Innholdsfortegnelse for 12/01/2015 i Ideal Home

…make yourself a cuppa, put on your snuggle in fluffiest slippers and – we’ve got all you need to get set for the big magical mood day. Create a with seasonal buys (page 12), turn a kids’ bedroom into an enchanted grotto (page 20) and discover a new decorating theme with our round-up of this year’s Christmas trends (page 31). We’ve got your gift list covered with our guide to the best presents for under £50 (page 36), find out how to give your home an elegant for country look a relaxed Christmas (page 101) and don’t miss our recipes for our favourite on festive tipples page 167. Cheers! a…

Clear winner Fill with lights, sweets or snowy decorations for a bespoke display Glass Christmas jars, £40 each, Cox & Cox Animal magic Go for a forest feel with a trio of creatures Woodland scene glass bauble, £3.50, Tesco Direct Hats off Add a touch of glitter with this smart chap Penguin in a globe, £5, Marks & Spencer Hello Santa For a rustic look Light-up scene, £12, The Contemporary Home Let it snow Shake it up for a magical moment Snow globe, £22, Laura Ashley Golden rules Let this dashing deer add the Midas touch Tree and deer dome, £19, Monsoon Festive find Sure to be a classic year after year Glass dome decoration, £3.50, Tesco Direct White out Update a snow globe with a cool bark-effect base Deer’s…

Having produced 15 million mugs after the first ones left the production line in 1985, Emma Bridgewater is incredibly proud to be still running her successful business producing unique pottery and homeware. Set up after Emma tried unsuccessfully to find a birthday present for her mother, the company now produces some of the most recognisable pottery designs on the market. ‘I was looking for a special cup and saucer for my mum’s dresser, but just couldn’t find anything I liked,’ explains Emma. ‘I realised that there was a gap in the market for pottery that was both beautiful and practical.’ Today, the company is run by Emma and her husband Matthew Rice, a painter, designer and author. Emma is responsible for the brand’s signature spongeware patterns, while Matthew works on…

Fosted fairytale Icy iridescence, hints of pale pink and a sprinkling of glitter will create a winter wonderland Sugar coated Hang a few frosty decorations on the tree Frosted glass bauble in Copper, £2, John Lewis Time to reflect Mix it up with pretty textured decorations Pink metallic bauble, £2.50, Next Fabulous flake There’s no such thing as too much sparkle Sequin-detail snowflake, £5.95, Gisela Graham range, Selfridges Cracking time No Christmas dining table is complete without crackers Silver snowflake crackers, £25 for 10, House of Fraser Glow on Candlelight will create a magical atmosphere Decorative honeycomb glass candle holder, £7.99, The Christmas Boutique Welcome home It’ll twinkle beautifully in the winter sun White sparkly wreath, £40, The Contemporary Home Top table Use this sculptural decoration as a striking centrepiece…

BOUGHT FOR £435,000 SPENT £15,000 NOW WORTH £495,000 THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom town house in Edinburgh, built in 2008. The owners bought it in May 2012. WHAT IT COST Decorating.................................£3,500 Furniture.....................................£6,000 Carpets.......................................£4,000 Furnishings and accessories................................£1,500 TOTAL......................£15,000 WHO LIVES HERE Jennifer Wilson and her husband James. Jennifer owns an online homeware boutique and James works in advertising. THE LOOK Smart, yet simple, with luxurious finishes and unique wallpapers for understated elegance. LESSONS LEARNED “The pale tiled flooring downstairs marks so easily. I’d choose something more forgiving next time.”…

BOUGHT FOR £825,000 SPENT £15,000 NOW WORTH £975,000 THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, detached house, built in 1926, in a seaside suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. The owners bought it in October 2012. WHO LIVES HERE Lesley Pennington and her husband Fredrik, with Fredrik’s twin sons, Björn and Emil, 21, and the couple’s daughter, Zoe, 13. Lesley is the founder and chief executive officer of a textiles company, and Fredrik works in marketing. THE LOOK Stylish Scandi comfort, with a mixture of antiques and mid-century classics, set against bleached timber floors, rustic wood cladding and a white-and-pale-grey scheme. LESSONS LEARNED “Pick out a limited palette of colours and use repeatedly. In our house, the strongest threads are red and green.”…

MISTLETOE & TWINE Give traditional materials a refined update Osamu Hazlenut fabric (background), £54 per m, Harlequin. IM1849 flooring, £19.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. Tree decorations, both from a selection, Gisela Graham. Star wreath, £4.99, Dobbies Garden Centres. 2088/33 fabric, £60 per m, Villa Nova. For a similar saucer, try the espresso saucer, £3, John Lewis. London Stone Estate Emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Side plate, £10; Stanton cutlery, £95 for a 16-piece set; all The White Company. Lucia napkin, £4.99, LinenMe. Tag, £3.50 for eight, Rastall & Daughters. Ribbons, from a selection, Berisfords Ribbons. Biscuits, £1.49 for 100g, Ocado PLAYFUL PRINTS Layer colourful motifs for a fun effect Sisal Fine Boucle flooring, from £36.50 per sq m, Kersaint Cobb & Company. G23104 wallpaper, £29.95 per roll, Wallpaperdirect.…

Creating the right mood for a relaxing, classic Christmas can be easy if you use the right ingredients. To conjure up a festive scheme that’s soothing yet still looks magical, keep brightly coloured baubles, bold wrapping paper and kitsch ornaments packed away and stick to a simpler style. CHOOSE A COLOUR Use a couple of shades for decorations, giftwrap and ribbons. Muted and matt tones will bring a subtle elegance – try old gold with chocolate or pewter and dusky rose. PICK SIMPLE SHAPES This isn’t the look for tons of tinsel, clusters of shiny baubles or Santa pictures. Instead, include subtle country motifs, such as hearts and stars. GO NATURAL Nothing beats the evocative smell of pine trees and eucalyptus, so make the most of nature’s bounty and include…

1 Smart choice Textured foil designs are a subtle way to add glamour to a room Muriva Foil texture gold effect, £18 per roll, B&Q 2 Add sparkle A classic-style design with a silver-foil finish Damask Foil, £32 per roll, Albany range, Wallpaperdirect 3 Bold blooms Create a dramatic look Botanic Charcoal/Gold, £20 per roll, Kelly Hoppen range, Graham & Brown 4 Geometric glam Go for a delicate motif Sussex, £58 per roll, Designers Guild range, John Lewis 5 Modern twist An elegant new take on traditional damask Alexander Gold, £44 per roll, Laura Ashley 1 Out of Africa An intricate Moorish design with soft, subtle metallic tones Xilia Lovat, £50 per roll, Orvieto Wallcoverings collection, Romo 7 Striking gold Simple yet glamorous Ocelot Ombre W6547-02, £59 per roll, Eden…

Try it with… CHOCOLATE BROWN Layer different shades of brown on walls, flooring and fabrics for country-club style Pale fawn A chalky shade True Taupe Absolute Matt Emulsion, £37 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene Soft touch Mix tactile textures Cranberry velvet, £40 per m, Neptune Check it Woollen wonder Reflection in Mocha U1117/ D03, £49.95 per m, Abraham Moon & Sons Try it with… MONOCHROME For a contemporary take on country style, stick to a striking palette of red, black and white, and team checked fabrics with a rustic-effect wallpaper Plaid and proud Go for a bold choice Quirky Fling in Natural, £99.84 per sq m, Alternative Flooring Forest lodge Distressed effect Peeling Planks wallpaper, £48 per roll, Clarke & Clarke Rich red Add deep colour Radicchio Estate Emulsion,…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, five-storey converted 1870s stone water tower in Lymm, Cheshire. WHO LIVES HERE Russell and Jannette Harris, with their children, James, 25, and Sophie, 20. Russell is a TV presenter/ producer and Jannette is a production co-ordinator. WHAT THEY DID The couple restored the listed tower and built a two-storey wraparound modern extension. WHAT IT COST The Harrises paid £138,000 for the tower in 1997 and have spent more than £750,000 restoring and extending the building, which is now worth more than £2 million.…

Bespoke units, £15,000; solid-oak worktop, £1,020; red glass splashback, £348; all Dale Penney Furniture. For similar worktops, try the Compac 30mm quartz worktop, £408 per sq m, Henderstone. For similar floor tiles, try the Ancient Fortress Corfe, £49.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors. 26 sink, £192; 45 sink, £322; both Cisterna range, Villeroy & Boch. Belfast tap, £299, Franke. PRO3-VAQ Basic boiling water tap, from £850, Quooker. For a similar extractor, try the ELIPLANE80, £230, Elica range, Appliances Direct. Total Control 3 range cooker, from £10,695; DxD stainless-steel fridge-freezer, £2,650; both Aga. Island painted in Pugin Red eggshell, £50.35 for 2.5ltr, Dulux range, Designerpaint. Wall units painted in New White Estate Eggshell, £53 for 2.5ltr; kitchen walls painted in Pointing Estate Emulsion; garden room walls painted in Dimity Estate…

For similar units, try the Metod with Ringhult white doors, from £74 for a W600mm base unit; Lansa handles, £4.50 for two; for a similar worktop, try the Fyndig, from £20 for L1,260mm; all Ikea. Olympus tap, £350, Franke range, Plumbworld. For a similar ceramic sink, try the RL304 CW, £130, Reginox range, Tradingdepot.co.uk. For a similar double oven, try the U14M42N3GB, £599, Neff range; for a similar hob, try the SE2951TC2, £569, Smeg range; for a similar cooker hood, try the Circus HE90, £659, Elica range; all Appliancecity.co.uk. For a similar built-in microwave, try the HMT75M551B, £299; for a similar dishwasher, try the Series 6 SMS63M22GB; £439; both Bosch range, Ao.com. For a similar splashback, try the Matrix Ice, £120 for 600mm x 750mm, Topps Tiles. For similar floor…

Cool shade Keep it simple with a plain white pendant Tibbon white pendant ceiling light, £35, B&Q Fantastic fake Get the look of wood for less with this easy-to-install luxury vinyl click floor White wash oak-effect luxury vinyl click flooring, £25 per sq m, B&Q Hot choice Eight cooking functions and a 57ltr capacity Single multifunction oven CLSMO-60, £260, Cooke & Lewis range, B&Q Swan song Echo the curved cabinet with this sleek-looking tap Saru pull-down tap, £98, B&Q…

Whether you want an unfussy kitchen with simple units or you fancy a modern design that won’t date in the future, B&Q has a number of options, including the new Cooke & Lewis Raffello kitchen. Available in five different colours – Anthracite (shown), Aubergine, Cream, Red and White – this high-gloss range is the perfect choice for an urban home. Dress it up The Raffello Slab Anthracite high-gloss kitchen features flat-fronted doors and drawers, which you can team with the handle of your choice. In this dark-grey colourway, the units fit in well with the popular industrial trend. You can decide to keep the look clean and uncluttered, with smart, streamlined, fitted appliances, dark worktops and minimal accessories, or you could make a real statement with a bold contrast, such…

WHAT IT COST Shower...............................£677Drainage gulley...............£233Basin...................................£350Basin mixer.........................£125Specialist plastering....£2,700Tiles....................................£300Radiator..............................£100Cabinet..............................£200 TOTAL...............£4,685 Moving into their Arts and Crafts house seven years ago, Ruth and Paul Rodgers had big plans for the bathroom. ‘It had been redesigned in the Eighties and, apart from being very old-fashioned, the woodwork was rotten, the shower was a dark, dank cubicle and there was an impractical three-quarter-size bath,’ says Ruth. The couple decided to dispense with the bath and, inspired by Italian design, made plans for a luxurious wetroom instead. Ruth had seen the finish she wanted for the walls in the lobby of an advertising company. ‘Venetian polished plaster has a marble-like lustre that looks like crushed velvet and feels like glass,’ she says. ‘We chose a deep chocolate brown, which shows off the white basin and chrome…

With Christmas just around the corner, the race is on to get our homes spruced up and ready for visitors. Perhaps your kitchen floor is an eyesore, you’d like to redo a downstairs loo or an en suite isn’t quite complete – whatever your plans, a visit to Topps Tiles will provide all the practical advice and inspiration you need to make improvements with confidence. Try out different looks With the biggest selection of quality tiles sourced from around the world, Topps Tiles is sure to have the perfect choice for your project. Whether you’re sure of the style you want or don’t know where to start, it’s worth trying the Tile Visualiser facility in store or at toppstiles.co.uk. Simply pick a room that looks as close in layout to…

COURGETTES Follow the red-cabbage method, adding 1tsp turmeric to the jar. These go well with crumbly Cheddar cheese. GARLIC CLOVES Peel the cloves but don’t slice them, leave them whole, then follow the onion-rings method. Pickled garlic is delicious as a topping on pizza. CUCUMBER Use a potato peeler to cut thin, delicate ribbons, then follow the red-cabbage method. It’s tasty with smoked salmon and some fresh dill. CARROTS Cut carrots into matchsticks, add strips of fresh ginger and follow the onion-rings method. Try adding to stir-fries. Tip To sterilise jars, wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse them, then place on their sides (without the rubber seals) in the oven at 120°C for 20 minutes WATCH OUR CHRISTMAS IDEAS VIDEOS AT housetohome.co.uk/christmas…

ESSENTIAL KIT Kitchen towel Microfibre cloths Newspaper/towels Feather duster Soft-brush vacuum attachment Glass cleaner 1 GET THE BASICS RIGHT Always ensure a light is switched off before cleaning it – unplug from the wall socket for a lamp and turn off ceiling lights at the fuse box. Let bulbs cool before removing them. 2 DEAL WITH PENDANTS Remove glass and plastic shades, and soak in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes. Wash gently, rinse and dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Polish the fitting and bulb with a dry microfibre cloth. 3 CLEAN CHANDELIERS Place newspaper or towels under the chandelier and stuff some kitchen towel into the sockets to keep them dry. Dust the fitting, spray with glass cleaner, then leave to drip-dry. 4 TACKLE LAMPSHADES Wipe beaded shades…

To-do list for DECEMBER EAT a slice of Classic Gran Galup panettone, £16.90 for 1kg, Natoora. It’s light and fluffy, and makes a delicious alternative to rich fruit cake. DRINK Les Pionniers NV Champagne, £16.99, The Co-operative. Made by Piper Heidsieck Champagne house, it’s a regular award-winner. TREAT someone to two new Little Leon books – Sweet Treats and Lunchbox (£6.99 each, Conran), from Leon. They’ll be great stocking fillers for a foodie. Try a new taste... HONEYCOMB Also known as hokey-pokey or cinder toffee, honeycomb is crunchy, bubbly textured toffee. Crumble it over ice cream for a delicious topping, or give chunks of it as a gift – simply pop a few plain or chocolate-dipped pieces into vintage tins or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. HOW…

Make a knockout statement with a tub-grown tree known for its winter bark. The Himalayan silver birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii) has shimmering white stems, while the peeling bands on the bark of the Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula) is beautifully tactile. But my favourite for winter bark is the snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora), with its patchwork of creamy white and pink bark. Pot one up in a large tub on a patio or drive. Buy a tall, multi-stemmed one and position it to catch the waning winter sunshine – fairy lights entwined in the stems will show them off even more. Tom Hart Dyke is a horticulturalist, plant hunter and creator of The World Garden of Plants in Kent…

British lifestyle brand Joules creates covetable clothing for women, men and children that’s both practical and fun to wear. So if you love its bright floral wellies or gilets in can’t-miss-me colours, you’ll be pleased to know that the company’s uplifting style is now available as exciting and eclectic homeware. The collection showcases Joules’s passion for distinctive design and attention to detail, and will bring life and colour to your home in the same way as its clothing does to wardrobes. The statement bed linen, cushions, crockery and tea towels offer a fresh take on country style, with dynamic patterns and nostalgic prints in bold, vibrant colours that will instantly give a boost to almost any interior. Heritage-inspired prints have been given a modern update and used on duvet covers…

Starter model EA8150 , Krups GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Designed with newbies in mind, the menu is easy to navigate and it tells you when to run cleaning and descaling programmes’ Barista style The Oracle , Sage by Heston Blumenthal GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘This does almost everything automatically, including dosing the coffee and frothing the milk’ Creamy cappuccinos Autentica Cappuccino , De’Longhi GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘It’s the best at texturing milk, and the carafe cleans itself. Just need a caffeine hit? It makes extra-large double espressos’…

WHAT ARE THEY? Listening to music in every room used to mean one of three things – having an expensive audio system installed, wearing a Walkman at all times or turning up the hi-fi to ‘11’. But thankfully for your bank balance, social skills and neighbours, you can now get yourself a multi-room system. Place its wireless speakers around your home and you can connect to them to send a single song to one or more speakers at the same time. Some systems also let you play different music in different rooms, all controlled by just one smartphone or tablet. WHAT DO I NEED? You can start out with just a single speaker and add as you go, but be aware that systems often aren’t cross-compatible with other brands, and…

With Christmas on the way, I’ll be getting prepared, creating a beautiful mess with the kids and planning a get-together. ENJOYING THE RUN-UP As with any holiday, I enjoy the planning of Christmas as much as the event itself. I’ll gladly sacrifice my precious weekend sofa time to throw myself into a whirl of organising. Anything that requires lists generally makes me happy and Christmas inspires a lot of them! I’ll make sure the house is sparkling, dealing with dusty skirting and corner cobwebs that I don’t mind living with the rest of the year, just because I know Ma Richmond notices these things. I’ll add whisky to my Ocado order with Pa Richmond in mind and put a reminder in my phone to buy both the Radio Times and…

THE STORY SO FAR Traditional white marble has been a key trend for some time, but it’s coloured marble and the swirling layers of malachite, onyx and agate that keep cropping up in high-end design for furniture, accessories and wallcoverings. WHERE WE’VE SEEN IT Ahead of the trend was Fornasetti at Cole & Son, which launched its Malachite wallpaper in 2007. In 2013, Patricia Urquiola commemorated the Emilia earthquake with a collection of furniture and accessories made from layers of coloured marble and onyx unearthed by the disaster. The Albatre wallpaper design by Casamance followed in 2014, succeeded by the swirling marble-effect Makrana wallpaper from Harlequin this year. LATEST RELEASES Jonathan Adler has added malachite-effect accessories to his quirky collection. Tom Faulkner’s Siena side table and Gubi’s Gamfraseti series of…

ROSY RECEPTION Pick a radio that will pretty up a dresser as well as give great sound Rose and Bee mini retro DAB/FM radio, £79.95, Emma Bridgewater LAVISH LETTERING Choose a dramatic centrepiece for the Christmas Day table Medium Black Toast Feasting platter, £59.95, Emma Bridgewater CHEEKY CHAP Feel Christmassy with this design featuring the nation’s favourite bird Snowstorm Robin mug, £19.95, Emma Bridgewater REACH FOR THE STARS This blue-and-white china will bring sparkle to a festive feast Plate, from £12.95; baby mug, £13.95; Starry Skies range, Emma Bridgewater…

