – the downstairs cloakroom. We really went to town in there and I love the results!

I’M INSPIRED BY Instagram, where I look at other people’s ideas and use them to help develop my own style. I also share my own decorating progress @thearchitects.daughter.

The previous owners had already fitted this sleek kitchen, so Fliss added to it with industrial accessories to give it character

over two years and couldn’t find anything we liked,’ says Fliss. ‘We were starting to despair until we came to see this one and discovered we knew the owner. It was a good omen.’

The previous owners had gained planning permission for a two-phase extension and remodel of the 1960s property, but had only completed the first stage. ‘We liked the fact that there was loads of potential for us to put

our stamp on it,’ says Fliss. ‘It was in a lovely area, just 10 minutes from our previous place, and ticked all the boxes. We bought it and submitted new plans for the second phase so we could make the house our own.’

A FAMILY ADVENTURE

The changes made a big difference to the way Fliss and Daniel use the house, creating a

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

Feature Heather Dixon Photos Dave Burton

LIVING ROOM

A mix of colourful artwork and cherished photographs make the living area feel like a homely family chill-out zone, even though it’s part of a larger open-plan space

OUR MUST HAVES Afaw Berber-style rug from £99, La Redoute. Hibiscus print, from £7.95, Juniqe. GoodHome Baldaz Brasseffect floor lamp, £72, B&Q. Wall painted in matt paint in Green 06, £42 per 2.5L, Lick

Fliss added black accessories in the living area to tie it in with the kitchen and create a feeling of flow between them

HALLWAY

To make the most of the hallway, the couple added glass balustrades and statement floor tiles for an entrance with wow-factor

OUR MUST HAVES Walls painted in Chalky Finish wall paint in Steamed Milk, £36 per 2.5L, Rust-Oleum. For a similar sofa, try Kit boucle 2-seater sofa, £349, Dunelm. Side table, £99; Orange tree, £30, Homesense

CLOAKROOM

The cloakroom packs a punch, with black and gold tiles along with feature lighting. ‘It’s a small space so we really went to town,’ says Fliss

OUR MUST HAVES Elation textured Gold Ore hexagon tiles, £39.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors. Fusion Black matt porcelain chevron tiles, from £42 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. Wolston 3-light cluster ceiling fitting, £49, Dunelm

separate utility room and a multi-functional living space on the ground floor, along with more storage space for the children’s toys. The upstairs layout, which includes four bedrooms, one en suite and a family bathroom, remained unchanged. ‘Although we run a property company and we’re used to renovating, it’s very different when you start working on your own place,’ says Fliss. ‘It’s not so easy to be detached. You have to live with every decision you make.’

Living in the middle of the building work was made easier by the care taken by the builders to prevent dust and rubble encroaching on the family’s living space while the work was carried out. ‘There were times when we wondered whether we’d made the right decision, especially with the girls being so young, but they just saw it as a big adventure. Ella would even dress up in a fluorescent jacket and climb onto the digger while we watched –it was just the norm to them!’

BEST OF BOTH

With the building work done, it was Daniel who took up the practical reins, working almost every evening and weekend to do the

JUNGLE LOVE

Add inset bathroom shelves and fill them with trailing tropical plants. The greenery will lift a dark bathroom scheme

ELLA’S BEDROOM

As Ella loves mermaids and colour, Fliss added a cute wall decal and rainbow accessories to make the space feel fun and personal to Ella

OUR MUST HAVES Heart bunting, £8 Next. Kallax shelving unit, £29.50, IKEA

IVY’S BEDROOM

Farrow & Ball’s dusky Sulking Room Pink makes Ivy’s room a cosy sanctuary. Fliss has added a faux flower garland and star motifs for a fairytale feel

OUR MUST HAVES Minnen metal frame bed, £119, IKEA. Dazzle rug, from £20, Dunelm. Distressed jungle wallpaper, £22.99 per roll, Wallpaper Direct

GUEST ROOM

Fliss has made the most of limited space in the small guest bedroom with a storage day bed, so it can double up as another playroom for the girls

OUR MUST HAVES Hemnes day bed with drawers, £319, IKEA. Yellow chevron eyelet curtains, from £27, George Home

plumbing, plaster-boarding, tiling and floors. ‘The builders did all the blockwork and put in the steels and roof on the single-storey extension, but Dan did just about everything else after that,’ says Fliss. ‘I was more involved with researching and sourcing things so we could get competitive prices. We wanted the house to be modern and really functional for us as a family, but not cold and clinical. It was quite a hard mix to achieve, but we’re really pleased with the way it’s evolved.’

Much of their success lies in the detail. In the ground floor study/playroom, for example, they angled the glazed doors so that Fliss

‘I’ve filled the girls’ walls with positive affirmations. Their rooms reflect who they are and how much they’re valued.’

SILVER LINING

Echo the cool tones of a grey and blue room with silver and chrome finishes – Fliss even found curtains in silver, too

MAIN BEDROOM

To bring rustic texture and colour to an otherwise calm, pared-back scheme of blues and greys, Fliss has added a shiboriprint wallpaper behind the bed and pops of red in the accessories

OUR MUST HAVES Indigo Blue wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown. Natural jute rug, from £49.95, Kukoon Rugs. For a similar vase, try glass flower vase, £22, Next

can keep an eye on the girls while she’s in the kitchen. The ground-floor layout also lends itself to the changing needs of a growing family. ‘The room at the front of the house is currently a study/playroom, but it could become a teenagers’ room, a second sitting room or even a guest bedroom,’ says Fliss. ‘At the moment we tend to spend most of our time in the open-plan living room and kitchen. It’s a great space for entertaining, a very sociable room, but we can also make it feel really cosy. It’s the best of both worlds.’

CREATIVE BALANCE

Downstairs, Fliss developed a subtle industrial look, but upstairs, especially in the girls’ bedrooms, she wanted to show their personalities and be more creative. ‘I’ve filled the girls’ walls with positive affirmations,’ says Fliss. ‘Their rooms reflect who they are and how much they’re valued.’

All the rooms have evolved as Fliss has introduced colours, textures and creative details, which have turned the modern house into a peaceful family home. ‘There’s still a lot to do, especially outside in the garden,’ she says. ‘We hope to work on that later in the year but, for now, we need a break so that we can just spend time enjoying our home. It’s important to keep a good balance.’

SECRET SCREEN

Fliss and Daniel have fixed their bedroom television discreetly onto the sloping ceiling over the bed so it can’t be seen from the door when they walk in

A slimline vertical radiator frees up wall space and gives Fliss more versatile furniture layout options if she decides to switch the room around in future

The en suite blends seamlessly into the main bedroom, giving both spaces a bright, open feel. Fliss has added some shelving from IKEA to liven up the white walls with accessories

EN SUITE

Luckily, the flooring and bathroom fixtures and fittings had already been put in by the previous owners, so Fliss just needed to add a few prints and accessories to give the space some ‘je ne sais quoi’. She has kept it fairly neutral for a relaxing scheme

OUR MUST HAVES Je Ne Sais Quoi print, £22, Le Print. For a similar plant, try artificial foxtail grass, from £20, Blooming Artificial. Get Naked bathmat, £18, Next

STEAL MY STYLE

Food &

DRINK

Discover our favourite foodie finds this month, then read on for Veganuary recipes and thrifty lunch ideas

3 WAYS WITH… Bramley apples

To make a no-cook chutney, mix together 2 peeled and diced apples, 1 chopped red onion, 125g sultanas, 80ml red wine vinegar, 40g dark brown sugar, ½ tsp ground ginger and ¼ tsp cumin in a bowl. Season. Pour into a sterilised jar and chill. Leave for 3 days, shaking once a day, before eating. For a warming supper, boil 450g cubed potatoes until tender, then drain. Cut 2 apples into wedges. Cut 4 sausages into chunks. Heat a knob of butter in a pan over a medium heat. Add the apple and fry until golden. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, heat a little more butter and add the potatoes and sausages. Fry for 15 minutes, until the potatoes and sausage are golden. Stir through 2 tsp mustard and the apple wedges, then serve. To make a comforting pud, heat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Scoop the cores out of 4 apples. Pierce each apple skin with a knife then place them into a roasting dish. Divide 50g pecans and 50g sultanas between the 4 apple holes, then scatter over 25g brown sugar and 4 pinches of ground cinnamon. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes, or until almost tender.

TEATIME TREAT

Lindt’s newest addition to its vegan chocolate range, Caramel Sea Salt, is blended with oat milk and almond paste to create a smooth, velvety bar – and it’s also gluten free. It’s perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, or even try a square melted into your coffee. Priced at £3, add a bar to your basket at Tesco.

Try me…

Enjoy plant-based dishes without the faff of preparation, thanks to Tropical Sun’s BBQ Jackfruit and Tex Mex Jackfruit tins. Load up tacos, burgers and burritos with the readily prepared jackfruit for a quick and easy meal. Available from Asda for £2.49 per tin.

Drink me…

£

THRIFTY KITCHEN

Batch cook and freeze sauces that you can turn to when you’re tight on time (and might be tempted to grab a takeaway).

Portions of tomato pasta sauce, béchamel sauce and ratatouille are good for hearty meals which need little prep. Seal in portions in reusable freezer bags. Discover more batch-cooking tips on page 11.

Buy me…

Whether you enjoy creamy caramel, rich hazelnut, or something else entirely, recreate your favourite coffee shop drink with Little’s range of coffee pods – priced at £4 for a pack of 10 pods from Sainsbury’s. The Nespresso-compatible pods are also plastic-free and can be recycled at home.

Packed with over 120 delicious low-cost recipes and money-saving tips, Jack Monroe’s Thrifty Kitchen (£19.99, Bluebird) is one to add to the bookshelf. Bluebird will also publish a free ebook on 5th January, 30 Thrifty Meals for Less, which features 10 recipes from the new book and 20 from Jack’s previous titles. Head online to panmacmillan.com or The Trussell Trust’s website to download a copy.

Feature Sophie Ellis Photos Getty Images

There’s more to this tangy fruit than crumbles and pie; the cooking apple complements rich meat dishes too

VEGANUARY VIBES

New year, new ideas… bring a bit more plant power to dinnertime with these delicious vegan mains and desserts

PREPARATION

TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 25 minutes SERVES 6-8

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 335g cherry tomatoes, halved ✔ 1 tbsp olive oil ✔ 2 sprigs thyme, leaves picked ✔ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✔ 500g dried pasta such as rigatoni or macaroni ✔ 75g vegan spread

✔ 100g plain flour ✔ 1.3 litres Alpro This Is Not M*lk Whole ✔ 150g plant-based smoked cheese, grated ✔ 60g vegan basil pesto ✔ Tenderstem broccoli, to serve ✔ salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

■ Preheat oven to 140°C/120°C Fan/Gas Mark 1. Add the tomatoes, oil, thyme and garlic to a bowl with a pinch of salt. Toss to coat, then tip onto a tray, turning the tomatoes so they are cut side up, and bake for 1 hour.

■ Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve 250ml of the pasta water.

■ Meanwhile, add the vegan spread to a saucepan, set over a medium heat to melt, then whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Gradually add the alternative milk and whisk until combined. Once all the alternative milk has been added, bring to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside for 2 minutes before stirring in the plant-based smoked cheese.

■ When the tomatoes are cooked, increase the oven temperature to 200°C /180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6.

■ Stir the sauce through the pasta along with the reserved pasta water until combined. Add ¼ of the pasta to an ovenproof dish then dot over ¼ of the pesto and scatter over ¼ of the tomatoes. Continue to layer up the dish like this until you’ve used all the ingredients.

■ Cover with a layer of tin foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbling. Serve with Tenderstem broccoli.

Recipe and image courtesy of Alpro. For more recipes head to alpro.com

TOP TIP

Rigatoni is great for this recipe as the sauce fills the tubes, but traditional macaroni works too.

Plant-based mac ‘ n ’ cheese Plant-based mac ‘n’ cheese with basil pesto and with basil pesto and slow-roasted tomatoes tomatoes

Sweet potato and lentil bake Sweet potato and lentil bake

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 2 red onions ✔ 1 large or 2 small carrots ✔ 1 celery stick ✔ sunflower oil for frying ✔ 2 garlic cloves ✔ 1 sprig rosemary ✔ 2 tsp harissa paste ✔ 1 bay leaf ✔ 1 tsp cumin ✔ 1 tin dark lentils

✔ 1 tin chopped tomatoes ✔ 600g sweet potatoes ✔ 200g baby spinach ✔ salt and pepper ✔ 250g spring greens, to serve

TOP TIP

Don’t worry if the lentils have clumped together in the tin – this is normal. They’ll separate again once they’ve been rinsed.

PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 2

DIRECTIONS

■ Peel and dice the red onions and carrots. Wash and dice the celery. Then heat 2 tbsps of oil in the saucepan and fry the onions, carrots and celery gently for 10 minutes until softened.

■ Meanwhile, peel the garlic cloves and finely chop or crush them. Strip the leaves from the rosemary and finely chop them. Drain and rinse the lentils. Wash and drain the spinach.

■ Add the garlic and rosemary to the saucepan and fry gently for 2 minutes. Then add the harissa, bay leaf and cumin and cook for 1 minute before adding the lentils and chopped tomatoes.

■ Half fill either the empty lentil or tomato tins with water and add it to the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper and leave it to cook while you deal with the sweet potatoes.

■ Slice the sweet potatoes widthways into 3mm discs. Place the slices in a mixing bowl with 2 tbsp of oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss them together so that all the slices are coated and seasoned. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6.

■ Add the spinach to the lentil mix and keep stirring until it wilts. Taste the mix, adjust the seasoning to your taste, then transfer it to the casserole dish. Top the lentils with the sweet potatoes in an overlapping shingle pattern.

■ Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and starting to colour at the edges. Serve with cooked spring greens.

Recipe and image courtesy of Riverford, riverford.co.uk

TOP TIP

Ratatouille gratin Ratatouille

YOU WILL NEED

✔ olive oil for greasing and drizzling ✔ 2 shallots ✔ 1 clove garlic ✔ 2 sprigs rosemary ✔ 4 sprigs thyme ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil ✔ 400ml strained tomatoes ✔ salt and pepper ✔ sugar ✔ 1 aubergine (approx 300g) ✔ 1 courgette (approx 300g) ✔ 2 yellow peppers ✔ 3-4 tomatoes ✔ 150g vegan feta ✔ basil, to garnish

DIRECTIONS

■ Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease a gratin dish with oil. Peel the shallots and garlic, and chop both finely. Wash the rosemary and thyme, shake dry, pluck off the needles and leaves and chop finely.

■ Heat the 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pot. Sauté the shallots until translucent. Add the garlic and herbs and sauté briefly. Pour in the strained tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Bring it to the boil and then spread the tomato sauce evenly in the gratin dish.

■ Wash the aubergine, courgette and peppers. Also wash the tomatoes and remove the stalks. Cut the peppers into pieces and the other vegetables into thin slices, then layer them in a fan shape in the gratin dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle generously with olive oil.

■ Crumble the vegan feta and sprinkle it over the gratin. Place the gratin on the middle rack of the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices.

Remove, garnish with basil and enjoy immediately.

Recipe and image courtesy of Zwilling, zwilling.com

PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 45minutes SERVES 4

The Zwilling Fresh & Save Gratin Dish is ideal for this recipe, and can be used for preparation, storage in the refrigerator and freezer, cooking in the oven (it’s ovenproof up to 180°C) and serving at the table.

Feature Poppy Benner

PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 35 minutes SERVES 2

Creamy mushroom orzo mushroom orzo

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 50g vegan spread ✔ 1 small onion, finely diced ✔ 1 garlic clove, diced ✔ 350ml hot fresh vegetable stock ✔ 150ml Alpro This Is Not M*lk Whole ✔ 125g orzo ✔ 2 bay leaves ✔ 10 sprigs thyme, leaves picked ✔ 3 garlic cloves, sliced ✔ 300g chestnut or brown mushrooms, sliced ✔ handful parsley, chopped ✔ 60g spinach leaves ✔ 30g vegan Parmesan, plus extra to serve

DIRECTIONS

■ Add 35g of the vegan spread to a saucepan, set over a medium heat, then add the onion and diced garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 12-15 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Add a splash of water if they begin to catch.

■ Combine the hot stock with the alternative milk.

■ Add the orzo, bay leaves and half the thyme to the onions and stir for 2 minutes. Then, gradually add the warm stock mixture one ladle at a time, stirring often and only adding the next ladle once the previous one has been fully absorbed.

■ When the orzo is almost cooked (10-15 minutes), melt the remaining vegan spread in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the sliced garlic, mushrooms, remaining thyme and cook, tossing regularly until golden, then stir in the parsley.

■ Once all the stock mix has been absorbed and the orzo is tender, remove from the heat, stir in the spinach, vegan Parmesan and half the mushrooms then divide between two warm bowls. Top each bowl with the remaining mushrooms and serve with extra vegan Parmesan.

Moroccan-style stew stew

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 1 large or 2 small shallots ✔ 1 celery stalk ✔ oil for frying ✔ ½ tin chickpeas ✔ 50g red lentils ✔ 1 tsp ground coriander ✔ 1 tsp ground cumin ✔ 1 tsp ground ginger ✔ ½ tsp smoked paprika ✔ pinch of saffron ✔ 1 tin chopped tomatoes ✔ 1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes ✔ 1 garlic clove ✔ 1 lemon ✔ 20g toasted and chopped almonds ✔ 200g spinach ✔ small bunch of fresh coriander, finely chopped ✔ salt and pepper ✔ Lemons, for serving

DIRECTIONS

■ Peel and slice the shallots. Finely dice the celery. Warm 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan. Gently fry the shallot and celery for 5 minutes.

■ Meanwhile, drain the chickpeas and coarsely chop half of them (save the rest for use in other meals). Rinse the lentils.

■ Add the chickpeas, lentils and spices to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, before filling the tin with water and adding that, too. Season and simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are soft.

■ Meanwhile, peel and dice the sweet potato and add it to the stew. Then peel and finely chop the garlic and add that.

■ Finely zest the lemon. Mix the zest with the chopped almonds and a pinch of salt.

■ Trim and discard any large stalks from the spinach. Roughly shred the leaves and wash well. When the stew is ready, stir in the spinach until wilted. Taste, and adjust the seasoning.

■ Ladle into deep bowls and garnish with the fresh coriander and nut mix. Serve with wedges of lemon on the side.

Recipe and image courtesy of Riverford, riverford.co.uk

PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 2

Recipe and image courtesy of Alpro. For more recipes head to alpro.com

TOP TIP

If you like your caramel chewy, boil it for about 8 minutes, but for softer caramel, don’t boil it for longer than 5 minutes.

PREPARATION

TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 10 minutes plus cooling SERVES 9

Banoffee pie slices Banoffee pie slices

YOU WILL NEED

For the base ✔ 200g digestive biscuits ✔ 100g vegan butter, plus extra for greasing For the caramel filling ✔ 70g soft light brown sugar ✔ 70g vegan butter ✔ 1 x 370g can of vegan condensed milk ✔ ½ tsp salt ✔ 1 tsp vanilla extract For the topping ✔ 2 large bananas ✔ 200ml vegan double cream ✔ 1 tbsp icing sugar ✔ chocolate shavings (optional)

DIRECTIONS

■ To make the base, place the digestives in a sandwich bag and bash gently with a rolling pin to make fine crumbs. Melt the butter, then add both the biscuit crumbs and the butter to a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Grease a 20cm (8 inch) square baking tin with butter and line with baking parchment.

