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THE GREAT FESTIVE STYLE-OFF!

Fivereaders, fiveChristmas trees–who’ll win the battle?

YOUR ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE

50+ perfect prezzies to make everyone smile, including the pooch!

Real homes, dressed for Christmas

BEFORE & AFTER

REAL MAKEOVERS & BUDGET UPDATES

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CLASSIC VICTORIAN SEMI SCANDI-MODERN NEW BUILD RUSTIC-CHIC COSY COTTAGE

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SEASONAL MAKES

9

The Style Book

DECEMBER 2019

£1.99

Recall date 04/12/19

BUILDING AN EXTENSION

SPECIAL LUNCH

SERVE UP A TRULY FABULOUS FEAST

CLEANING TIPS

InsideÉ Love it Inspiring homes & room makeovers

Buy it

Stylish musthave finds at high-street prices

Do it

Weekend projects, DIY advice & styling tips

Make it Step-by-step craft ideas & upcycling how-tos

Regulars

Festive room looks to suit every style

loving all your #SAHStylists efforts!

Love it 24 38 52 85 94

2019’S BEST TREE TRENDS High-street looks to have you rockin’ around the Christmas tree ‘DIY WAS OUR MONEY-SAVER’ Renovation novices Natasha and Gary were determined to tackle a tired Victorian semi themselves ‘IT’S THE PERFECT FESTIVE SETTING’ Marie’s rustic Kent cottage is full of mid-century influences and seasonal good cheer ‘FROM FRUMPY TO CHIC SCANDI’ A dated interior didn’t work in this new terrace – so Charlotte set about creating a light, soothing space STYLE UPDATE Simple tweaks and tricks to update your interior ‘I LOVE ALL THE LEAFY TONES’ Jane went for a contemporary jungle look in her kitchen

100 ‘WE UPDATED THIRTIES STYLE’ Strong blue hues and pops of mustard were the ideal finishing touch to Tessa’s new bathroom

Buy it 7

8 11 12 34 48 62

Festive feasting and supermarket news

65

23 SUBSCRIBE for just £15.99 a year 130 LOOK WHAT YOU STYLED We’re

17

Cook it

MERRY KITSCH-MAS Colourful, characterful retro-vibe decs CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Deck your halls with these festive finds 10 UNDER £10 Purse-friendly Secret Santa gifts and stocking fillers BLITZ YOUR GIFT LIST We’ve scoured the shops for the pick of perfect presents. Santa who..?

CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY Mix modern buys with country charm CREATIVE RESTORATION Warm up a mono palette with natural textures COSY TEXTURES Add softness with tonal, tactile home buys

4 | DECEMBER 2019

38

Marie’s home is a breath of fresh air

SPARKLY SHOPPING

Our seasonal wish list, page 17

CONTENTS

Love it

24

Natasha brushed up on her DIY skills to give her home a budgetfriendly makeover

99

LIGHT AND BRIGHT Pick personality pieces that pop

105 COLOUR SPLASH Combine

standout shades in a white room

128 WHERE TO BUY This issue’s stockists

Do it 51

65 98

DECORATED BISCUIT TINS Revamp old containers for festive treats

THE STYLE BOOK Cosy Christmas ADDING AN EXTENSION How to get a bigger house without moving

104 A SHAPED BATHTUB Fit a bath into even the most awkward space

108 FIND A SMART SOLUTION

Reversible gift wrap, Christmas post dates and tips on cleaning spills

110 CLEAN YOUR UPHOLSTERY Spruce up your sofa, ready for guests

113 THE 10-MINUTE DECLUTTER Get organised in no time

Make it 37

64 111

100

Tessa’s new bathroom is merry and bright

CANDY CANE PLACE NAMES Use these sweet signs to put your guests in their place ADVENT CALENDAR Create this simple countdown wall MAKE IT YOURSELF The latest craft news and making must-haves

112 NATURAL CHRISTMAS WREATH 114

114

Hang a warm welcome at your door

FESTIVE CRAFTS Channel your inner elf with these merry makes

Cook it

Give your gifts a thoughtful touch

107 CHOCOLATE FRIDGE WREATH 117 118 STARRY SLUMBER Bedlinen, page 85

CAKE A no-bake showstopper!

SUPERMARKET NEWS What’s hot on the shelves this month SERVE A MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS LUNCH O come all ye hungry – it’s time for turkey (and all the trimmings, of course) Tweet us your comments at @styleathomemag – we’d love to hear what you think of your fave mag!

DECEMBER 2019 | 5

Love it

EDITOR’S LETTER

Hithere!

ABOVE: Be inspired

by Charlotte’s simple but sophisticated style, p52 LEFT: Stylish ways to decorate for the festive season, p85 BELOW: Make a figgy pudding, p118

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Get Style at Home delivered directly to your door from just £1.34 an issue when you take out an annual subscription for just £15.99. Call 0330 333 1113 and quote ALW9 or visit magazines direct.com/SAHDEC2019 PLUS Get the latest digital issue and back issues at idealhome. co.uk/style-at-home

Contact us

Have you got your tree up yet?! I haven’t – I try to hold back until the beginning of December, so the excitement doesn’t peak too early. That hasn’t stopped us getting through two tubs of Quality Street already, though! I’ll have to hide them in the shed at this rate. This issue is full of creative (and not too spendy) ways to ramp up the magic and joy – so try to keep back a couple of weekends for making your own wreath (p112), crafting personalised crackers for the Big Day (p114), cooking your own Christmas pud on Stir-up Sunday (p118) and blitzing your gift list with our original finds (p12) and stocking fillers (p11). Don’t forget to share your festive makes and styling ideas via the hashtag below – you might get a feature on our back page!

Vanessa Richmond, Editor

SEND US YOUR STYLING SNAPS ON INSTAGRAM #SAHSTYLISTS WE LOVE TO SEE YOUR DECORATING!

EMAIL styleathome@ti-media.com WEBSITE idealhome.co.uk/styleathome FACEBOOK facebook.com/styleathomemag TWITTER/INSTAGRAM @styleathomemag PINTEREST pinterest.com/styleathomemag MOVING HOUSE? To change your address or renew your subscription, call 0330 333 1113, email help@magazinesdirect.com or visit mymagazine.co.uk

6 | DECEMBER 2019

MERRY KITSCH-MAS

Buy it

THIS MONTH’S

Loveit!

A simple strip of red fabric, strewn with a mix of baubles and pine cones, makes a quick and easy centrepiece

Combining traditional colours, Scandi design and kitsch motifs, George Home’s All I Want For Christmas range is giving us the festive feels. With decs to suit everyone – from coffee lovers to crafty types – you’re sure to fall in love with one or two.

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

3 of the best…

Sewing machine bauble, £2; Snowy tree decoration, £1; Toadstool bauble, 50p; Festive van bauble, £3; Skiing pig bauble, £3; Coffee machine bauble, £2, all George Home

QUIRKY DECORATIONS London sausage dog, £10, Laura Ashley

Round glass Santa, £3.49, The Contemporary Home

Berry Christmas mini embroidery hoop, £3.50, Sainsbury’s Home

DECEMBER 2019 | 7

The Christmas

COUNTDOWN It’s not just about the big day, build the excitement with a house full of festive fun

Santa coir doormat, £5; hessian Santa sack, £6; felt stocking, £4; Merry Christmas sign, £4; giftwrap, from a selection, all Wilko

8 | DECEMBER 2019

Buy it

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN MERRY AND BRIGHT Felt advent calendar, £35, White Stuff

CHEAT’S WREATH Berry Christmas eucalyptus and berry wreath, £18, Sainsbury’s Home

GET CRAFTY

FILL ME WITH TREATS

Ho Ho Ho embroidery kit, £25, Etsy

START EARLY

Personalised wooden Christmas Eve box, £19.99, Getting Personal

MINCE PIE READY

COOK’S TREAT

Christmas pudding oven gloves, £25, Thornback & Peel

Christmas Village tea plate, £10, Cath Kidston

3 of the best PYJAMAS

FAMILY FUN

Elf family pyjamas, from £9.99 each, Red Top Star at Amazon

SEASON’S GREETINGS

ALL WRAPPED UP

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Tis The Season vintage Christmas bunting, £30, Vintage Playing Cards

WHO YOU LOOKING AT?

Plant pot, £9.99, TK Maxx

Present all-in-one, £8, Marks & Spencer

BRING ON THE HOT CHOCOLATE Rifle Blue mug, £10, Anthropologie

FIFTIES STYLE

FESTIVE FLOURISH

Reversible slogan cushion, £12, Matalan

Belle bauble women’s pyjama set, £48, Cyberjammies

DECEMBER 2019 | 9

The talk of the tiki bar.

Shop now at swooneditions.com Pay in instalments with

Raphia sideboard

ÂŁ599

10 UNDER £10 POSITIVE ATTRACTION

Be Nice magnet, £8.99, National Theatre Bookshop

Buy it

USE AND REUSE ON TOUR Bike multitool, £7.99, Lakeland

10 STAR BAKER

Reusable baking cups, £5.99 for 24, Amazon

DEAD CLEAN

Skull brush, £10, Rockett St George

HOME OFFICE

Brass arrow paper clips, £4.24 for 15, Papermash

UNDER £10 These treats are ideal for Secret Santa or stashing in stockings

TRAD TOY

Elvis The Elephant music box, £6.95, Rex London

EASY TIGER

Hand cream, £9.50, Oliver Bonas

STRESSFREE

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Calm prompt cards, £10, The School of Life

SWEET DREAMS

Cookie The Cat night light, £8.95, Rex London

SIPPING PRETTY Unicorn cup, £4, Flying Tiger

DECEMBER 2019 | 11

Blitzyour GIFT LIST Stuck for Christmas pressie ideas? Check out these brilliant buys

...For that special someone

Victrola wood coffee table with Bluetooth speaker, £229.99, Amazon. Personalised Four In A Row game, £120, Notonthehighstreet.com. Luna wall hanging, £35, Oliver Bonas. Throw, £14.99, HomeSense. Jasmine, lemongrass and ginger candle, £25, Sara Miller. Wellbeing ritual aromatherapy mini tin, £26, Scentered. Made x Kreafunk radio, £129, Made.com.

Ring video doorbell, £99.99, Studio. Kilburn fork and trowel set, £23, V&A Shop. Buy now with Ownable

12 | DECEMBER 2019

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Buy it

...For foodie friends

Penguin biscuits, £10.95 for two, Biscuiteers. Mad Millie vegan cheese kit, £33, Amara. Eva solo measuring trivet, £24, Forma House. The Big Foodie Quiz game, £10, Next Home. We Three Drinks Christmas spirits trio, £59.95, Notonthehighstreet.com.

Iced dessert maker, £120, Cuisinart. Street food sauces, £10 for set of seven, Wilko. Stars salad servers, £29.50, Oliver Bonas.

Frying pan, £2.99, HomeSense. Pretty Useful Tools cheese and wine multi-tool, £26, Wild & Wolf. Buy now with Ownable

DECEMBER 2019 | 13

...For pet lovers

Cat sign, £8, Debenhams. Personalised pet bauble, £35, Notonthehighstreet.com. Tower of Treats, £12.99, First 4 Hampers.

Champagne bottle dog toy, £6, Marks & Spencer. Best in Show mug, £3.95, Rex London. Handmade personalised pet ID tag, £12.99, Amazon. Sleepy Time Milk & Cookies pyjamas, from £23.95, Pets Pyjamas. Cat selfie phone attachment, £9.99, Prezzybox. Hand-decorated Happy Christmas baked biscuit bone, from £4.99, Laughing Dog. Cat notebook, £3, Sainsbury’s Home. Bali square pet bowl, £25, Made.com. Ziggy Stardust cat cave, £110, Red Candy. Buy now with Ownable

14 | DECEMBER 2019

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Buy it

...For the kids in your life

Bunny stocking, £12, Paperchase. Miko The Panda kite, £6.95, Rex London. Personalised natural wood teething toy, £15, Nibbling. A Wild Child’s Guide to Endangered Animals book by Millie Marotta, £20, Particular Books. Sebra scooter, £153, Amara. Wooden triple kitchen, £65, George Home. Children’s binoculars, £10, National Trust Shop. Rocket money box, £7, Sainsbury’s Home. Penguin lunch bag, £25, Sunnylife. Mini 9 camera, £74.99, Instax. Buy now with Ownable

DECEMBER 2019 | 15

THINK YOU KNOW TOPPS TILES? THINK AGAIN. More tiles, more styles and much more inspiration.

Visit our new website to discover the very best of Topps Tiles - toppstiles.co.uk Our super sale is now on in over 360 stores across the UK and online.

Pictured: Mora™ Oak *T&C’s apply, promotion ends on 21st January 2020

NOW ON

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Love it

2019’s best TREE TRENDS

Our glamorous Style Makers donned their Christmas sparkle and brought their styling A-game, each taking on the challenge of dressing a tree with the latest decs from some of our fave retailers

B

ack in the height of summer, the SAH team were joined by a crack squad of super stylists – picked for their all-round brilliance on Instagram (seriously – just check out their feeds) – to get in the festive spirit for our annual Christmas Tree Challenge. Three cheers for our hero

retailers – Dunelm, Tesco, Matalan, Sainsbury’s Home and Homebase – for providing our Style Makers with glittering sackfuls of decorations, and a standing ovation for our Insta stars and their beautiful trees. Check out their looks, and let us know your fave by sharing a pic on Instagram with the tag #SAHxmastreechallenge.

WANT TO TAKE PART NEXT YEAR? JOIN OUR INSTA COMMUNITY BY TAGGING YOUR HOME PICS WITH #SAHSTYLISTS, AND IT COULD BE YOU!

Let us know your favourite by using the hashtag #SAHxmastreechallenge on Instagram.

DECEMBER 2019 | 17

Into the BLUE

Let indigo nights inspire a scheme twinkling with dramatic shades and stellar geometrics…

STYLED

BY RACHEL FOR

Homebase

RACHEL SAYS: ‘The Eve of Elegance collection is truly stunning – navy, gold and a dusting of festive glitter.

What’s not to love?!’ @rach_southern

SAH loves Walls in SFE Prism Bleu, £15.95 a roll; seven-foot Monterey pre-lit premium artificial tree, £225; Lara chair in Royal Blue, £240 for two; Quilted cushion in Teal, £10; Isobelle rug in Cream, £33; (on tree) Midnight glass Gold foil baubles, £3 each; clear acrylic glitter ballerinas, £2 each; internal Gold confetti glass baubles, £3 each; Frosted Fox cap glass baubles, £4 each; Gold glitter filled glass baubles, £2 each; geometric Midnight finial decorations, £3 each; Navy geometric glass baubles, £4 each; glass baubles with internal tea lights in Gold, £6 each; Gold crackled effect glass baubles, £3 each; Blue mix glass baubles, £12 for set of nine, all Homebase

18 | DECEMBER 2019

Gold wire lantern, £12, Homebase

Large cushion in Teal, £10, Homebase

Peacock bauble, £4, Homebase

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Love it

Merry BERRY

Invite colour to the party with rich pickings inspired by tradition, but updated for a modern look AMY SAYS: ‘The deep reds of the Berry Christmas collection are synonymous with Christmas for me’ @harrison_nate_and_me

STYLED

BY AMY FOR

Sainsbury’s Home

Walls in Library Panel, £90 a roll, Historic Royal Palaces collection at Cole & Son. Six-foot pre-lit tree, £45; Berry Christmas baubles, from £2 each; gift bags, from £1.75 each; Berry Christmas eucalyptus and berry wreath, £18; faux berry wreath, £18; Berry Christmas garland, £20; faux berry garland, £20; stag ornament, £14; Berry Christmas serve bowl, £12; Berry Christmas nibble bowl, £2.75; Berry Christmas spice candle, £5; Berry Christmas snow globe, £18; cushion, £14; Red throw, £32, all Sainsbury’s Home. Evie fabric armchair in Natural, £139.99; Bliss deep-pile shaggy rug in Navy, from £60; nest of tables in oak effect, £34.99, all Argos

Cards, £2.50 for 10, Sainsbury’s Home

SAH loves Platter, £8, Sainsbury’s Home

Light up house, £10, Sainsbury’s Home

DECEMBER 2019 | 19

Feathers AND FIR Set glamorous dwellings a-blush with luxe details and everything fabulously pretty in pink VICKIE SAYS:

‘ I am normally a bright and colourful kind of girl at Christmas but the Matalan Winter Dance collection won me over’ @inpolife @inpo_liberty

STYLED

BY VICKIE AND LIBERTY FOR

Matalan

SAH loves Iridescent vase, £12; tea light holder, £5, both Matalan

Snowflake stocking, £9, Matalan

Swan tea cup, £4, Matalan

20 | DECEMBER 2019

Walls in Sirius in Pearl, £21 a roll, Arthouse at Wallpaper Direct.

Glitter eucalyptus wreath, £20; bauble wreath, £12; bauble garland, £18; beaded Christmas tree cushion, £12; decorative stag ornament, £22; side plate, £2.50; dinner plate, £3; iridescent patterned tea light holder, £6; Pink tea light holder, £6; stainless steel lantern, £18; pyramid lanterns, from £5 each; LED dome, £12; flowers in vase, £7; giftwrap, from £2.50 for three rolls; (on tree) Christmas tree decoration sets, £10 each for 50 pieces; Spots & Stripes baubles, £8 for 24; mini baubles, £3 for 30; mini diamonds, £4 for 15; star decorations, £3 for 10; droplet decorations, £2 each; swan print glass baubles, £3 each; pearl detail decorations, £4 each; quilted decorations, £3 each; star bells decorations, £4 each, all Matalan.

Vickie wears blouse, £14; jeans, £16; boots, £24, all Matalan.

Liberty wears dress, £16, Matalan

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Love it

Russet WOODLAND Team playful critters and cosy hues for a fun and vibrant twist on rustic style

STYLED

BY KATIE FOR

Dunelm

KATIE SAYS: ‘ The colours and tones of the Cool Yule collection are super warm and just make me want to sit around the fire with my family’ @thesilvermermaidxo

SAH loves Wall in Original Brick, £10 a roll; seven-foot deluxe western pine tree, £70; Arkin wooden frame accent chair in Grey, £229; Cleo footstool in Teal, £99; chunky knit Breckon throw in Orange, £25; Caprice side table, £79; Elements Ochre Roots rug, from £55; Black Simplicity stag head wall art, £9.99; felt squirrel, £4; metal bauble tree, £15; reindeer tea light holder, £3; fabric standing reindeer, £10; berry pine and twig wreath, £14; wrapping paper, from £1 a roll; (on tree) glitter star tree topper, £3; Cool Yule baubles, £7 for set of 34; Cool Yule recycled crackers, £3.50 for 12; Owl Brown hanging decorations, £3 each; clear candy cane baubles, £1.50 each; hanging nutcracker decoration, £2.50, all Dunelm

Santa sleigh cushion, £10, Dunelm

Hanging nutcracker decoration, £2.50, Dunelm

Salt and pepper shakers, £6, Dunelm

DECEMBER 2019 | 21

Love it

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Frosted SNOW SCENE Mix silver and sophisticated metallics with a scattering of embellished decorations for understated glamour

STYLED

BY GEMMA FOR

GEMMA SAYS: ‘I love these colours and a little sparkle in my interiors so I can’t wait to duplicate this Winter Shimmer theme in my own home!’ @myvictoriangem Walls in Marble, £32 a roll, Albany at Wallpaper Direct. Cushion, £10; throw, £12; wall art, £8; gift bags, from £1.50 each; stag decoration, £5; silver wire tree, £5; light-up dome, £10; (on tree) fairy lights, £24 for 200; grey baubles, £2.50 for four; iridescent baubles, £2.50 for two; Lilac baubles, £5 for 25; Gold baubles, £3 for four; White baubles, £3 for four; star cap glass bauble, £4.50; glitter stars, £2.50 for nine; mirrored stars, £3.50 each; diamond snowflake decorations, £2.50 each; White snowflake decoration, £1.50; hanging domes, £3 each; ballerina decorations, £2.50 for two; ice skates decorations, £2.50; shoe decorations, £1.50 each; bird decorations, £2 for two; polar bear decorations, £2 each; unicorn decorations, £1.50 each, all Tesco.

Gemma wears jeans, £22; sequin pouch, £12.50; shoes, £19, all Tesco

22 | DECEMBER 2019

SAH loves Snowflake throw, £12, Tesco

Unicorn cushion, £10, Tesco

Polar bear scene bauble, £4, Tesco

PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON WHITMORE STYLING HOLLY PHILLIPS , NICKY PHILLIPS HAIR AND MAKE-UP HANNAH KREEGER (THIS PAGE) READER CHAIR, £905, LOAF

Tesco

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QSH CODE: ALW9

‘DIY was our SILVERY TOUCH

‘I love these gorgeous little tree decorations.

They’re from The White Company, which is one of my favourite shops’

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Natasha Jackson, 41, and I’m a flight attendant.

I live with my husband Gary, 40, a photographer, and Lilly the cat.

OUR HOME A two-bed Victorian semi in Crawley, West Sussex.

We moved here in May 2012.

WHEN WE MOVED IN There were dreadful colours and ugly, oldfashioned wallpaper everywhere.

The kitchen and bathroom were really worn and dated and most of the doors were in the wrong places so the house just didn’t flow well.

AND NOW We’ve rearranged doors and walls and even moved the stairs, to make the house feel calm and easy to move around in. We’ve brought in gentle colours, creating a timeless, elegant look.

STYLE TIP Invest in good-quality feather cushion inserts – they’ll feel much nicer and help make a cheap cover look fabulous.

24 | DECEMBER 2019

Buy it

Love Natasha’s style? Turn to PAGE 34

VICTORIAN SEMI

Love it

MONEY-SAVER’ FIRED UP

‘The living room feels calm and cosy.

The remnants of an original fireplace were behind an old gas fire, which I used as a guide to find an authenticlooking replacement’

Natasha and Gary used their DIY skills to revitalise their home, giving it a new, easy-living layout and a timeless, budgetfriendly makeover

T

his house was in such a sad state when we first viewed it that I don’t think anyone else was even interested!’ says Natasha. ‘Inside, everything was grubby and worn, and the decor was awful – turquoise kitchen walls and cupboards, an old-fashioned gas fire in the living room, and hideous vinyl wallpapers everywhere.

The layout was very strange, too, as the living room was only accessible from the dining room, and you had to walk through the second bedroom in order to reach the bathroom. It was going to be a challenge, but the potential was there. The amount of work that needed to be done must have put most people off, but Gary and I were looking for a doerupper where we could make our mark.

Whitewash

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Make the fireplace the focal point in a periodinspired roomÕ

Once in, we scrubbed the whole house and painted over the worst of the wallpaper to make it liveable, but it was freezing cold as there was no insulation.

We had the woodburner fitted in the dining room as soon as possible, but we couldn’t do more because we were saving hard for the renovation. It was two years before we could afford to start major work, but we made do, and I spent the time saving, planning and researching.

Although it was a long wait, it worked for me. I like to think things over carefully and then hopefully, make the right choices.

Online tuition

Neither of us had much renovating experience but we were determined to do whatever we could ourselves. Gary was

DECEMBER 2019 | 25

Love it

VICTORIAN SEMI

3 of the best

CANDLE LANTERNS

Light up for a cosy atmosphere this winter

MODERN GEO

Gold diagonal structure lantern, £29.99, Very

PRETTY PAIR

Steel lanterns, £69.99 for two, JD WIlliams

ALL IN THE DETAIL Sandy lantern, £53.99, Wayfair

‘DIY WHERE YOU CAN. IT’S NOT THE EASY OPTION BUT IT MEANS YOUR MONEY WILL GO MUCH FURTHER’ SMART MONOCHROME

‘Although the house didn’t have any original features, I still wanted to keep the look classic’

already quite handy as he builds sets for photography at work, but we used online videos to pick up information and learn how to do things like tiling.

It definitely wasn’t the easy option, but it made our budget go much further.

The renovation

We completely underestimated how much work there was, though. I thought we could just pull the wallpaper off and redecorate, but the plaster started falling off with the wallpaper, so a lot had to be replaced before we could paint. We also needed a new boiler, and upgraded plumbing and wiring to get the heating working properly. The tricky layout was another issue. We put in a passageway upstairs to separate the second bedroom and allow access to the bathroom.

Gary actually moved the staircase and rearranged doorways downstairs so

26 | DECEMBER 2019

BUDGET BALANCE

‘As the kitchen units were such a bargain, I splashed out on a lovely farmhouse-style sink’

Why it works SLIDE AWAY STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Natasha has made clever use of space – the pocket door and vertical radiator are great solutions’ houses editor

Ruth Corbett

‘Gary installed the pocket door – what a brilliant space-saver it is!’

COSY CORNER

‘Gary built the mantel and alcove storage, which I’ve painted in a soft grey-green for contrast and impact’

Make it!

PAPER WREATH

1

Start with a basic foam wreath.

If yours is green, wrap it in white ribbon or newspaper first, pinning the ribbon or paper in place when you’ve completely covered the base.

Cut large leaf/petal shapes all the same shape, from heavy white cardstock. Alternatively, use varied shapes and sizes – large and small leaves, plus holly leaves and then some flowers with six petals and smaller ones with four petals.

For a small or medium wreath, aim for around 25 to 30 larger leaves and flowers, along with around 15-20 smaller shapes.

Use a ruler to score lines along the middle of the leaves and across the flowers. Then fold them gently along the lines to create slightly 3D shapes.

Arrange them around the wreath starting with the largest pieces, making sure they are all pointing in the same direction. Use strong glue to stick the bottom half of the leaves or centre of the flowers down, or secure in place with long pins.

Create a loop out of ribbon or string and stick it to the back of the wreath to hang it up.

2 3

4 5

6

WARM WHITES

‘I went for pale walls and lots of white accessories for a soft, light-filled look’

T ‘DESIGN YOUR OWN ALCOVE STORAGE TO MAKE THE MOS OF EVERY INCH OF SPACE. DISPLAY ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PICTURES AND KNICK-KNACKS ON THE SHELVES’ there’s now a smooth flow from the front to the back of the house. It’s made all the difference, but it was hard going and a huge upheaval. At one point we just had deckchairs to sit on and a ladder to get up to our bedroom.

Adding twinkle

I absolutely love interiors and I’m always leafing through magazines or looking online at my dream spaces. By the time we started decorating, I knew exactly how I wanted my home to look. I love that blend of classic and contemporary style, with lots of natural light, and soft,

28 | DECEMBER 2019

neutral colours that suit the age of the house and won’t date. You can see my ideas @natashajacksoninteriors.

At Christmas, my go-to theme is white and silver, as it works so beautifully with all of my pale colours. I have plenty of twinkly lights and candles, too, as well as lots of natural greenery. My mum’s a florist and she always lends a hand with the festive decorating.

A better balance

Our rooms aren’t huge and I wanted each one to feel calm and balanced, so I had to measure meticulously and plan

VICTORIAN SEMI

Love it

FUTURE-PROOF FURNITURE

‘I’m happy to incorporate budget accessories, but for the key items, like my dining furniture, I’d rather save up and invest in good-quality pieces’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Hang a rise-and-fall pendant light above the table to create an intimate atmosphere’

Love it

VICTORIAN SEMI

the layouts carefully. I used masking tape to stick sheets of newspaper down on the living room floor to work out where the sofas could fit. Then, we installed the beautiful, period-style fireplace and I designed the alcove storage either side, making sure the shelves were the right dimensions to display my framed photos. When the stairs were repositioned, the door into our bedroom was moved, too, which made space for built-in wardrobes on either side of the little fireplace. The room now feels calmer and more harmonious.

We’ve fitted a lot of built-in storage

throughout the house. It uses the space well and I think it’s good value compared to buying freestanding pieces.

Creative accounting

I’ve tried to stretch our finances as far as possible by shopping around and thinking creatively. The wooden flooring for the living and dining rooms was a brilliant buy as it was on offer in Homebase. We nearly had a disaster though, as when Gary had almost finished laying it, we realised we were two packs short, and it was actually being discontinued! I rang around loads of shops with no luck, but amazingly I

‘INTRODUCE COLOUR TO A BEDROOM SCHEME WITH TEXTILES, THAT WAY YOU CAN EASILY CHANGE UP YOUR ACCENT SHADE EACH SEASON’

SHADY WAY

Why it works

MIRROR MIRROR

‘I picked these vintage mirrors up for a few pounds each. They inject some character into the guest bedroom’

30 | DECEMBER 2019

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Metal bed frames are a classic choice that won’t date’ features editor

Holly Walsh

‘Shutters make a real feature of the windows. We saved money by ordering them online and fitting them ourselves’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Paint skirtings, doors, cornicing and architraves white for elegant contrast’

BLISSFUL BEDROOM

‘I’ve mixed whites with soft blues and greens to emphasise light in the bedroom, and give it a coastal feel. It’s one of my favourite rooms’

Do it!

WORK WITH NEUTRALS Comfortable and easy to live with, gentle neutrals create a calm and sophisticated mood and can be built up in layers to add depth.

Pick your neutral’s base – warm neutrals have a red or yellow base, while cool neutrals have green or blue as their base. Think about how much light your room gets and the room’s aspect (whether it’s north- or south-facing) when choosing shades.

While neutral schemes are good for a natural and timeless look, they can look flat and dull without the all important introduction of textures. Mix in finishes like grainy or rich woods, exposed brick and some luxe fabrics for depth and interest.

Combine neutrals with a hit of monochrome for something a bit bolder – black accents can add a chic edge by giving the space definition.

DECEMBER 2019 | 31

Love it

VICTORIAN SEMI SUITE SOLUTION

‘The bathroom was a challenge, as although it’s roomy, it’s a tricky shape. The freestanding bath was an absolute must-have, so luckily it fits nicely in the corner’

Where to buy her style H&M HOME Elegant, inexpensive glassware with a vintage edge, and great-value linen tablecloths and napkins.

THE WHITE COMPANY High-quality white and neutral bedlinen, plus beautiful, understated home accessories, Christmas decorations and scented candles.

NEPTUNE Home of modern country furniture, timeless upholstered sofas, classic accessories and a range of traditional paint colours.

ORIGINAL FEATURES Big selection of traditional, monochrome and coloured floor and wall tiles in different shapes.

THE ORIGINAL BED CO One-stop online shop offering a wide range of well-priced, classic iron bed frames. Choose from brass and painted finishes, customise the size and add a mattress.

‘POP A SIDE TABLE NEXT TO YOUR BATH, MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD YOUR BED,TO HOLD ALL OF YOUR ESSENTIALS’ eventually found some on eBay. In future, I’d buy extra as you can usually return unopened packs. Our kitchen was another incredible bargain, as the cabinets and wooden surfaces were rescued from Gary’s work, where they were being thrown out. It’s all from Ikea so we bought a couple more matching cupboards and, thanks to his incredible DIY skills, Gary turned what we had into a fab kitchen. There was a lot more wooden worksurface than we needed, so he stacked it up to give that lovely chunky edge. Transforming this house has taken us five years and it’s been challenging, but really exciting, too. In time we might extend at the back, but for now, I think we’ve made the house the best it could be, and I’m really proud of it.’

32 | DECEMBER 2019

Why it works

STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ ‘Frosted glass means no blind and simple, clean lines’ style editor

Michela Colling

TIDY SPACES

‘I designed this nifty laundry storage – it makes great use of the often forgotten space behind the door’

FEATURE & STYLING ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

Find more clever ways to style up your home by going to pinterest. com/styleathomemag

Gazco Loft with Steel Log Store Base and Top Section. A

Firing imaginations for over 37 years

Woodburning

| gas

M u lt i - F u e l

| electric

Find your local retailer at stovax.com

£529

£68.95

Reflect light with a big, round mirror, MELODY MAISON

From

£2.99 each

Choose the traditional style of this Brindle natural oak and painted extending dining table, OAK FURNITURELAND

Arrange a pretty display of Silver Sparkle baubles, HOMESENSE

Buy Natasha’s style…

CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY Mix smart, modern buys with country-style traditional furniture for a home full of personality

N

atasha has given her traditional Victorian home a fresh, modern feel that’s full of life and character, while remaining sympathetic to the property’s classic style. With a colour palette of white, grey and pale blue in the bedroom, and monochrome shades downstairs, she’s tied the look together using touches of greenery and natural wood.

To dress her home for Christmas, Natasha has gone for silvers, whites and even more greenery to create an elegant, understated look. Plus, to keep things cosy, she’s added plenty of candles, too.

£35

Create a cosy glow with this glass table lamp, ARGOS

£90

Snuggle beneath this cosy, faux-fur throw, RIVER ISLAND

£19.99

Use this Kubu basket to store logs or extra blankets, THE GARDEN FURNITURE CENTRE

34 | DECEMBER 2019

STYLISH LIGHT

CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY

Buy it

£24.99

£25

Decorate a mantel or table with this Winter Lake garland, LIGHTS4FUN

Style up your sofa with this elegant Regency velvet cushion in Dusty Pink, HABITAT

£74.50 This Julia globe pendant light will look great in a hallway, THE FARTHING

£24.99

Fake warm, flickering light with the TruGlow LED pillar candle trio, LIGHTS4FUN

£119

From

Go for a classic look with the Paisley metal double bed frame, VERY

£39.99 Warm up wood floors with this jute-look rug in Natural, VERY

£8.99

£229

The Arkin wooden frame accent chair is ideal for a reading nook, DUNELM

for four

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

£51

Hang up this white twig and berries wreath to add a subtly festive feel, GISELA GRAHAM

Personalise your Christmas table.

Silver tree snow globe place card, GINGER RAY

DECEMBER 2019 | 35

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Get creative

THIS CHRISTMAS

Hobbycraft has everything you need to make beautiful handmade gifts for friends and family this festive season

C

hristmas is the perfect time to unleash your creativity and shower friends and family with personalised gifts and handmade treats – Hobbycraft makes the possibilities endless!

Make it personal Look online or head in store for a huge range of great-value craft supplies, along with creative inspiration for making the festive season extra special. Hobbycraft has everything you need to make unique presents and bespoke home decor. Swap boring baubles in favour of custom-crafted fillable baubles filled with festive scenes, or why not personalise ceramic, wood or papier-mâché shapes – ideal for marking first Christmases and special occasions!

For your Christmas table, DIY crackers that co-ordinate with your festive theme filled with gifts your guests will love are just the thing, finished with glitter and embellishments. Hobbycraft has plenty of gift-wrapping ideas, too, including pretty papers, tags and twine. For a magical night before the big day, craft a Christmas Eve box, then fill with all sorts of goodies.

Christmas countdown If you’re stuck for inspo, head to the Hobbycraft blog for show-stopping projects, or call in store and take part in Hobbycraft’s weekly 12 Makes of Christmas workshops, where you’re sure to pick up new techniques.

Kraft Brown fillable crackers, £5 for pack of six, Hobbycraft

Kraft Brown jute twine, £2; Mache business card boxes, £1.30 each, both Hobbycraft

To browse and buy everything here, plus lots more quality craft products, or to find your closest store, visit hobbycraft.co.uk Wooden crate, £8, Hobbycraft

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CANDY CANE PLACE NAMES

Make it

Red and white candy canes, £8.49 for 12, Amazon

THIS MONTHÕS

Makeit

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Create festive place name holders with candy canes.

Use a hot glue gun to stick three sweets together along their lengths, so the hooks of the canes make a triangle shape. Turn upside down and use to display handwritten place names.

Make sure no one eats them!

DECEMBER 2019 | 37

‘It’s the perfect WARM WELCOME

‘A simple wreath on the door gets guests in the festive spirit’

COME ON IN! IDEA TO STEAL

‘Add a cheery yellow accent to lift up a neutral or monochrome scheme’

ABOUT ME I’m Marie Nichols, 39, an interiors stylist. I live here with my husband Simon, 39, a graphic designer, and our sons Albie, six, and Freddie, three, and dog Dudley.