MAKE IT PERSONAL Great for neighbours, school teachers or work colleagues Monogrammed mugs, Anthropologie TAKE THE PLUNGE Know a coffee snob? Gift them this and a bag of their favourite beans Copper cafetière, Habitat IN THE FRAME For the friend that needs no excuse to get the festive party started Framed print, The White Company MADE FOR SHARING A loved-up, sweet-toothed couple will be made up with this mini dipping set Fondant set for two, Next GOING FOR GOLD These gold-rimmed plates are perfect for party nibbles or for hanging on the wall Gilded wordy side plates, West Elm COCKTAIL HOUR Help someone channel their inner bartender Copper cocktail shaker and tool set, Casa Couture range, House of Fraser TAKE NOTE These cute, uplifting cards will brighten up anyone’s day…

ASK SARAH WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME? ‘The view of the garden from the house, especially from the living room – even in winter, it’s really beautiful.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOME BUY AND WHY? ‘The ottoman in the living room, because it’s practical and beautiful. So many friends asked me to get one for them that I ended up selling them.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIORS SHOP? ‘The place I return to again and again, online and physically, is Baileys in Herefordshire. It sells vintage, country-style pieces and I love the way that the shop is laid out in different rooms.’ KITCHEN-DINER Cracking company Add some snap and sparkle at Christmas lunch Luxury silver crackers, Sainsbury’s Elegant curves Hang this over a table to give the dining area…

IDEAL Café chic Add some steel Tolix repro chair in white, Industrial Vintage range, The Orchard Home and Gifts In the details Choose industrial-look lighting with a striped cord and a powder-coated finish Ranarp floor lamp in off-white, Ikea Bench mark Fit extra people round the table Painted cross-leg dining bench (H46cm x W175cm x D34cm), Oxford range, The Cotswold Company Woodland charm Dot these lanterns around the room for a magical effect Small bark tealight holder, House of Fraser Accent stripe For a low-key festive feel, add a dash of red Red stripe linen cushion, Coastal Home Classic choice Go for an elegant sofa shape Snowdrop three-seater in Herringbone house linen cotton (H86cm x W215cm x D63cm), Sofa.com GREAT DEAL Vintage vibe A cream finish softens the look of…

IDEAL Tiers of joy Create an ambient glow with this china-shell light Pembridge pendant (diameter 34cm), Original BTC Little grey rabbit Pretty up a plain sofa Rabbit and polka dot cushion in Ivory linen, Urban Cuckoo Retro glow Add sparkle with vintage-look glass Mercury trio candle votives, Within Deco detail Introduce gorgeous understated glamour into a plain scheme Deco wallpaper in Concrete and Silver, Arkona collection, Harlequin Well cornered Zone your living space and create a relaxed area for chilling out Kasha right-arm corner sofa in grey fabric (H67cm x W279cm x D208cm), Habitat Space saver Choose a flexible arrangement Jacque extending clear-glass coffee table (H42cm x W80-120cm x D80cm), Dwell GREAT DEAL New leaf Add texture and sculptural detail Silvia shade in white (diameter 45cm), Vita Lighting range, Amara…

ASK LESLEY WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME? ‘Sunshine streams through the windows from morning until evening.’ DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN FIVE WORDS ‘Eclectic, celebrating beautiful textiles and design.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ONLINE INTERIORS SHOP? ‘Bukowskis Market (bukowskismarket.com/en). I love antiques, and it has things from the 19th and 20th centuries right up to the present day.’ WHAT’S YOUR DECORATING SECRET? ‘Decide on your colour palette, then play with it. Three to five colours are enough to hold a room together visually.’ WHAT INSPIRED YOUR STYLE? ‘The red of the roof, white of the timber cladding, green of the trees and grey-blue of the sea.’ BEDROOM Retro rocker Add a statement piece to a country scheme Charles Eames-style RAR rocking chair in white, Vita Interiors Tangerine dream Perk…

1 Choose your base colour Whether it’s flooring or a wall, the base colour will be the largest area of colour in your room, so place a generous sample of it onto your board. Including carpet samples will help you think about texture, too. 2 Add an accent tone A dramatic contrast or an accent just a few tones away from your base colour? Use your moodboard to play with options and layer it with swatches of fabric, scraps of wallpaper and paint colour charts. 3 Find the right accessories These will really set the tone in your room – go for ones that share an accent colour and stick to a single theme. Don’t mix styles, or your finished scheme will look messy rather than effortlessly eclectic.…

p 101 HALLWAY DECORATION AND FURNITURE Walls painted in Stony Ground Estate Emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. DP102 flooring, £55 per sq m; runner made in Wool Alluring Stripe Mousey/Cinnamon; border in Cotton Herringbone Down; from £121 per sq m; all Crucial Trading. Parkstead console, £859; Sash mirror, £255; both Oka. Bespoke garland (on stairs), from £150, Gardenia of London. Square pendant, from £426, Davey Lighting range, Original BTC. ON CONSOLE Pillar candle holders; mini Christmas trees; all £25 each; Twenty One candle, £35; Winter votive candle, £10; Hexagon tealight holder, £6; large Winter Botanical candle, £35; all The White Company. Mercury silvered tealight holder, £9.95 for three, Nordic House. Wooden calendar, £16.99; bleached willow twig wreath, £11.99; both Gisela Graham. Large Shimmer tealight holder, £5, Lombok.…

THE COMPANY Founded by Arthur Sanderson in 1860, Sanderson has become a household name in interior design, producing an extensive range of fabrics, wallpapers, bed linen, paint and tableware. Internationally renowned for its quintessentially English style, the collections today have evolved to encompass a broad range – from timeless and traditional classics to cutting-edge contemporary chic. THE NEW COLLECTION Inspired by global textiles and treasured objects brought back from adventures abroad, the new Sojourn collection provides a fresh approach on how to incorporate global patterns into our homes. The Starla wallpaper – available in cream and grey, and magenta and lime – features an Asian-style sunburst design, while the charming Boho Flowers fabric has a hand-crafted, folky feel. The classic paisley motif of the Jamila fabric is available in a…

Escape the seasonal hustle and bustle and create a calm, wintry retreat at home this Christmas. From festive furnishings and tableware to wreaths, baubles and Christmas decorations, you’ll find all you need to set the scene in the new Winter’s Tale collection at Sainsbury’s. Keep it calm Go for understated cool with a chic, silver and white scheme this Christmas. The essence of this look is found in the wintry outdoor landscape, with its snowy scenes, frosty finishes and icy palette. Snuggle in Warm up this wintry scheme with cosy textures and tactile finishes. The range includes accessories and touches of sparkle to help you pull the look together. Look to nature Take inspiration from nature when it comes to finishing touches – think rustic pine-cone wreaths, forest scenes and…

FLOOR HEATING-DIRECT 01887 822028; floorheatingdirect.co.uk floorheatingdirect.co.uk Supplying a wide range of both water and electric underfloor-heating systems, this company also has a tool on its website that lets you type in your flooring details and get instant costs. Prices from £330 for a 20sq m wet-system kit. HEAT MAT 01444 247020; heatmat.co.uk This leading manufacturer and distributor of electric underfloor heating also produces ultra-thin mats and systems for small areas. Prices start from £175 for 1.1sq m, excluding installation. NU-HEAT 01404 549770; nu-heat.co.uk Major suppliers of warm-water underfloor heating and integrated renewable systems, such as solar thermal energy and heat pumps. All systems are bespoke, but a single zone of 10sq m costs from £522. UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS 01905 616928; underfloorheatingsystems.…

A contemporary suspended fireplace makes a stunning feature in Russell and Janette’s open-plan living area. The Focus Gyrofocus wood-burning fire was from Diligence (01364 644790; diligenceinternational.com). Check with the supplier, an architect or structural engineer to ensure that your ceiling will be strong enough to bear the weight of this type of fire. A suspension plate should comply with building regulations and HETAS (hetas.co.uk) requirements, and will usually contain the insulated flue required for installation. A non-combustible hearth, at least 12mm thick, is required for suspended wood burners, and should extend 300mm all around the fire front.…

The Chesterton Solid Oak Classic kitchen from Cooke & Lewis has doors made from solid oak that has been carefully chosen for its quality, sustainability and unique character. Going for these mid-toned wood units will give your kitchen a warm and welcoming feel, while the simple style makes it a classic look that won’t date. As well as cabinet storage, the Chesterton Solid Oak Classic has the option of features such as an integrated plate rack and pull-out storage for bottles and jars. Bring it up to date While this kitchen is perfectly suited for a home decorated in a traditional style, it will also work well in a more contemporary interior. Simply team the wooden units with white worksurfaces, pale flooring and smart stainless-steel appliances to create a more…

Cool copper A low-cost way of adding high-end style Tezz brushed copper effect light shade, £18, Colours range, B&Q Get tough Create the perfect industrial vibe Colours grey modern stone-effect luxury vinyl click tile flooring, £25 per sq m, B&Q Black magic Team this stylish matt black sink with a white worktop Roso single bowl composite sink in Volcanic Black, £142, B&Q Pro style Go for industrial chic with this cool, curved design Tronto metallic black spring-neck tap, £78, Cooke & Lewis range, B&Q…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, Arts and Crafts house in Highgate, north London. WHO LIVES HERE Ruth and Paul Rodgers, with their daughter, Georgie, 19. Ruth is a journalist and Paul works in radio. WHAT THEY DID The couple gutted the existing bathroom and had a room within a room built, providing a seamless box in which to create a wetroom. THE LOOK Luxurious, with moody colours and rough and smooth textures. LESSONS LEARNED “We should have fitted a hand shower as well as an overhead one. It would have made cleaning the shower area a lot easier.” THE LAYOUT The basin is on the left of the room, as is the shower, which is opposite the window and is zoned off from the basin by a glass screen…

THE PROPERTY A new, five-bedroom detached house in Northampton, Northamptonshire, which the owners built themselves in 2011. WHO LIVES HERE Sam and Peter Cunningham, with their children, Zach, 14, and Grace, 12. WHAT THEY DID The couple spent 18 months building their house from scratch, taking the opportunity to create their ideal bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. THE LOOK Streamlined and minimalist, with statement tiling, curvy sanitaryware and plenty of storage space. LESSONS LEARNED It’s important to find a good designer who will visit your house and give you lots of ideas. THE LAYOUT The loo and a twin-basin vanity unit are to the left of the door. The bath is straight ahead, next to the walk-in shower in the corner…

• WALK THE PLANK Long floorboard-style tiles are big news this autumn, enhancing the rustic feel of wood-effect porcelains. • TRY FAUX STONE The Regional Reflections ceramic tiles mimic quarried stones, such as riven slate and sandstone, to stunning effect. • PICK A BOLD PATTERN Colourful, intricately decorated tiles are huge right now, mixing influences from all over the globe. On board Try mixing the three colourways Nayara Polished, £69.97 per sq m, Topps Tiles Rock star Inspired by limestone Regional Reflections Ashington, £59.99 per sq m, Topps Tiles Easy mix Each single tile has four motifs Stamford Tile, £67.60 per sq m, Topps Tiles…

Use this check list in the run-up to Christmas to get your home shipshape and fully functional before your first guests arrive. KITCHEN/DINING ROOM Do a stocktake of pots and pans to check you have everything you need to cook Christmas dinner. Work out the size of roasting tin you’ll need for the turkey, and that it will all fit in the oven. Audit crockery, cutlery and glasses. Dig out and launder seasonal table linen, so that it’s ready to use. Remove anything past its best from the fridge and give the fridge a good clean in preparation for refilling it. Check that you have enough tinfoil and clingfilm to cope with leftovers. Stock up on basics, such as tea, coffee, sugar, cereal and condiments – the stuff that gets…

Want to treat your party guests to a sophisticated tipple this holiday season? Frankie Snobel, mixologist and founder of cocktail company Tipplesworth, shares step-by-step instructions of how to make three delicious classics. All of these recipes make one cocktail. 1 CLASSIC MARTINI There are many claims on the invention of James Bond’s favourite tipple. Also referred to as a martinez or a martine in the past, the name ‘martini’ stuck in the 20th century, and this is what we all now call the classic combination of gin and dry vermouth. You will need • Martini glass • Ice • 50ml Sipsmith London dry gin • 10ml (2 barspoons/teaspoons) Blackdown Silverbirch vermouth • Strainer • 2 olives • Cocktail sticks How to make it  1 Chill the glass with some ice.…

Menu ALL RECIPES SERVE 6 STARTER Mushroom toasties MAINS Roast turkey with polenta stuffing Beetroot, potato and Taleggio gratin SIDES Chipolatas with bacon Roasted carrots and parsnips Perfect roast potatoes Sautéed sprouts, sugar snaps and beans Cranberry sauce DESSERT Extra-fruity Christmas pudding Roast turkey with polenta stuffing TAKES 10MIN, PLUS UP TO 4HR IN THE OVEN AND UP TO 1HR RESTING • 50g butter • 4.5-5.5kg turkey • 500g sausagemeat • 3tbsp chopped parsley • ½tsp chopped thyme • ½tsp chopped sage • 1tsp lemon juice • 1tsp finely grated lemon zest • 50g polenta • 2tbsp cranberry sauce • 250ml white wine • Bay leaves and sprigs of thyme, to garnish FOR THE GRAVY • 3tbsp plain flour • 4tbsp brandy • 850ml turkey or vegetable stock 1 Preheat…

Sorbus ‘Wisley Gold’ Planting as a statement specimen tree in a small garden. Its prolific berries offer strong autumn colour. Sorbus ‘Eastern Promise’ With its upright habit and oval crown, this sorbus has white flowers in spring, followed by bright, rose-pink berries. Coastal and other exposed areas. It thrives as a street tree, tolerating different soils and weather conditions. Sorbus ‘Sunshine’ Has an open canopy of feathery leaves and clusters of delicate flowers that attract nectar-seeking insects in spring. Adding drama and helping to lift a dark area. Its light canopy and berries are stunning offset against the reddish stems. Its branches form a wide, loose canopy, with sprays of small, white flowers followed by long-lasting yellow berries.…

Play away Blufiniti Bluetooth speaker, Otone Tiny but certainly not tinny, this water-bottle-sized speaker streams music for up to 10 hours per charge and connects with one tap Tough love Phone or tablet case, Case Station This robust design is less prone to fading or cracking. Personalise yours with a photo or pick one of the many fantastic designs available* Mighty mouse Francesca Fox wireless mouse, Play collection, Logitech Put some fun into homework with this wireless mouse. Francesca works with most PCs and Macs All about the bass Smile Jamaica Mint in-ear headphones, House of Marley If you like your bass booming, these ecoconscious wooden earphones are a good option and a portion of each sale goes to the 1Love charity FACT! Vinyl album sales are up a staggering…

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This offer is valid from 9am on 27 October 2015 until 11.59pm on 8 December 2015. This offer can be redeemed online at joules.com by entering code IDELAH20 and in store at Joules UK stores (excluding concessions) by presenting the code at the checkout. The 20% discount will be applied at the checkout online or in store. This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other Joules offer or discount, or on sale items. Additionally, the discount cannot be redeemed against postage costs nor used to buy Joules gift vouchers. This offer may only be redeemed once, is redeemable against full-priced items only and may not be redeemed against any items already purchased. There is no cash alternative. This offer is subject to availability, while…

BY PHONE To see if you have won, call 0906 174 9357. Calls cost £1.50 per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and should last no longer than two minutes. Have your lucky number ready when you call us. BY TEXT To see if you have won, text IHA followed by a space and your lucky number (for example, IHA 1234567) to 82772. Texts cost £3 plus your standard network charges. When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and Ideal Home magazine. If you’d prefer not to, please end your text with NO INFO. BY POST To see if you have won, write your seven-digit lucky number and contact details on a postcard and send to: Ideal…

New and improved Play range, Sonos GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Includes this revamped Play:5, £429, with room-filling sound and on-speaker controls for volume and skipping tracks’ Lots of options All Series range, Panasonic GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘A hi-fi, standalone speakers, CD player, clock radio and soundbars can be added to this system, and it supports Spotify Connect’ Style leader R2 Mk3 system, Ruark Audio GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘It’s one of the prettiest speakers I’ve seen, plus you can group up to eight together and stream the same track to all of them’ Simple streaming Izzy range, Philips GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Link up to five Izzy speakers by pressing the “group” button’. There’s a compact design, and one with a CD player and radio’…

Soup star Le Blender , Magimix GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘The blades inside the large heat-resistant glass jug blend ingredients incredibly finely for ultra-smooth soups and smoothies. It can quickly crush ice, too’ Instant whip Gelato Chef , Magimix GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Makes 1.5ltr of deliciousness in less than 30min, and you don’t have to remember to chill the bowl beforehand – very handy when they all scream for ice cream’…

Book now and you can get two weekday tickets for the London show for £17.50, two weekend tickets for £19.50* or two Manchester show tickets for just £15*. For the London show, call 0844 209 7330 or visit idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk  and quote offer code IHM241. For Manchester, call 0844 209 7366 or visit idealhomeshowmanchester.com and quote offer code IHM241. * Book before 11 November 2015 for the Manchester show and before 24 November 2015 for the London show. Offer valid on adult on-the-door ticket prices only (£17.50 on week days and £19.50 at weekends for the London show; all tickets £15 for the Manchester show). Concessions not included. £1.70 transaction fee applies. Children aged 15 and under go free when with a paying adult. Calls cost 6p per minute plus…

IDEAL HOME Shopping Spy See Style Editor Michela’s essential edit of what’s in the shops this month String along A versatile accessory in classic Christmas colours Pompom garland, £7.50, Berry Red What a star Hang this simple piece for instant Scandi style Grey star hanging decoration, £5.75, Scandi Living High light Team with an Edison bulb for a cool industrial look Brooklyn antique flat pendant light in Dark Pewter, £69, Industville Natural touch Go for a rustic vibe with a soft linen design Lexington cushion, £62, Dash & Albert range, Kensington Design Wise words Put up this cute sign for a warm welcome Have Yourself print, £31.99, Art.co.uk Stay warm Start the day with a festive cuppa Red espresso cup, £4.95, Dotcomgiftshop Bargain buy Pop little gifts in it for…

Two’s company Hang on door handles for extra sparkle Pair of hanging polar bears, Cox & Cox Bear necessities Team with a faux-fur throw Polar bear cushion, George Care bear Let this cute chap hold up treats for Santa Polar bear side table, BHS Shelf life With a luxe hint of gold Green marble shelf, £68, MiaFleur Stone’s throw Comes in three hues Terazzo cushion, £45, Bloomingville range, Amara Natural beauty Each piece is unique Agate decorative object, £40, John Lewis Top table Inspired by the glamorous Thirties Medium TS table, £520, Viaduct…

DECORATION AND FURNITURE Wall painted in Blissful Blue silk emulsion, £24.49 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Stars G23104 wallpaper, £29.95 per roll, Galerie range, Wallpaperdirect. Sisal Fine Boucle flooring in Platinum, from £36.50 per sq m, Kersaint Cobb & Company. Elis rug, £220, Cox & Cox. Blind made in Suffolk Check S Bluebell, £24.50 per m, Ian Mankin; border made in Bramley Sprig Cotton Duck, £20 per m, Cath Kidston. Windsor white single bedsteads, £180 each; Ragley single mattresses, £99.99 each; all Dunelm. Star bedside cabinet, £65; toy-box seat, £135; wooden shopping trolley, £50; all Great Little Trading Co. 7ft pre-lit Christmas tree, £195, John Lewis. ON LEFT-HAND BED Cotton sateen fitted sheet, £30; red check household pillowcase, £14; red check single duvet cover, £40; all Cologne & Cotton. Robots polkadot single…

GET TO KNOW HER SIGNATURE STYLE From the very beginning, Emma knew she wanted to make pottery that could be used and enjoyed every day. ‘Matthew and I only design things we love and would like to own ourselves,’ she says. ‘Things that are beautiful to look at but also a pleasure to use, such as a lovely mug that feels just right in your hand, or a bowl with a playful message that makes you smile every time you eat from it.’ A lot of ideas for the Emma Bridgewater collections come from appreciating the simple pleasures of everyday life, such as bringing people together around the kitchen table. ‘Our Marmalade pattern was inspired by a family tradition of stocking the cupboards with home-made marmalade every year, and we…

At Christmas time, Lesley Pennington’s home glows with a welcoming spirit. Lesley is a Canadian who, 20 years ago, moved from the United States to be with her Swedish husband Fredrik, and she loves the Scandinavian way of doing things. ‘On Christmas Eve, my family comes over for a traditional Swedish smörgåsbord of herring, meatballs and salads, and to open presents,’ says Lesley. ‘Later on in the holiday, I’ll cook up a Canadian feast – turkey, stuffing, mash – which my two stepsons, Björn and Emil, and our daughter, Zoe, enjoy just as much. ‘Sweden is very dark in the winter, especially in November and December, so Christmas is something you can focus on,’ says Lesley. ‘Swedes celebrate for the whole month of December – it could be eating gingerbread…

1 THE 70-20-10 RULE For a balanced scheme, keep 70% of the elements (say, walls and floors) as one colour, then add 20% in a second colour (fabrics) and 10% in an accent (accessories). 2 THE PATTERN RULE When mixing patterns, use large with medium or medium with small, never large with small. Pick prints that share a colour in common. 3 THE PAINTED BOX RULE The look of paint changes according to the time of day and the light in a room. Paint the inside of a large box with a tester to create a miniature ‘room’ and see how the colour changes within a 3D space. AND FINALLY… Always add a surprise. A focal point – whether it’s a feature wall or a piece of art – is…

Many alterations can be made under Permitted Development, meaning you don’t need to get planning permission. For more information on planning and building regulations, visit planningportal.gov.uk and always check with your local authority before making any major changes. Keep your neighbours informed at all stages and you might need to obtain party-wall agreements, too. Check the advice given at planningportal.gov.uk. For extensions and major remodelling, it’s usually advisable to employ an architect to draw up accurate plans: the Royal Institute of British Architects (architecture.com) holds a directory of approved architects. Get at least three quotes for all major purchases, including when you’re hiring tradesmen and, whenever possible, negotiate fixed prices for each job rather than paying a daily rate. It’s not usually advisable to undertake major roofing work on a…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom barn conversion in Gilmorton, Leicestershire. WHO LIVES HERE Jill and Jim Robinson. WHAT THEY DID The couple resited their new kitchen to the living room and added an oak-framed garden room to create space for dining and relaxing. THE LOOK Modern country, with a timber ceiling, Shaker-style cabinetry, an oak seating area and splashes of red. LESSONS LEARNED “Try not to be too sentimental about keeping old, redundant architectural features. It’s okay to remove them if doing so gives you a better living space.” THE LAYOUT A narrow island is positioned between two runs of units, and includes two sinks, cupboards and a seating area. An American-style fridge-freezer sits next to a pull-out larder on the right…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Nineties, detached house in Winslow, Buckinghamshire. WHO LIVES HERE Anne-Lise and Brian Porter. WHAT THEY DID The couple extended at the side of the house and knocked down a wall between the kitchen and living room to create an open-plan space. They also fitted two new windows and a door opening on to the garden. THE LOOK Relaxed country, with an all-white palette and a Scandinavian feel. LESSONS LEARNED You have to be relaxed about building work and accept that it takes as long as it takes. THE LAYOUT The hob is positioned between two windows. The sink is opposite it, behind a partition that separates the kitchen from a living area. The ovens and a built-in fridge-freezer are in a bank of units on the…

Get the point For a soft glow and ambience, try under-cabinet lighting Olana LV fixed cabinet light, £27 for three, B&Q Fabulous floor An easy-to-clean choice of tile Antayla porcelain floor tile in grey (600mm sq), £24 per sq m, B&Q Luxury buy Fill it up to have plenty of wine or other chilled drinks on hand for fantastic parties 18-bottle stainless-steel-effect wine cooler WC300, £248, Cata range, B&Q…

Choosing a kitchen can be a daunting process. If you’re stuck for inspiration and product ideas, B&Q’s design expert consultants can help guide you through your project, starting with a free consultation to plan and personalise your dream kitchen. Go online or in store Using B&Q spaces – a new interactive online design tool that makes designing and project-managing a kitchen easier than ever before – a consultant will help you create your perfect kitchen in minutes, then work with you to refine the space to suit your needs. To enjoy this service, go to diy.com/diy/design_ consultation to book an appointment, or pop in store, remembering to take your room’s measurements before going for your consultation. Have your kitchen fitted Once you have designed and bought your kitchen, B&Q’s Homefit…

For a similar shower head, try the Raindance Air 180 with arm, £425, Hansgrohe range; for a similar basin, try the Zone Offset, £771; for a similar basin mixer, try the 112 wall-mounted with plate, £822, Vola range; all CP Hart. Stainless-steel channel drain, £233, Purus range; for a similar shower screen, try the Ostend fixed, £225; both Wetroomstore.com. For a similar cabinet, try the stainless-steel, £69.97, Vasari range, Plumbworld. Venetian plaster, £100 per sq m, Decor Bristol. Travertine tumbled tiles, from £27 per sq m, Stone Collection London. For similar mosaic tiles, try the Travertine white, £85 per sq m, Topps Tiles. For a similar radiator, try the Basics 1110, £109, Bathstore FOR DETAILS TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

Napoli bath, £2,400; Napoli basins, £1,200 each; all Victoria & Albert range; I-line modular console unit, £800; mirror, £1,100; both Utopia range; basin taps, £525 each; bath/shower mixer, £1,690; shower control and head, £938; all Crosswater range; Melyn shower screen, £700; Jersey ceramic wall tiles, £60 per sq m, Porcelanosa range; Essence towel radiator, £500, Bauhaus range; loo and flush plate, £570; all Goodey & Howell. Poured resin floor, from £120 per sq m, Puur Floors. 22in television, £845, TileVision. For a similar table, try the Funky white, £49.95, Natural Living. For similar bath towels, try the Flower Abacus, £25 each, Orla Kiely FOR DETAILS TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

Pickles are perfect for spicing up leftovers, as part of a buffet or just as a late-night snack snaffled straight from the jar. Simple to make, you can eat them straight away, but they’re even tastier if left to mature for a couple of weeks. SPEEDY PICKLING VINEGAR Make this all-purpose pickling liquid first, then use it as a base for the other recipes. This makes 800ml and the ingredients cost around £4. 1 Put the following ingredients in a large stainless-steel pan: 500g granulated sugar; 350ml cider vinegar; 350ml white wine vinegar; 10g fresh root ginger (in chunks); zest of 1 large orange; 2 bay leaves; 1tbsp whole allspice berries; 1 cinnamon stick, and 1tsp cloves. 2 Stir well with a wooden spoon until all the sugar has dissolved.…

Creating the perfect atmosphere for friends and family to enjoy at Christmas is part of the fun of the festive season. Be it decorating the tree, setting a beautiful table or decking out the hallway, dressing your home for the celebrations is an event that can be enjoyed by all the family and will be appreciated by your holiday visitors. Decorate in style If you’re searching for decorating inspiration, Houseology has plenty of homeware buys and Christmas decorations to help you create the festive look you want, be it classic and traditional, Scandi or contemporary. In addition to exclusive furniture, lighting and accessories, you can find beautiful crockery, cutlery, glasses and serveware designed to help you make your Christmas table a sight to behold and worthy of a fabulous festive…

Amid the flurry of shopping for gifts, flitting between parties and decking the house in its festive finery, December can all too easily become one of the most tiring months of the year. Thankfully, Whittard of Chelsea has launched The Century of Tea, a collection of 100 teas to help you recover from the Christmas bustle, and revel in a quiet moment with a soothing brew. Discover a new favourite Put a spring in your morning step with the delicious Tippy Assam – its complex flavour makes it a perfect alternative to traditional English Breakfast. Later in the day, bring a little ceremony to your afternoon cuppa with Whittard’s delicate Jasmine tea. This fragrant brew is made by layering jasmine on green tea leaves overnight, then refreshing the flowers every…

To-do list for DECEMBER PICK holly and other seasonal greenery to use for Christmas decorations, cutting from different sections to avoid heavy pruning that could leave plants vulnerable to frost. Mix contrasting foliage and yellow and red berries. PLANT an informal rose hedge if the ground isn’t frozen. Bare-rooted plants are available now and are perfect for cheap hedging – try dog rose ( Rosa canina ), which has scarlet hips. SOW cyclamen seeds in pots now to plant out in spring for attractive autumn blooms and ground cover. Grow something beautiful… SORBUS Sorbus (or rowan) are decorative deciduous trees with autumn and winter berries in a variety of colours, including white, pink, orange and blue, while the red berries are a winter favourite with birds. Many Sorbus…

WHY WE LOVE THEM… Hi-tech toys aren’t new – I mean, who didn’t have a Tamagotchi in their stocking in the mid-Nineties? However, the latest toys are increasingly complex – think Meccano robots you can interact with and magic tricks you can do with your phone. Even the gaming experience has moved on – now, instead of staring at a TV screen, you can wear futuristic headgear and be fully immersed in a virtual reality. PRODUCTS WE LOVE… I predict that Meccano’s Meccanoids will be popular this year – I also suspect that most kids won’t get a look-in as Mum and Dad fulfil their dreams of building their own robot. Virtual Reality (VR) headsets will be big news, too – those, such as Oculus’s Rift and HTC’s Vive, have…

Forget tea – it’s coffee that makes everything better in my world, and I’ve learned that the tastiest brew comes from grinding the beans on the spot, which is what this bean-to-cup machine from Jura does. Not only that, but the E6 also has a unique way of firing the water through the grounds in bursts to tease more flavour from the beans. It’s no gimmick – the espressos and ristrettos I tried were super-smooth with not a hint of bitterness. Like a longer drink? Attach the optional vacuum milk container and order a cappuccino from the colour touchscreen. GIRL ABOUT TECH, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER FOR GREAT CHRISTMAS SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS  call 0330 333 4555 and quote code AVM5 or visit magazinesdirect.com/AVM5…

Winning formula K321 40in 4K UHD LED flatscreen TV, Hisense GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Get four times the detail of Full HD, as well as smart apps, such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix, without having to pay big bucks’ Beautifully intuitive TX-50CX802B 50in 4K UHD flatscreen TV , Panasonic GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘The depth and authenticity of the colour rivals pricier OLED TVs, and Freeview Play lets you watch shows on catch-up straight from the TV guide’ Pin-sharp picture 55EG960V 55in 4K UHD OLED curved TV , LG GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘The impossibly thin screen contains lots of organic light-emitting diodes for an ultra-realistic picture – you’ll be amazed at how much more detail you’ll see’…

WAHANDA iOS and Android, free Wahanda is a quick-click solution to booking beauty treatments at a price to suit you. Find salons and spas in your area (there are more than 7,000 to choose from nationwide), search by type of treatment, book or reschedule an appointment time and even browse special offers. The really great bit is that there are ratings and reviews from previous customers. ALSO TRY WhatSalon, free for iOS and Android MIRROR Windows Phone, free This smart app does exactly what it says on the tin, turning your phone into a clear mirror that’s perfect for touching up make-up, replacing a contact lens or banishing lipstick from your teeth. You’ll need to have a front-facing camera but unlike the selfie option on your phone, you get a…

“Hailed by the New York Times as ‘The French revolution of the 20th century’, the Magimix is one of only a handful of appliances that’s truly iconic. With such fans as Mary Berry and ‘Deliciously Ella’ Woodward, its success has a lot to do with its roots – it was invented by a French catering-equipment salesman to help his pro-chef clients prep ingredients. Today, the processor motor is guaranteed for 30 years, so you can be sure it will be a long-lasting helping hand in your kitchen” GIRL ABOUT TECH, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER…