Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Ideal Home

I think September is my favourite month of the year. We’re often treated to a run of good weather (apologies if I’ve just jinxed it by putting that down in black and white!), it’s my twins’ birthday month, and I’m a sucker for that back-to-school promise of a fresh start. I have fond memories of stocking up on stationery at French supermarkets as a teenager on the way home from our holidays, and the excitement of that haul and all those fresh pages comes back every year. Forget spring cleaning, September is my month to get organised and tackle all those house jobs I’ve been putting off. Top of my list this year is a living room makeover. It’s currently the shade of beige we inherited when we moved in…

WHERE TO BUY 1 Glass pendant light, £79.99, H&M Home 2 Abstract canvas, £90, Next Home 3 Patchwork cushion cover, £29.99, Zara Home 4 Amber bubble wine glass, £5, Dunelm 5 Large Mustard vase, £44, An Artful Life 6 Camelia glazed bowl, £16, Att Pynta 7 Aarya chenille rug, £125, French Connection Home…

Pattern play Update a pre-loved wardrobe by lining the backboard with wallpaper. Remove any shelves or rails to make it easier to apply. A classic Morris pattern teamed with painted wood lends a heritage feel. Alternatively, pick a contemporary geometric design matched with natural wood grains for a mid-century look.…

MY GO-TO STORES… ● KIP & CO Cool and colourful, bedding and textiles in punchy patterns, find them at Antipodream. ● FENTON & FENTON Great for eclectic colourful pieces. It’s where I got my arty rug for the dining area. ● CRATE EXPECTATIONS Great colourful throws, cushions and accessories. STYLIST’S NOTE “Keep the style seamless with bracket-free storage, whether it’s display boxes or classic floating shelves”MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

1 CHANGE THE BACKDROP Refresh a lacklustre living room with a new colour scheme. Start by painting one wall (or all of them) in sage green for a calm backdrop, then add touches of warm mustard and grey on furnishings and art for contrast. 2 FILL AN EMPTY SPOT Use blank wall space above a sideboard or console to create a mini gallery wall. Centre the artwork above the furniture, leaving a gap between its surface and the bottom edge of the frames. 3 LAYER UP THE TABLE Create a relaxed, informal setting for lunches and cosy suppers. Begin with one large linen cloth placed centrally then add a couple of contrasting runners laid widthwise on top. 4 WORK IN WARM TONES Take the edge off…

Whether it’s a full-on declutter or a quick tidy up, create a calm work space with desk accessories to stay organised, then add a few homely touches. Make time to empty the lists in your head on to paper, get admin tasks ticked off and set intentions for the busy season ahead. WHERE TO BUY Norton stool/side table, £120; Cowley lamp, £85; White lacquer trays, £75 set of three; Curly sheepskin seat pad, £45; pussy willow wreath, £58; Kubu waste-paper bin, £40; Curly sheepskin bench, £695; round jute rug, £125, all The White Company…

I’m handmade with sungkai wood UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE Candace cane curved screen in Black, £698, Cielshop Interiors MID-CENTURY GLAMOUR Domkapa Lavinia folding screen, from £1,150, Sweetpea & Willow DIAGONAL WEAVE Masaya rattan divider screen, £250, La Redoute WASHED WOOD Carved geometric screen, £275, Cox & Cox BOTANICAL INSPIRED Harper room divider, £105, Cuckooland I can be recycled DECORATIVE DESIGN Dutchbone Rumour room divider, £199, Naken Interiors URBAN APPEAL Hiba industrial style metal screen, £199, La Redoute CLEVER CUT-OUTS Palmeira openwork pine screen, £132, Maisons du Monde…

MY GO-TO STORES… ● DESIGNERS GUILD A great range of wallpapers and fabrics in rich colours and beautiful patterns. ● JAMBO IMPORTS A wonderful selection curios and handicrafts from local artisans and community projects. ● PASH CLASSICS A wide selection of iconic replica mid century pieces. STYLIST’S NOTE “Break up a large open-plan space with a change in flooring to zone different areas”STEPHANIE DURRANT , SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR…

Create a warm welcome Give your garden gate as much love as the front door. Whether it’s wood or metal, sand it down to create a smooth finish. Start with a primer on untreated surfaces, or for those previously painted, an undercoat. For a matt look, choose exterior eggshell, or gloss for a lacquered result.…

MY GO-TO STORES… ● LARUSI The Kentish Town showroom is a treasure trove of rugs and linens. ● BUSTER + PUNCH For beautiful brass light fittings, which feel like jewellery for your home. ● JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS Always good quality at reasonable prices, this classic store is a staple. STYLIST’S NOTE “Traditionally a very feminine colour, a pink scheme can be made to feel more grown-up by using metallic accents and deeper shades for contrast”STEPHANIE DURRANT , SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Does your hallway make a great first impression, or is it a jumble of clutter and coats? This area needs to work hard and look good – that’s a hard balance to strike. Here, style and design experts offer advice to help you max your hallway’s potential. WHERE DO I START? Jenna Choate, co-founder of Interior Fox, says the hallway is an area of the home that should be tackled first. ‘There are so many ways to make the best first impression, even in a small entrance. Create a statement with a pendant or introduce pattern and colour with a striking wallpaper. If you like a minimalist look, make it feel light and airy with a strategically placed console and oversized mirror.’ Wil Law, home design stylist at John Lewis…

STEP THIS WAY TO FABULOUS FLOORING IDEAS IDEAL CONCRETE EFFECT Cemento matt tile in Mid Grey, from £42sq m, Mandarin Stone GREAT DEAL INDUSTRIAL STYLE Trax Lake Grey matt tile, £25.95sq m, Walls and Floors…

Many of us feel left in the dark when it comes to getting bathroom lighting right. A bit of knowledge about which fittings to choose and where to position them is all that’s required. Q Would a simple overhead ceiling light suffice? In a word, no. Layers of light from a variety of sources are the secret to making sure your bathroom is a relaxing and functional space that can easily adapt to different tasks. To achieve this, you’ll need a mix of ambient, task and accent lighting. Q What is ambient lighting? Ambient lights provide overall illumination. Downlights are popular, they are mounted on or recessed into the ceiling and direct light downwards. Avoid laying them in a regular grid formation as it’ll create a flat, bland effect. Instead,…

Arleta and Mike Cloud, a teacher and banker, live here with their three sons, Max and Phillip, both 20, and Oscar, 14. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian property, situated in South London THE VALUE Bought in 2012 for £905,000; now worth around £1,650,000. WHAT IT COST Professional fees & miscellaneous costs..................£17,000 Construction....£50,000 Plumbing & electrics..............£9,000 Kitchen & other finishes.............£35,000 Rooflight & glass valley.................£10,000 TOTAL............£121,000 “Every day when I come home it hits me how much I love the new space”…

Easy up storage Available in Smoke, Flint and Oyster colourways and in double, king and super king sizes, this ingenious ottoman bed from Bensons features lift-up ottoman storage beneath the mattress, with the added advantage of electric-powered opening (via a remote) so you can open it by the touch of a button – perfect for those with limited movement. Your Bed Your Way Atlas bed frame with full front opening electric ottoman, from £1,099.99 for a double, Bensons for Beds Use a wellness magnet for better sleep Energydots sells low-powered magnets to improve wellbeing. Its new sleepDOT, £25, emits soothing vibrations, designed to help you relax and unwind. Track your patterns for a better night’s sleep Google searches of the words ‘tips to fall asleep’ have increased 111% in the…

SPEED TIDY A truly decluttered and organised home means faster tidying. The aim is to be able to tidy round in 5-10 minutes, then your home becomes less overwhelming should visitors drop by. NARROW DOWN Not every single coat and pair of shoes needs to live in the hallway – think of it as an area to house just the items that are currently in use and store the rest in a wardrobe elsewhere. PRIORITISE STORAGE Gadgets that you don’t use often should live at the back of cupboards and those that you use daily can stay out on surfaces (but keep to a minimum). TAKE STOCK Go through your wardrobe every few months to pull out holiday/winter wear and clear out or pass on any items you don’t want.…

Stylish blender with attachments K150 blender, £229, KitchenAid With three speed settings, this stylish, robust appliance purées fruit and veg and will crush ice. Expand its practical uses by investing in attachments, such as the citrus press for juicing (£49), or the small batch jar (£29), perfect for whizzing up a dip or some pesto. THE BEST BIT Blitz up a smoothie in the personal blender jar (£49) for a grab-and-go drink. Sleek multi-use microwave Combi Wave 3-in-1, £399.95, Sage With all the looks and functionality of a 1100W microwave, this machine is also a convection oven and air fryer, too. Use it to steam, roast, grill, defrost, reheat, melt and bake up to 230C. THE BEST BIT Its easy to use and the Soften Butter and Melt Chocolate settings…

DUNELM LAUNCH OWN-LABEL DECORATING Need a full room makeover? Get inspiration with Decorate & Co-ordinate, Dunelm’s new one-stop-shop range. Each theme, from maximalist Jungle Luxe to pared-back Nature Walk, includes coordinating paints, wallpapers, fabrics and accessories for a cohesive finish. Available online and in 53 stores. Fab outdoor fabrics We’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the garden as an entertaining space in any weather, so an investment in dressing it up will last well beyond the summer. Rather than chuck out tired seat and lounger cushions, why not refresh and renew? Romo’s vibrant range of outdoor fabrics and trimmings features weaves and velvets, tassels and decorative tapes to bring some interior design flair to the garden, while the plush finishes ensure light-fastness, and mould and mildew resistance too. Need…

Play with pattern A statement design on a trim adds a vibrant edge to a seat pad, while cushions in different patterns add to the visual impact. Choose a simple background A white linen sofa arranged with curated cushions offers the perfect backdrop for varied pattern. Adding another print via a wall hanging forms a pleasing focal point. Frame the space Statement wallpaper with a large scale design brings a touch of eye-catching drama to a room. The clean lines of the white cabinet add to the contemporary flavour of the space and ensures the room still feels calm, even though the pattern is bold. Mix and match Choose fabrics and wallpapers in shades of fuchsia and emerald to create a space that both soothes and energises. Combine vivid prints…

THE PROPERTY A three-bed detached modernist new build in Barwon Heads, near Melbourne, Australia. THE VALUE The land and build cost Aus$780,000 (£427,850). It’s now worth around Aus$1.9m (£1.04m). “We wanted to create a home that looked cool but felt loved and lived in” Deciding to build a home and raise a family in the buzzy Australian coastal town of Barwon Heads paid off for Emma and Simon O’Meara. Having spent 15 years as locals, they found a plot of land in 2011 and six months later were the proud owners of a striking modernist home. ‘I always knew I wanted a black house,’ says Emma. ‘It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally love a strong and dramatic exterior. It makes it really easy when giving…

Upcycle an old window frame Create a noticeboard by fixing cork tiles on to the back of an old frame using a glue gun or strong tape. Screw hooks into the bottom edge for mini buckets and fix to the wall with picture hooks. Label your containers Decanting your cooking supplies into jars yields a certain amount of satisfaction and makes it easy to spot if you are running low on ingredients, too. Why not mix up a variety of styles for a relaxed feel? Mount baskets on the wall Keep your kitchen surfaces clutter free by hanging a group of wire baskets on the wall. Use to display cookbooks, spice jars and condiments or to keep utensils handy. Paint a blackboard Use blackboard paint on the strip of wall…

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY... Colour consultants share their views “Teal is a great accent colour for rooms, it brings a calm intensity to an otherwise neutral scheme”NELLY HALL , BRAND DIRECTOR AT M&L PAINTS ■ ‘For a sophisticated feel, concentrate on mid to dark teal tones, which can beautifully envelop a room,’ says head of Zoffany Studio Peter Gomez. ‘The deeper the colour, the greater the dramatic effect.’ ■ ‘Teal’s vibrancy can bring new life to tired furnishings, so it’s the perfect shade for upcycling projects,’ says Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. ‘Try refreshing kitchen cabinets by painting them in a rich teal hue.’ ■ ‘Teal is on the cooler end of the spectrum, so walls in this colour respond brilliantly when bathed in bright natural sunlight,’ advises…

Mini gallery Create interest with a modern picture rail. Attach a batten to the wall with nails for plasterboard or screws and rawlplugs for masonry walls. Use a spirit level for a straight finish. Fill screw holes with caulk. Paint the same colour as the wall and fix hooks to hang pictures: a set of three or five frames, evenly spaced.…

JENNA CHOATE, CO-FOUNDER, INTERIOR FOX (INTERIORFOX.CO.UK) Jenna founded Interior Fox with Mariana Ugarte in 2016, with the idea of offering homeowners and renters access to approachable and achievable interior design. Coming from different backgrounds – Jenna is from the US and Mariana is from the Philippines – they fuse their styles for an east-meets-west aesthetic. They work on both residential and commercial projects in the UK and US. WIL LAW, HOME DESIGN STYLIST, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS (JOHNLEWIS.COM) Based in Leeds, Wil works with John Lewis & Partners’ customers to help them find their own interior style and embrace this in their home. He also shares tips, hacks and insider inspiration on Instagram @johnlewis_wil. PAUL DECKLAND, BUYING DIRECTOR, THE COTSWOLD COMPANY (COTSWOLDCO.COM) Paul works closely with the The Cotswold Company’s…

We’re in love NEW SPIN Now that kitchens need to be more hard-working than ever, Scavolini has updated its Carattere range to increase versatility. Changes include glossy lacquered finishes to complement the matt finishes, and four new shades for the veneer door. FINE ART Those already in the know have Balineum as a go-to for fabulously decorative tiles. Now its collaboration with artist Wayne Pate is set to pull in the rest of the crowd. The collection features Wayne’s curvaceous silhouettes of flora and architectural designs hand-painted on terracotta. Wayne Pate Tile Collection I, from £21.60 each, Balineum Hot colour The new Omnia bath by BC Designs is hand-painted to order, with unlimited colour options. Made from the company’s own patented material, called Cian, it’s stain and scratch…

1 THEY CAN MAKE A ROOM FEEL MORE SPACIOUS Used cleverly, large-format tiles make narrow areas look wider. 2 THEY COME IN A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS Consider the desired result, cost and what most suits the space. 3 THEY’RE EASY TO MAINTAIN There are fewer grout lines for dust and dirt to get stuck in. 4 INSTALLATION IS OFTEN QUICKER However, heavier tiles may need additional manpower. 5 THEY’RE GREAT FOR UNDERFLOOR HEATING With anti-fracture matting, they are suitable for older homes, too.…

1 STREAMLINE THE HALLWAY Set up a hallway hub to store outdoor belongings. Allocate a bay for each family member, with a coat peg, shelf and space to stash shoes. Include a line-up of trays or shallow baskets that the family can toss smaller items into, such as keys and dog leads. String two-drawer chest section, £372; side panels, £218 for two, all John Lewis & Partners 2 TACKLE BATHROOM STORAGE Take an inventory of your towel store, sorting out the good sets and getting rid of old towels you no longer use. Re-organise according to size and colour. Stack large towels and bath sheets with folds at the front, then roll or fold hand towels and face cloths, stacking them sideways so you can identify sizes more easily. Vagsjon…

Mobile phone charger and sanitiser Lexon Oblio wireless charging station and UV sanitiser, £30.28, Amazon Place this wireless charging bucket in your hallway and pop your Qi-enabled smartphone into it when you come home. The antibacterial UV light kills 99.9% germs, while charging the phone in less than three hours. THE BEST BIT Once you’ve charged your phone, flip it over for a further 20 mins for a complete 360° clean. Antiviral air purifier HealthProtect air purifier, £639, BlueAir The new HealthProtect air purifier uses electrostatic and mechanical HEPA filtration to remove 99% of germs, dust and viruses (COVID-19 included). Control it via Alexa or the BlueAir smartphone app, and it’s so quiet that you’ll barely realise it’s working in the background. THE BEST BIT Even when on standby, it…

California blender cookies MAKES 24 COOKIES READY IN 25 MINS INGREDIENTS • 75g walnuts • 100g rolled oats • 1 x 400g can chickpeas or white beans, drained and rinsed • 70ml pure maple syrup • 160g all-natural peanut butter • 2tsp vanilla extract • ½tsp fine-grain sea salt • 1tsp bicarbonate of soda • 160g chia seeds • 75g dark chocolate chips 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4 and place a rack in the centre. Line two baking trays with baking paper. 2 Place the walnuts and oats in a blender or food processor and pulse into a flour. Add the chickpeas to the blender along with the maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla, salt and bicarbonate of soda. Blend until smooth. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the chia seeds and chocolate chips. 3 One tablespoon…

“ When you’ve got such a beautiful wallpaper, why ruin  it by stopping for a door? Papering it adds a magical, Alice in Wonderland element to the room, too. Whether it’s wallpaper or panelling, a disappearing door won’t interrupt a beautiful pattern and it’ll create a cocooning space in a living room.” MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR “ For me, there’s something a bit claustrophobic  about not being able to see an exit. Plus, it would definitely be a problem at a party after the guests have had a few drinks! If it’s wallpapered, then it’s likely to get a bit tatty after a lot of use and will stand out for all the wrong reasons.” GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR…