Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i Ideal Home

“ Refreshing ideal Home has been very much like the process of renovating a house In the same way lockdown made us all reassess what we want from our homes, here at Ideal Home we realised we needed to adapt our pages to make sure we’re delivering exactly what you want (and need) from Britain’s best-selling homes magazine in 2021. The creative process has been much like renovating a house: lots (and lots!) of planning, a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, but ultimately, hugely rewarding in the end. We went through each one of our pages, asking a lot of the same questions you might ask when redesigning a room. Does it work hard enough? Is a quick lick of paint all it needs, or are there some structural…

NEED TO KNOW Design your own rug for a one -of-a-kind look  It may be THE rug of the moment, but the Berber has been around for centuries, originating in Morocco and the surrounding areas of Northern Africa. With plenty of high street options, Cosy Coco founder Noemie Deed wanted to produce the real deal but with a customised twist. Choose from 10 base patterns in a mix of classic and contemporary styles, with 10 top colours in 11 sizes, with or without tassels. The wool rugs are handwoven using traditional methods by Berbers in the Atlas Mountains. AHEAD OF THE CURVE ‘Raw timber grain  Adding a whole new dimension to ‘bringing the outdoors in’, the super-sized Saule mural takes us up close and personal with the wonders of wood,…

“Living in a house that didn’t reflect me was as unbear able as wearing clothes in the wrong size” can chart my life by the things I spent money on. In my twenties, all my spare cash went on clothes and going out. A Luella skirt here, a Marc by Marc Jacobs top there, it was amazing (or not) how quickly my monthly pay cheque disappeared. But because I loved fashion and derived so much pleasure from it that still today, even with the benefit of two decades of hindsight, I don’t see any of that expenditure as waste. I see it as me finding myself as an adult through the therapeutic medium of Net-a-Porter. Then in my thirties, my money went on holidays. I became the queen of organising…

PICK A PATTERN When decorating large rooms, such as a living room or dining room, always look to add a pattern to the scheme, whether on curtains, cushions or walls. Geometric prints are a great starting point for a sophisticated look, or try large-scale florals in dramatic hues. CONSIDER FINISHES Touchable, textured surfaces such as velvet and silk, leather and dark wood, will all add a layer of opulence to a space. Finishes that reflect the light – think luxe touches of warm gold and brass – can’t fail to add a splash of sophistication, too. HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURE It's great to highlight period features by painting them in a matching shade, but if you aren’t lucky enough to have them, then fake it. Make your own batten panelling, or substitute…

“L ighting is by far one of the easiest ways to really add impact to a room and an oversized pendant or chandelier will instantly pack a punch. Perfect over a dining table or kitchen island, the pendant should be hung at a height that ensures guests don’t have to dodge a bump to the head every time you host a dinner party, but instead creates a cosy and atmospheric setting to eat, drink and maybe get a little merry. Depending on the ceiling height, aim for your pendant to be about 80cm from the tabletop, and use a soft, dimmable bulb so you can play with light levels at different times of the year. In smaller spaces, you can still embrace a large-scale design, but choose one with an…

What the say... “A GRANITE GREEN is a great base colour for well-lit rooms, but it's also FANTASTIC for accents and looks DRAMATIC on ceilings”VICTORIA YARDLEY, MD OF VICTORY COLOURS Designers and stylists share their views ‘There are so many greens and some have very little in common. When combining different shades, an easy rule is to use either yellow-based or blue-based greens. Otherwise you’ll have a very uncomfortable colour scheme. The closer together the greens are, the better.’ ANNIE SLOAN, CHALK PAINT EXPERT ‘Green is amazingly versatile and works well in most rooms. Deep tones add warmth to a space, so in a north-facing living room bold shades will create a cosy, cocooning environment. Cooler shades of green work well in warmer rooms, such as a south-facing bedroom.’ DOMINIC…

THE PROBLEM was T he kitchen dark and with cramped no room , socialise to cook or . THE SOLUTION ‘I wanted a bigger, brighter room, with more work surfaces, updated appliances and comfy seating. My must-have was an island with a big Aga and breakfast bar. I decided on a traditional, country feel, but with feminine touches, so DeVol’s farmhouse-style cabinetry was perfect, maximising the narrow space. The pink china cupboard, marble tops and pretty lighting soften the look. The side extension was built in six weeks and cost £100,000. The kitchen fitting cost around £5,000 and took about five days. Everything went smoothly apart from the resin floor, which was too beige, but we solved the problem by adding grey paint into the final coat of sealant.…

THE SOLUTION THE PROBLEM hadn T he bathroom ’t been the touched Nineties since clunky and had fittings. ‘I love to take a bath, so a new tub was the first thing I looked for. When I saw this beautiful, fluted pink design, I had to have it, and chose everything else to fit around it. I didn’t want the room to feel too bathroom-y, and I like mixing styles, hence the unexpected touches, such as the antique wooden washstand, contemporary taps and wall panelling instead of tiles. We stuck with the existing layout, which simplified the plumbing, and we included a separate shower, which Michael prefers. Fitting cost us around £6,000 and was straightforward but took about three months due to lockdown-related delays. After such a long wait, my…

BRICKWORK Easy to maintain, exposed bricks are the most popular choice, but how they’re made will affect their look, qualities and price. Your bricklayer should discuss bonding patterns, mortar colours and joint details with you. BRICK SLIPS Brick slips are thin sections of genuine brick that can be used to give the appearance of a real brick wall. They are lighter and therefore don’t require the deep foundations of regular brick. TIMBER While timber needs more maintenance than stone or brickwork, it is cheaper. Hardwoods like oak and cedar can be left untreated to age and weather – for example, larch and western red cedar turn from an orange to a silvery grey within two years. FIBRE CEMENT WEATHERBOARDS Though it usually costs more than timber, composite weatherboarding is often…

WHERE TO BUY I’m a plug in so installation ’ is easy!…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s about to move house – a new project! NICKY PHILLIPS DECORATING EDITOR Nicky brings over 25 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 21 years. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its ninth series, with over 40 million downloads.…

WATCH If you’ve missed this gem, get ready to binge watch Dream Home Makeover. Interior Designer Shea McGee brings her signature farmhouse chic style to projects for some serious big budget makeover bliss. Netflix, Series 1 and 2. DO New to the virtual learning platform, Create Academy, is Kate Watson-Smyth, the interiors guru behind Mad About The House blog, books and Instagram. Her online course brings her practical advice to life. Visit Createacademy.com. LISTEN Podcast How To Fail with author and journalist Elizabeth Day, features conversations with celebs, authors and everyday people with extraordinary stories. The guests delve into the things that haven’t gone right but led them on a new path to success. READ Take a moment to relax and get lost in the pages of Calm by Sally…

With their daughters Mia and Tiffany having grown up and left home, Theresa and Allan Widlake wanted to create a relaxing yet stylish space for just the two of them. ‘It was our first opportunity to reinvent ourselves after leaving behind the homes in which we’d raised our children,’ says Theresa. ‘We had children young, living in modest rented or company-owned housing, so I learned to make the best of what I had, re-using pieces and decorating on a budget.’ After selling their ranch-style home in rural North Zambia in 2007, the pair found a three-storey home in Johannesburg’s leafy northern suburb. With a 300sq m footprint, which includes the garage, the house isn’t large. However, the couple made changes to make it feel bigger. ‘It felt more like a…

TEAL BASE As the largest area and therefore the highest percentage of colour coverage, the teal will take the lead as your dominant colour. Sitting between blue and green on the spectrum, teal has the strength and quietness of both shades, making it feel calming and restorative – ideal for spaces where you want to unwind and relax. PAINT COLOUR Clockwise from top: Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball; New Brick durable matt, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home at Albany; Dark Brunswick Green absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene CORAL ACCENTS A warm shade like coral will counteract the coolness of teal and bring out its warmer side. What’s clever in this room is the way coral hasn’t been used in a matchy matchy…

It’s time to retreat indoors and get cosy by the fire, ready for the home hibernation season. There are so many factors that need to work together for a warm, enveloping living room. We asked an interiors stylist, a stove expert and a paint and wallpaper specialist just what makes a cosy living space. USE COLOURS TO COCOON ‘Colours can stimulate and excite, but they can also make us feel relaxed, so decorate with the colours you love, choosing warmer tones to create a scheme that feels enveloping and rich. When it comes to cosy colours, I love muted hues that have a “lived-in” quality, desaturated with black, grey or a complementary colour. Warming green, terracotta and blush also work well,’ says Sally. Ruth loves using strong colours. ‘Dark shades…

1. BASKETS Group several of the same size and shape on shelves, placing smaller ones (that won’t be too heavy to lift) up high, and larger ones, that can slide out easily for access, on the floor. Fabric lined baskets are great for accessories such as scarves that you don’t want to get snagged or damaged. IH LOVES… • Ikea stocks a wide selection of basics • The Basket Room for colourful options • La Redoute for elevated but well-priced styles 2. HANGING RAIL Overloading a rail will make it harder to find what you need, so only hang seasonal coats and jackets and choose matching hangers for smart cohesion. Think about splitting up each family member’s outerwear into separate sections, or hang them by length, ensuring everything…

For many homeowners, the side return – that patch that runs alongside the ground floor of a house – is a redundant space, and one that’s ripe for development. Extending into it is a tried-and-tested way to boost floor area and bring in natural light. Most often used to create a sociable kitchen-diner, a well-thought-out project can be key to making your home suit your lifestyle. WHAT IS A SIDE RETURN? Side returns are often found in Victorian terraced properties as a lot of them include alleyways in their configuration. By filling this in, the L-shaped back of the house is squared off, creating that all-important additional space. WHY EXTEND INTO IT? ‘If you have space to the side of your property and need some extra room, a side return…

Real marble flooring is beyond a lot of our budgets, but thankfully there are other ways to get this luxe effect without breaking the bank. As well as looking super realistic, faux marble tiles are easy to care for – they can resist most stains, dirt and odour. Most tiles will work well with underfloor heating – no one wants cold feet stepping out of the bath! • Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are ideal for rooms with water exposure, such as bathrooms and kitchens. LVT is also easy to keep clean and feels warmer than traditional tiles. Sheet vinyl flooring is a fantastic solution if you’re on a budget. Hard-wearing and usually scratch- and stain-resistant, if installed and looked after properly, it can last up to 15 years. If you…

1 TYPICALLY, IT’S BEST TO POSITION your window seat at a similar height to a standard chair – not too high, not too low. 2 CUSHIONS CAN BE BUILT INTO the joinery design or you can add loose cushions later. 3 OPENABLE WINDOWS ARE POSSIBLE, but with fixed glazing you can create a more frameless look. 4 INCORPORATE AN UP AND OVER STRIP of glazing to create the feeling of sitting outdoors. 5 CHOOSE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL for the interior finish of the seat to help differentiate it from other parts of the living space. Stick to the same material (like the oak pictured here) to create continuity.…

WHERE TO BUY ‘I come and natural in black finishes too’ ‘I’m ideal extendable for , extra guests’…

“This type of vacuum tends to have greater suction and more attachments”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY • Stick vacuum cleaners are generally an upright plus a handheld in one. Those designed to deal with pet hair often have a special attachment to use with the handheld, but the stick’s floorhead may also have features for cleaning pet hair. As two vacuums in one, they can save space, but the top-heavy design can be tiring to use. • Upright vacuums are larger than sticks, but can be easy to move over different floor surfaces. Going up and down stairs with a machine in hand does require lifting more weight, however. Special pet attachments can deal with fur on upholstery. • Robot versions do the job for you, so are…

How do you manage household finances like a pro? Speak to a mortgage adviser to get the right advice for you. Find one at unbiased.co.uk One in five adults admit they are not financially resilient, with a quarter saying they have no disposable income to fall back on*. If the pandemic has left your finances off balance, it’s time to rethink how you manage your household money. Our money expert, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, shows you how to avoid debt, save more and get a grip on that household budget. DITCH THE LOYALTY Switching service providers can slash hundreds of pounds off your bills, yet one in six adults never review household expenses, according to budgeting app Yolt – that’s 8.6 million who are ‘bill blind’. If you haven’t switched energy, broadband,…

“I want my home to be a museum of reminders of all of my favourite things, places & people” Home is the womb. It’s safety and comfort, and our hideaway from the velocity of the modern world. We want our homes to be a retreat and a place to recalibrate when life feels too much. As we all know, there are no guarantees when it comes to homes; there’s often the chaos of family life, pet hair, washing machines breaking, damp on walls, food stains on sofas, yet there are elements we can control and parts of the home that we have beautiful agency over. My husband often refers to me as a Bowerbird. Ever watched one in action on a wildlife documentary? Imagine me with wings and a beak…

REDUCE Put an end to a messy home compost bin while reducing your household waste with the new Sage FoodCycler, £399.95. This odourless countertop machine will dehydrate, grind down and finally cool your food scraps into a fifth of their original volume. RECYCLE Dunelm has introduced a super collection of eco products made from recycled materials. From the Ecomix white table lamp, £25, which has been made from recycled newspapers, to the 28cm frying pan, £29, made from recycled aluminium which can be recycled again after use. REUSE Ekologik’s fab range of cleaning products come with refillable sachets which you pop in the bottle and top up with warm water. Genius. From £15 for a cleaning kit (includes three bottles for life, three child protective tins and three refills) Refills…

HAVE A CLEAR-OUT Start by getting rid of old or mismatched sheets and pillowcases and worn towels, to free up space. Donate any good items and relegate shabby towels to dog-drying duties. CREATE A SYSTEM How you organise bedlinen depends on how much you have. If there are just a few sets, then fold and place matching sets together on shelves so you can simply grab the bundle when you’re changing a bed. If you have lots of linens, it’s easier to organise them in categories, with sheets and duvet covers grouped in their different sizes. MAKE IT EASY-ACCESS Store the most-used items on the middle shelves. Avoid high stacks that will topple every time you take something from the middle or bottom. Store spare pillowcases, guest bedlinen and blankets…

Singer, songwriter and actress Paloma Faith lives in London with her partner Leyman Lahcine and their two children. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? I love the morning - everyone leaves me alone and I can just cuddle my kids in bed and have breakfast with them and no-one is asking me any questions. If I’ve been with them all day, then my favourite time is at 7.30pm, when they’re both in bed! WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? Two books I’m dying to read, Motherhood: A Manifesto by Eliane Glaser and Real Estate by Deborah Levy. I’ve just given birth and something happens to your brain when you do - a combo of trauma and sleepless nights - that makes it hard to concentrate on a book...…

Switch up the mood with our dining room lighting ideas From everyday mealtimes to entertaining, we’ve got expert lighting tips and advice to bring to the table I deal Home Approved: buying guides & reviews Holding out for Black Friday to make a big purchase? From vacuums to sofas, get the lowdown on our best-rated buys How to bleed a radiator If you’ve noticed your radiators aren’t heating up as they should be, they probably need bleeding. Follow our step-by-step guide… Staircase  ideas – looks for your hallway to create a stylish stairway “ This month,we’re getting our cosy on, and readying our homes for hiernation season” HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR In most homes, the staircase is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door and as…

@goldisaneutral YOUR BEST DECORATING DECISION? Painting our bathroom black, including the ceiling! My decorators (and my mum) thought I was mad but it makes the room look so much bigger. The large mirror helps to bounce around the light so it never feels claustrophobic. YOUR SECRET STYLING IDEA? Use a mix of textures when you’re putting a room together. If you have lots of shiny marble and brass, incorporate some earthy elements like a wooden bowl or a linen cushion and don’t forget plants or foliage! FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR HOME? It’s the L-shaped olive green velvet banquette in our kitchen. It was one of the things I was determined to work in from the very early design stages. It’s a statement, but it’s also the heart of our kitchen.…

BUILT-IN BOOKCASES If you’re having new walls erected, take the opportunity to incorporate space-saving niche shelves sunk into them. This will negate the need for more furniture and keep the space feeling uncluttered. UNDERSTAIRS SPACE For most this area is a dumping ground, but with built-in cabinetry, it could be used as a pantry, a spot for the washing machine, a bar or even a home office. MAKE IT MULTIFUNCTIONAL Ottoman beds, window seats and coffee tables with sliding tops can all double up as extra storage spots. BUDGET SHELVING Utilitarian metal racking systems, normally used in a garage or workshop, can look stylish in an industrial-look scheme. Alternatively try Ikea’s Vittsjo shelf unit, which you can personalise with spray paint and adhesive vinyl.…

THE BENEFITS Metal-framed glazing is an elegant option that suits properties of many styles and will look great for years to come. It can be a much slimmer and more attractive alternative to uPVC windows. Fitting metal in place of wood also avoids the maintenance requirements of timber. STYLE OPTIONS The glass panels are available in a range of formats. They can be square in shape, or horizontal or vertical rectangles, with various dimensions on offer. Consider more contemporary options that team expansive panes of glass with super-slim metal frames which maximise light and views. There’s also an enormous choice of frame colours for metal windows, ranging from classic black, through greys to standout shades such as orange, red or green. Your supplier might also be able to colour-match to…

BEST HOME WINNER JOANNA FLETCHER “solutions helped us reduce costs and still achieve everything we’d dreamt of for the perfect home” Joanna built a contemporary version of the 1950s bungalow that had originally stood on this site, overlooking a beautiful Lancashire valley. Using burnt black larch and huge glazing panels to enhance the views, Joanna designed every inch of the interior, while husband Sam oversaw the exterior. The Fletchers love industrial/Scandi style and have thoughtfully combined these themes throughout their home to stunning effect. BEST GARDEN WINNER EMMA RENGASAMY “ We saw a large blank canvas, that through our enjoyment of gardening, we could transform ourselves into a tranquil space” Through the brambles and weeds of their one acre North East Essex garden, Emma and husband Rick have realised its…

HOW TO 1 ADD INTEREST WITH PANELLING An ideal way to introduce an architectural feature to an otherwise plain room, panelling can provide additional insulation and even hide radiators. • Choose the style of panelling that would most suit your space and decide whether you want to cover the whole wall or just part of it. • Using a spirit level and pencil, draw out your panel pattern on the wall, so you know exactly where to attach each section. • To achieve this Jacobean-style panelling, cut boards of MDF into 4in wide strips and attach to the wall in a grid, using strong adhesive. • Add beading to the inner edges of your panelling, before sanding, priming and painting. 2 LAYER WARM NEUTRALS FOR A CALM AND COSY SPACE…

While we love the cosy element that a wood-burning stove brings to a room, burning wood and coal in open fires and stoves makes up 38% of the UK’s primary emissions of fine particulate matter. The Clean Air Strategy 2019 sets about to reduce emissions at home and plans to legislate to prohibit the sale of the most polluting fuels, with only the cleanest stoves available for sale by 2022. You don’t need to wait to make a difference – even small changes can help, such as using only fully seasoned wood; avoiding burning waste wood; sweeping your chimney at least once a year; and lighting the fire only when you need to. Find out more at gov.uk.…

Stencil drawer fronts  Bespoke a chest of drawers from Ikea with a simple chevron stencil. Stipple on furniture paint using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush. Finish with clear matt varnish and leather tab handles. Give it a twist… Choose a trellis design for a more traditional look. Make a secret shelving den Instead of placing shelf units against a wall, face them towards each other to create a special reading nook. Suspend floaty fabric over a swing curtain pole for a magical hideaway canopy, letting it drape to the floor for a fairy-tale feel. Give it a twist… Swap one unit for the back of the bed head, if tight on space. Replace solid  doors with rattan Get the designer look without the expense. Remove wood panels from wardrobe doors and…

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? A simple design will cost anything from £20,000 to £50,000, depending on factors such as where you live and the building materials. Extra internal work, such as a kitchen, and the style – for example glazed doors – will affect the final figure. WHAT IS INVOLVED? A new wall is built, either on the boundary or solely on your side. A roof is added then the existing side wall is knocked through. A steel frame may be needed to support this new opening. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? Plan for eight to 10 weeks for the structure, plus extra for the interior. This is dependent on planning, complexity and any party wall issues.…

“ What can permission”?? ” I was very flattered to be asked to be the new renovation columnist for Ideal Home. My brief is to cut through the bluff and bluster that abound in the architecture and design world to give clear, understandable advice to readers wanting to make the best of their homes. So far, so good. Then the editor told me my first  piece was on permitted development, and my heart sank! The principle of PD rights is simple enough: they allow certain changes to be made to a home without the need of planning permission. Unfortunately, they were drafted by civil servants, not known for their clarity of approach, who tried to cover as many of the possible changes and combinations of changes to the 27.8 million…

Cladding is the skin of your house – it’s the outer layer that helps to insulate and protect it from the elements, and it enhances your home’s appearance, too. Cladding has become as important a consideration as interior design. ‘Our clients are increasingly as aware of the multitude of options for the exterior of the house as they are for the interior,’ says Ian Chapman RIBA, director at The Vawdrey House. ‘In the same breath, we’re discussing the marble on the kitchen island, the oak on the living room floor and – in a similar aspirational way – the façade materials on the outside of the building.’ WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES? There are two main ways to use cladding – as part of the construction of a new extension, or…

SIMPLE STRUCTURE Konnor floor lamp, £210, Hudson Home GREEN GODDESS Artificial fiddle leaf plant, £80, Oliver Bonas FINISHING TOUCH Mantle arch mirror, £355, Rose & Grey SHAGGY STRIPE Square fluffy cushion, £49, Cult Furniture WILD WINNER Tortoiseshell candle holder, £30, Oka GET COSY Marilyn throw in Oyster, £40, Walton & Co REST AND REPEAT Arundel three-seater sofa in Burgundy, £3,295, Soho Home GENTLE CURVE Mantle arch mirror, £50, Dunelm BOLD LINES Moroccan tufted cushion, £10, B&M GET THE GLOW Brown spotted glass tea light, £18, Maisons du Monde SNUGGLE UP Faux fur throw, £20, George Home SWITCH ON Tetbury floor lamp, £95, Next FABULOUS FAUX Artificial fiddle leaf plant, £17.99, Dowsing & Reynolds SUSTAINABLE STAR Virtue three-seater sofa in Cosy Grape, from £80 a month to rent, Loop by Sofology…

1 SNOOP (SNOOP.APP) This app keeps a close eye on your bills by letting you know if it thinks you’re paying too much. It can help you get a better deal on anything from broadband to energy prices. 2 YOLT ( YOLT.COM ) Allows you to view all your accounts in one place. With your spending on one single dashboard you can see how much is going in and out. You can also opt for its pre-paid card to set budgets on items, such as groceries or entertainment. 3 EMMA ( EMMA-APP.COM ) Overspending or always in overdraft? Use the Emma app to get insights on your spending, and use its budgeting tools and alerts for when you are heading into overdraft.…

Zero carbon mattress “Each mattress is made from recycled plastic bottles” Mattresses are one of the worst waste offenders in the UK, with over 7.5 million of them currently in landfill. Handmade in the UK, the latest mattress-in-a-box brand Nemo features the highest content of recycled plastic – at least 300 plastic bottles worth – of any mattress currently on the market. What’s more, every single element within each mattress, as well as the packaging it comes in, is suitable for reuse or recycling, meaning you can sleep soundly in the knowledge that you’re doing your bit for the environment. LANDFILL-DODGING FURNITURE Furniture brand Sofology has just launched a new service to help extend the life cycle of living room furniture, and avoid it being discarded. The service – called…

Coconut, ginger and kaffir lime mussels SERVES 4 READY IN 20 MINS, PLUS SCRUBBING ● 2tbsp groundnut oil ● 4 shallots, finely chopped ● 2 kaffir lime leaves, very finely sliced ● Thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and sliced into fine matchsticks ● 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ● 4 red chillies, deseeded and finely sliced ● 400ml tin coconut milk ● 2tbsp fish sauce ● Juice of 1 lime ● 2kg mussels, cleaned ● Thai basil or coriander, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large wok or a large, wide pan with a lid. Fry the shallots over a medium heat for 2-3 mins, stirring often. Add the lime leaves, ginger, garlic and chilli and cook for a further minute or so. Pour in the coconut milk, fish…