OUR HOME A three-bedroom, Grade II-listed semi-detached cottage in Kent. We moved here in 2012.

WHEN WE MOVED IN It was in a dire state with no central heating.

Many of the original features had been covered up and the downstairs layout felt dark and poky.

AND NOW We’ve reworked the downstairs creating a light openplan kitchen-diner, as well as restoring original features and adding French doors and windows.

STYLE TIP Stay true to the character of the property and do what feels right for the house.

38 | DECEMBER 2019

LISTED COTTAGE

Love it

FESTIVE SETTING’

By making the most of her creativity, Marie was able to fill her rustic Kentish cottage with warmth, style and plenty of seasonal good cheer

D

uring our first Christmas here, the house was still very much a work in progress,’ says Marie.

‘I remember posting a picture on Instagram of a tiny Christmas tree sat among the building site with a caption along the lines of “we may not have central heating or hot water but we do have a Christmas tree!” We’d originally hoped to have much of the ground floor completed in just six months (in time for Christmas), but, in reality, the renovations ended up taking over two years to complete.

We bought the cottage back in the summer of 2012. Simon and I are seasoned renovators and we spent more than a year searching for the perfect property in need of some TLC so we could put our creative skills to good use once again. Although we both work and spend quite a bit of time in London, we’re not really city people and prefer open space and green fields to the hustle and bustle of town. This three-bedroom, three-storey, Kentish brick cottage is in the neighbouring village to where I grew up. So, despite the cottage being in a dreadful state, we loved the location and could see past the work that lay ahead – we fell for it instantly.

WARM UP FIRESIDE ‘Simon lovingly restored the bricked-up inglenook fireplace and added oak benches either side. The new woodburner from Charnwood makes the space so cosy’

Restoring the character

We wanted to restore the cottage’s original charm, while updating and modernising it at the same time. To start with we altered the layout of the ground floor, turning three small rooms at the back of the house into one open-plan kitchen-dining space with large windows and French doors opening out on to

DECEMBER 2019 | 39

the garden. We exposed vaulted ceilings, timber beams and inglenook fireplaces that had been boarded over previously, and brought original features and floorboards back to life. We then moved the family bathroom upstairs into the wasted attic space above the kitchen.

Living on site

During the renovation it sometimes felt like we’d bitten off more than we could chew. We were expecting our first child and the house hadn’t been touched for about 40 years so there was no central heating or hot water supply, which meant we had to boil the kettle just to do the washing up. It was pretty much a building site for well over a year – there were times where I literally couldn’t put the baby down because everywhere was covered in building dust. Added

CREATING SPACE

‘By knocking three small rooms at the back of the house into one large one, we’ve gained a roomy open-plan kitchen-diner’

Why it works

SCANDI SCHEME

‘I’ve kept to simple white decorations for the tree, which is potted in a rustic galvanised metal tub’

40 | DECEMBER 2019

‘White walls and accents of dark grey and black give the rustic interior a modern twist’ executive editor

Heather Young

ALL CHANGE

‘I love to regularly change up this seasonal display’

LISTED COTTAGE

Love it

3 of the best

SCANDI STOCKINGS Ready to fill with treats!

CUTE CHARACTER

IDEA TO STEAL

Beige reindeer stocking, £15, Bobby Rabbit

‘Suspend lights in a row to highlight the table in an open-plan kitchen-diner’

TACTILE DESIGN

Southwold felt stocking, £15, Garden Trading

SIMPLE TOUCH Icelandic stocking, £24, Roddy and Ginger at Etsy

‘STAY TRUE TO THE CHARACTER OF THE PROPERTY, BUT TRY TO BRING IN A FEW PERSONAL TOUCHES’ GO FOR GLOW

‘Stringing lights around your decor adds a nice glow at this time of year’

Do it!

SHOP FOR SALVAGE PIECES Before you set off, make sure you have measurements of where the furniture will be positioned.

Look at the potential – if there is repairable damage that won’t cost a fortune to fix or a sturdy framed armchair that can be reupholstered, it may still cost less than buying new.

Flea markets and car-boot fairs can turn up a gem. Find a flea market near you or on your travels using fleamapket.com or antiques-atlas.com.

Plan a trip once a year on the first weekend of September to Europe’s biggest flea market, Braderie de Lille.

Get there early for the best finds.

Search out your local reclamation or salvage yards for everything from tiles and radiators to flooring.

Go online and set up alerts for particular items on eBay or Gumtree and receive a notification when there’s a match. It’s a good way to find something close to home.

DECEMBER 2019 | 41

UNIQUE PIECES

‘The old wooden bakery sign was a vintage find that makes a fun display in the kitchen-diner’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Swap fitted units for open shelving and have favourite kitchenware on showÕ to all of that, because the cottage is listed, there was a long, drawn-out process of waiting for plans to be approved before we could start the next stage of work. It’s not an experience I’d like to go through again in a hurry!

Making my mark

SWITCH ON

‘Simon commissioned the cinema sign as a birthday present’

42 | DECEMBER 2019

Decorating the cottage was the part I enjoyed the most – I’m an interiors stylist, so I’m in my element there. While I tend to use a lot of bold colours in the sets that I put together for my work, when it came to the cottage, I stuck to a more neutral palette throughout, with the majority of walls and ceilings painted off-white. It makes all of the rooms feel seamless, giving a sense of flow to the

individual spaces, which in turn makes them appear larger than they actually are. I do love the impact of strong colour, but because of the age of the cottage and all of the lovely texture and tones of the original wood, it just wouldn’t feel right here. To add drama, we’ve gone for strong contrasts using rich greys and blacks to offset the whites. We’ve stayed true to the character of the property and added some rustic touches, but at the same time we’ve managed to work in our love of contemporary design, too.

Festive dressing

Top of my Christmas wish list each year is to be surrounded by family, so when it comes to decorating the cottage for

LISTED COTTAGE

Why it works

Love it

SQUEEZE IN

‘We fitted mini shelves between the beams to house bits and bobs’

‘Marie is a master at successfully balancing old and new elements. The rustic beams and bare stone walls look great next to the smartly tiled floors and simply painted kitchen unit’ style editor

Michela Colling

‘SEARCH EBAY FOR VINTAGE STYLE. OUR JIELDE LIGHTS, LEATHER ARMCHAIRS, TOLIX CHAIRS AND COPPER BATH TUB WERE ALL FOUND THERE’

INKY SHADES

‘We repainted the vintage freestanding shelving unit in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. We had the oak worktops custom made’

DECEMBER 2019 | 43

STRING SOFA

‘You can never have too many cushions to cosy up a rustic sofa’

Make it!

ADVENT CALENDAR

SEWING SKILLS

‘Making an Advent calendar that you can reuse again and again is much more fun than buying new’

44 | DECEMBER 2019

Cut a piece of linen fabric (60x90cm) and take a second piece of the same fabric and cut into four strips (hemmed top and bottom) for the pockets.

Sew a channel at the top of the larger piece of fabric (to hold a length of dowel) and attach the four strips of fabric to the larger piece, in rows, sewing them horizontally along the bottom, leaving the top edges open.

Create individual pockets by sewing channels (stitching rows vertically). You need to create six pockets per row, 24 in total.

Trim the calendar with a contrasting fabric and decorate with felt numbers (stitch or glue in place). Hang with coloured cord.

Why it works

‘Accents of zingy yellow and pale blue in the boys’ bedrooms add interest without overpowering the calm, modern-rustic vibe that Marie has carried through all of the rooms in the house’ senior features editor

Stephanie Durrant

LISTED COTTAGE

Christmas, I’ve tried to create a space that’s cosy and welcoming and without anything too fussy or precious that will get in the way of the festivities.

I’m a traditional girl at heart, so for me Christmas is all about getting everyone together to sing carols, snuggle up in front of the fire, watch festive movies and, of course, dream of snow!

Love it

DIY TOYS

‘In Albie’s bedroom we made the giant abacus by threading large wooden balls on to metal rods and fixing them into a wooden frame’

Handmade Christmas

Our decorations are an understated mix of paper, wood and felt with natural foliage that we collect while out walking our dog Dudley. You’ll also find a few little treasures that the kids and I have made together. The holiday season is all about family for me. As a child my Mum was always making things and crafting with us – be it Christmas decorations, gifts and cards or baking cookies and decorating the Christmas cake. It’s a tradition that I’m keen to continue with my boys. As soon as December arrives, we start making Christmas cards

COOL HUE

‘The tongue-and-groove panelling is painted in Little Greene’s Gauze’

‘SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PIECES THAT MEAN SOMETHING TO YOU – THAT BRING BACK A MEMORY OR RAISE A SMILE’

HANG IT ALL

‘A Shaker-style peg rail is both practical and cute’

DECEMBER 2019 | 45

Love it

LISTED COTTAGE SECOND-HAND TREASURES

‘Simon found this copper bath on eBay – it looks right at home in our en-suite’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Create zones by using two distinct tile patterns on the floor’

46 | DECEMBER 2019

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Store shoes and odds and ends in small baskets tucked at the end of the bed’

FAVE PRINTS

‘JUST BECAUSE THE LIGHT FITTING IS IN THE CENTRE OF THE CEILING,YOU DON’T HAVE TO HANG THE LIGHT THERE – A LONG CORD MEANS YOU CAN MOVE IT’ together and getting festive. Mum and I still do festive projects together, too – we even designed the boys’ advent calendar, then my mum used her sewing skills to bring it to life. We pop little treasure hunt-style clues in some of the pockets, slips of paper suggesting activities we can all do together in others, and there’s always the odd sweet treat, toy car and chocolate coin to be found, too!

Making memories

The handmade decorations and knickknacks are always the most precious and in many years to come, long after the boys have left home, I hope I’m still decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments that I made with them back when they were little.’

ADD CHARACTER

‘We used salvaged floorboards to section off the en suite from the bedroom’

Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

Where to buy Marie’s style HOMESENSE Lots of one-off finds and bargain buys.

SOFA.COM Classic and contemporary style sofas and beds and a great choice of upholstery fabrics.

EBAY Brilliant for vintage lighting and retro furniture.

FARROW & BALL For a popular selection of paint colours.

It’s known for deep, inky shades.

URBAN COTTAGE INDUSTRIES Vintage-style lighting, as well as components for creating your own designs.

YESTER HOME An excellent range of industrial-style hardware.

FEATURE MARIE NICHOLS, LISA FAZZANI, MICHELA COLLING STYLING MARIE NICHOLS PHOTOGRAPH DAN DUCHARS

‘The artworks above the bed are pieces that we’ve given to each other over the years’

DECEMBER 2019 | 47

£12

£39

Update daily with cheerful messages.

LED A4 lightbox, CUCKOOLAND

This hanging dec isn’t just for Christmas.

Pom-pom garland, GARDEN TRADING

GROWN UP FUN

Buy Marie’s style…

CREATIVE RESTORATION Add warmth to a monochrome palette with natural textures and rustic finishes

M

arie has returned this cottage to its former glory by restoring many of its original features.

To complement the property’s heritage, she’s combined a mix of salvaged furniture and industrial-style lighting with more modern, family-friendly pieces for a welcoming and cosy finish.

As she wanted the house to have an open feel, Marie painted most of the walls white, but worked in some black and grey accents to add definition and dramatic contrast to the space.

£25.99

£12

Bring in some classic country elements.

Giant station clock, WILKO

48 | DECEMBER 2019

Pop dried flowers in a jug for a rustic display.

Earthenware pitcher, ZARA HOME

£69

Use lighting to create a cosy nook.

Coraline floor lamp, CULT FURNITURE

CREATIVE RESTORATION

£19.99

Drape over a chair or bench for added texture.

Faux fur shaggy half moon rug, JD WILLIAMS

£99.99

£2

Keep it simple with felt, wood and paper decorations.

Wooden dotty bauble, GEORGE HOME

Buy it

for two

Mix wooden chairs with some café styles.

Industrial dining chair, ARGOS

£2

Leave it plain or decorate how you like.

Wooden tree decoration, B&Q

£15

Contrast the rustic finishes with geo pattern.

Decio cotton cushion cover, LA REDOUTE

£5

£749

Room for two for a fireside snuggle.

Clay cuddler sofa, DFS

NICE AND SNUG

£12.50

Pot large plants or a small Christmas tree. Aged zinc florist’s bucket, The Farthing

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Dress up with evergreens for Christmas.

Copper wire star wreath, HOBBYCRAFT

DECEMBER 2019 | 49

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DECORATED BISCUIT TINS

Line tins with greaseproof paper

Do it

THIS MONTHÕS

Doit

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Revamp old biscuit and sweet tins ready for gifting batches of homemade Christmas treats. Spray paint the lid and outside of the tin and leave to dry.

Decorate by gluing on felt shapes. Then simply fill with festive bakes.

Cut-out shapes, £1.39 for six, Little Crafty Bugs, would work.

Rust-Oleum Stone Aged Iron spray paint, £9 for 400ml, B&Q

DECEMBER 2019 | 51

CANDLE LIGHT

‘To create a cosy feeling, I light candles and always buy a bunch of eucalyptus to scatter around – the scent is heavenly’

‘From frumpy

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Charlotte Pauley, 28, a bridal store manager. I live here with my husband Matt, 31, and Max, our house rabbit.

MY HOME A three-bed terrace on a small estate in Kent, built in 2008.

We moved here in January 2015.

WHEN I MOVED IN It was old fashioned, with dull wallpaper and cream and brown paint everywhere. But it had potential, and the structure was good.

AND NOW Every space has been refurbished from top to bottom.

Our next project is the front garden and then, if we decide to stay, we will redo the hallway.

STYLE TIP If you’re starting from scratch, paint everywhere white and buy furniture you can restyle and update as your style develops.

52 | DECEMBER 2019

INVESTMENT BUY

‘Our favourite piece is this rug from West Elm. It was pricey but worth it as it really pulls all the colours in this corner together, and I love it with the Balsam Hill Christmas tree!’

NEW-BUILD TERRACE

Love it

TO CHIC SCANDI’

A soothing colour palette, on-trend pieces of furniture, clever buys and country views make Charlotte’s modern home a relaxing place to be at this time of year

A

fter graduating from university, and having rented a house for 18 months in Maidstone, Kent, my husband Matt and I started to look for somewhere to buy,’ says Charlotte. ‘We found this terraced house on a small estate and although it had clearly been decorated with love, it wasn’t to our taste at all.

But the decor didn’t put us off buying the house, as it backs onto fields that you can walk straight through to a quaint Kentish village, plus there’s a nearby train station that has direct services to London, where I work as a bridal store manager.

Out with the old

There was cheap lino flooring in the kitchen and downstairs hallway, blue flowery wallpaper, cream and brown walls in the living room, dark cabinets in the kitchen and deep baby blue walls in the cloakroom.

Our first job was to strip off all the wallpaper and paint all the walls white.

We also had the living room floor replaced with a grey laminate update. In the living room, I wanted the dining area to have an exposed brick element, to make it feel separate, despite it all being in the same room. We got some quotes to expose the brick, but it was expensive for a house we knew we wouldn’t be living in forever, so instead we decided on a dark grey feature wall. Over the years, we’ve gradually accessorised the living room with festoon lights, interesting shelving and a neon candleholder.

After getting married and realising we couldn’t afford to move house any

DECEMBER 2019 | 53

time soon, we decided to turn the kitchen into a space that didn’t feel dark and unenjoyable to cook in. We changed the floors to the same grey laminate we’d used elsewhere. I love the continuity it gives, and it makes the space feel bigger.

We spray painted the units in Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Grey, updated the sink, tap and worktops, and had the walls tiled in a herringbone design. We did have some problems with a cowboy builder, so it was a lot more stressful than it should have been, but we are really happy with the results and the finished result felt more consistent with the style of the rest of the house.

A fresh layout

Upstairs, we stripped off all the wallpaper and painted over the cream and brown decor. We changed the layouts of the rooms, which made a big difference – for example, in the guest bedroom (which doubles as a dressing room),

‘SWITCH UP YOUR STYLE TO SUIT THE MOOD OR THE TIME OF YEAR. WHEN AN IDEA POPS INTO YOUR HEAD, JUST DO IT – IT CAN ALWAYS BE CHANGED!’

HANDY STORAGE

‘I love stylish pieces like this shelving unit and coffee table – they both look great and are practical to boot’

3 of the best

TINY TREES

Pop these little festive firs on a shelf IN THE FOLD

Medium paper Christmas trees, £15.50 for three, Rose & Grey

SPARKLE TIME

Large iridescent bristle tree ornament, £9, Gisela Graham

54 | DECEMBER 2019

MINI FOREST

Two trees decoration, £6, Wilko

DAINTY DETAILS

‘This pair of trees looks so cute mixed with botanical prints and a plant!’

NEW-BUILD TERRACE

Love it

ZONED OUT

‘For the cost of a tin of paint, this grey colour had the desired effect of separating and zoning the dining area in our living room’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Laminate floors are practical in a space that leads directly to an outside area’

DECEMBER 2019 | 55

METRO LOVE

Do it!

ARRANGE METRO TILES A herringbone pattern is an on-trend option for arranging metro tiles and delivers an upmarket look, even when using inexpensive white tiles. Cover a large area, such as your kitchen splashback, to create maximum impact.

For something a little different, lay the tiles vertically rather than in the traditional horizontal pattern.

This arrangement helps to visually heighten a space, making it great for rooms with low ceilings.

Stack ’em up. While you may be used to seeing metro tiles in an offset brickwork pattern, nail the minimalist look by stacking the tiles in neat formation. Choose a contrasting grout to highlight the grid pattern.

Play around with grout colour.

There are many more options than your standard white or grey. Pick from a whole rainbow of colour choices – there’s even glitter grout!

SWEET SCENE

‘Use a cake stand to create a festive display in the kitchen. The tea lights and decorations are from Dunelm and the cake stand is from Oliver Bonas’

56 | DECEMBER 2019

‘Painting the dark cabinets white, changing the black worktop to a white one, and adding tiles from Tons of Tiles made a huge difference’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Spray paint your kitchen units – it’s like having a new kitchen without the cost!’

NEW-BUILD TERRACE

Love it

FINISHING TOUCH

‘My Cuisine sign is from Notonthehighstreet.com.

I love how subtle it is and it goes well with the linear look of the metro tiles’

Why it works

STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ ‘Charlotte’s herringbone tile pattern adds character to the kitchen’’ style editor

Michela Colling

‘ADD A BIT OF WOW TO A SIMPLE, PARED -BACK KITCHEN AND UPGRADE THE LOOK OF YOUR SINK WITH A DESIGNER-STYLE TAP’ we positioned the bed to face the view, then added a dressing table and some wardrobes. I bought some bedding from Ikea, spray painted the dressing room chair (as it was previously orange!) and added boho touches like the hanging planter, the pouffe and the wall hanging behind the bed. I love this room as a space to chill, read, and look at the view, which is at its best on Sunday mornings when the church bells are ringing.

A corner nook

In our bedroom, I used some of the accessories from our wedding day –

the gold candleholders add warmth and prints we received as presents now hang on the picture rail shelves behind the bed, making me smile every day. There’s an awkward space in the corner of the room which we weren’t sure what to do with.

Our first thought was to have drawers built into it, but after living there for a while, we realised we didn’t need any more storage, so instead we made it into a reading corner. I’ll probably change the room again at some point if we stay here.

Our plan was to create a modern Scandi-style house. I’m very tidy, so my style is naturally quite minimalist,

DECEMBER 2019 | 57

REPRO DESIGN

STYLE & FUNCTION

‘An original Charles Eames rocker would cost a fortune, but a reproduction can be found for around £50’

‘A trestle-style table topped with small drawers and a mirror works as a simple dressing table’

‘REFRESH YOUR STYLE CHEAPLY AND EASILY BY CHANGING ACCESSORIES LIKE RUGS AND CUSHIONS, RATHER THAN BUYING NEW FURNITURE OR REPAINTING’

Do it!

HANG PLANTS Popular choices are string of pearls, string of hearts, Peperomia ‘Hope’, marble pothos, Scindapsus pictus, staghorn fern, Tillandsia, devil’s ivy and Boston fern.

Place on windowsills or high shelves, or use pots inside macramé or string hangers. Hang near corners from sturdy ceiling hooks, or using large hooks or brackets so pots sit away from the wall.

Use them to create a natural screen, hanging from varied lengths across a window.

To water, take plants out of outer pots or hangers, fill a box or bath with a few inches of water and sit plants in, for around 20-30 minutes to absorb. Repeat once a week.

58 | DECEMBER 2019

but I am learning to accessorise to bring in some more personality to the rooms. My style changes all the time, and just when we think we’re finished, another idea pops into my head which doesn’t go away until it’s done!

A bathroom update The bathroom was one of the spaces we were desperate to change, but we only got around to it last year because of the expense and prioritising our wedding. I really wanted micro concrete on the floor but found that concrete effect tiles were a more cost-effective option with the large metro tiles for the wall. We added a shower and kept the existing bath, but had the side panel tiled with metro tiles, which make it feel a lot more modern.

I chose a heated towel rail instead of the old radiator that was there, and hung a huge wall mirror in the space above the washbasin, to make it feel more spacious and bright, as there’s no window in this room. As we also have an en suite, we

SLEEK & SPACIOUS

‘A rimless, glass shower screen gives a sense of space and light, and keeps splashes off the floor’

NEW-BUILD TERRACE

Love it

PINK TONES

‘The spare bedroom looks out onto the fields at the back of the house – we placed the bed so guests can enjoy the view. The lovely pink bedding is from Ikea’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Paint everywhere white – it freshens and brightens every space, and is easy to maintain’

Why it works

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Choosing pink as an accent colour has softened the clean, white walls upstairs’ features editor

Holly Walsh

DECEMBER 2019 | 59

Love it

NEW-BUILD TERRACE

SHADES OF GREY

‘I chose a soft grey for one of the walls in our bedroom as it’s a relaxing shade and looks great with bright yellow. Both the rugs are from Ikea’

CONTRASTING COLOURS

‘White shelving looks fresh against the grey walls and the prints add a splash of colour’

Where to buy Charlotte’s festive style

IKEA The perfect place to stock up on great-value homeware and its Christmas ranges are always spot on.

WEST ELM Charlotte bought her rug from here – look out for those special investment buys that will last for years.

‘IN A BEDROOM, LAYER DIFFERENT STYLES AND TEXTURES OF RUGS FOR A COSY, BOHO LOOK AND A LOVELY, SOFT FEELING UNDERFOOT’ decided this space would be ‘my’ bathroom, for me to store all my many toiletries and pampering items, so I styled it with bohemian-look pieces and pinks, similar to our guest bedroom.

Looking outwards

Finally, this year we got around to landscaping the back garden with modern horizontal slatted fencing and paved it with grey slabs. At the back

60 | DECEMBER 2019

we left spaces between the slats, so we can take advantage of the view, which turns it into such a nice spot, with festoon lights and a fire pit that we are still using now in the winter months, to get the most out of it! One day, I’d love to buy an older house and have the chance to try a completely different style project, but for now, we’re in a house that we love, and I’m proud of all the work we’ve put into it over the last five years.’

URBAN OUTFITTERS For those who want more of an individual home style, Urban Outfitters is your one-stop shop, especially if you prefer a boho look.

NEXT HOME One of the high street’s best places for homeware, Next Home’s festive ranges cover numerous trends.

Join in and share your home revamps with Style at Home on Instagram @styleathomemag

FEATURE SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH, MICHELA COLLING STYLING SUZIE ATTAWAY PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON WHITMORE

H&M HOME Discover inspiring collections that cover everything from on-trend printed cushions to sumptuous bedding options, glassware and super stylish festive decorations.

B O O K N O W ! E A R LY B I R D O F F E R £ 1 0 , S A V I N G £ 2 * BUY TICKETS at ichfevents.co.uk/ countryhomes christmas and use code EV194 at checkout

Join us! & INTERIORS

CHRISTMAS SHOW 2019

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS CHRISTMAS SHOW 2 1 - 2 4 N O V E M B E R , 10 A M - 4 P M Christmas Shopping Event Stonor Park, near Henley-on-Thames MORE THAN 100 STANDS DO ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ONE PLACE ■ Gifts & accessories ■ Fashion & beauty ■ Home decor ■ Kidswear & toys ■ Men’s gifts TERMS & CONDITIONS The offer is valid until 18 November 2019. *Offer saving of £2 based on the on-door ticket price of £12. Please use your code to guarantee your £10 ticket.

£10

Pile your sofa high with tactile pillows.

Grey tufted tassel cushion, GEORGE HOME

£10

Add a touch of subtle sparkle to your tree.

Stripe bauble in Mint, AMARA

£7

GEO DESIGN

Adorn your tree with botanical-inspired decorations. Beaded bug decoration, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS

£26

Bring in a creative feel with woven wall art. Graduated tassel wall hanging, ASOS

Buy Charlotte’s style…

COSY TEXTURES Focus on fabric and form to create a tactile scheme in soft shades of blush and grey

C

harlotte has made her monochrome scheme cosy and inviting by layering plenty of tactile elements, such as tasselled cushions, woven wall hangings and luxe rugs. She juxtaposes this with sleek, modern shapes in both furnishings and accessories, including wire-framed chairs and origami forms.

For Christmas, a frosted tree has a pared-back botanical feel, decorated with bejewelled decorations and plenty of sparkle.

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

£30

Keep a throw handy for chilly evenings.

Eli Pink throw, HABITAT

62 | DECEMBER 2019

£22

Showcase artwork of your favourite travel destinations.

Rifle Paper Co Paris World Traveler print, PAPERMASH

£89

Mix and match chairs around your dining table. Moda wire metal dining chair, CULT FURNITURE

COSY TEXTURES

Buy it

£899

Make room for the whole family.

Esprit fabric chaise sofa with storage, FURNITURE VILLAGE

£149

Go for cool curved furniture in high gloss.

Hooper White storage coffee table, MADE.COM

£92.95

Introduce industrial style lighting. Floor standing lamp, MELODY MAISON

£59

Keep toes cosy with a soft faux-fur rug.

Sheepskin rug, JD WILLIAMS

£95

£45

Sit pretty on a textured footstool. Canyon tassel pouffe, FRENCH CONNECTION HOME

Bring the outdoors in, even during winter.

Artificial zebra plant, MARKS & SPENCER

RUSTIC CHIC

DECEMBER 2019 | 63

Make it

ADVENT CALENDAR Similar 1-24 Advent number stickers, £1.99, Pipii

THIS MONTHÕS

Makeit Hang a star dec as a tree topper

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Create an alternative Advent calendar. Use Command strips to attach 24 decorative pegs to the wall in the shape of a tree.

Use stickers to number your cones from 1-24, fill them with sweets and attach them to the pegs.

64 | DECEMBER 2019

THE STYLE BOOK COSY CHRISTMAS Transform your home into a warm and inviting festive space, with these show-stopping ideas for an extra special Christmas

Pull out and keep!

Highlight a modern mantelpiece with fairy lights

the STYLE RULES

Cosy up a contemporary scheme with twinkling gold Combine smart pieces in black and silver with warm golds and tactile fabrics for a welcoming space.

BRING THE GLAMOUR Make monochrome Christmasready by adding plenty of luxe textures – think velvet throws and shimmering sequin cushions.

MODERNISE IT Swap a traditional brick fireplace for a contemporary gas fire. You’ll

still get the glowing flames but without all of the mess!

ADD WARMTH Gold accents help to make a black and white scheme feel less cold.

Choose warm lights instead of bright white LEDs for the tree.

THINK RIGHT ANGLES Complement sharp-lined furniture with glass lanterns filled with candles and a wirework wreath.

Showcase mixed metallic finishes on a backdrop of silver grey and crisp white

Glam

METALLICS Add a touch of shimmer to a mono palette

THE FABRIC

Ives Agate jacquard velvet, £65m, Villa Nova

THE WALLPAPER

Totak in Taupe, £43 a roll, Scion at Style Library

THE PAINT

Pure Brilliant White coloured emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, Crown

THE FLOORING

Carousel Twist carpet in Zen Garden, £15.99sq m, Carpetright

Swap traditional red and green for a seasonal scheme of rainbow shades and bonkers baubles – spot the flying pigs!

the STYLE RULES

Deck the halls in bursts of opulent colour Create a colour-popping seasonal scheme with vibrant decorations, jewel-tone fabrics and modern metallics.

MORE IS MORE Complement modern furniture with eclectic Christmas decs, such as gold candleholders and baubles in rainbow colours.

GO DARK ON WALLS Start with a backdrop of midnight blue paint and add shocks of colour with textiles and accessories.

SOFTEN THE LOOK Pile on velvet cushions with fun pom-pom trims to contrast the strong angles of the furniture.

Merry

& BRIGHT Dress it up with a wealth of jewel tones

THE FABRIC Tresillo velvet in Fuchsia, £61m, Harlequin at Style Library

THE WALLPAPER

Add a comfy accent chair

Parapet in Indigo, £79 a roll, Harlequin at Style Library

THE PAINT

Contrast matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5L, Graham & Brown

THE FLOORING

Sansa rug in Blue, from £42.99, The Rug Seller

Update modern country style for the festive season by adding lanterns, woodland-themed baubles and gold cocktail serveware

Drape eucalyptus stems over a mirror

Enchanted FOREST

Take inspiration from nature with shades of lush green

THE FABRIC Regina velvet in Emerald, £86m, Harlequin at Style Library

THE WALLPAPER

59129 Merino collection, £35.95 a roll, Galerie

THE PAINT

Arsenic estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

THE FLOORING Renaissance Harbour Oak laminate, £20.99sq m, Carpetright

Why it works

Hang a trio of simple handmade wreaths using foliage from the garden

the STYLE RULES

Keep it green in a modern-country scheme Evoke memories of woodland walks with a natural Christmas look using a palette of greens.

SET THE SCENE Start with soft eucalyptus paint on walls then build depth with lighter and darker green tones on upholstery and soft furnishings.

CREATE A RUSTIC FEEL Source furniture in classic designs made from reclaimed-look wood,

then add contrast with a velvet accent chair and metallic touches.

CHOOSE BARE FLOORBOARDS Or fake the look with a wood-effect laminate. Zone a seating area with an oversized rug to keep feet toasty.

BRING THE LOOK TO LIFE Choose a bushy Christmas tree laden with woodland-inspired decorations depicting stags, toadstools and pine cones.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Mixing up different shades of green, from cool eucalyptus to pops of lime, will add depth’ decorating editor

Nicky Phillips

Make your bedroom a cosy haven to retreat to during the winter months

Country CABIN

Get generous with layers of fabrics for a snug feel

THE FABRIC

Pine Cones in Briarwood/Cream, £49m, Sanderson at Jane Clayton & Company

THE WALLPAPER Sanderson Owlswick, £75 a roll, John Lewis & Partners

THE PAINT

Dulux Summer Linen matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, B&Q

THE FLOORING Liverpool White pattern porcelain floor tiles, £16.99sq m, Tile Mountain

Hang an industrial-style pendant

Celebrate rural surroundings by introducing motifs of woodland birds and trees to your festive decor

Why it works

the STYLE RULES

Go big on pattern and layer lots of different textures Hunker down beneath cosy layers of woodland-inspired chunky knits, throws and cushions.

INTRODUCE PRINTS Head into the woods with owl-, oak- or pine cone-themed wallpaper and textiles.

PILE ON THE LAYERS Pick a simple wooden bed frame and dress with crimson linen bedding, tree-print cushions

and chunky knitted throws for a warm and inviting look.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Adorn a windowsill with mini potted fir trees, foraged pine cones and a carpet of moss.

UPDATE TRADITIONAL COLOURS Choose country cream paint to complement natural wood furniture and add festive shades of berry red and forest green.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘This wallpaper steals the show to set a country mood. Perfect for Christmas, it will also work year-round’ features editor

Holly Walsh

The addition of autumnal oranges and reds brings warmth to the scheme

Woodlandthemed baubles are a big trend

the STYLE RULES

Be inspired by autumn’s cosy colour palette Festive up a neutral scheme with amber accents, natural textures and traditional prints.

START WITH NEUTRALS Take a base palette of cream, taupe and grey, then add warmth with touches of orange and red.

ADD SUBTLE TEXTURE Hang bark-effect wallpaper

in a light shade to avoid the scheme becoming too gloomy.

CONTRAST FURNITURE STYLES Sit a traditionally shaped sofa and armchair next to industrialstyle coffee and side tables.

INJECT A FESTIVE FLOURISH Get in the Christmas spirit with robin prints and tartan cushions.

Cosy

WOODLAND Snuggle up among warm neutrals

THE FABRIC Cairngorm Auburn, £33m, Prestigious Textiles

THE WALLPAPER

Treebark in Birch, £45.50 a roll, Clarke & Clarke

THE PAINT

Dulux Once Timeless matt emulsion, £26 for 2.5L, Homebase

THE FLOORING Bliss rug in Cream, from £60, Argos

Don’t worry if you don’t have a complete set of anything – mismatched decorations add to the charm

Use spray paint to revamp old decorations

Maximalist

MERRIMENT Embrace dark tones and eclectic picks

THE FABRIC

Plush in Turquoise, Damson, Lime and Neutral, £88m, Harlequin at Style Library

THE WALLPAPER Yasuni Midnight wallpaper, £50 a roll, Graham & Brown

THE PAINT

Deep Space Blue absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene

THE FLOORING

Marrakesh rug in Blue, from £75, Dunelm

Bring a little Christmas magic to your hallway by winding a garland of artificial foliage around the banister and LED candles up the stairs

Why it works

the STYLE RULES

Offset dark walls with large-scale festive decor There are no strict rules when it comes to a maximal scheme, so have fun with deep shades and plenty of cosy mood lighting.

KEEP IT INFORMAL Bare floorboards contribute to the unpolished look. For a budget option, fake it with aged-effect wood laminate and finish with a snug high-pile rug in a colour that co-ordinates with the walls.

MAKE A STATEMENT The joy of maximalism is the freedom to put all of your favourite accessories on show. Hang a gilded mirror as a focal point and fill shelves with quirky objects.

CREATE A DARK BACKDROP Paint walls in a deep teal, then fill the room with church candles and tea lights in pretty holders for a festive atmosphere.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘More is definitely more, so making sure everything comes in multiples is key to this look’ executive editor

Heather Young

Style a glamorous Christmas look fit for a snow queen with shimmering silvers, frosty whites and mercury glass

the STYLE RULES

Stick to a simple and sophisticated colour palette If you’re more chic by nature, forgo the in-your-face Christmas decs and introduce subtle sparkle and glitz instead.

GO FOR GREYS A silver-grey wall paint is a warmer alternative to stark white. Complement with a co-ordinating ribbed carpet.

VAMP IT UP Select modern mirrored furniture, a smart grey sofa and plenty of luxe fabrics like satin and sequined cushions.

KEEP IT COSY Make it inviting with twinkling fairy lights, a roaring fire and a luxury, deep-pile rug.

Hang a black and white art print

Frosted

GLAMOUR Perfect an opulent look in silver and white

THE FABRIC

Dufrene Sea Salt jacquard weave, £103.50m, Romo

THE WALLPAPER SL27517 Simply Silks 3 collection, £32.95 a roll, Galerie

THE PAINT

One Coat Touch of Silver matt emulsion, £15 for 2.5L, Wilko

THE FLOORING

Fine Lines wool carpet in Bondstreet, £29.99sq m, Carpetright

Banish the winter blues by surrounding yourself with all your favourite colours and patterns

Festive FOLK

Pile on chunky knits and boho prints

THE FABRIC Ashbee in Rouge, £17m, Studio G at Jane Clayton & Company

THE WALLPAPER

35898-2 Sumi-e collection, £37.95, Galerie

THE PAINT

Scree absolute matt emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene

THE FLOORING

Blade rug in Teal, from £169, The Rug Seller

String a festive garland around the bed frame

If you like to make your main Christmas tree an adult-only zone, pot a mini one in the hall and let the kids go to town with cool and quirky decs

Why it works

the STYLE RULES

Clash prints and patterns for a relaxed Christmas feel Style an inviting bedroom scheme using vibrant colours, nostalgic prints and irresistible fabrics layered against a grey background.

MISMATCH PRINTS Finish a classic iron bed frame with sheets in folksy prints, knitted cushions and chunky throws.

ADD DEPTH Pick a dark grey for walls and introduce delicate monochrome

leaf-print wallpaper. Panelling will add character and extra depth.

GO TO TOWN WITH DECS Hang brightly coloured baubles from bed knobs and place handmade stockings at the end of the bed ready for Santa.

CHOOSE DARK FLOORING Paint floorboards in black gloss or pick a very dark wood laminate.

Top with a shaggy teal rug.

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘A joy for colour-lovers, this cocktail of shades will add make-yousmile style to the holidays’ style editor

Michela Colling

COMING NEXT MONTH...

Festive entertaining

Looking for more decor ideas? Visit us online at idealhome.co.uk/style-at-home for more design inspiration and expert style tips to make your home more beautiful

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Whether you’re planning an intimate get-together for the family or a fancy festive soirée, be the host with the most by taking inspiration from these beautiful, seasonal decorating ideas…

£10 Off & FREE Pots - SAVE £19.99 IN TOTAL “Welcome Your Christmas Guests In Style With Two Exquisite Standard Holly Trees...

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Your Holly Trees within just a couple of seasons... the perfect way to frame your festive porch or doorway!

TWO BEAUTIFUL HOLLY STANDARDS

Bright red berries contrast beautifully with lush deep-green leaves

FREE

What better way to frame your festive Christmas porch or doorway than with this pair of elegant Holly bushes?

THESE gorgeous holly bushes are a brand new variety, specially-bred to produce an abundance of berries – they look stunning from the moment you plant them and get even better year after year!

With a bluish tinge to the deep, evergreen, classic holly leaves and masses of rich, red berries, this pair of 1m tall bushes will set off your Christmas displays in style! These well-established 4-year old trees are slower growing and easy to manage – just one trim a year will keep that perfect lollipop standard tree form. Each pair is supplied with an equally impressive pair of classic 28cm diameter Festive Pinecone Planters, in gold metallic paint, for maximum impact guaranteed!

SAVE £10 with offer code SAH105 and we’ll send your 2 FREE decorative pots worth over £9.99 with your order!

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0.81m TALL

2 decorative 28cm diameter festive pine cone planters worth £9.99 for that finishing Festive touch!

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Pair of 0.8-1m Tall Standard Holly Trees £10.00 Off PLUS 2 Free Pots Worth £9.99

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3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER NOW! EXTRA BONUS OFFER 33% OFF Christmas Roses 3 x 12cm Pots Brighten up the darkness of winter with an abundance of beautiful, bowl-shaped, snowy-white flowers! Perfect for indoor displays over Christmas, they’ll make a magical centrepiece in decorative pots. After, plant them out in your garden for years of pleasure – they’re totally hardy!

0844 6 569 569 Calls cost 5p per min plus your network’s access charge.

USE CODE

or by post using coupon below to: Offer SAH105 YouGarden, PO Box 637, Wetherby Road, York YO26 0DQ PLEASE SEND TO: Offer SAH105, YouGarden, PO Box 637, Wetherby Road, YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS I enclose a cheque/Postal Order payable to YouGarden (name & address on back) for £ York YO26 0DQ YOUR ORDER DETAILS Or charge my Visa / Mastercard / Maestro card: Issue Card Item Description Price Qty Subtotal No. No. Pair of Holly Standards - 0.8-1m Tall Trees Start Exp Security 510186 £19.99 Date Date Code Was £49.99 - SAVE £10.00!

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FREE! Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss Initial Surname These special offers go perfectly with your Standard Holly Trees Address 560054 Christmas Rose - 3 x 12cm Pots SAVE £10.00! £19.99 Postcode JOIN THE YOUGARDEN CLUB - Get £20.00 FREE Email vouchers & SAVE 10% on EVERY ITEM you order!

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820005 Renewal Subscription Membership*: SAVE £15.00! £5.00 820001 1 Year Membership: SAVE £10.00!

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Offer available while stocks last. © YouGarden Ltd 2019

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SAH105

Add PP&I *We’ll automatically renew your membership every year, so you can keep saving - AND the price will NEVER go up... GUARANTEED! Full details at YouGarden.com/Club.

Offer subject to availability and in the event that this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitutes. Delivery to UK only and a £6.00 surcharge will apply to the following postcode areas: AB, BT, DD8-11, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA27-28, KW, PA20-80, PH19-50, TR21-25 & ZE. See website for full terms & conditions.

TOTAL ORDER VALUE

£6.99

1 If you’re not totally happy with your order, it within 30 days and we’ll replace or refund 2 Should any hardy plants fail to thrive therea we’ll replace free of charge.You just pay the Peter McDermott, Head Gardener

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EASY UPDATES

Love it

Try a speedy

STYLE UPDATE Have fun with these simple but creative ideas that’ll ring the changes in your home without turning into a full redo

1

Add a hint of pink to your scheme

While metallic shades of silver and gold will create the setting for a glamorous Christmas table, adding touches of pink will soften the look slightly and bring in some warmth, too. Choose pretty pink table linens and add a pink decoration to each place setting.

Lara dining chairs in Dusty Pink velvet, £239.99 for two; Capri glass top dining table, £279.99, both Studio

DECEMBER 2019 | 85

2

Pop presents in a basket

Keep your wrapped gifts out of the way of pesky pets and free up floor space by storing them in baskets ahead of the big day. Why not label each basket with a recipient’s name? Then everyone can add their gifts to the pile.

3

Wrapping paper, from a selection at John Lewis & Partners

CO-ORDINATE YOUR WRAPPING PAPER

To ensure total cohesion under the tree, choose giftwrap in matching colours and patterns, finished with luxe velvet and satin ribbons.

4

Mono pom-pom baskets in Turquoise and Fuchsia, £60 for three, Cox & Cox

Swap in festive cushions

Have a little fun with accessories and switch out your plain cushions for festive ones instead. If you’d rather keep the living room a tad more sophisticated, pop the playful stuff in the kids’ rooms.

STAR BUYS

To celebrate the season Mercury star tree topper, £5, Argos

Stag cushion, £6, George Home

Amelie dining table, £449; Kendall dining chairs, £69 each; Six-foot snow-dusted pine tree, £65, all Dunelm

Bauble wreath, £30, Habitat Faux tree in concrete bucket, £9.99, HomeSense

86 | DECEMBER 2019

5

HANG PAPER SNOWFLAKES

Forgo shop-bought decs and make your own instead by cutting snowflakes out of paper. Use plain white or silver paper for a simple, elegant scheme, or use colourful, patterned wrapping paper for a more fun and frivolous look.

EASY UPDATES

Love it

Six-foot black pre-lit LED Christmas tree, £25; tree decorations, from £2 each; Star tree topper, £4, all George Home

Fill the gaps on shelving with paper honeycomb decorations in jewel colours

6

Go dark and decadent

Be brave and swap your traditional tree for something a little moodier, like this black pre-lit one, which provides the ideal base for golden decorations to twinkle and shine from. Top it off with a golden star tree topper.

DECEMBER 2019 | 87

Wall-hung LED-lit Christmas tree, £38, Laura Ashley Home

7

EASY UPDATES

Tree decorations, from £2 for four, B&Q

GO ALTERNATIVE WITH YOUR TREE

Love it

9

Makeover your walls

Give your living room a bit of a facelift ready for Christmas with a lick of paint to create a simple feature wall. Draw a line from the bottom corner to the opposite top corner of a wall and paint each side a different colour.

If you haven’t the space for a bulky tree, go for a wallhung one and decorate with just your favourite baubles. You could even pin up party invites.

8

Serve up snacks in style

A festive platter will delight guests and is ideal for placing in the middle of the table so everyone can help themselves. Find a selection of Christmas-themed options at Matalan.

Dorma glass bonbon jar, £26; baubles, £7 for 34; tabletop tree, £7, all Dunelm

TOP CHOICES

For that extra special touch

Duvet set, from £25 for a single, JD Williams Hessian Christmas sack, £1, Poundland Neon Pink bauble, £4, John Lewis & Partners

10

CREATE A PRETTY TABLETOP DISPLAY

Fill glass jars and vases with a selection of shimmery baubles in matching shades. Pop a string of batterypowered fairy lights inside, too, for extra sparkle.

Candle stick arch, £39.99, Dobbies

DECEMBER 2019 | 89

11

Dress the tree with oversized decs

Go for a simple, yet stunning, theme on your Christmas tree by keeping the baubles to a minimum (if at all) and instead choose oversized star silhouette lights. Make sure the lights are the same shade as your normal tree lights for a cohesive look.

Osby light-up stars, from ÂŁ9.99 each, Lights4Fun

90 | DECEMBER 2019

Place LED pillar candles around the room to create a safe, but flickering glow

EASY UPDATES

14 12

13

Put out a welcoming festive doormat

Display wreaths indoors

Bring wreaths in from the cold with a duo of decorative wreaths hung on the wall. Try a sparkly gold pair above a sideboard or mantel, or display a festive trio above the bed. You could even have a go at making your own.

Noir dinnerware, £35 for a 12-piece set, Argos

UPDATE YOUR TABLEWARE

Love it

A smart, new dinnerware set featuring simple block shapes will create a cool and contemporary setting and can be used all year round.

Encourage the family to wipe their muddy feet after a post-lunch walk by laying a themed mat by the door.

Star parquet cabinet, £995, Graham and Green. Wisteria table lamp, £220, Pooky.

Similar gold wreaths, from a selection at Gisela Graham

Hanging decorations, from £2 each; Merry cushion, £7; Snowflake bedlinen, from £10 for a single set, all George Home

FUN FAVOURITES To show off your personality

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Dachshund mug, £3, Matalan

Pink sequin stocking, £9.99, TK Maxx

15

HANG BAUBLES ABOVE THE BED

Make a festive mobile to hang on the wall above the bed. Take a piece of dowelling or a fallen tree branch, then hang up a selection of baubles at differing heights along it. Secure the mobile to the wall using hooks or Command strips.

Beaded bauble, £4, Marks & Spencer

Winters cabin centrepiece, £28, Sainsbury’s Home

DECEMBER 2019 | 91

‘I love all the LIGHTEN IT UP

‘This is the darkest part of the kitchen, so I chose white tiles for here to help reflect the light around’

COME ON IN!

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Overhang the worktop along one side of your island unit so it doubles as a breakfast barÕ

ABOUT ME I’m Jane Vincent, 39, a graphic designer and artist, @janevincent.art, and I live with my husband, Dave, 45, a homecare manager, and our children, Anya, 12, and Jessie, eight, plus dog Molly, in a three bedroom Twenties semi in Shepperton, Surrey.

MY CHALLENGE To reconfigure the space and add an extension to provide a large open-plan kitchen/ diner with a comfy seating area.

MY WISH LIST A dramatic wall of jungle wallpaper, some vibrant handmade tiles, a contemporary neutral kitchen with an island and a separate space for relaxing.

94 | DECEMBER 2019

TOTAL

£9,994

TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Love it

LEAFY TONES’ Buy it

Recreate Jane’s look in your home PAGE 99

Choosing a neutral kitchen enabled Jane Vincent to create a jungle feel with a dramatic wallpaper mural and deep green tiles

M

oving a few miles down the road two years ago enabled us to get our daughter into a good secondary school. The new home had more space and a bigger garden, but we knew we had a massive project on our hands,’ says Jane.

‘We’d totally renovated our previous home, and I had itchy feet once it was all done, so I was up for a new challenge.

We could see lots of potential in the house, but it was muddled downstairs.

Three different generations of the same family had lived there, and they had all added their own ideas, but there was no flow. We could see how we could create a really large open-plan space downstairs, with access to the garden. This would give us room to all be together.

To the drawing board

JUNGLE FEVER

‘The huge wallpaper mural makes me feel like I’m outside when I’m working in the kitchen and the concrete colour of the units is neutral without being boring’

We put together a dramatic plan to extend out five metres into the garden, scoop out the middle of the house and just open everything out. We’ve kept a room at the front of the house, which doubles as a den and a spare bedroom, and we chose to leave an alleyway at the side of the house to give us external access to the garden. We also managed to squeeze in a second bathroom. After planning permission went through, the work started in November last year. We used the same builders that we’d used on our previous house. We were on a tight budget though, so we lived here during the six-month build, with a temporary kitchen in the front room.

Focal point It seemed obvious that the kitchen should be at the back, with the dining table next to the doors to the garden. I wanted

DECEMBER 2019 | 95

Love it

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Do it!

PLAN YOUR LIGHTING

1

First, consider your general light source. This is the light you’d turn on when you want a daylight feel – it could be a central pendant, ceiling-mounted spotlights or wall lights.

Next, work in some task lighting around food prep areas. Spotlights and strip lights mounted under units or shelves are ideal as they cast a pool of light with minimal shadows.

If you have a kitchen-diner where you may want a more intimate feel for entertaining, mood lighting is especially important.

Look for dimmable wall lights or plinth lights for a softer glow.

Finally, use accent lights to highlight a particular feature, such as an island. A row of pendants or an oversized statement light works well.

2 3

4

GLAMOROUS LIGHTING

‘I wanted something unusual above the island, and this light certainly does the job’

Why it works

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Jane’s contemporary take on the traditional farmhousestyle fireplace is even more striking thanks to those stunning tiles’ houses editor

Ruth Corbett

‘IF YOU’RE ADDING AN EXTENSION, IT PAYS TO WORK A SKYLIGHT INTO YOUR PLANS – IT WILL BRING SO MUCH EXTRA LIGHT INTO THE SPACE’

EXTENDED USE

‘For very little extra money, we’ve extended the worktop and added a couple of small units to create a workspace’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Add in a little pattern with small sections of feature wallpaper’

Walls in Brilliant White matt emulsion, £9.99 for 2.5L, Dulux. Amazonas wallpaper mural, £249.95 a panel, Wallpaper Direct. Palio Clic flooring in Arezzo, £39.95sq m, Karndean Designflooring. Fireplace in Special Green tiles, £67.50sq m, Milagros.

Splashback in Matrix White tiles, £19.50sq m, Topps Tiles. Infinity Plus Milano Ultra Bianco gloss top units and Elements concrete oak matt base units, £5,700; Luxury Laminate concrete oak worktop, £1,200; Neff hob, £732; sink and tap, £120, all Wren Kitchens. Jensen cluster ceiling light in Chrome, £295, John Lewis & Partners. Aldo brushed bar stools in Black, £69 each, Simply Bar Stools.

FEATURE STEPHANIE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

Where to buy Jane’s style

CREATE SPACE

‘We widened the chimney to fit side by side ovens, and were able to hide the extractor above’

the garden and its colours to be an important part of the kitchen, so it was actually the wallpaper mural that came first, before we even had a kitchen. I loved the greens, blues and purples in the design.

Rethinking the space There had been an old range cooker in a chimney breast, but we wanted to use our existing side by side ovens and put in a hob. So we came up with a plan to widen the gap significantly and put in new steels at the sides, so it looked like a big old farmhouse-style fireplace.

Choosing the units A neutral, reasonably priced kitchen was next up, but I knew I didn’t want

all white. I started looking at grey kitchens and we fell for the wood-effect units at Wren in a concrete grey colour.

I was thrilled to learn that you could have a matching worktop in exactly the same shade, rather than a contrast, as the wallpaper and the tiles needed to be the stars of the scheme.

Tying it all together The ceiling above the island is high, so my last big search was for a statement light to hang there. I found one with a lovely cascade of globes, which everyone always comments on when they come to visit. Now the kitchen-diner is complete, we all love spending time in here together as there’s so much space for us all to enjoy.’

PAINTERLY TOUCH

‘I often sit here to paint as the light is so good – the ones above the desks are mine’

Find more clever ways to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

DECEMBER 2019 | 97

Do it

ADDING AN EXTENSION

Jane’s choice:

ADDING AN EXTENSION

Get a bigger house, without the cost or stress of moving, with a new extension

Is my home suitable?

Obviously you need space outside to extend into, but equally you don’t want to eat into too much of the garden. Also, if there’s no external access to the site, and going through the house is a no, forget the idea. Public or shared drains and utilities running under your garden may also cause complications and, in some cases, can mean planning refusal.

Do I need permission?

Unless you are planning a large, architecturally striking extension, planning isn’t always necessary, depending on the size of your project. Check with your local

BEST FOR… THE LEGAL JARGON Government-run planningportal.co.uk has an excellent extensions mini guide, covering single- and double-storey projects. Well worth a look.

PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS Homeprotect.co.uk offers one of the best plans available for renovation insurance. Check out the blog, too, for great extension tips and advice.

FIRST-CLASS DESIGNS RIBA (architecture.com) has an online architect-matching service to help you find the right person for your project.

98 | DECEMBER 2019

council though. Building Control will need to be notified before you start, and all work must comply with current building regulations.

How about the cost?

Use the size of your build to establish a rough guide based on £1,000-£2,000sq m. Factors that will see costs soar include location, complex builds and top-end materials. Do check your existing services can supply a bigger house – a new boiler or fuse board may be required. In older properties, the electrics may need upgrading to ensure the extension complies with regulations.

3 of the best

PATIO DOORS SLIM FRAMES

Who should I hire?

A full design and build service is the least stressful, but priciest, option. Hiring an architect or architectural technician to design the extension and a good building firm to make it happen will be slightly cheaper. Be prepared to wait – the best get booked up a year in advance. You can project manage yourself and hire in trades when needed, but it’s not easy.

Do I need insurance?

Always notify your existing insurer before you start. Unless you employ a building firm with extensive insurance, it’s wise to buy separate insurance to cover the new works and existing structure, as well as public and employee liability in case of any accidents.

‘PATIO DOORS ARE A GREAT INVESTMENT FOR YOUR HOME AS THEY CAN HELP CREATE A MORE FUNCTIONAL AND VERSATILE SPACE’ MATT AI KEN, DESIGN EXPERT, BENCHMARX KITCHENS

Patio doors in premiumgrade aluminium, from £2,599, Origin

CLASSICALLY GLAZED Traditional French doors in painted wood, £1,900, George Barnsdale

LOW MAINTENANCE

Jci French doors in Grey aluminium, from £2,000, Wickes

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

M

ake the most of unused garden space or an awkward side-return area, by adding a space-boosting, light-enhancing extension to your home.

There’s a lot to consider before you take the plunge, starting with whether you can live in the property while the work is carried out. If dust and chaos isn’t your bag, you’ll need to factor temporary accommodation into your budget, too.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

Buy it

Buy Jane’s style…

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

A neutral backdrop allows you to have fun with characterful buys

Add a whimsical touch with a wall-mounted leopard head vase, £31.95, Audenza

Match your appliances to your scheme. Evoke kettle jug, £59.99, Morphy Richards at Argos

Make a statement with lighting. Jensen cluster light, £250, John Lewis & Partners

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

LUSH LEAVES

Go for pieces that are pretty and practical, like this copper wall clock, £6, Wilko

Work in some effortless greenery with a mini faux orchid, £2.50, Primark

Pick a wallpaper that packs a punch. Yasuni wallpaper, £50 a roll, Graham & Brown

Pick a perch for your breakfast bar.

Elise gas lift bar stool, £159, Danetti

Create a splash of colour with Goldmine Arran mosaic tiles, £10.95 a sheet, Walls and Floors

Lay the table in timeless style with Nessa dinnerware, £100 for a 12-piece set, Habitat

DECEMBER 2019 | 99

‘We updated RADICAL RADIATOR

‘We really splashed out on the Thirtiesstyle towel radiator’

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Tessa Bird, 38, a family photographer @photographybylittlebird, and I live with my partner, Robbie Henderson, 35, a marketing manager, our daughters Mya, four, and Thea, two, and our French bulldog, Hank, in a Thirties mock Tudor semi in Addlestone, Surrey.

THE CHALLENGE I wanted to create a bathroom that suited the needs of two small children, with plenty of space for us all to move around in and enjoy.

MY WISH LIST A bath with a wider end for a shower, smart brick tiles, a dark wood-effect floor, plenty of storage and a few little finishing touches that reflect our love of nature and animals.

100 | DECEMBER 2019

KEEPING THE SPIRIT

‘I love the way we’ve created a modern version of our previously impractical bathroom, using rich colour and era-appropriate tiles’

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

Love it

THIRTIES STYLE’ When Tessa finally redesigned her bathroom, she sought out modern alternatives for the Thirties decor

A

bove all, it was the original features that really appealed to us when we first viewed this house,’ says Tessa.

‘Convinced it was the right one for us, we made an offer right away and moved in just over three years ago.

We loved the wooden panelling, the fireplaces, the old doors, the delicate tiles in the hearth and the little nooks and crannies, and we’ve tried to preserve as much of it as we can. But the real problem was the bathroom – it felt like it was never clean, and the layout was totally impractical. The bath was on the right, with a hastily rigged up shower curtain, an old-fashioned washbasin under the window, a toilet on the left and a large airing cupboard we didn’t need.

We knew it was a major job to sort it out, so we put it off until I’d had Thea and then we couldn’t stand it any more!

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Bring warmth into your bathroom with an accent colour’

Making plans

TOTAL

£3,470 TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST

We realised that we’d have to rip it all out and start again. There was nothing worth keeping, so we started designing layouts ourselves in the evenings on pieces of paper, and came to the conclusion that the best idea would be to get a lovely big bath and put it on the back wall, under the window. A basin and toilet would fit on the left, with room left over for a heated towel rail and plenty of storage.

Once we’d started taking off the tiles, it became obvious we were going to have to go right back to the original brickwork and wooden struts and start from there.

Also, we had to replace the window as it was rotten, and remove the airing cupboard. We maximised space by switching out the door for a pocket one.

Choosing a style Because of the age of the house, we didn’t want to go ultra contemporary, we wanted something that would fit

DECEMBER 2019 | 101

COLOUR SCHEME

‘I chose wooden boxes in the same colour as the floor so everything flows together’

DOG POWER

‘Our French bulldog Hank has influenced our decor!’

in with the style of the rest of the rooms, so we were careful to choose age-appropriate brassware and fittings.

Walls and floors

We wanted to bring colour into the room, so we chose a deep blue for the walls, rather than something neutral.

We’ve got lovely old wooden floors throughout the house, but wood itself isn’t really practical in a bathroom, so we decided to go for wood-effect tiles.

I wanted brick tiles on the walls in plain white, which fits with the Thirties style.

Colour scheme

With a plain suite, blue walls and a dark wood-effect floor, I felt it needed just one more element to tie it all together.

I thought about tones that would match with blue and brown, and considered cream, but decided it was too boring.

Pink was a bit girly and green too clashing, but mustard yellow seemed a good fit. I looked online and found the exact colour I wanted in a range of towels and accessories at Dunelm.

IDEA TO STEAL ‘Rather than plain tiles, consider a dark, wood-effect design’

Finishing touches

We were a bit low on storage, but I found a great slim unit online that would tuck into the space on the other side of the heated towel rail. I’d left space on the wall above the washbasin for a mirror, but I just couldn’t find anything I liked. I didn’t want anything that was going to darken the room, so dark wood or black metal were out, but I liked the slightly industrial look of a mirror in sections and eventually found a white one that did the job. We’re vegan and love animals, so I wanted to bring in something that would reflect our obsession with wildlife – that’s where the whale accessories come in! We all now find the bathroom a joy to go into.’

102 | DECEMBER 2019

Buy it

Recreate Tessa’s look in your home PAGE 105

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

Love it

RETRO CHARM

Do it!

BOLD COLOUR SCHEME

‘The white china levers give a nod to the Thirties, while still being practical’

Smaller accessories are an easy way to add colour – it’s as simple as switching in a bath mat or adding a couple of plant pots or some wall art.

Paint and tiles can inject colour or pattern, too, but you don’t have to cover a full wall – try panelling or painting half a wall, or simply paint or tile a splashback.

If you don’t want to go big on colour, a light fitting or blind can bring in just a subtle amount.

Vivid shades make a stronger impact with a white background, which makes the room feel airier and allows colours to pop.

Wallpaper is another option, as long as the bathroom is ventilated and the wallpaper doesn’t come into direct contact with water. Go for one labelled ‘extra washable’ or ‘highly wash-resistant’.

ADD A FUN TOUCH

‘Bathrooms don’t need to be serious.

I love the whale soap dish, which only cost £6’

‘CHOOSE A TRANSPARENT,FRAMELESS BATH SCREEN SO THE VIEW INTO THE ROOM ISN’T OBSTRUCTED’

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘The blocks of strong blue and the dark flooring combine to add impact and interest, and stop the space from looking cold’ executive editor

Heather Young

Where to buy Tessa’s style Walls in Sapphire Salute easycare bath soft sheen, £11.99 for 2.5L, Dulux.

Diamante White tiles, £32.28sq m; Tabula Chocolate floor tiles, £59.89sq m, both Topps Tiles. Premier P shower bath, £332; curved bath screen, £150; White Topaz shower, £891; Ambrose basin, £146; mono basin mixer, £229; Brampton towel rail, £983, all Hudson Reed. Mirror, £130, William Wood Mirrors. Cabinet, £49.99, Amazon. Wooden box drawers, £13.99 for three, eBay. Egyptian bath towels in Mustard, from £6 each; wash mitts, £3.50 each; bath mat, £10; Whale soap dish, £6; accessories, from a selection, all Dunelm

FEATURE STEPHANIE SMITH, MICHELA COLLING PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

Why it works

DECEMBER 2019 | 103

Do it

A SHAPED BATHTUB

Tessa’s choice:

A SHAPED BATHTUB

No room for a standard-size bath?

Go for a stylish tub that’s shaped to fit to 170cm for a straight bath).

Crucially, the internal bath length spans the corner so can provide a comfortable, fully-reclined soak.

How else can I fit a bath on a short wall?

By identifying where a bath can actually be plumbed in. This may depend on the direction of floor joists and position of the drain outlet, so get your plumber involved early. Think about ceiling heights, too. If the ceiling slopes, put the end of the bath at its lowest point – your feet won’t suffer from claustrophobia but your head might.

D-shape baths work brilliantly between two alcoves, and start at about 150cm long. They tend to be deeper than standard, so there’s plenty of room to spread out. A hip bath (sometimes called a sitz) is the shortest you can get, at around 100cm, but it’s deep and designed for bathing in a sitting position.

A compact slipper bath, around 140cm long, offers a semi-reclined position that’s surprisingly comfortable.

What are the benefits of a corner bath?

What if bath width is a problem?

Where do I start?

While they take up more floor space overall, corner baths can work better if you have an awkwardly shaped room.

The longest stretch of wall needed ranges from just 120-160cm (compared

BEST FOR… PRACTICAL HELP

B&Q’s website diy.com has lots of bathroom planning advice, with a focus on small bathroom solutions.

FREESTANDING OPTIONS

Lusso Stone has pint-sized versions of its modern freestanding baths – perfect for making a statement.

ALL THE SHAPES

Bathroom City ticks all the shape boxes in its small bath collection.

The Quantum Spacesaver narrows to just 40cm wide at the foot end.

104 | DECEMBER 2019

Narrow baths are available, usually around 65cm (compared to 70cm standard width). Anything narrower doesn’t provide enough elbow-space to climb out easily. Tapered baths are useful when the width of a standard bath won’t work at one end of the room as it’s compromised by a doorway or loo. Following the shape of your body, they are wide where you need them – at the shoulders and hips – and narrower towards your feet.

‘THINK BIG, EVEN IN A SMALL SPACE. IF YOU CAN’T GO LONG, GO WIDER, AND THE BATH WILL FEEL JUST AS LUXURIOUS AND ROOMY’ LEE FROST, DIRECTOR, WATERS BATHS OF ASHBOURNE

3 of the best

CLEVERLY SHAPED BATHS WALL-HUGGING Get the freestanding look in a tight space.

Ebb shower bath, £1,495, Waters Baths of Ashbourne

D-SHAPE DESIGN

Plenty of room for showering.

EcoRound 1500 showering bath, £279.30, Britton Bathrooms

TAPERED TO FIT

Narrower at your feet.

Ideal Standard Concept Space shower bath, £399, Victoria Plum

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

T

he standard size of a UK bath is 170x70cm, and should fit comfortably within the average UK bathroom. But it only takes an awkward alcove, badly placed soil pipe or low-slung window to throw things out of kilter. Happily, with a bit of planning, and the right tub, it’s possible to shoehorn a bath into the most unlikely of spaces.

COLOUR SPLASH

Buy it

Buy Tessa’s style…

COLOUR SPLASH

Combine bold blue and warm yellow with a white backdrop

Continue your accent colour right through to the little decorative details.

Kholsa ceramic candle, £10, Habitat

Tiles are a low-maintenance option for flooring. Tiveden Wengue wood-effect tiles, £26.95sq m, Walls and Floors

Be brave with an intense but uplifting shade of blue. Valbonne matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, B&Q

Choose plants that are easy to care for, such as a yucca that requires little water.

Yucca in basket, £15, Homebase

Add fun details with a few small, playful accessories. Whale soap dish, £6, Dunelm

Go tall with skinny storage – perfect for small bathrooms. Stow Tallboy bathroom cabinet, £79, Noa & Nani

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

BRIGHT TOUCH

Hide and store not-so-pretty toiletries or cleaning supplies. Chevron pattern wooden box, from £10, Dunelm

Warm yellow is an ideal colour contrast to deep blue. Waffled bath towel, £12.99, H&M Home

Bathrooms don’t have to be bland, add personality with this cheeky chap.

Frenchie poster, from £7.95, Desenio

DECEMBER 2019 | 105

LUXURY

small ship cruises

travel ................................................

OFFERS

11 days from £2,699PP Explore the wonders of the Mediterranean and cruise to the historic, cultural and artistic heart of Europe. Venture east to the majestic cities of the Baltic or seek out the magnificent treasures of the Black Sea beyond. Gaze in wonder at the staggeringly beautiful Norwegian Fjords from the deck of your floating boutique hotel or for amazing wildlife and world-acclaimed vineyards take an awe-inspiring journey to South Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet.

It’s all included in the price  A range of included excursions, exclusively for Riviera Travel guests  An included pre- or post-cruise hotel stay on many cruises  An exclusive wine-pairing event on board  An included visit to one of the ship’s speciality restaurants  US$50 per person on-board credit  Return flights from a choice of airport, with hotel transfers

Duration

From

Cruising Italy & Croatia on the Azamara Quest

Azamara Cruise

14 days

£2,999PP

 Embark on a luxury cruise aboard one of Azamara’s superb boutique-style small ships

Cruising South Africa on the Azamara Journey

15 days

£3,499PP

Cruising the South of France & Corsica On the Azamara Pursuit

11 days

£2,699PP

 The services of our experienced tour manager throughout

Cruising the Baltic Sea to St Petersburg on the Azamara Quest

11 days

£2,799PP

Cruising Norway’s Fjords on the Azamara Pursuit

13 days

£2,999PP

Cruising the Black Sea on the Azamara Journey

16 days

£4,499PP

To book or for more details call 01283 523471 or visit styriviera.co.uk

ABTA No. V4744

Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. This holiday is operated by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to availability. Additional entrance costs may apply. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. For further information please write to Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP.

INSIDE EAT, TRY & DO!

GREAT STUFF TO

DIY TIPS

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

FESTIVE COOKING

CHOCOLATE FRIDGE WREATH CAKE TAKES 1HR, PLUS CHILLING SERVES 32 300g milk chocolate 80g dark chocolate 200g butter 6tbsp golden syrup 225g marshmallows, quartered 300g ginger nuts, crushed 2 x 120g pack McVitie’s Chocolate Nibbles TO DECORATE 15 bay leaves Edible silver lustre spray 180g dark chocolate 2tsp vegetable oil 12 chocolate truffles Edible silver glitter

1

Put the chocolate into a bowl with the butter and golden syrup. Melt over a pan of simmering water.

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7

Remove from the heat and stir in the marshmallows, ginger nuts and chocolate nibbles.

Put a greased and wrapped tin can in the centre of a 23cmwide greased and lined springform cake tin and spoon the mixture around it, then chill for 30min.

Spray the bay leaves with the edible silver. Leave to dry.

Put the chocolate and oil in a bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water.

Put a clean dishcloth into a bowl of very hot water and, using rubber gloves, squeeze out the excess moisture. Pack the cloth into the centre of the tin and leave for a few minutes. Remove the cloth and twist the can to remove.

Transfer the wreath cake to a serving plate. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top and down the sides. Finish by decorating the top with the chocolate leaves, truffles and edible glitter.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

NO BAKE CAKE

p112 MAKE A NATURAL WREATH

118 XMAS LUNCH IDEAS

p114 FESTIVE CRAFTING

DECEMBER 2019 | 107

Find a smart

SOLUTION This month, buy reversible giftwrap, clean up spills quickly and post in time for Christmas

Make your wrapping paper work harder Want to add variety to your present wrapping this Christmas but don’t fancy buying roll upon roll of paper? Then take a look at Cox & Cox’s beautiful range of reversible giftwrap. There are four stylish designs to choose from (well, eight, if you count the patterns on the reverse), including quirky, zoological Menagerie with its delicate pink underside. The patterns aren’t in-your-face-festive so if you don’t use them all up at Christmas, they’re perfect for birthdays, too.

Menagerie reversible wrapping paper, £12.50 for a 10m roll, Cox & Cox

3 of the best

FESTIVE TEXTILES Get Christmassy in the kitchen HELPING HAND

Home for Christmas oven glove, £14, Sophie Allport

TOP DOG

Santa Paws Christmas apron, £21.95, Joules

ANIMAL MAGIC

Sara Miller Geese tea towel, £14.95, Annabel James

WHIP UP SPILLS QUICKLY AND EASILY

When your house is packed with people of all ages at Christmas, food and drink spillages are pretty much inevitable. When one happens, make it disappear quickly and easily with Hoover’s super clever Jovis wet-dry handheld vacuum.

It has a run time of 17 minutes, so you can simply zoom it around and remove all traces of a messy meal.

Hoover Jovis+ wet and dry handheld vacuum cleaner, £54.99, Currys

SAVE YOUR BEST TABLE LINEN BY TACKLING SPILLS WITH LAKELAND’S WINE NO MORE! RED WINE STAIN REMOVER SPRAY, £6.99 FOR 250ML 108 | DECEMBER 2019

TIME AT HOME

Love it

3 of the best

FUN FAMILY GAMES

Keep them entertained (and awake) after lunch XMAS QUIZ

Flex your general knowledge in this festive-themed game.

Ginger Ray Twist & Sprout game, £19.99, Very

SEND YOUR CARDS IN GOOD TIME

GET ARTY

Add a festive touch to your fireplace Everyone loves a cosy fire at Christmas, so stack up your logs in style with this seasonal beauty.

Tree-shaped log store, £39.99, Dobbies

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

LET THE KIDS FOL LOW SANTA’S PROGRESS AROUND THE WORLD IN REAL TIME AT NORADSANTA.ORG

Draw in the air and your work will appear in the app.

Pictionary Air, £19.99, Amazon

Don’t forget the Christmas post dates SOLVE IT

Features 16 visual, mathematical and linguistic puzzles.

Escape Room, £12.99, Lakeland

GIVE KIDS A SPECIAL ADVENT Create a magical festive countdown with Elf for Christmas Advent Letters.

One of Santa’s elves will send your child a delightful note each day, detailing the goings-on at the North Pole. Perfect if you prefer an advent without chocolate.

Advent Calendar Letters, £12.95, Big Little Toys

CUT BACK ON CHRISTMAS LAUNDRY

Don’t fancy washing your tablecloth in-between meals?

Neither do we! So we love these paper place mats.

Just tear them off the roll and recycle them afterwards.

Grey reindeer paper place mats, £15 for a roll of 50, Nordic House

MONDAY 9 DECEMBER International Standard to Africa, Asia, Middle East, Far East, Caribbean, Central and South America TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER International Standard to Cyprus, Malta WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER International Standard to Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER International Standard to Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER International Standard to Finland, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Canada, USA MONDAY 16 DECEMBER International Standard to Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER International Standard to Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER Ist Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail Tracked 48 SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER Royal Mail Tracked 24 MONDAY 23 DECEMBER Special Delivery Guaranteed

DECEMBER 2019 | 109

Do it

TIME AT HOME

Clean your

UPHOLSTERY

Get your suite looking as good as new in time for Christmas

1

GIVE IT A VACUUM

Start by using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to give your sofa or armchair a thorough going over. Where crumbs and fluff accumulate, switch to the nozzle attachment so you can easily get into seams and crevices.

If your upholstery is leather, use the softer brush attachment to avoid scratching.

2

CHECK THE LABEL

Always read care labels attached to your upholstery before using any cleaning products on it. W means you can use a water-based cleaner; S or P means don’t use water, use solvents or dry-clean instead; SW or WS means you can use either a water-based or solvent cleaner or even a steam cleaner; while X means you shouldn’t use any water or detergent as it may damage the fabric – get it professionally cleaned instead.

3

TACKLE STAINS

4

FRESHEN UP

Once dry, sprinkle the fabric with bicarbonate of soda or a dry carpet cleaner. Leave for a couple of hours, or overnight if possible, before vacuuming it off. This will absorb any stale odours and leave the fabric smelling fresh.

5

Rather than buying new, simply give your upholstery a refresh

GET RID OF PET HAIR BY RUBBING A DAMP RUBBER GLOVE OVER THE SURFACE OF THE UPHOLSTERY STAIN BLITZER

Dabitoff stain remover spray, £7.56 for 500ml, Amazon

The kit you need EASY CLEAN 1001 Carpet spray, £3.29 for 300ml, Robert Dyas

HAVE A GO AT STEAM CLEANING

For a deep clean, try using a steam cleaner. High-temperature steam will loosen and dissolve surface dirt and brighten colours, as well as deodorise and sanitise the upholstery without the need for harsh chemicals. Vacuum first, then air dry for a couple of hours after steaming.

110 | DECEMBER 2019

TOP FOR PETS OXO GoodGrips FurLifter furniture brush, £15, Amazon

HOT STUFF

Handheld steam cleaner, £19.99, VonHaus

LEATHER LOVE Urad leather cleaning paste, £12.99 for 200g, Lakeland

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI PHOTOGRAPH TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Next, it’s worth spot testing your chosen cleaning product on a hidden area of the upholstery first to make sure it doesn’t discolour the fabric. If it’s okay to use, blot the stained area – without rubbing it – using a clean white cloth, working from the outside in until the stain has gone. Use a fresh cloth and warm water to blot the area afterwards to remove traces of soap. For a homemade alternative, mix two cups of warm water with a tablespoon of washing up liquid and another of white vinegar.

TIME AT HOME

Heart-felt style

Look to Fat Quarter Christmas by Jemima Schlee (£12.99, GMC Books) to discover how to add a personal touch to your festive decor while using up fabric remnants. There are 25 fabulously festive projects to try, all made using fabric scraps no bigger than a fat quarter (half a metre of fabric cut in half again vertically).

A thrifty way of making decorations, accessories and even giftwrap, these easy hanging hearts can be made in an afternoon and are packed with fragrant winter spices.

Make handmade Christmas decs from leftover fabric scraps

IN STITCHES

Desk calendar embroidery kit, £35, Notonthehigh street.com

3 of the best

CHRISTMAS KITS CUTE CARD

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Stocking Christmas cross-stitch kit, £2, Hobbycraft

STAMP NOW

Festive stamp set, £16.50, Meri Meri

Make it

These would make lovely gifts, too

MERRY MACRAME

MAKE IT

yourself Check out the latest workshops, books and making must-haves

Join in this festive workshop at London Craft Club to make modern macramé Christmas decorations.

You’ll learn essential macramé knots to craft one of three mini wreath designs, finished with beautiful preserved foliage, leaves and grasses. By the end, you’ll have picked up the skills to make all sorts of other macramé items like plant hangers and wall hangings. The class costs £29 and includes all your materials, a tutorial booklet to take home, plus a welcome glass of fizz. Book your place at londoncraftclub.co.uk

TRY YOUR HAND AT… GIFTWRAP Forget shop-bought giftwrap and get creative making your own. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a handmade present and can be as simple as you like. Start with a sheet of brown or plain paper and try using rubber stamps, sponges or carved potato halves dipped in paint to make unique designs. Once dry, use pretty papers, fabric scraps, decorative twines and tapes to craft embellishments, such as bows and rosettes. Finish with a handwritten tag made using brush pens or letter stamps.

Kraft brown paper, £3.30 a roll, Hobbycraft

MAKEYOURGIFTWRAPECO-FRIENDLYBY USINGRECYCLABLE PAPER AND SCRAPS OF LEFTOVER RIBBON AND TWINE DECEMBER 2019 | 111

Make it

TIME AT HOME

Create a natural

FESTIVE WREATH

Create a warm welcome at your front door – Sammy Shiers of Hobbycraft shows you how

Make it everlasting with faux foliage

B

ring a natural look to your front door this festive season by teaming lush fern fronds with slices of dried fruit and seedpods to create a beautiful rustic wreath. It’s a pared-back alternative to the usual glittery designs, bringing a sophisticated feel to your decor.

YOU WILL NEED Rattan grapevine wreath Fern fronds Oasis floral wire Dried fruit slices Dried seedpods Secateurs Scissors Hot-glue gun Red ribbon

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112 | DECEMBER 2019

CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY OF NATURE BY ADDING ORGANIC EMBELLISHMENTS FEATURING VARYING COLOURS AND TEXTURES

3 of the best

NATURAL ACCENTS ‘The festive season is the ideal time to get creative with a wreath.

Hobbycraft offers a range of options, whether you prefer a classic or trendy look’

STAR SEEDS

Cotton pods, £2.50 for 40g, Hobbycraft

BEST ZEST

Dried orange slices, £3 for 30g, Hobbycraft

AUTUMNAL TOUCH

Putkha pods, £2.50 for 40g, Hobbycraft

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

FORAGE FOR FERNS Gather a selection of real or artificial fern fronds. If real, shake off any bugs.

ADD FOLIAGE Place a cluster of fern leaves on top of a section of the rattan wreath, then wind a length of florist’s wire around the stems to secure. Overlap another spray of leaves on top and secure with wire.

FILL OUT THE WREATH Repeat until the rattan is covered.

Tease out leaves to make the wreath look bushy. If real, mist with water.

PREPARE THE FRUIT SLICES Group two or three dried orange or apple slices together, overlapping them so that you see the segments of each one. Pierce the base of each slice, using a length of florist’s wire. Pull each end down and twist the wires together.

DECORATE THE WREATH To attach the fruit decorations, push the long stems of wire through the foliage and loop back through. Cut away the excess, then hide the tails.

GLUE ON SEEDPODS Use a glue gun to attach seedpods, positioning them to cover up any gaps.

FINISH WITH A RIBBON Decide which way up you want your wreath to hang, then thread a ribbon through the centre and tie at the top.

TIME AT HOME

Do it

The 10-minute

DECLUTTER

Get the place tidy in a flash with these speedy tips and handy buys

COLOUR CODED

Use as a group or split this trio between several rooms for extra storage. Seagrass storage baskets, £25 for three, Oliver Bonas

GET CRAFTY

Where to store all the craft kits your child gets for Christmas? How about in this trolley desk…

Hunter kids craft trolley, £229, Swoon

PUT A PIN IN IT

Make sure you don’t lose any to-do lists with this smart board.

Round memo board, £10, Argos

Ready,steady,sort!

TIDY YOUR GUEST ROOM Clear the year’s worth of stuff you’ve been squirrelling away in the spare room to create a smart guest room for visitors.

SORT THROUGH THE KIDS’ TOYS It’s the annual clear out to make way for the Christmas haul! Donate anything they’ve grown out of to charity.

SMART STACK

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

Keep the fireplace tidy with a sleek log store like this one.

Round iron log holder, £70, Cox & Cox

RACK IT UP

Guest room wardrobe full of out-of-season clothes? This smart rail is a great standby.

Freestanding garment rail, £18, Wilko

CLEAR YOUR LIVING ROOM Strip back the clutter so you have space for the tree and all the rest.

TREASURE BOX

The perfect stash-all for anything and everything. Julian Bowen aspen solid pine storage bench, £169, Very

GOING UNDER

Make the most of underbed storage space with these soft, yet sturdy boxes. Fabric storage boxes, £22.99 for two, Beautify

FACE OFF

If your spare room is too poky for a dressing table, this is a great alternative.

Hildia shelf mirror, £71.75, Lene Bjerre

DECEMBER 2019 | 113

Make it, love it!

FESTIVE CRAFTS May your Christmas be merry and bright with these colourful handmade ideas – they’re quick and easy to make, too!

PAPER STOCKING YOU WILL NEED Brown paper Zigzag scissors Patterned paper and fabric Glue Sewing machine Washi tape Ribbon Pom-poms

Try making 24 small stockings, filling with treats and stringing them up as an Advent calendar

1

Draw a stocking shape onto two pieces of thick brown paper or a large envelope and cut it out using zigzag scissors.

Cut out one piece of brightly coloured fabric for the toe and another piece for the heel.

Glue the heel and toe pieces in place onto one side of the brown paper stocking before machine stitching around the shape, leaving the top open.

Carefully fold over the top of the stocking by around 6cm.

Trim with two bands of ribbon or decorative washi tape.

Cut out two hearts from patterned paper or fabric, one slightly smaller than the other. Layer one heart on top of the other, punch a small hole at the top and thread through with ribbon.

Attach the ribbon and the hearts to the front of the stocking with tape.

Add a hanging loop at the back of the stocking, using ribbon or twine and finish the stocking with a string of decorative pom-poms in matching or contrasting colours.

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Find more creative projects to try this Christmas at idealhome.co.uk

114 | DECEMBER 2019

Great for using up fabric scraps

FESTIVE CRAFTS

MINI CRACKERS

These mini crackers make great decorations for your Christmas table or the tree

YOU WILL NEED Crêpe paper Scissors Cardboard tube Double-sided tape Small gift (for inside) Baker’s twine Patterned paper Buttons

1

Cut out a piece of crêpe paper three times the length and two times the width of a cardboard tube.

Roll the crêpe paper around the cardboard tube and secure with double-sided tape.

Push the gift inside the tube and pinch the paper together at each end.

Carefully tie the end with baker’s twine, then decorate with a band of patterned paper (or giftwrap offcuts), more twine and buttons.

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Decorate gift boxes with découpage paper and PVA glue. Strips of washi tape will hide seams

Write your own jokes or make and decorate crêpe paper hats to go in the crackers

FANCY JAM JARS YOU WILL NEED Jam jars, sterilised Crêpe or tissue paper Scissors and pencil Twine/ribbon Embellishments

1

Lightly draw around your jam jar lid onto the back of tissue or crêpe paper using a pencil, then draw another circle a few centimetres larger.

Make it

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Cut out, then neatly make 1cm snips around the edge.

Fill the jars with homemade jam, then screw the lid on tightly. Place the paper circle on top and smooth down the sides.

Secure the paper cover with ribbon or twine and tie in a bow. Add other embellishments like buttons, paper flowers, stamps and personalised tags.

You could even add a spoon, ready for the recipient to enjoy.

4

Whip up homemade jam and chutneys and gift in pretty jars

Make it

FESTIVE CRAFTS

GIFT VOUCHER ENVELOPES YOU WILL NEED Small square envelope Pencil Scissors Patterned paper Tape Ribbon Hot wax sealer (optional)

No need to buy an extra Christmas card for a voucher or gift card!

1

Open the envelope and use it as a template to draw around onto some patterned paper. Cut this out with scissors.

Fold the paper back into an envelope shape and pop your gift card inside. Secure with tape.

Cut a length of ribbon and wrap around the envelope (top to bottom), leaving an overlap so you can hang it up.

Secure the ribbon join with decorative tape or a hot wax seal just below the flap.

Personalise with the recipient’s name and hang on the tree.

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4

Make a mini tree by spraying twigs white and gluing on paper leaves

SAVE OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS AND GIFTWRAP TO MAKE PRETTY PAPER DECORATIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR

PINWHEEL GARLAND YOU WILL NEED Patterned paper Ruler and scorer Scissors Strong glue Ric-rac

1

Cut a square from a piece of patterned paper and use a ruler and scorer to mark and score equally spaced vertical lines. Repeat this step to make two more squares.

116 | DECEMBER 2019

2

Accordian-fold each piece of paper (fold one forward, then the next backwards, repeating until you get to the end).

Fold each concertina in half and glue the centre. Then glue all three folded pieces together to form a complete pinwheel.

Make more pinwheels the same way, in different sizes and paper prints. Glue to a length of ric-rac ribbon, alternating sizes and spacing equally. Dry, and deck the halls! Alternatively, glue onto sticks and pop in a vase for a decorative centrepiece.

3

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FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Layer up different sized pinwheels to adorn giftwrap

TIME AT HOME

Put on a veganspread!

Vegans have been fully catered for by M&S this Christmas with a fab range of dairy- and meat-free products.

Start with the light Mushroom Bao Buns, £7 for 12 – stuffed with a mushroom, soy and hoisin filling. For mains, the delicious Root Vegetable Tarte Tatin combines beetroot, caramelised onions and carrots in a scrummy rosemary vegan pastry.

Serve with the cheekily named No Pigs In Duvets, £3.50 for 12 and you’ll have everyone (vegans or otherwise) full and happy.

Root Vegetable Tart Tatin, £10, Marks & Spencer

CHEAT’S EATS!

Supermarket

FRUIT & NUT

Chocolate, Orange and Hazelnut Panettone, £15 for 750g, Marks & Spencer

3 of the best...

PANETTONES

NEWS

Already weary of all the Christmas-themed grub? Cauldron’s new individual Tex Mex Chilli Pies are the perfect alternative. Made with a cornbread crust (so much lighter in fat than a traditional pie), they’re stuffed with chunky veg, red kidney beans, tomatoes and a smoky chipotle sauce. Each pie serves one.

Cauldron Tex Mex Chilli Pie, £2.50 for 200g, Sainsbury’s

The tastiest treats, speediest meals and coolest kit in your trolley this month

Hang some edible decs on your tree Whether you’re looking for a unique gift for friends or family or just want another reason to indulge over the festive period, you can’t go wrong with Chococo’s new edible baubles.

Available in four flavours – two of which are vegan and dairy-free – each bauble comes filled with four individual gem-shaped chocolates nestled within the fully recyclable, plastic-free packaging.

BOOZY CENTRE Panettone allo Spritz, £19.95 for 950g, Carluccio’s

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

Cook it

VEGAN OPTION

Mindful Bites Classic Veganettone, £8.99 for 500g, Ocado

Vegan Milc Bauble, £12.50 for 150g; Gold Bauble, £11 for 150g; Dorset Sea Salt Caramel Bauble, £11 for 150g; Cocoa Beans Bauble, £11 for 150g, all Chococo

TAKE IT EASY THIS YEAR AND ORDER EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER FROM GOUSTO, FOR £36.97, PLUS £5.99 PER PERSON DECEMBER 2019 | 117

Serve a memorable

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Pull out all the stops and create a delicious meal for family and friends to feast upon

EASY CARVE

SPOIL-YOURSELF TURKEY CROWN TAKES 2HR 15MIN, PLUS RESTING SERVES 6 75g butter, at room temperature 1tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 1tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to garnish 1 garlic clove, crushed Zest of 1 lemon, plus ½ lemon, cut into 4 2.5kg turkey crown 1 onion, peeled and quartered 250ml white wine 2tbsp olive oil

1

Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/ Gas 5. Combine the butter, rosemary,

118 | DECEMBER 2019

thyme, garlic and lemon zest. Season with black pepper. Make a pocket between the skin and the turkey breast. Rub the butter under the skin. Put in a roasting tin.

Put the lemon and onion inside the cavity. Pour the wine and a cup of water into the tin. Rub the bird with oil.

Roast, uncovered, for 30min. Baste, cover with a loose tent of foil, and cook for a further 1hr, basting every 20min (you may need to add another cup of

2 3

water to the tray to ensure there are plenty of juices for the gravy. Increase oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6, remove the foil and cook for a further 20-30min.

To check the crown is cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of the turkey and press. If juices don’t run clear, cook for a further 15min and test again. Cover with foil and leave to rest for 20-30min before carving. Sprinkle over the thyme leaves to garnish.

4

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

MELTING GOAT’S CHEESE & BEETROOT SALAD TAKES 25MIN SERVES 6

NICE ‘N’ CHEESY

50g white breadcrumbs 2tsp snipped fresh chives 3 x 100g packs goat’s cheese, each sliced into 2 x 1.5cm-thick rounds 1 egg, beaten Sunflower oil 75g pecan halves 2tsp maple syrup Salad leaves, to serve FOR THE DRESSING 300g chilli marinated beetroot, roughly chopped 2 shallots, finely diced 2tbsp red wine vinegar 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 2

THESE WOULD ALSO WORK AS PART OF THE MAIN DISH AS A VEGGIE ALTERNATIVE TO ROAST TURKEY, JUST SERVE 2 PER PERSON

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

Combine the breadcrumbs and chives, and season. Dip each goat’s cheese round in the egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs to coat. Heat some oil in a deep frying pan and fry the goat’s cheese over a medium heat for 1-2min, turning halfway, until golden.

Mix together the dressing ingredients and season.

Toast the pecans. Season, and toss through the maple syrup.

Bake the goat’s cheese for 5min, until hot through. Serve with salad leaves and dressing.

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PAN-FRIED SCALLOPS WITH PANCETTA TAKES 20MIN SERVES 6 18 prepared 70g diced pancetta Zest of 1 scallops (if frozen, thawed) 2tbsp extra lemon, plus juice of ½ lemon Small bunch fresh chives, virgin olive oil Few sprigs flat-leaf parsley, leaves snipped 1 small celeriac, only FOR THE SLAW 2 pink-skinned peeled (about 600g) Juice of ½ lemon apples, halved and cored Small bunch fresh dill, roughly chopped 150g Greek yogurt 1tsp Dijon mustard

FANCY STARTER

1

Make the slaw by coarsely grating the celeriac. Squeeze out all of the liquid and put the celeriac into a bowl. Slice the apples thinly, mix with lemon juice and celeriac. Add the rest of the slaw ingredients. Season.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the pancetta and cook for 3-4min. Increase the heat, add the scallops and cook for 30-60sec each side, until opaque.

Add lemon zest and juice, olive oil and herbs, and season. Serve with the slaw.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 119

INDIVIDUAL MUSHROOM & TALEGGIO TARTS TAKES 25MIN SERVES 2 ½ x 375g pack ready-rolled puff pastry 1 egg, beaten 250g mixed mushrooms, sliced 15g salted butter ½tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 2tbsp sherry vinegar ½tbsp fresh thyme leaves 75ml double cream 75g taleggio cheese, cut into cubes

VEGGIE MAIN

1 2

Preheat the oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Cut the pastry in half.

Using a sharp knife, score a 1.5cm border around the edge of each rectangle of pastry, then brush each one with beaten egg. Bake for 10min until risen and golden brown.

Fry the mushrooms in the butter and olive oil on a high heat for 4-5min until golden. Stir in the garlic, sherry vinegar, thyme and cream, bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 1min.

Spoon the mushroom mix into the pastry cases and divide the cheese between them. Return to the oven for 5min until melted and warmed through. Serve immediately.

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SWITCH UP THE TALEGGIO FOR ANY CHEESE THAT MELTS – GRUYERE, RACLETTE OR BRIE WOULD ALL BE DELICIOUS ALTERNATIVES CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CHEESY CROUTONS TAKES 30MIN SERVES 6

SUPER SOUP

50g butter 1 large onion, roughly chopped 2 celery sticks, finely sliced 1kg cauliflower florets 2 bay leaves 500ml hot vegetable stock 500ml whole milk A little nutmeg, grated FOR THE CROUTONS 150g crustless white bread, cubed 40g butter, melted 40g Parmesan cheese, finely grated TO SERVE 6 rashers streaky bacon, grilled 100g crème fraîche 1tbsp snipped fresh chives

1

Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the onion and celery, and cook gently over a medium-low heat until soft. Add the cauliflower, bay leaves, stock, milk and nutmeg, and season. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, covered, for 20min, until the cauliflower is very tender.

Add the cream. Blitz until smooth.

To make the croutons, preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Toss the bread through the butter and Parmesan. Season and spread out on a lined baking tray. Bake for 5-10min until deep golden.

Serve the soup topped with croutons, chopped bacon, crème fraîche and chives.

2 3 120 | DECEMBER 2019

TIME AT HOME

Cook it

POSH SIDES

ALL-IN-ONE CABBAGE WITH CRANBERRIES & SUPER SPROUTS TAKES 45MIN SERVES 6 FOR THE CABBAGE 1 large onion, roughly chopped 800g red cabbage, cored and thinly sliced 2 large Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced 200g fresh or frozen cranberries 125g light brown sugar 3tbsp red wine vinegar 3 star anise Zest and juice of 2 oranges FOR THE SPROUTS 600g sprouts, washed and trimmed 100g bacon lardons 2 garlic cloves, finely

chopped chopped

1

50g blanched almonds, 1tbsp fresh thyme leaves

First, make the cabbage. Put all of the cabbage ingredients in a large, heavy-based pan with 50ml water.

Stir well. Cover and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30min. Uncover and keep simmering until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the star anise.

2

When the cabbage is nearly ready, prepare the sprouts. Cook the sprouts in boiling water for 2-3min or until almost tender. Drain and run under cold water. Cut into quarters.

In a large, dry frying pan, cook the lardons for 1-2min over a medium heat until starting to turn golden. Add the cooked sprouts, garlic, almonds and thyme. Stir for 2-3min until piping hot, season. Serve alongside the cabbage.

DECEMBER 2019 | 121

FIGGY PUDDING TAKES 5HR 30MIN, PLUS SOAKING SERVES 6 250g sultanas 250g dried figs, chopped 250g dried apricots, chopped Zest and juice of 1 lemon Zest and juice of 1 orange 100ml Amaretto 3 eggs 75g light muscovado sugar 75g softened butter, plus extra to grease 75g flaked almonds, toasted 50g self-raising flour 75g fresh white breadcrumbs 1tsp ground cinnamon 1tsp ground ginger 1tsp ground coriander Brandy butter, to serve

1

In a large container, mix together the dried fruit, lemon and orange zest and juice and the Amaretto. Leave to soak overnight or for up to 2 days.

Whisk together the eggs, sugar and butter, then stir in the fruit, almonds, flour, breadcrumbs and spices. Spoon the mixture into a greased 1.1L pudding basin. Cover with a sheet of pleated greaseproof paper, then a sheet of foil. Tie soaked string around the rim to secure the paper and foil in place, then attach a

2

TUTTI FRUTTI

122 | DECEMBER 2019

second length of string and secure in place to form a handle.

Sit an upturned, heatproof saucer in a large pan and put the pudding on top. Fill the pan halfway with boiling water. Cover and simmer very gently for 5hr, topping up with water if necessary. Serve the pudding immediately, drizzled with a little melted brandy butter. Alternatively, cool and store in the fridge for up to a week, then reheat just before serving on the big day. Sparklers, optional.

3

TIME AT HOME

PERFECT BITE

Cook it

ALL-BUTTER MINI MINCE PIES TAKES 35MIN MAKES 24 Butter, for greasing Plain flour, for dusting 500g allbutter, ready-made shortcrust pastry Zest of 1 orange 450g good-quality mincemeat 1 egg, beaten Icing sugar, to dust

1 2

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Lightly grease 2 x 12-hole bun tins and dust with flour.

Roll out the pastry onto a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thick. Cut out 24 rounds using a floured 5-6cm fluted or plain cutter. Transfer the pastry rounds to the tin and press into the holes.

Re-roll the pastry offcuts.

Cut out 24 pastry tops using star-shaped or Christmas tree-shaped cutters.

Stir the orange zest through the mincemeat and spoon into the pastry cases. Top with the Christmas pastry shapes, brush with a little beaten egg and transfer to the oven for 12-15min or until golden. Leave to cool slightly, then dust with icing sugar to serve.

3 4 DON’T TRY TO ROLL PASTRY STRAIGHT FROM THE FRIDGE. GIVE IT AT LEAST 15MIN AT ROOM TEMPERATURE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO WORK CHOCOLATE, GINGER & PISTACHIO TORTE TAKES 1HR 10MIN, PLUS COOLING SERVES 16

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

510g dark chocolate, broken into squares 250g butter, cut into 8 pieces 6 eggs, whites and yolks separated 200g golden caster sugar 100g pistachios 4 balls stem ginger, finely chopped 1-2tbsp each cocoa powder and icing sugar, to dust

1 2

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/ Gas 4. Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.

Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg yolks and sugar together for 5min, until the mixture is pale. Stir through the melted chocolate, pistachios and ginger.

In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks and gently fold through the chocolate mixture.

Spoon the torte mixture into a parchment-lined 23cm-wide tin and bake for 45min. Remove the torte from the oven and allow to cool. To serve, dust with cocoa powder and icing sugar. For a special festive touch, cut some stars out of a piece of paper and use as a stencil for dusting the icing sugar.

3 4

GLUTEN FREE

DECEMBER 2019 | 123

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This stunning image of a brown hare (aka Canute*) taken by Thetford (Norfolk) amateur photographer James Cutts has proved a hit on social media.

Where to

SHOP

Find out where to get your favourite buys in this issue

A

Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Architect Your Home 0800 051 5304 architect-yourhome.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Asos asos.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balsam Hill 01234 227155 balsamhill.co.uk Bathroom City 0121 753 0700 bathroomcity.co.uk Benchmarx Kitchens benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Big Little Toys 07802 331431 biglittletoys.com Biscuiteers 0870 458 8358 biscuiteers.com Bobby Rabbit 01143 217000 bobbyrabbit.co.uk Britton Bathrooms 01322 473222 brittonbathrooms.com Carluccio’s 020 7580 3050 carluccios.com Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Charnwood 01983 537777 charnwood.com Chococo 01929 421777 chococo.co.uk Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 clarke-clarke.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Crown 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cuisinart 0870 240 6902 cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Currys 0344 561 0000 currys.co.uk Cyberjammies cyberjammies.co.uk Danetti 020 3588 1380 danetti.com Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Desenio 020 3318 2047 desenio.co.uk DFS 0808 271 6297 dfs.co.uk Dibor 0800 408 0660 dibor.co.uk Dobbies Garden Centres 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com eBay ebay.co.uk Etsy etsy.com Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com

B

C

D

EF

128 | DECEMBER 2019

First 4 Hampers 0870 011 0673 first4hampers.com Flying Tiger flyingtiger.com Formahouse 020 8646 3883 formahouse.co.uk French Connection Home 0333 400 3285 frenchconnection.com Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 furniturevillage.co.uk Galerie Wallcoverings 01892 700730 galeriehome.co.uk Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk George Barnsdale 01775 823000 georgebarnsdale.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 george.com Getting Personal gettingpersonal.co.uk Ginger Ray 0845 680 2975 gingerray.co.uk Gisela Graham 020 7708 4956 giselagraham.co.uk GMC Books gmcbooks.com Gousto 020 3011 1002 gousto.co.uk Graham & Brown 0800 168 3795 grahambrown.com Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk H&M Home 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 hobbycraft.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk HomeSense 01923 473561 homesense.com Hudson Reed hudsonreed.co.uk Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk Instax 01234 217724 instax.co.uk Jane Clayton & Company 01761 404505 janeclayton.co.uk JD Williams 0871 231 2000 jdwilliams.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com Joules 0345 250 7160 joules.com Karndean Designflooring 01386 820100 karndean.com La Redoute 0800 096 6888 laredoute.co.uk Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Laughing Dog 0800 098 8057 laughingdogfood.com Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com Lene Bjerre 0045 96 71 21 00 lenebjerre.com Lights4Fun 01423 816040 lights4fun.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com

G

H

IJ

KL

Loaf 0345 468 0697 loaf.com Lusso Stone 020 3370 4057 lussostone.com Made.com 0344 257 1888 Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000 melodymaison.co.uk Meri Meri 01242 575868 shopmerimeri.co.uk Milagros 020 7613 0876 milagros.co.uk National Theatre Bookshop 020 7452 3456 shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk National Trust Shop 0300 123 2025 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Neptune 01793 427300 neptune.com Next Home 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Nibbling nibbling.co.uk Noa & Nani 01303 872957 noaandnani.co.uk Nordic House 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk notonthehighstreet.com 020 3318 5115 Notonthehighstreet.com Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 oakfurnitureland.co.uk Ocado 0345 656 1234 ocado.com Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Origin 0808 231 0160 origin-global.com Original Features 020 8348 5155 originalfeatures.co.uk Paperchase 020 3322 4788 paperchase.co.uk Papermash 0797 0945477 papermash.co.uk Particular Books penguin.co.uk Pets Pyjamas 020 3642 3161 petspyjamas.com Pipii 01342 823921 pipii.co.uk Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Poundland 0800 731 5622 poundland.co.uk Prezzybox 0844 249 5007 prezzybox.com Primark primark.co.uk Primrose 0118 903 5210 primrose.co.uk Red Candy 0121 224 7728 redcandy.co.uk Rex London 020 8746 2473 rexlondon.com River Island 0344 576 6444 riverisland.com Robert Dyas 0800 707 6677 robertdyas.co.uk Rockett St George 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

M

N

O P

R

Romo 01623 756699 romo.com Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Sainsbury’s 0800 328 1700 sainsburys.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636262 sainsburyshome.co.uk Sara Miller saramiller.london Scentered scentered.me Simply Bar Stools 0117 330 2277 simplybarstools.co.uk Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Sophie Allport 01778 560256 sophieallport.com Studio 0371 200 0378 studio.co.uk Style Library 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com Sunnylife uk.sunnylife.com Tesco 0800 505555 tesco.com The Contemporary Home 0845 130 8229 tch.net The Farthing 0844 567 2400 thefarthing.co.uk

S

T

Buy it Decadent decs in gold and jewel tones pop against a dramatic background

The Garden Furniture Centre 01564 793652 gardenfurniturecentre.co.uk The Little Crafty Bugs Company littlecraftybugs.co.uk The Original Bed Co 0800 464 0875 obc-uk.net The Rug Seller 0845 634 3477 therugseller.co.uk The School of Life 020 7833 1010 theschooloflife.com The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Thornback & Peel 020 7831 2878 thornbackandpeel.co.uk Tile Mountain 01782 223822 tilemountain.co.uk TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk Urban Cottage Industries 020 7193 2119 urbancottageindustries.com Urban Outfitters 0845 330 1288 urbanoutfitters.co.uk V&A Shop 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk/shop Very 0800 092 3355 very.co.uk Victoria Plum 0344 804 4848 victoriaplum.com Villa Nova 01623 756699 villanova.co.uk Vintage Playing Cards 01284 728930 vintageplayingcards.co.uk Vonhaus 0161 833 5442 vonhaus.com Wallpaper Direct 01323 430886 wallpaperdirect.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors.co.uk Waters Baths of Ashbourne 01332 824166 watersbaths.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk West Elm 0800 404 9780 westelm.co.uk White Stuff 020 3752 5360 whitestuff.com Wickes 0330 123 4123 wickes.co.uk Wild & Wolf 01225 789909 wildandwolf.com Wilko 0800 032 9329 wilko.com William Wood Mirrors 01565 651328 williamwoodmirrors.co.uk Wren Kitchens 0345 127 7008 wrenkitchens.com Yester Home 01746 710777 yesterhome.com Zara Home 0800 026 0091 zarahome.com

U V

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YZ EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS

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EDITORIAL Editorial Director Vanessa Richmond 020 3148 7335 Group Creative Director Georgia Hibberdine 020 3148 7342 Executive Editor Heather Young 020 3148 7326 Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry 020 3148 7180 Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers 020 3148 7313 Associate Editor Ginevra Benedetti 020 3148 7347 Style Editor Michela Colling 020 3148 7355 Houses Editor Ruth Corbett 020 3148 7330 Decorating Editor Nicky Phillips 020 3148 7346 Senior Features Editor Stephanie Durrant 020 3148 6218 Features Editor Holly Walsh 020 3148 7353 Head Of Art Operations Alison Walter 020 3148 7113 Deputy Art Director Emma Jackson 020 3148 7338 Acting Art Editor Hannah Bennewitz 020 3148 7343 Senior Designers Christina McQuillan, Katie Harris Designer Charlotte Holland Group Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor Sarah Farley Head Of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub-Editor Amy Hodge Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Jennie Filer Senior Sub-Editor Linda Blakemore Senior Sub-Editor Chloe Hay General Enquiries 020 3148 7154 ADVERTISING Publisher and Head Of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara Advertisement Manager Sharon Goode 020 3148 7631 International/Luxury Account Manager Carol Bunce 020 3148 7620 London Sales Manager Ruth Roscorla 020 3148 7639 Inserts Canopy Media Sales and Management 0845 544 1857 Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett 020 3148 2511 Homes Digital Director Ellie Naber 020 3148 4253 REGIONAL ADVERTISING Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720 Insert Sales Manager Katherine Brown 07464 544375 Regional Digital and Creative Media Director Lucy Gugas 0161 601 3734 MARKETING, PR & DIGITAL Head of Marketing Sian Cupid 020 3148 6487 Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms 020 3148 6239 SUBSCRIPTIONS Senior Subscriptions Manager Anita Baghapour 020 3047 1985 One-year full subscription rate (12 issues), including p&p: UK £28.99 Europe €31.99 USA $41.99 Rest of world £27.99. Credit-card hotline (UK) 0330 333 1113 Overseas enquiries +44 (0)330 333 1113 email help@magazinesdirect.com CIRCULATION Senior Circulation Executive Natasha Brewer 020 3787 9093 PRODUCTION Editorial Production Manager Nicola Tillman Deputy Editorial Production Manager Clare Willetts 020 3148 7892 Art Production Designers Noel Allen, Sarah Llewellyn Advertisement Production Co-ordinator Nicholas Liermann Production Manager John Botten 020 3148 5431 Production Operations Director Richard Hill 020 3148 5424 Syndication Efi Mandrides 020 3148 5485 PUBLISHING Group Managing Director Angela O’Farrell EA to Group Managing Director Donna McConnell 020 3148 5651 Client Investment Director Sian Roberts 020 3148 6778 PRINTING Repro by Rhapsody Cover and Text printed by Walstead UK Limited BACK ISSUES Visit mags-uk.com Ownable is a partnership between TI Media Ltd and Seen in Print Ltd

DECEMBER 2019 | 129

Love it

LOOK WHAT YOU STYLED

@in_the_house_that_we_live’s organised hallway is perfect for welcoming guests

Those hanging stars make @subtlequirk’s daughter’s bedroom feel magical

We are absolutely swooning over that oversized wreath @life_with_holly

This month we’re loving

#SAHSTYLISTS

There’s no better place for interiors inspo than our Insta hashtag – add your pics and tag @styleathomemag to join in

Christmas is all about gorgeous little styling moments @marharmother

@littlestonecottageonthill shows us how modern country style is done

Style At Home fave @agi_at_59’s living space is super inviting

@vicandmaisie’s living room is so elegant with those to-die-for panelled walls

@inside_no_53’s bedroom couldn’t feel any cosier with its faux fur and candles

We’re with @_charlottesweeting_ when it comes to going all-out with fairy lights

130 | DECEMBER 2019

Playtime made portable.

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