Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER Can I have a round of applause, please? Yes, I finally took the plunge after endless months of dithering, and picked a colour to paint my living room! And I really went for it – with a shade of black! When the lovely lady behind the counter in the paint shop commended me for my ‘brave choice’, I have to admit to having a wobble. “Calming in daytime and cosseting at night, black has transformed my living room” I had my second wobble when I started painting the woodwork (we used the same shade on the woodwork and walls). I called our Style Editor Nicky in a panic, but she talked me down and boy am I glad she did, because I’m head over heels in love with…

Motsi lives near Frankfurt, Germany with her husband and young daughter WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WALK IN YOUR FRONT DOOR? Shoes off, breathe in, breathe out. Then I drop myself on this big, big bean bag – it’s my place of relaxation. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? Between six and eight in the evening – that’s when I have some of my ‘me’ time. I get to work out, chill or meditate. I can maybe watch a movie, or just lie there and have time by myself. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? The bean bag! But, really, my whole place is my happy place. We live in Taunus, which is the forest close to Frankfurt, so I love it when I'm…

LOOKS THAT LAST STYLE DIRECTION“Dusty-pink walls harmonise with mint-green stripes, while black and white pull the scheme together"NICKY PHILLIPS, STYLE EDITOR PICK A PALETTE When mixing patterns, the key is to stick to a limited palette of three to four shades – too many creates visual chaos! Use colours that have the same hue and intensity, such as pastel patterns or primary brights, but not all together. For a sleek, minimal look, try timeless black, grey and navy; and for a country feel, go for soft, pale colours. MIX UP THE SCALE When decorating with checks and stripes, contrast the scale so the patterns do not compete, such as a narrow-stripe wallpaper and a bold upholstery check. As a rule, choose one large, one medium and one small pattern. Or,…

IDEAL HOME OFFER Pooky is the home of beautiful, decorative lighting designs that look as though they cost a fortune, but don’t. Since it launched eight years ago, the brand has established itself as a go-to provider of decorative lighting for homes around the UK and leading interior designers around the world. You’ll find table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights, chandeliers, desk lights and wall lights in brass, glass, ceramic, wood and marble in the collection, with a beautiful section dedicated to outdoor lighting, too. And Pooky’s lampshade range is simply enormous, featuring plain and gathered shades in every sort of shape and size in Indian silks, linens, ikats, block-printed cottons, hand-marbled papers and parchment. Pooky also features frequent collaborations, the latest of which showcases the timeless Arts and Crafts…

SOFA STYLE Here, the whole scheme hangs on the monochrome navy and white sofa cover. The medium-sized print isn’t overpowering; instead, it brings classic charm. The subtlety of the delicate pomegranate motif turns into a graphic print from afar, while the formal sofa shape is softened by the loose cover. And pulling the sofa in from the wall is a well-known interior design trick – it creates an intimate, more social space. Just make sure you have room to walk behind it! PAPERED WALLS Again, from a distance, this small graphic print has the appearance of a plain textured wallpaper, but look closer and the tiny diamond motif adds depth and contrast to the scheme. The navy blue and white print echoes that of the sofa, making it the perfect…

1. COLOUR SCHEME Using richer, warmer tones on soft furnishings, walls and flooring is an easy way of making a lacklustre living room feel instantly more cosy and snug. Set the scene with a muted neutral on walls to create a soothing background, then add heat by working in spicier tones of red, terracotta, burnt orange and mustard throughout the room on furniture and accessories. IH LOVES… ■ Dulux for colour choice ■ Lick for durable designer-style paint ■ Mylands for its good-quality paint range 2. FOCAL POINT Echo the change of seasons by re-working the layout of your living room so that it feels cosier and more inviting. While a view out to the garden might be perfect for the summer months, consider rearranging your furniture and seating over…

THE PROBLEM The bedroom lacked an en suite, while the adjoining room was under-used THE SOLUTION ‘We were thinking about moving, but decided to put the money into renovating our home from top to bottom instead. Alongside a kitchen extension and loft conversion, I wanted a proper main suite, and knew our neglected would make a fabulous en suite. ‘We’ve been lucky enough to stay in some beautiful hotels, and I was keen to recreate that luxury, spa-type ambience. I was after a chic, neutral palette, plenty of light, and a calm, classic look in tune with our period house. I found Simply Bathrooms on Instagram (@simplybathroomsltd). Its clean style and complete design, sourcing and installation service were appealing. The standout features are the…