■ Tip the biscuit mixture into the lined tin and press down firmly to create an even base. Freeze the base while you make the filling.

■ For the caramel, put the sugar, butter and condensed milk into a saucepan over a low-medium heat until the butter and sugar have melted and combined. Add the salt and vanilla extract, then turn up the heat to medium-high and bring to a rapid boil. Boil for 5-8 minutes until it thickens and becomes darker. You should be able to clear a line along the bottom of the pan when you drag a spoon through the caramel. Stir constantly to prevent the caramel from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat and allow to stand until it has stopped boiling.

■ Once the caramel has stopped bubbling, remove the base from the freezer, pour the caramel over the base and level it out with a spatula to create an even layer.

■ Roughly slice the bananas and arrange them in a flat layer on top of the caramel. Place in the fridge to cool completely.

■ Whip the cream with the icing sugar until it forms stable peaks. Once the caramel is cool, cover with the cream, using the back of a spoon to spread it right to the edges. Decorate with chocolate shavings before cutting into nine squares.

This recipe is from Simply Vegan Baking: Taking the faff out of vegan cakes, cookies, breads and desserts by Freya Cox (Murdoch Books, £18.99).

Photography by Clare Winfield

Sticky toffee pear pudding toffee pear

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 1 jar Opies Pears with Luxardo Amaretto ✔ 250g pitted dates

✔ 300ml unsweetened almond milk ✔ 200ml vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing ✔ 175g dark muscovado sugar ✔ 200g self-raising flour

✔ 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda ✔ 1 tsp ground mixed spice ✔ Vegan ice cream, for serving

DIRECTIONS

■ Grease a 20 x 30cm baking tin and line with baking paper, then pre heat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan /Gas 4.

■ Cut the bottom off each pear to create a flat base and use a melon baller or small knife to remove any pips. Reserve the syrup in the jar.

■ Put the dates in a saucepan with the almond milk and bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the dates are soft.

■ Pour the dates and milk into a food processor and blitz until smooth.

Add the oil and blend again, then pour into a bowl and set aside to cool.

■ Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, then add the date mixture and stir.

■ Pour the mixture into the baking tin and stand the pears up in the mixture, so that their bottom halves are covered.

■ Bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes, then brush with the reserved syrup. Serve with vegan ice cream.

Recipe and image courtesy of Opies, opiesfoods.com

NIFTY, THRIFTY LUNCHES

PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 10 minutes SERVES 2

Spicy peanut stir-fry with noodles

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 2 rounded tbsp smooth peanut butter

✔ 1 tbsp dark soy sauce ✔ 1 tbsp sunflower oil ✔ 2cm piece of ginger, grated ✔ pinch of dried chilli flakes ✔ 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced ✔ 6 sugarsnap peas, sliced lengthways

✔ 4 baby corns, roughly chopped ✔ 2 x 150g packs of soft noodles (ensure egg-free)

✔ 2 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced

✔ 1 tbsp roasted and salted peanuts, finely chopped ✔ 2 tsp sesame seeds ✔ squeeze of juice from an unwaxed lime ✔ handful of coriander leaves, roughly torn

DIRECTIONS

■ Spoon the peanut butter and soy sauce into a jug or bowl then pour in 200ml (generous ¾ cup) boiling water. Use a balloon whisk to combine until creamy, then set aside.

■ Heat the oil in a large wok over a high heat, then add the ginger, chilli flakes, carrot, sugarsnaps and baby corns and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

■ Add the noodles and stir, then pour in the peanut butter mixture. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the noodles and vegetables are coated and the sauce has thickened.

■ Remove from the heat and scatter with spring onions, chopped peanuts and sesame seeds. Stir in the lime juice and coriander leaves just before serving.

Easy Speedy Vegan by Katy Beskow (Quadrille, £20). Photography ©Luke Albert

Forget the overpriced butty and whip up a budget-friendly lunch with these seven inspiring recipes for midday refuelling

THRIFTY TIP

Peanuts and nut butters may seem like pricey ingredients, but they are a cheaper source of protein than meat or fish, and last much longer too

YOU WILL NEED

✔ chestnut mushrooms ✔ garlic clove, crushed ✔ 2 x pitta or flatbread ✔ Ramona’s Jalapeño

Heavenly Houmous ✔ green chilli, sliced

DIRECTIONS

■ Chop the mushrooms into slices and add to a frying pan over a medium heat with a little oil and the crushed garlic. Stir until browned.

■ Meanwhile, toast or grill the pitta/flatbread until lightly charred.

■ Spread a generous spoonful of houmous over the toasted pitta or flatbread, then sprinkle over your cooked mushrooms and top with the sliced chilli.

Ramona’s Kitchen; ramonaskitchen.com

YOU WILL NEED

For the croutons ✔ 5 thick slices of bread (you can use stale bread), diced ✔ 3 tbsp olive oil ✔ 1 tsp cumin ✔ ½ tsp herbes de Provence ✔ ¼ tsp garlic powder ✔ salt and pepper

For the soup ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil ✔ 1 large white onion, diced ✔ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ✔ 2 tsp cumin ✔ 1 large handful fresh mint, finely chopped ✔ 240g red lentils ✔ 120g bulgur wheat ✔ 4 Jazz Apples, cored, peeled and diced ✔ 1 red pepper, seeded and diced ✔ 1.8L of vegetable stock

✔ juice of ½ a lemon ✔ salt and pepper to taste ✔ chopped fresh parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Jazz Apple and lentil soup, with spiced croutons Pimped up pitta!

■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6.

■ On a baking tray, add all the crouton ingredients, toss to coat, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp, then set aside.

■ Meanwhile, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil for 5 minutes. Add the cumin and fry for a further 2 minutes. Add all the other ingredients (except croutons and parsley) and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer on a medium heat for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

■ Partially blend the soup (you want it thick and mostly smooth, but with a few chunks remaining in it).

■ Season it to taste before garnishing with the spiced croutons and freshly chopped parsley.

Feature Katie Nicholls

Recipe by Melanie Booth for Jazz Apple; jazzapple.com/uk

PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4

Turmeric veggie fried rice

YOU WILL NEED

For the rice ✔ 2 tbsp vegetable oil ✔ 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced ✔ 60g ginger, grated ✔ 2 thumb-sized pieces of turmeric, peeled and grated (or 1 tbsp of ground turmeric) ✔ 4 garlic cloves, sliced ✔ 8 Brussels sprouts, sliced ✔ 500g of ready-cooked basmati rice ✔ 3 tbsp water

✔ 4 spring onions, thinly sliced ✔ 2 large carrots, peeled into ribbons ✔ 1 large bunch of chopped coriander

For the sauce ✔ 100g sriracha sauce ✔ 50g pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably amber syrup)

✔ 1 chopped red chilli ✔ 1 garlic clove, chopped

DIRECTIONS

■ Heat the oil in a large wok.

■ Add the mushrooms and fry for 5 minutes or until all moisture has evaporated.

■ Add the ginger, turmeric, garlic and the Brussels sprouts and fry for 1 minute.

■ Add the rice, stir well and add a few tablespoons of water. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 1 minute, shaking the pan a few times to prevent sticking.

■ Remove the lid and stir well before adding the spring onions, carrot ribbons, coriander and seasoning to taste.

■ Give the rice a final stir and serve with a drizzle of maple syrup and sriracha sauce.

■ To make the sauce, put all ingredients together in a small pan over a medium heat.

■ Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes and serve with rice.

Maple from Canada; maplefromcanada.co.uk

Baked bean breakfast quesadillas

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 1 x 400g can of baked beans in tomato sauce

✔ 1 tbsp vegan barbecue sauce ✔ pinch of sea salt and black pepper ✔ small handful of spinach leaves, roughly shredded ✔ 2 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced ✔ small handful of coriander, finely chopped ✔ 50g vegan hard cheese, finely grated ✔ 4 soft tortilla wraps ✔ 2 tbsp sunflower oil

DIRECTIONS

■ Tip the baked beans into a bowl and use a fork or the back of a spoon to roughly mash about half of them down. Stir in the barbecue sauce, salt and pepper.

■ Stir in the spinach leaves, spring onions, coriander and grated cheese until coated in the mix.

■ Lay out two tortilla wraps on a flat surface. Divide the filling between each tortilla, then top with the remaining two tortillas.

■ Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan and add one of the quesadillas. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the pan, then add the extra oil and cook the remaining quesadilla for 3-4 minutes on each side. Slice into quarters and serve.

Easy Speedy Vegan by Katy Beskow (Quadrille, £20). Photography

©Luke Albert

yourhomestyle.uk

PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 10 minutes SERVES 4

PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes SERVES 1

Money-saving fishcakes

YOU WILL NEED

For the fishcake ✔ 2 large Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and chopped ✔ milk (optional) ✔ 1 red onion, diced ✔ butter

✔ 400g frozen peas ✔ 2 x 120g tins sardines ✔ 1 tbsp mustard ✔ 4 spring onions, sliced ✔ a handful of chopped parsley ✔ 1 free-range egg, beaten ✔ 50g breadcrumbs ✔ pinch cayenne pepper ✔ 3 Opies Sliced Lemons

For the tartare sauce ✔ 50ml mayonnaise ✔ 1 tsp Opies Capers, finely chopped ✔ 1 tsp Opies Cocktail Onions, finely chopped ✔ 1 tsp Opies Cocktail Gherkins, finely chopped ✔ juice of ½ a lemon ✔ 1 tbsp parsley, chopped

DIRECTIONS

■ Peel the potatoes and cut into large, uniform-sized chunks. Place in a pan of salted water and bring to the boil, then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes until soft. Drain and mash until smooth, using a little milk if needed. Allow to cool.

■ Fry half your chopped red onion in a little butter until soft, add the peas and cover with salted water and boil until soft. Drain and mash until coarse.

■ Drain the sardines and add to a mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add the mustard, spring onions, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs and cayenne pepper. Then add the mashed potato, season well and mix until fully combined. Shape into four pattys and place in the fridge for 10 minutes.

■ To make the tartare sauce, mix together the mayonnaise, capers, cocktail onions, cocktail gherkins with the remaining red onion and lemon. Season.

■ Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan and add the patties. Cook until golden brown on each side. Serve with the tartare sauce and sliced lemons.

opiesfoods.com @opiesfoods

Maple syrup pitta pockets

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 125g chicken breast, cooked and diced ✔ half an apple, diced ✔ 2 tbsp dried cranberries ✔ 80ml fat-free Greek yogurt ✔ 10ml pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably amber syrup) ✔ salt and pepper ✔ fresh parsley, chopped ✔ 1 white pitta bread, cut down the middle

DIRECTIONS

■ In a bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the pitta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

■ Stuff the mixed ingredients inside the pitta bread, and enjoy!

Maple from Canada; maplefromcanada.co.uk

NIFTY TIP

Make the mash and tartare sauce in advance, ready for a quick-cook lunch the next day.

PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes

COOKING TIME 40 minutes SERVES 2

Pasties with a watercress twist

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 2 rolls puff pastry ✔ 200g diced beef ✔ 200g swede, diced ✔ 2 carrots, diced ✔ ½ onion, diced ✔ 2 potatoes, diced ✔ 50g watercress, chopped ✔ milk or beaten egg

DIRECTIONS

■ Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4

■ Using a plate or bowl, cut four circles from your pastry sheets, 2 from each roll.

■ In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients, plus a small pinch of salt and a generous spoonful of black pepper. Give it a toss to coat everything.

■ Gently mark a line in the centre of each pastry circle to divide them in half. Divide your mixture between the four pastry circles, placing it on one half of each circle and leaving a little room around the edge to make your seal.

■ Fold the pastry over, and seal the pasties around the edge, crimping it with your fingers as you go.

■ Brush the tops of the pasties with either milk or beaten egg, place them on a baking tray and bake in the oven for around 45 minutes – until the pastry is fully cooked and golden brown on top.

The Watercress Company; thewatercresscompany.com

THRIFTY TIP

Pearl barley is a healthy alternative to risotto rice that’s cheaper too, at only 65p per 500g (arborio rice costs £1.35 per 500g). It provides fibre, selenium, copper, chromium and magnesium. You can use it in most dishes that would normally have rice.

Pearl barley and mushroom risotto

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 120g pearl barley ✔ ½ tbsp bouillon ✔ 500ml water

✔ 1 onion peeled and finely chopped ✔ 1 tbsp olive oil

✔ 500g chestnut mushrooms, sliced ✔ 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped ✔ 1 bunch parsley

DIRECTIONS

■ Add the pearl barley and bouillon to the water and bring it to a boil. Then turn it down and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the barley is softened and all the liquid has been absorbed.

■ Meanwhile, gently fry the onions in the olive oil until softened.

■ In a separate pan, fry the mushrooms and garlic, until softened.

■ Toss the pearl barley together with the onion and mushroom mixtures. Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Kathryn Danzey, Rejuvenated; rejuvenated.com

PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes SERVES 4

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Must haves for your home Autumn Winter

Your Home brings you a curated selection of must-have products for this Autumn/Winter from a range of our key promotional partners. Get cosy, get creative and get decorating this season. We hope you enjoy the selection and do get in touch with them to buy or find out more.

The wonderful finds that you’ll see over the next few pages have been specially selected from some of our favourite, reputable brands. They will really help to make your house a cosy and welcoming home this winter. Enjoy!

MEL SHERWOOD EDITOR

Hayloft Plants

Pansy – a riot of colour to brighten up your winter garden

These joyous blooms are a must have for winter and, with such a wide range of colours to choose from, there really is something for everyone. What’s more they are ideal for the novice gardener as well as the expert because they are easy to grow and abundantly rewarding. Ideal for baskets, beds and containers – their versatility makes them an enduring favourite. Nothing cheers as much as the friendly ‘faces’ of pansies looking to greet you in the colder depths of winter. With regular watering, feeding and deadheading they will continue right through until springtime – representing excellent value for money too. This generous supply of blooms will illuminate both your garden and vases. Plant in fully or partly sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil for these hardy perennials to grow happily. In maturity these variations reach a height and spread of 30cm by 30cm, the ideal size.

BHS H

ere at BHS Lighting, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. We strive to give you a great customer experience no matter how you shop with us, and to help you in your search for the perfect lighting for your home.

The BHS website offers an extensive range of lights to suit your every need, from extravagant crystal-effect pendant lights and chandeliers, to stylish outdoor lighting featuring modern technology, which can enhance the security levels of your home. All shipped with free and fast UK delivery when you spend over £16.

Our design team are always working hard to keep up with all the latest must-haves and lighting trends. Ensuring we can provide you with up-to-date, high-quality lighting as you require it. We have lighting solutions to suit every room in your home, and even your garden and external areas. Whether

that’s stylish wall lights for your hallway, table lamps to add that subtle accent light, or stunning bathroom chandeliers. At BHS we are constantly growing and evolving with the times to make sure we always have you covered for all your lighting needs.

With the recent economic climate that we have found ourselves in, our teams have put their focus into our LED lighting selection, ensuring we have a vast range of both LED-compatible and integrated LED lighting options available. These allow you to save money on your energy bills without compromising on style or glamour.

Want to see our range in person? Then head down to one of our BHS concessions. These can be found in any of our Litecraft stores. Our stunning showrooms give you a real-life view of our lighting collections. Allowing you to really envision them within your home before you purchase.

Banish stains & spills with BISSELL FLOOR CLEANING

We’ve all had that panic as we see the glass tip over in slow motion with its contents headed for the carpet. Or you look over just a second too late to stop those muddy footprints climbing up the stairs. And have you been looking at the sofa as well, wondering if it was quite that shade of grubby when you bought it?

You can tackle the trickiest of stains with the BISSELL SpotClean Pro. With 750W of powerful vacuum suction, it is more powerful than some full-size carpet cleaners but packaged up in a compact design. The 1.5m hose and 6.5m power cord give you the range to clean every corner of your home and even reach out to the car. The two included attachments are designed for tough stains or cleaning larger areas.

After the festivities have passed and last string of fairy lights has been tidied away, it’s a great time to have a deep clean and the SpotClean Pro is just what you need to give the upholstery a new lease of life. It’s a horrifying yet satisfying sight to see the dirty water tank after a good sofa clean!

Save £40 on the SpotClean Pro in the BISSELL January sale, from the 28th December.

IMPROVEMENT Home

STYLE Iconic

Lifestyle Floors is proving that a smaller budget can still mean beautiful with its Harlem Iconic range of patterned flooring. The Capri Chevron (right) is –according to our style compass – pointing in all the right directions, and you can choose from a selection of 20 different designs, from the Med-inspired Leonardo Tone to the brooding Carrara Neo. Perfect for a hallway that needs a new-year update after all the festive traffic.

WONDER WOOD

Wall-covering brand Naturewall has introduced new colourways to its best-selling SlatWall ranges. Washed Oak (below) is the more affordable option with subtle texture and a fresh feel while Deep Walnut has, says Naturewall ‘rich warmth and a touch of hotel luxe’. Both are available in 2.4m and 3m panels, as well as individual slats. They’re easy to install too, using wood glue or screws for an instant update.

Breathe deep

Winter weather inevitably means that we spend more time indoors and this can affect our skin, sleep and sense of well-being. Keeping the air you breathe as pollutant-free as possible can help during the hibernating months –particularly for people who suffer from allergies. Swedish brand Blueair uses its HepaSilent technology to remove airborne particles and the Blue 3210 purifies the air in a 17msized room every 12½ minutes.

GOLDEN MOMENT

The Radiator Company has released three new finishes for winter, all of which are available across its steel, sectional aluminium and selected cast iron designs. The trio of looks features Aged Brass, Vintage Green and Satin Gold, as seen here.

Feature Katie Nicholls

Harlem Iconic Capri Chevron vinyl flooring, £25.49 per sq m, Lifestyle Floors

Stop draughts at the front door with a heavy lined curtain Kasbah curtain fabric in Glacier, £25 per m, ILIV

Create

Thermal blinds are specially designed to prevent heat escaping Hudson Burgundy Perfect Fit pleated blackout thermal blind, from £149.26 for 60 x 60cm, Blinds By Post

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE EFFICIENT

KNOW YOUR EPC

We’re all keeping a close eye on our outgoings these days and the home is one of the best places to find ways to reduce them. From switching off appliances left on standby to draught proofing windows and doors, there are so many ways to cut down the money you spend on energy. This is especially true for older properties and period homes – according to the Home Builders Federation, owners of new-build homes save an average of £435 on household bills every year. If you think your home isn’t as efficient as it could be, there are plenty of ways to improve it. Here are six of the best to get you started…

All properties that are built, sold or rented in the UK must now have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). It costs £60-£120 and contains all the relevant info about your home’s energy consumption and costs. ‘Get an accredited energy assessor to conduct an energy assessment on your home,’ says Les Roberts, Content Manager at Bionic. ‘This will provide you with an EPC so you can see how energy efficient your home is. The most efficient homes are in band A, but UK properties are generally in bands D-E. The EPC will also recommend improvements you could make to achieve a better rating. You could also get a residential energy audit for further advice on how you can save energy, such as whether a heat pump might be right for your home. Some companies specialise in eco-friendly audits, which focus on options such as installing solar panels.’

As the cost of living continues to rise, here are six ideas for things you can do to bring it down

Hotpoint

M10

CHECK THE INSULATION

Insulation is an easy way to improve your home’s efficiency. The Energy Saving Trust says that a quarter of a home’s heat is lost through the roof if it’s uninsulated. When installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over during its 40-year lifetime. Insulating lofts with easy access and no damp or condensation is a simple DIY job. You just need to install rolls of mineral wool between the joists and then at right angles over the joists to a minimum depth of 27cm. It typically costs around £630, but can save you £480 a year for a semi-detached house. For more complicated insulations, employ a professional. You should also insulate the loft hatch as well as any pipes, water tanks and the hot water cylinder (jackets for these cost around £20 at Toolstation or Screwfix).

RRP £7,849

BANISH DRAUGHTS

If your windows and doors are draughty and beyond repair, especially if you’re in an old property that needs renovation, then you’re better off investing in new glazing throughout. If, however, they’re in decent condition, then there are ways of making them more efficient. ‘In winter, windows can be a large source of heat loss with up to 30 per cent of a home’s heating energy lost through windows,’ says Oliver Hudson, Director of Blinds By Post. ‘Tightly installed blinds can reduce heat loss by 40 per cent, equating to around 10 per cent savings in heating bills.’ Look for thermal or blackout blinds that are specially designed to keep the heat in during winter, cutting down on energy bills, as well as lined and thermal curtains. You can also apply solar window film directly onto glazing to control excess sunlight, heat, glare and UV light.

Ava Kelly, Energy Saving Expert at Love Energy Savings

. . .

Ourexp er ts ay s

BUY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

Whether you’re kitting out a new kitchen or upgrading an old oven, cooker, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, washing machine or tumble dryer, look for models with a high energyefficiency rating to cut down on energy bills. You can also save money by running washing machines, dishwashers and dryers during off-peak hours only, as well as turning everything off instead of leaving devices on standby, saving up to £40 per year. Also, take advantage of half load, delay start and eco programs and turn the washing cycle down to 30˚C. Make appliances more efficient by regularly cleaning the filters on dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers, defrosting the freezer and making sure doors are properly sealed. This ensures they don’t need to work harder to keep the interior cool.

‘Buying a new appliance with the most energy efficient rating can save up to £145 a year compared to running an older model. While buying a new appliance can be expensive, you’ll save you money in the long run, as the annual £145 saving will soon mean the appliance has paid for itself.’

Some Quiet Mark heat pumps can be installed inside Vaillant flexoTHERM Ground Source Heat Pump,

Heat pump tumble dryers are more efficient than standard models

NT

81WK UK 8kg heat pump dryer, £399, Currys

Carpet provides excellent floor insulation and loses less heat than hard flooring. The thicker, the better and don’t forget underlay too Origin Saxony in Mink Plain, £54.99 per sq m, Carpetright

Showers that heat water instantly, as and when its needed, waste less energy Amore DuElec electric shower in Gloss Black, £329.99, Triton

With its A++ energy rating and integrated extractor, Franke’s Maris 2gether hob extractor saves you space and energy. Priced from £2,247

Viessmann’s Vitocal 100-A air-source heat pump is the most compact and affordable model in its range. Prices start at £3,042

Replacing old single-glazed windows for double- or triple-glazed versions will make your home more efficient. MyGlazing.com will help you find suppliers and installers in your area

You can make a stylish radiator more efficient by adding thermostatic valves

Ledbury 4 column radiator in Satin Gold, £1,269 for 660 x 628 mm, The Radiator Company

SWITCH TO SMART AND LED LIGHTING

Sometimes small changes are all that’s needed to make a big difference. Replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, for instance, will mean you use significantly less electricity. LED bulbs also last a lot longer so you won’t need to replace them anything like as often – in short, they’re a win-win. If you’re not already in the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room, you might want to consider installing smart lighting throughout your home. Smart systems allow you to control your lights from anywhere via an app so you can turn them off even after you’ve left the room. You could also install motion sensors that turn lights on when you enter a space and off when you leave, so they’re perfect for hallways, porches and outdoor lights.

CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE HEAT SOURCE

‘Installing renewable heating rather than relying on the grid will help reduce your carbon footprint and protect you from future fuel price rises,’ says Jonathan Rolande, Founder of House Buy Fast. ‘Air- and ground-source heat pumps are increasingly popular, as, instead of burning fossil fuels, they use naturally occurring heat in the air or ground to generate power and heat your home. They need an electricity source to work but, when used efficiently, can cost less to run than some traditional heating systems. It’s worth noting that the cost of renewable technology is expected to drop in the future and there are grants to help now. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme runs until 2025 and offers grants of £5,000 or £6,000 for heat pumps and biomass boilers.’

USEFUL CONTACTS

• Head to gov.uk/get-newenergy-certificate to find accredited energy assessors.

• Find a professional loft insulation installer at The National Insulation Association at nia-uk.org

• At myglazing.com you’ll find professionals who can provide advice as well as install new, more efficient windows and doors.

• Visit windowfilm.co.uk, solarshield.co.uk and purlfrost.com for solar window film.

‘Our extended home is now easier to heat’

Now that the major renovation project on the 1930s semi that the Selman family bought in 2015 is complete, Helen and Oli, along with their two children – William (11) and Matilda (nine) – finally have their forever home.

‘We bought this habitable but rather unloved place in Chippenham as a project and have been gradually modernising it, room by room, to make it more energy efficient since we moved in,’ Helen says. With most of the work done by builder Oli, cavity wall insulation has been installed, the

The heat pump was installed on the newly laid, south-facing patio, behind the new kitchen diner, which has rooflights to fill it with natural light

front of the house has had triple glazing fitted (to keep out road noise) and there’s now double glazing at the rear.

But their greatest achievement is the new extension, which incorporates an integrated garage, spacious kitchen-diner, home office and cloakroom on the ground floor. Upstairs, there are now four double bedrooms and three bathrooms, one of which is en suite. Building the extension wasn’t just about gaining extra space however. ‘We wanted to live as sustainably as possible and improve the efficiency of our heating,’ says Helen. ‘The renovation gave us the opportunity to move away from fossil fuel and go green with a new air-source heat pump.’

After a heat-loss survey, the couple installed an air-source heat pump from Grant UK at the rear of the property; a new hot-water storage cylinder in the garage and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. ‘We wanted a minimalist appearance for the family rooms, which

is why we went for underfloor heating to keep the walls clear downstairs, and sleek Afinia radiators (also from Grant UK) for a modern look in the bedrooms,’ says Helen.

Helen and Oli funded this major project partly through savings and re-mortgaging their home, but also with help from a government scheme available at the time. ‘Through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme* eligible householders could earn a financial return on their renewable heating system,’ says Helen. ‘We were fortunate enough to qualify for the quarterly payments, which are made over a period of seven years. They have more than covered our investment.’

*The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme ended in March 2022. It has been replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides eligible homeowners with a £5,000 grant to replace a fossil fuel appliance with an air-source heat pump Visit bit.ly/BUPScheme for more info.

The new extension, to the left of the front door, has almost doubled the size of the original 1930s semi

IT manager Helen is proud her family home is now being kept warm sustainably with lower emissions, a reduced carbon footprint and cheaper fuel bills

The sleek, modern kitchen features matt navy units and a composite resin worktop, all from Howdens. With a tiled floor, the Selmans insisted on underfloor heating, so it’s a ‘warm and toasty’ space with clear, radiator-free walls

Feature Gill Rothwell Photos Grant UK

Extending their 1930s semi-detached home gave Helen and Oli the opportunity to modernise its heating system

15 WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AROUND THE HOME AROUND HOME

Many of us are looking for easy ways to save money by reducing our energy use. It could be through making small adjustments, like turning off devices usually left on standby, or bigger changes, such as buying more energy-efficient appliances – it all adds up! We’ve asked the experts for the best ways to use less energy every day. From getting savvy with your smart meter to tweaking the thermostat, here are 15 ways to cut your energy costs…

QWhat do the energy What do the labels on household on appliances mean? mean?

AThe labels show how efficient an appliance is – efficient an is –in other words, how much in other how much energy (and therefore energy (and therefore cash) it requires to run. cash) it requires to run. One way to save money on your energy One way to save money on your energy bills is to replace old appliances, as bills is to old as newer models use less energy than newer models use less energy than older ones Modern fridge-freezers, for older ones. Modern for instance, consume around 40-per-cent instance, consume around 40-per-cent less energy than their counterparts less energy than their from 10 years ago, so might cost you from 10 years ago, so cost you £60 a year to run rather than £100 £60 a year to run rather than £100.

Always check an appliance’s energy check an energy label before buying it. The scale is the label before it. The scale is the same whether you’re buying a fridge, same whether you’re a dishwasher or TV, but it was recently dishwasher or TV, but it was updated to reflect the improved to reflect the efficiency of today’s devices ‘Older of devices. ‘Older appliances could get an energy rating appliances could get an energy of A+++, but the new A to G scale of A+++, but the new A to G scale is easier to understand,’ says Sophie is easier to understand,’ says Beckett-Smith, fridge-freezer expert at Beckett-Smith, at AO ‘This simpler system not only makes AO. ‘This system not makes it easier to see which appliances are the it easier to see which are the most energy efficient, but also allows most energy efficient, but also allows room for innovation. That’s because the room innovation. most-efficient appliances on the market most-efficient on the market now get a B or C rating, meaning now get a B or C manufacturers can increase the energy manufacturers can increase the energy efficiency of appliances even further in of appliances even further in the future.’

Opinions vary on this one but the vary on this one but the advice from Uswitch is that it depends advice from Uswitch is that it on the size of your home rather than on the size of your home rather than how you heat it It’s almost never how you heat it. It’s almost never worth heating just one room in a worth one room in a smaller property as it’s much more efficient to heat smaller property as it’s much more efficient to heat the whole space, especially if it’s well-insulated. the whole space, if it’s well-insulated. The same goes if you have an open-plan layout or The same goes if you have an open-plan layout or stairs running up from the living space You can use stairs up from the space. You can use thermostatic radiator valves to vary the temperature thermostatic radiator valves to vary the temperature in different rooms, keeping the living space and in different rooms, the space and bedrooms warm, but the kitchen and bathroom bedrooms warm, but the kitchen and bathroom cooler. If your radiators don’t have temperature cooler. If your radiators don’t have temperature controls then you may want an extra gas fire or controls then you may want an extra gas fire or electric heater in the room where you spend the electric heater in the room where you the most time In larger homes, it may be worth heating most time. In homes, it may be worth just one or two rooms if those rooms are less than a one or two rooms if those rooms are less than a quarter of the size of the whole house. quarter of the size of the whole house.

To help cut down your energy bills right away, we’ve sought out top tips and expert advice from those in the know

QIs it cheaper to Is it to heat the whole house or just house or one room? one

AIf you have a If you have a smart meter, you smart meter, you can sync it up can sync it up with Samsung’s with free SmartThings free Energy app to see how much Energy app to see how much energy every device costs you energy every device costs you each day It’s often surprising each day. It’s often how much is wasted wasted.

‘Research reveals sosocalled ‘vampire’ devices cost called devices cost households an average of £147 households an average of £147 a year, even when they’re not a year, even when not being used,’ says Rachel Morris, used,’ says Rachel Morris, marketing manager at smart manager at smart lighting firm 4lite ‘If they’re lighting firm 4lite. ‘If not switched off at the wall not at or unplugged, TVs, games or TVs, games consoles, microwaves, printers consoles, microwaves, and washing machines can sap and machines can sap energy around the clock energy around the clock.

Sync your smart meter to Samsung’s SmartThings Energy app to track how much energy each of your appliances is using

Switching your devices off at the wall to save money your devices off at the wall to save money is the best course of action, but it’s not as easy as it might is the best course of action, but it’s not as easy as it seem In many cases, plug sockets are hidden beneath seem. In many cases, sockets are hidden beneath desks, behind TV units, under the bed or covered up by desks, behind TV units, under the bed or covered up white goods This is where smart plugs can help With a white goods. This is where smart can help. With a simple tap on your smartphone, smart plugs turn your tap on your smart turn your sockets on or off immediately, including the ones you can’t sockets on or off the ones you can’t get to. You can even set schedules to control your devices get to. You can even set schedules to control your devices so they’re switched on and ready when you need them ’ so switched on and when you need them.’

Heated clothes airers can cost as little as 7p per hour to run, around 90 per cent less than a tumble dryer

Addis heated airer, £44.99, Lidl

QAny tips for cutting for energy and water use energy and water use while doing laundry? while

ANasim Bagherian, spokesperson at Colour Catcher, says, ‘For lightly soiled loads, washing at 30˚C is ideal and uses around 40 per cent less energy than higher temperatures. Also, we conducted a study and found that 40 per cent of Brits tend to only wash half loads (with 55 per cent saying it’s because they don’t want to mix their lights and darks). Colour Catcher contains extra-absorbent fibres that attract loose dye in the water, allowing you to mix colours and whites. Two half loads of washing use more energy than a single load, so the sheet will help you to reduce wash cycles.’

Other tips include washing outer clothing such as jumpers less frequently, using shorter or economy cycles, skipping pre-treat stain programmes (as these tend to use more water) and swapping the tumble dryer for line drying or hanging them up on a clothes airer inside.

Newly built properties are extremely likely to have cavity wall insulation

AIf your home was built in the last 20 years, then the walls were most likely insulated while they were being constructed. If your house is older, or you’re not sure if the walls are insulated, look at the external brickwork. If it’s had insulation added, you should be able to see marks at regular intervals left by holes that have been filled in (approximately 1-inch in diameter). Or you could ask the building control department of your local authority, as they’ll have records of any work done. Alternatively, you can ask a registered installer to do a borescope inspection. Cavity wall insulation is a really cost-effective way to insulate your home and save on energy bills. According to Ovo Energy, it costs around £720 to cavity insulate a detached property and saves around £275 a year in bills; for a semidetached it’s around £475 and saves £160; and for a mid-terrace, it’s about £370 and saves £105.

The latest washing machines are capable of removing stubborn stains even at 20˚C to reduce energy use and save on running costs

ActiveCare NDD 11726 DA washer dryer, £619.99, Hotpoint

Feature Hayley Gilbert Photo Getty Images

QHow do I find out how How do I out how much money I’m much money I’m wasting by leaving devices on standby? devices on

QHow can I tell can if I have wall if I have wall insulation?

AThis is one of those This is one questions that catches many that catches many people out, but according out, but to the Energy Saving Trust, to the Trust, it costs more to leave it costs more to on low all day They say the best way to on low all day. say the best way to save energy and money is by having the save energy and money is the heating on only when you need it. To on when you need it. To save even more, make sure your home is save even more, make sure your home is well-insulated, with proper loft insulation, well-insulated, with proper loft insulation, gaps in floorboards filled in or covered gaps in floorboards filled in or covered with rugs and any gaps around doors and with rugs and any gaps around doors and windows sealed with draught excluders. windows sealed with excluders. A smart thermostat is another great A smart thermostat is another great way to make sure your home is heated way to make sure your home is heated only when you need it You can set when you need it. You can set schedules for different days and turn the schedules for different and turn the heating and hot water on and off from and hot water on and off from your smartphone, so you can delay your your so you can your heating coming on if you’re going to be heating coming on if you’re going to be home later than planned By the same home later than planned. the same token, if you’re going to get home early, token, if to get home you can make sure your home is cosy for you can make sure your home is cosy for when you arrive and that there’s enough when you arrive and that there’s hot water for a long soak in the tub. hot water for a soak in the tub.

Learn to understand the information on your energy bills to pick up clues and save money

AAccording to Ofgem, a typical household of 2.4 people uses 8kWh of electricity and 33kWh of gas per day. The more you use, the more you pay, so look at your bill to see how much you’re consuming and how much you’re paying for it. Start with the tariff – the price you pay per unit for your electricity and gas along with any standing charge. There should also be a tariff comparison rate to help you compare costs between providers, the amount of electricity and gas you have used and details of previous meter readings.

When you receive your next bill, check the information to make sure it’s correct. This includes the name, address, meter serial numbers and dates covered. Any estimated readings will be based on previous information so if it’s under or over you should contact your supplier to give an accurate reading.

Control your heating from your smartphone or tablet with a smart thermostat

Google Nest Thermostat, £199, Currys

AYou can find out exactly how much You can find out exactly how much electricity an appliance uses with an an uses with an electricity usage monitor These simple usage monitor. These devices go in between the plug socket and devices go in between the socket and the appliance and have a small display to the and have a small to show you how much electricity the appliance is using show you how much the is using and how much it’s costing you Simply plug the monitor and how much it’s you. the monitor into the wall, then plug the appliance you want to track into the wall, then the you want to track into the monitor You’ll be amazed how much your into the monitor. You’ll be amazed how much your kettle uses! uses!

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Identify energywasting appliances with a plug-in electricity monitor

QHow do I work out my How do I work out my energy bill to cut costs? energy bill to cut costs?

QWhich is cheaper: leaving the the heating on on low all day or low all or turning it on and off? turning it on and off?

QCan I check the electricity Can I check the usage of individual usage of individual appliances?

AThe easiest way is to get a smart The easiest way is to a smart meter and check how much energy meter and check how much energy is consumed when each appliance is consumed when each is switched on ‘You can often also on. ‘You can see this information through an app see this information an app or online account with your energy provider,’ says or online account with your energy says Nicola Battey, Director of Product at Hometree Nicola

of Product at Hometree boiler cover cover.

The experts at Currys say that the worst energy- The experts at say that the worst energyguzzlers are washing machines and dishwashers, are machines and dishwashers, as the power needed to heat the water increases as the power needed to heat the water increases consumption The Energy Saving Trust agrees, consumption. The Energy Saving Trust agrees, saying wet appliances, as well as tumble dryers, wet as well as tumble account for 14 per cent of a typical energy bill To account for 14 per cent of a energy bill. To cut the cost, wash clothes at a lower temperature, cut the cost, wash clothes at a lower temperature, use eco settings on washers and dishwashers and use eco on washers and dishwashers and only run them when they’re fully loaded. You run them when loaded. You should also switch them off at the should also switch them at the plug after use and, since we’re after use and, since we’re talking about heating water, don’t about water, don’t overfill the kettle when you’re overfill the kettle when you’re making a hot drink. a hot drink.

Other culprits for high energy Other for energy use are fridge-freezers (which use are (which account for 13 per cent of the bill), account for 13 per cent of the bill), consumer electronics such as TVs, consumer electronics such as TVs, laptops and games consoles (six per and games consoles (six per cent), lighting (five per cent) and any cent), (five per cent) and any hobs, ovens, kettles and microwaves ovens, kettles and microwaves (four per cent) (four per cent).

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Cut the cost of every cuppa with one of these low energy kettles

Upgrade to an energy efficient fridgefreezer with features such as LED lighting and Dynamic Cooling KFN 28132, £1,049, Miele

Keep storage heaters uncovered and clear of any furniture and curtains to make the best use of them

Slow cookers use less energy than the oven or hob VonShef 1.5L slow cooker, £27.99, VonHaus

AStorage heaters are usually found in properties that don’t have a gas supply and they use off-peak, night-time electricity from an Economy 7 tariff, which provides cheaper energy for seven hours overnight. Social housing providers WDH advises turning the heater’s output control to 1, the lowest setting, at night and, if it’s not especially chilly during the day or you’re going to be out, you don’t need to set the input to maximum as you won’t need to store as much heat.

Other ways to make storage heaters more efficient include keeping the output low during the day so there’s enough heat for the evenings, choosing different heat settings in different rooms, keeping furniture and curtains away from the heaters, keeping them uncovered and switching them off at the wall when the weather warms up.

AFridge-freezers are switched on 24/7 so it’s important to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible to keep the running cost low. ‘Resist opening your fridge-freezer more than is needed and keep a good airflow inside by not overfilling it with food,’ says Cesar Fernandez, home economist at Miele GB. ‘The more the doors are opened and the longer they’re kept open, the warmer the internal temperature. This is also true if the fridge is crammed with too much food.’

Other tips include keeping the temperature set between 3˚C and 5˚C and making sure the door seals well to keep the cold in. Joanna O’Loan from the Energy Saving Trust also advises letting cooked food cool down thoroughly before adding it to the fridge-freezer and defrosting it regularly, as it has to work harder when it’s covered in ice. You can also use features such as holiday mode, which lets you empty and turn off the fridge if you’re going away, without turning off the freezer.

QHow can I run my fridge- How can I run my freezer as efficiently freezer as as possible? as

QHow do I find out which out of my appliances is using of my is the most energy? the most

Battey, Director

QWhat’s the most efficient most way to use a way to use a storage heater? storage heater?

A‘Alexa devices and other similar smart hubs do use energy when they’re switched off but still plugged in,’ says William Hobbs, energy expert at Myjobquote. co.uk. ‘For example, a third-generation Echo Dot uses between 1.4W and 2W of energy on standby, which is around £5 to £6 worth of electricity per year. But even switched off or in its low-power mode, if it’s left plugged in an Echo Dot still uses 0.16W. That only works out to be about 50p a year, but it’ll soon adds up if you have multiple smart devices throughout your home.’

‘Equally, smart light bulbs consume a small amount of electricity when they’re switched off. Typically, this is between 0.1W and 0.5W of power. They do save energy in comparison to traditional incandescent light bulbs overall though, as they use LEDs to light your home, which are about 90 per cent more efficient.’

AThe general consensus is yes, as smart meters allow you to see how much energy you’re using and when, so you can make any changes to save money. ‘Studies show that people reduce their energy consumption by around two per cent just by getting a smart meter and being able to see the energy they use at different times of the day,’ says Nicola Battey, Director of Product at Hometree. ‘Bigger savings can be made by using the information a smart meter provides to make behaviour changes, such as running appliances less or turning off your TV at the wall.’

You can also make use of apps such as the Hugo Energy app or Samsung’s SmartThings Energy app, which sync with your smart meter to track your energy use and set caps, as well as offering you tips on how to cut costs.

yourhomestyle.uk

Smart assistants and hubs use energy when they’re on standby and even when they’re switched off. So unplug them to save cash

Echo Dot with Clock, £64.99, Amazon

AYes, but not a lot, so turning your wi-fi off at night won’t make much difference to your bills. The other thing to consider is that some devices, such as laptops and smart thermostats, receive software updates overnight to keep them running smoothly, so it’s often best to keep the wi-fi on. Unless, of course, you have children that are prone to gaming or using their smartphones when they should be sleeping and you want to turn it off for that reason.

QWill a smart meter a smart meter help reduce bills? reduce bills?

QDoes turning Does the wi-fi off save the save electricity?

QDo smart devices like my Do smart devices like my Alexa and smart bulbs use smart use energy when switched off energy when switched off and, if so, how much? and, if so, how much?

Compact heaters are an efficient alternative to having the central heating throughout your home

Threesixty 2 smart fan heater, £99.99, Duux

AA portable heater is the best option when you need an extra boost of heat or you just want to warm up one room rather than the whole house. ‘Portable electric heaters typically use between 1kW and 3kW of energy, which means they can cost between 34p and £1.02 per hour to run,’ says William Hobbs, energy expert at Myjobquote.co.uk.

‘Halogen heaters tend to operate at the lower end of that scale, at around 1kw, making them more energy efficient than many fan and convection heaters. Portable oil-filled radiators tend to work a little more efficiently than convection heaters, as they use around the same amount of energy, but have a greater surface area. Plug-in, infrared panel heaters are generally considered to be the most efficient, as they consume less energy. But that doesn’t mean they generate less heat, they’re just more efficient at converting electricity into warmth. Plus, as they’re radiant heaters, you don’t need to be directly in front of them to feel the benefit.’

AThe government has set up various initiatives to help with the rising cost of energy. Every household with a domestic electricity connection is entitled to the £400 non-repayable discount. It will be applied automatically to your electricity bills in instalments so there’s no need to contact your supplier (and you’ll never be asked for your bank details to receive it, so don’t reply to anyone who does).

There’s also the Energy Price Guarantee that will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas. This is automatically applied too. Plus, there’s the Cost of Living Payment for households on means-tested benefits. Visit helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk for more information on all the above.

You can also get guidance and support with your energy bills from your supplier.

USEFUL CONTACTS

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Stay toasty with our pick of the best energy-efficient heaters

Leave the central heating off and warm up your living area, bedroom or home office with a portable oil-filled radiator

9 Fin 2000W oil-filled radiator, £79.99, VonHaus

• For lots of advice on saving energy, visit energysavingtrust.org.uk, uswitch.com or energyhelpline.com

• Head to ao.com/energy-efficiency to see how you could save money by using appliances more efficiently.

• Search for a better deal by comparing energy price tariffs at usave.co.uk

• Book your smart meter installation with your energy provider or at smartenergygb.org

QWhat are the most are most energy-efficient portable portable plug-in heaters? heaters?

QAm I entitled to to any benefits or any benefits or grants to help grants to with the cost?

@interior_by_lein

Amazing PRIZES UP FOR GRABS!

Give your kitchen a money-saving makeover with V33’s Renovation Cupboard and Worktop paint – it’s now available in more colours and has been reformulated for use on worktops, too. Your Home has teamed up with V33 to offer seven lucky winners two 2L tubs of paint, in a colour of their choice. Choose from neutral tones or stamp your individual style with a bolder shade. Colour

Charcoal

The paint is highly resistant to heat, scratches, knocks, water and humidity, so you can easily revamp your kitchen without going to the expense of ripping out cupboards and worktops. The paint is available from B&Q stores and diy.com. For more information on the range, visit v33.co.uk

Is your New Year’s resolution to make better choices for the planet? You could kick-start your journey by winning one of five Biological Multi-Mop Cleaning Systems from Clean Living International, worth £119.99.

Featuring 13 products, including four microfibre mop pads, an aluminium adjustable mop handle, lockable and rotating mop base, multi-use scrubby and biological floor cleaner with five refill sachets, you can deep-clean hard surfaces in your home.

Ideal for use on flooring, windows and tiles, this versatile mop system makes cleaning quick, simple and easy, without missing any hard-to-reach areas along the way. For more information on the range, visit. cleanlivingint.com

Want to give your home a fresh look in the new year? We’re giving two lucky readers a Twinkly Squares Starter Kit to take their decorative lighting to the next level!

Twinkly Squares’ smart LED wall panels each feature 64 premium app-controlled LEDs in 16 million colours. It can be controlled using the free Twinkly app, and is voice controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. The app can scan and map each individual LED so you can create personalised light design installations through a range of pre-set effects and animations, as well as the ability to create your own custom effects from scratch. For more information on the range, visit twinkly.com/en-gb

Budding bakers and keen cooks can update their kitchen on a budget thanks to Blackmoor, as it’s offering four lucky winners a £125 voucher to spend on its website.

The brand, hailing from Liverpool, is known for providing affordable, high-quality kitchen and bakeware for the everyday home cook. Its ranges include hardwearing, robust non-stick or enamel coated cookware from its Classic, Blue Pro or new Cast Iron collection, as well as a wide variety of knife sets, food prep items and other homeware essentials. For more information on its ranges, visit blackmoorhome.co.uk

yourhomestyle.uk

options are: White; Cotton; Soft Grey; Loft Grey;

Grey; Agave Green; Petrol Blue; or Quartz Black.

Leading paint brand Valspar is offering one lucky reader the chance to win 11 5L pots of Premium Walls & Ceilings paint, worth £49 each. That’s £539 worth of paint in total! The winner will be sent a voucher to spend in store at B&Q, where they can also browse from 2,000 pre-selected colours, or any colour you desire, thanks to Valspar’s state-of-the-art matching technology.

Valspar’s Premium Walls & Ceilings paint uses Life-Kind technology that is child- and pet-safe, ultralow VOC, hypoallergenic and Allergy-UK approved too, giving you complete peace of mind. With no compromise on quality either, the paint is scrubbable and stain-resistant with an exceptional finish.

See the wide range of high-quality interior and exterior paints at valsparpaint.co.uk

Do you want to make light work of household dirt, dust and pet hair? Then the Gtech K9 System is for you. Combining the upright AirRAM K9 and the handheld Multi K9, this cordless vacuum system is the perfect addition to a busy household.

Weighing in at just 3.3kg, the AirRAM K9 glides effortlessly from floorboards to carpets with no settings to change. And when it comes to tackling above-the-floor cleaning, simply switch to the Multi K9 handheld vacuum, which makes cleaning stairs and upholstery a breeze. Both vacuums feature powered rotating brush bars, designed to work deep down in carpets and between floorboards, while lightly scented filter cartridges leave your home smelling clean and fresh. The system also comes with a car cleaning kit to keep your vehicle as dirt-free as your home!

For the last 20 years, Gtech has been at the forefront of British innovation, becoming one of the country’s bestloved brands. It’s award winning too; the AirRAM received the high accolade of the Queen’s Award for Innovation.

Find out more about the Gtech K9 System and other products at gtech.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1 The closing date for the promotions is Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at 11.59pm. 2 The promotions are open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands (except the V33 prize draw, which is open to mainland UK residents only), aged 18 years or older, except Our Media Limited’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 For the V33 prize draw, each winner can choose from one of the following colours: a) White; b) Cotton; c) Soft Grey; d) Loft Grey; e) Charcoal Grey; f) Agave Green; g) Petrol Blue; or h) Quartz Black (subject to availability). Delivery is included with this prize. 4 For the Clean Living prize draw, delivery is included. 5 For the Twinkly prize draw, each Twinkly Squares Starter Kit includes 1x master LED panel and 5x extension panels, as well as a USB-C cable and power adapter. Delivery is included. 6 For the Blackmoor prize draw, the online voucher must be used in a single transaction. The online voucher will expire 12 months from the time it is created. Delivery is included. 7 For the Valspar prize draw, the B&Q voucher will be sent to the winner and can be used in store only. 8 For the Gtech prize draw, delivery is included. 9 For the full list of Terms and Conditions, visit yourhomestyle.uk/win.

Where to buy everything in this issue Shopping GUIDE

AAbode 01226 283434 pronteau.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com

ACR Stoves 0121 706 8266 acrstoves.com ad&i adandishop.co.uk

Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk

Annabel James 0345 5480210 annabeljames.co.uk

Annie Sloan 01865 770061 anniesloan.com

AO.com 0161 470 1200 ao.com

Aqualisa 01959 560010 aqualisa.co.uk Asda asda.com

Aureous aureous.co

BB&M 0330 838 9000 bmstores.co.uk

B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Bag & Bones 020 8740 6950 bagandbones.co.uk

Barker & Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Baylis & Harding baylisandharding.com Baytree Interiors 0808 168 9242 baytree-interiors.co.uk Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk Bed Kingdom 01924 950108 bedkingdom.co.uk

Benjamin Moore benjaminmoore.co.uk BHS 0333 005 0070 bhs.com

BioLite uk.bioliteenergy.com

Bionic 0800 691 1710 bionic.co.uk Blackmoor blackmoorhome.co.uk

Blinds By Post 01274 214466 blindsbypost.co.uk Blinds2go 0800 86204644 blinds-2go.co.uk

Blueair blueair.com Boho Bard bohobard.co.uk

Brabantia brabantia.com/uk/ Braided Rug Company 01654 767248 braided-rug.co.uk

Brick Slips brickslips.co.uk

CCambridge Imprint

cambridgeimprint.co.uk

Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk

Casa Ceramica 0161 870 2108 casaceramica.co.uk

Clean Living cleanlivingint.com

Clever Hands cleverhands.shop

COAT Paints coatpaints.com

Colour Catcher 0800 051 4433 colourcatcher.co.uk

Cook Serve Enjoy 0121 6046000 cookserveenjoy.com

Crazy Price Beds crazypricebeds.com

yourhomestyle.uk

Create Your World

createyourworld.co.uk

Creative Cables 020 3940 7550 creative-cables.co.uk

Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland cuckooland.com

Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Currys 0344 561 0000 currys.co.uk

DDaisy Park 01769 579077 daisypark.co.uk där lighting 01295 672200 darlighting.co.uk

Desenio desenio.co.uk

DIY Kitchens diy-kitchens.com

Dizzy Duck Designs dizzyduckdesigns.com Dobbies dobbies.com Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 8199985 dowsingandreynolds.com

Dr Beckmann dr-beckmann.co.uk

Duck Barn Florals duckbarnflorals.etsy.com Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Duux duux.co.uk

EEarthborn Paints earthbornpaints.co.uk Eco Garden ecogardenuk.co.uk Ecover ecover.com

Ella James 01572 759190 ellajames.co.uk

Ellie Good Illustration elliegood.co.uk Etsy etsy.co.uk

FFacebook Marketplace facebook.com

Farrow & Ball 0120 287 6141 farrow-ball.com

Feather & Black 01243 380600 featherandblack.com

Flooring Superstore flooringsuperstore.com

Franke 0161 436 6280 franke.co.uk

Freemans 0333 200 8077 freemans.com

Frenchic 01276 469757 frenchicpaint.co.uk

GGecko Home Decor 020 8427 4393 geckohomedecor.co.uk George Home direct.asda.com

Gisela Graham 020 7708 6381 giselagraham.co.uk

Grace & Thorn 020 7739 1521 graceandthorn.com

Graham & Brown 0808 168 3795 grahambrown.com/uk

Graham and Green 01225 418 200 grahamandgreen.co.uk

Green Lili greenlili.com

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Grohe 0871 200 3414 grohe.com

HH&M Home 0344 7369000 hm.com Habitat habitat.co.uk Haus Projekt hausprojekt.etsy.com

Heavenly Homes & Gardens heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk

Henry Holland henryhollandstudio.com

Hillarys 0808 239 6356 hillarys.co.uk Hive 0333 202 9614 hivehome.com

Hobbycraft hobbycraft.co.uk Homebase homebase.co.uk

Homes Direct 365 01642 455589 homesdirect365.co.uk

Homesense homesense.com

Hometree 0330 818 6459 hometree.co.uk

Hotpoint 03448 224224 hotpoint.co.uk

House Buy Fast 01903 331588 housebuyfast.co.uk

Hugo 0800 130 3730 hugoenergyapp.co.uk

II Love Wallpaper

ilovewallpaper.co.uk

Idyll Home idyllhome.co.uk

IKEA ikea.com

ILIV 01772 651199 iliv.co.uk

Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk

Ink Berry Moon Studio inkberrymoonstudio.etsy.com

JJes Rose jesrose.co.uk

Joe Browns joebrowns.co.uk

John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com

Julian Charles juliancharles.co.uk

JYSK 0330 088 3818 jysk.co.uk

KKukoon Rugs kukoonrugs.com

LLa Redoute laredoute.co.uk

Lakeland lakeland.co.uk

Le Print leprint.co.uk

Leaves Stationery Store leavesstationerystore.co.uk Lick lick.com/uk

Lidl 0800 977 7766 lidl.co.uk

Lifestyle Floors 01675 433518 lifestyle-floors.co.uk

Lights4fun 01423 816040

lights4fun.co.uk

Lime Lace limelace.co.uk

Love Energy Savings 0800 988 8375 loveenergysavings.com

Love Frankie 01803 866399 lovefrankie.com

Lucie Annabel lucieannabel.com

MMagnolia Fabric magnoliafabric.uk

ManoMano manomano.co.uk

Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com

Marquis & Dawe 01925 767611 marquisanddawe.co.uk

Martha Brook marthabrook.com Matalan matalan.co.uk

Methven uk.methven.com

Miele 0330 160 6600 miele.co.uk

Morris & Co 0203 4575 862 morrisandco.sandersondesigngroup.com MKM mkm.com

MyGlazing.com myglazing.com

MyJobQuote myjobquote.co.uk

Mylands 020 8670 9161 mylands.com

Multipanel 0131 290 2862 multipanel.co.uk

NNanas of Anarchy nanasofanarchy.com

National Trust Shop shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

Naturewall naturewall.com

Neonimo neonimo.co.uk

Next 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk

Northwest Heating Solutions 01244 371445 northwestheatingsolutions.co.uk

OOhpopsi ohpopsi.com Okiki Skincare okikiskincare.co.uk

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co oldbexleysoap.co.uk Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com

Original Style originalstyle.com Oskoe oskoe.com

Ovo Energy 0330 303 5063 ovoenergy.com

PPapersmiths papersmiths.co.uk Perkins & Morley perkinsandmorley.com

Philips Hue 00800 7445 4775 philips-hue.com

Plank Hardware plankhardware.com

Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com

Portmeirion portmeirion.co.uk

ProCook 0330 100 1010 procook.co.uk

Purlfrost 020 8992 4024 purlfrost.com

Purr & Mutt purrandmutt.com

QQuiet Mark 01272 823850 quietmark.com QVC 0800 514 131 qvcuk.com

RRawlins Paints 0113 2455450 rawlinspaints.com Rex London rexlondon.com

Rose & Grey roseandgrey.co.uk Rust-Oleum rustoleum.com

SSainsbury’s sainsburys.co.uk Samsung 0333 000 0333 samsung.com

Sanctuary Bathrooms sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk Scaramanga scaramangashop.co.uk Screwfix screwfix.com

Search Press searchpress.com

Shaped Interiors and Joinery 01462 410 069 shapedinteriors.com

Sheppards DIY 02476 675858 sheppardsdiy.co.uk

Sophie Allport 01778 560256 sophieallport.com

Star Design UK 07572 257709 stardesignuk.com

Staying In Studio stayinginstudio.co.uk

Stokers 01244 398777 stokers.co.uk Sue Ryder 0800 917 8123 shop.sueryder.org Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com

TTapsUK tapsuk.com Tesco tesco.com

The British Blanket Company 0117 441 4412

thebritishblanketcompany.com

The Completist the-completist.com

The French Bedroom Company 01444 415430

frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

The Happy Blossoms thehappyblossoms.com

The Orchid Craft Room theorchidcraftroom.etsy.com

The Original Bed Co 0800 4640875 obc-uk.net

The Painted Furniture Company 01285 656041 paintedfurnitureco.co.uk

The Radiator Centre 01727 840344 theradiatorcentre.com

The Radiator Company theradiatorcompany.co.uk

The Range therange.co.uk

The Wisteria Tree thewisteriatree.co.uk

Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk

TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com

Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk

Trent Furniture 0116 286 4911 trentfurniture.co.uk Triton 02476 372222 tritonshowers.co.uk Typhoon typhoonhousewares.com

VV33 v33.co.uk Very very.co.uk Victoria Plum victoriaplum.com

Victorian Plumbing victorianplumbing.co.uk

Victory Colours 01258 841310 victorycolours.co.uk

Vida Designs amazon.co.uk/stores/VidaDesigns Viessmann 01952 675000 viessmann.co.uk

Vintage Playing Cards vintageplayingcards.co.uk VonHaus 0161 8335442 vonhaus.com

WWallpaper Direct wallpaperdirect.com

Walls & Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors.co.uk

Walton & Co waltonshop.co.uk WDH 0345 8 507 507 wdh.co.uk

Weaver Green weavergreen.com Who Gives a Crap uk.whogivesacrap.org Wickes wickes.com Wilko 0800 032 9329 wilko.com

Wood Finishes Direct 01303 213838 wood-finishes-direct.com

YYesColours yescolours.com

4lite 01565 656635 4liteuk.com 5ifty Print 07943 257777 5iftyprint.com

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