THE PROBLEM The ground floor was awkward and confined, with a small, dark kitchen no longer suitable for family life THE SOLUTION ‘We began by removing the existing kitchen,’ says architect Adam Hiles, ‘and then we opened up the back of the house completely. In its place we designed a new extension with a staggered open-plan layout, introducing more natural light through a roof light, glazed sliding doors and a window seat, which lines up with the front door to give a view right through into the garden as you enter the house. The rear elevation of the extension features contemporary zinc combined with bespoke ceramic tiles, which gives the back of the house a refreshing new look. The tiles were designed by us incorporating Arts and Crafts references such…

During the summer months, I dread the winter. As the days get shorter, I start to panic. I mournfully put my flip flops away and wistfully think back to warm evenings and swimming in the sea. But then the most surprising thing happens; the winter comes and I remember how much I love it. I swap my sliders for comfy boots and pull my favourite winter coats out of the back of the cupboard. The fans go back in the loft and I adorn each sofa with comfy, fluffy blankets and sink into plush cushions while watching TV in the evenings. Cosiness is my thing. I do it well because in the winter, I feel I need it. I want to envelop myself in fluff and layers, to warm my…

Your home is important, sure. But it’s not until this time of year that your home becomes REALLY important and stays that way until, let’s say, mid March. Because I don’t want to depress anyone, but we are now entering the season euphemistically known as “winter” but in this country is known as “grey blah.” Grey blah is what Britain is for about six months of the year: not cold enough for anything interesting like snow, not warm enough to be outside comfortably for more than 10 minutes. Grey blah is when I no longer leave my house for anything other than buying teabags from the shop, and any kind of social life disappears to a vanishing point. Why not have friends over to your place, you ask? Because I…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. And her new house is keeping her busy! NICKY PHILLIPS STYLE EDITOR Nicky brings over 26 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 22 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 17th season, with over 40 million downloads. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Lucy and Conor Fitzgerald live here with their three sons. The interiors were designed by Alice Leigh Design. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom double-fronted Victorian property in west London. “We wanted to be ADVENTUROUS with our DESIGN, while creating schemes that were both PRACTICAL and timeless” 1 “A neutral backdrop creates the perfect blank canvas” ‘The open-plan living room, which opens on to the dining area, was a great place to inject subtle colour, pattern and texture with accessories and statement lighting. We opted for warm earthy tones, geometrics and natural flooring and we were inspired by sculptor Margit Wittig’s lighting. This neutral space felt like the perfect opportunity to display one of her jewel-like chandeliers.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke resin chandelier, price on request,…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Navy is a more versatile colour than you may think; the inky depths seem to change depending on the lighting in the room. It’s an excellent choice if you want to go dark but not quite black and can be used with light neutrals to create a sophisticated look.’ CATHRYN SANDERS, HEAD OF CREATIVE, EARTHBORN ‘Our northern light in the UK enhances navy’s pigments and because our eyes have difficulty tuning in to its depth, the colour gives a sense of endless space. It’s an adaptable colour; it can be timeless or contemporary, glamorous or relaxing.’ DAVID MOTTERSHEAD, MD OF LITTLE GREENE ‘Because it’s on the warmer side of the blue spectrum, navy creates an inviting, cocooning feel. Like all…

ROOM DECOR WHERE TO BUY…

MEET THE EXPERTS ROHAN BLACKER, FOUNDER OF POOKY ‘The main function of a living room is to promote a sense of familiarity and cosiness – all of which can be enhanced by lighting.’ PETER LEGG, DESIGN AND BRAND MANAGER AT DAR LIGHTING GROUP AND THE LIGHT SHADE STUDIO ‘I’d have a beautiful central crystal light hanging over a coffee table, plus table lamps.’ SARAH GARE, DESIGN DIRECTOR, SARAH GARE INTERIORS ‘For a well-lit living room, I would install a central chandelier, picture lights, directional spots and table lamps.’ Our living rooms have many uses, yet all too often we tend to rely on that one central overhead light source. Need help in creating a lighting scheme that will do your living room styling skills justice? We’ve asked two lighting experts…

1 INTRODUCE PATTERN WITH A TABLECLOTH A statement tablecloth layered up with pared-back crockery and contrasting napkins, plus a few plants will achieve a stunning tablescape to impress guests. 2 ADD CHARACTER TO A ROOM WITH BEADING To inject depth and sophistication into your living room, look to wood mouldings as your go-to. You can pick up lengths of beading cheaply from DIY stores and it can be attached to the wall with wood glue. Arrange in large, evenly spaced rectangles, then paint your entire wall in one enveloping shade to create a smart, elegant look. COLOURS TO W OW 3 Cover a tired floor with a statement rug for a quick fix that will keep toes toasty, too. 4 PAINT A BAND OF CHALKBOARD ON A…

The terrace is perhaps the defining British house type. No other style of home has done more to create UK towns and cities and therefore shape us. Other countries have mansion blocks and towers of flats, we have rows of terraces giving everyone a front door and a garden to call their own. The development of this much loved type can be traced back to the early 17th century. The Georgian terraces of Bath, Manchester and many other cities are, for me, the perfect urban home: beautiful, functional, light and airy. During the industrial revolution standardised terraces were a response to the urbanisation of the Victorian age. Built in their millions, the rows of terraces that march through the Welsh valleys, northern mining towns or East London, for a while…

How to start investing - a beginner’s guide If you have savings, you’ll want to make sure the cash is working hard and growing to build for you and your family’s future needs. Although interest rates have crept up on savings accounts, the earnings do not match inflation, meaning your cash is losing value and is worth less in the long term. Investing can help you keep up with inflation and save for future goals – from retirement, extending your home or saving for your children. Our money expert Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares her tips on how you can invest to turbocharge future savings. EMERGENCY MONEY FIRST Before you start investing, make sure you first put away some money for emergencies, such as a boiler breakdown. This pot should remain in…

Fried feta parcels with honey SERVES 2 READY IN 15 MIN ● Vegetable oil, for frying ● 200g block of feta cheese, cut into quarters ● 1 sheet of filo pastry (about 480 x 250mm), cut into quarters ● 2 heaped tablespoons clear honey 1 Heat a frying pan over a medium heat, pour in about 1cm vegetable oil and bring to frying temperature (the oil must not be too hot: add a little piece of filo pastry – if it bubbles gently the oil is hot enough, if it sizzles aggressively the oil is too hot). 2 Line a plate with a double layer of kitchen paper. Wrap each rectangle of feta in a piece of filo and use a little oil or water to seal the seam on…

SURPRISE IN STORE Design the perfect piece with Heal’s Bespoke furniture often comes at eye-watering prices, meaning most of us have to settle with off-the-peg buys that don’t always fit into our homes as we’d like. But with Designed By You from Heal’s, you can select the size, finish, colour and material of each piece – from sideboards and dining tables to benches, putting you in the driving seat at every stage of the design process. The result? Furniture that works perfectly in your home. IH LOVES... Display trays Jesmonite round tray in Emerald, £68, Emily Marlin at Fy! What to do this month... LISTEN Presenter Angela Scanlon hosts the podcast Thanks A Million, a refreshing show that considers the idea of expressing thanks, with the good, the great and…

DREAM HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Mary and Paul Johnson live here with their children Amanda, 13, Chris, 10, and Victoria, seven. THE PROPERTY A seven-bedroom colonial-style house built in 2018 in Connecticut, USA. Before moving to their new home, the Johnson family lived in a charming brick Georgian house with high ceilings, original features and bags of character. So when Mary first walked into this simple, colonial-style house for the first time, she knew immediately that she wanted a complete change. ‘It was very “vanilla” with lots of white rooms,’ she remembers. And although the bare bones of an attractive house were there, ‘We had to do a lot of cosmetic work to achieve the more modern and sophisticated look that we were going for.’ “We took some…

READER HOME AWARDS BEST HOMES 2022 BEST HOME WINNER SUSANNE & JEREMY HEWSON We were bowled over by the Hewsons’ modern New Zealand-inspired larch-clad house. Set in a sub-tropical garden in the heart of south London, it was originally a dark and poky Seventies chalet-style brick bungalow. The couple transformed the space to create an open-plan kitchen-dining-living room, as well as extending and adding a new upper floor. “We wanted to create a Kiwi-style open-plan modern home, with light pouring in and views onto the garden” BEST GARDEN WINNER CAROLINE WHITTINGHAM & BILL BAINES Using a fresh, modern design that combines entertaining spaces with structural, seaside-friendly planting, Caroline Whittingham and Bill Baines rejuvenated their jaded garden. The not-quite-square urban plot behind an Eighties three-bed semi had…

Go for built-in design Create a ‘bespoke’ built-in combination by teaming wall cabinets with simple drawer units that fit flush. We personalised ours with smart leather drawer pulls. Give it a twist Go for floor-to-ceiling units, painting them the same colour as the chimney breast for barely-there storage. Make use of every inch Add handy shelves to the back of a door. Use over-the-door hooks, a key organiser and a kitchen rail with S-hooks to keep your favourite accessories ready to grab and go. Give it a twist Cover the inside of the door with a wire grid notice board, to tie necklaces, bracelets and scarves to. Use the height Hang a high shelf in a box room by laying a scaffolding plank on to brackets. Add grab-handled baskets that…

“Super-sized art murals are great focal points” If, like me, you’re always looking for the perfect piece of art but can never find the right size, shape or colourway, let alone it being in budget, why let any of the above restrict you? Murals aren’t new but the trend for artist’s work being reproduced to cover large expanses of wall has become quite the talking point of late. As they’re made-to-measure, these pieces can be completely customised; simply choose the scale and crop of your chosen design to suit your space. The big trend now is Cubism. Works by abstract artists, such as Matisse, Mondrian and Picasso, have been adapted to create colourful, joyful and impactful designs. My advice would be to use this type of artwork on just one…

NEW LOOK website How to deal with narrow hallways From optical illusions with paint and decor to neat storage solutions, discover all the tricks to max your space Best sofas Take a look at our pick of the best sofas on the market that deliver on comfort, style and affordability. From roomy corner designs to compact two seaters (and most with matching furniture), we’ve chosen our favourites to make sofa shopping far easier How to bleed a radiator Not feeling the benefit of your central heating system? Your rads might need some attention. Our step-by-step guide is here to help Nursery ideas Baby on the way or newborn at home? Grab some time between naps to check out our brilliant nursery decor ideas to help you create a space both…

THE PROBLEM The kitchen was dark and didn’t connect with the rest of the downstairs THE SOLUTION ‘Our kitchen was not only in dire need of an update but the space didn’t feel connected to the rest of the house. We decided to update the kitchen, then the plans became more extensive. The space was not straightforward – the the centre of the house, which we didn’t move, and our patio was small. My brother-in-law architect Martin Bradley (@martin.bradley123) suggested a window seat and skylights on either side of the house. With the new space worked out it was time to think about the kitchen. I’m an interiors stylist (@emmafishman_stylist) so I loved thinking about the style. I had my eye on Bert & May’s…

Modern woodburning stoves or log burners are more efficient and therefore cheaper to run than traditional gas and electric heaters. That’s why they’re so appealing with the current fuel crisis. In addition to providing an efficient form of heating, woodburners add character, style and a focal point to a room. ‘An open fire is around 32% efficient. A room open gas fire is approximately 55% efficient, while an Ecodesign woodburning stove is typically around 80% efficient,’ says Erica Malkin, communications manager at the Stove Industry Alliance (stoveindustry alliance.com). Ecodesign is a standard that was implemented across Europe on 1 January 2022. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STOVE? Stoves differ in the type of fuel they use and the way they heat a room. Radiant stoves transmit heat through the…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ If you have an open-plan space or your home is spread across multiple floors, a vacuum with a large capacity that plugs in at the wall is likely to be the most convenient. For those in smaller homes or flats, one of the best cordless vacuums is a game changer, as they can eradicate mess with no need for the fuss of plugging in a cable. ■ If you need a larger, more powerful vacuum cleaner for a bigger space or a busy family home, then it’s likely you’ll be opting for a corded vacuum, as you won’t have to worry about losing charge. ■ Cordless models are handheld appliances that you can use to get around your house with ease. They often have charging ports…

“Dunelm has vowed to reduce its water footprint by 30% and halve its carbon emissions by 2030” Make a better choice Dunelm has just launched a new homeware collection called Conscious Choice, which is aimed at giving people the option to choose a more sustainable life. With over 800 new products for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, each piece boasts plenty of sustainable cred, whether it’s made from at least 50% responsibly sourced timber, recycled glass or organic fabric. Beautifully designed and built to last, nearly half of the collection comes with an extended guarantee of between five and 25 years. LIVE IN A BUBBLE If you’re looking to enhance your bathing experience while cutting your water usage, then check out the truly mind-(and-bubble) blowing BubbleSpa shower. The brand’s patented…

PLUMP FOR PERSONALISED To get the most out of your bootility (a utility and boot room combined!), work out exactly what you need in it. Make a list of everything, including items that might currently be elsewhere in your home. You can pack much more into a small space than you think, but the key is making storage specific. Measure your ironing board and make sure heights of shelves are thought through in cupboards – don’t just guess. NOTE THE SEASON Think summer vs winter when planning your space, as you’re probably going to be storing more bulky items in the winter and will need a space for multiple pairs of muddy boots. Try not to overstock and fill space you don’t need to. You may not require as much…