Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER Spending more time at home looks set to be the biggest trend this year, as costs spiral and we’re all after ways to save money. But the 2023 take on ‘stay at home’ is a little different to the lockdowns of previous years, as this time we’re free to open up our doors and share our space with friends and family. This focus on entertaining at home will influence how we use our space. Flexibility is key (dinner for 14? Not a prob!) but (let’s be honest) we also want our homes to look their best when we have guests over. Personally, I’m on a fast-looming deadline to take our garden from mudpit to summer sanctuary, ready for alfresco soirées come the warmer months (our new column from…

| STYLE HOUSE | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Kate Clare, founder of Loud Architects, lives here with her partner Gavin Sumner, co-founder of Scalewise.com, along with their one-year-old baby, Wulfie. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Edwardian terrace house in Wanstead. 1 “Our colour choices follow the light” ‘The library room is our adult haven – Wulfie isn’t allowed in here much. I say it has “gentleman’s smoking-room” vibes. The room faces west so it gets a beautiful ochre light in the evening that bounces off the tobacco-coloured walls. If I used the same colours in the kitchen, which faces east, it wouldn’t create the same warmth.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Rufus, £56.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Serge Mouille wall lamp, £244.50, Mobelaris. 1970 cushion, £185,…

BEST HOMES 2023 THE CATEGORIES ■ BEST HOME ■ BEST GARDEN ■ BEST MAKEOVER WE WANT TO SEE ■ Period homes to smart new-builds ■ Country houses to cosy cottages ■ Conversions packed with character ■ Stunning before and afters ■ Beautiful, traditional gardens to modern outdoor living spaces THE PRIZES! ■ Our winners will be announced in the November 2023 issue ■ The winners of each of the three categories will win £1,000 Closing date 30 April 2023 ENTER ONLINE idealhome.co.uk/homeawardsentry You will need the following information ready to complete your application: SHORT INTRO Write up to 300 words about the home, garden or room you’re entering. Tell us about your space, mentioning key elements, how you’ve transformed it, any clever hacks you’ve incorporated, where you’re located and…

1. LUSH GREENERY If you spend long days at your desk, you’ll benefit from sharing your space with a selection of houseplants. Whether you opt for fresh or faux, they’ll breathe new life into your space, introduce moments of calm and bring a sense of the outside in. Make use of the walls, ceiling and floor: trailing plants look great hanging in holders and wall-mounted pots are good for air plants. For similar faux foliage, try a selection at Wyld Home 2. MEMO BOARD Having a dedicated spot to pin postcards, colour swatches, magazine clippings and anything else that inspires you will create a go-to spot to focus on when you hit a mind-blank. Opt for a wire style like this one, or choose a simple fabric-covered canvas board and…

MEET THE EXPERTS RUTH FOSTER, INTERIOR DESIGNER, VICTORIA PLUM ‘The bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in your home, but its design can still make an impact’ CLARE PASCOE, DIRECTOR, PASCOE INTERIORS ‘Focus on the practical challenges first then subtly switch up the ambience with dimmable lighting, plants or pops of colour’ KAMILA SWIATECKA, HEAD OF MARKETING & BRAND, TILE GIANT ‘Get the tiles right for a family bathroom. Look for hardwearing tiles, such as porcelain, with large format designs for a cost-effective option’ The family bathroom, often awash with clutter – from lotions and potions to rubber ducks – needs to work hard, especially in the pre-school rush. It also needs to be a retreat once the kids are in bed. How do you strike a balance?…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Karen Burdon (@barnconversion_northumberland) lives here with her husband, John. THE PROJECT A kitchen installation, which is part of a project converting a chicken shed into a contemporary home. TOTAL COST £36,348 THE PROBLEM Installing a kitchen from scratch within an unusual open-plan space THE SOLUTION ‘When we embarked on converting the original chicken shed, we wanted to work with the exposed steels and columns to create an industrial contemporary look. I felt the kitchen was central to the building and the hub of the home. Top of my wish list was a larder, which I wanted to close off so it made sense to build it into the eaves. This gave us a starting point for the layout, which we…

The average person in the UK spends 92% of their time indoors, the majority of which is spent at home, so understanding and controlling air quality in your home is really important. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and formaldehyde are two of the key offenders in poor air quality. A recently fitted carpet, a redecorated room or new furniture can be high in these chemicals and can result in eye irritation, a runny nose and even asthma-like chest tightness. A second area that impacts internal air quality, and therefore health, is moisture. We live on a damp island. In addition to the vast quantities of rain we get, showers, cooking and drying clothes all introduce more moisture into our homes, which often results in humidity exceeding recommended levels. If this happens…

W hether you’re planning a kitchen extension or just want to upgrade existing patio doors, you might be wondering whether sliding doors are worth the hype – and the investment. We asked the experts for their advice. SLIDING VS BIFOLD DOORS ‘Sliding doors are made up of two to six panels of glass, which slide sideways along a track, as opposed to bifold doors, which fold concertina-style,’ explains Ryan Schofield, managing director, Thames Valley Window Company (tvwindows.com). ‘They can be designed in a choice of configurations, or even lift-and-slide variations for ease of operation with heavier panels.’ Sliding doors naturally require less space than traditional doors, which swing forwards when they open. Bifold doors subdivide the glass multiple times and need stacking space when opening. ‘Sliding doors offer greater control…

Linguine alla puttanesca Linguine with tomatoes, capers and black olives SERVES 4 READY IN 35 MINS ● 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil ● 4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and left whole ● 4 anchovy fillets ● 1/2 red chilli, finely chopped ● 40g capers ● 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes ● Couple of pinches of dried oregano ● 80g pitted black olives ● 320g dried linguine ● Handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the garlic, anchovies, chilli and capers and sweat over a medium heat until the anchovies have dissolved, about 2 mins. 2 Stir in the tomatoes, oregano and a little salt to taste. Cover with a lid and cook over a medium-low heat for 15 mins. Stir…

START BY GOING THROUGH EACH CUPBOARD, drawer and basket to sort out what you actually use and need and what’s been lurking for far too long. The kids’ old bath toys can be taken to charity shops, threadbare towels can be used for cleaning – and mouldy sponges must be chucked. CHECK THAT TOILETRIES AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS ARE IN DATE – there is a symbol on the back that suggests how long after opening it should be kept. Get rid of everything that’s past its best, recycling any plastic packs and glass bottles. INVEST IN CLEAR PLASTIC STORAGE CADDIES to slot inside cupboards, preferably with straight sides to make the most of the shelf space. Opting for clear storage will help you keep track of what you have so you…

Usually one of the smallest rooms in the home, bathrooms may have a primary purpose but they always end up serving a wide variety of needs. They’re all things to everyone - from an early morning washroom to a sanctuary to unwind in at the end of the day, a fun splash space for children to a calm refuge for your daily ablutions. Get the design wrong and it may struggle to serve all these necessities well. That’s why we’ve packed this book with heaps of ideas and advice, from how to design the layout, what storage solutions you may need and all the fixtures and fittings required to create the perfect space. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to take the plunge... The content in this book…

With their tactile, chalky finish, fabulous patterns and relaxed, vintage look, there’s a lot to love about encaustic tiles. There are also a few good reasons to swerve them. Read on before you decide whether encaustics are worth the effort or if you should go for faux. Q How do encaustics differ from normal tiles? Whether made from modern cement or traditional fired clay, all encaustic tiles are unglazed and thus porous. Unless sealed, encaustics will soak up splashes and stains, whereas ceramic and porcelain tiles are non-porous, don’t need sealing and are virtually stainproof. Q Why should I buy them? The beauty of encaustics is that the designs are made by inlaying pigmented cement rather than surface printing. The pattern remains, even when the tiles get worn down. They…

Welcome to my home Avril Taylor lives here with her five children, William, Jack, Thomas, Patrick and Emily. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Edwardian semi in Hove, East Sussex. “The bathroom is the one room in the house with a lock on the door, so with music and candles it’s an oasis for me!” HOW AVRIL DID IT ‘The bathroom wasn’t working for our family. With the over-bath shower, we always ended up with water all over the floor. We needed a separate shower, but I couldn’t work out how to fit one in. I also didn’t want any pipework to be visible, even if it meant reconfiguring the plumbing. I found The Brighton Bathroom Company online and liked its gallery of projects. The…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The solutions you need to turn a busy, cluttered bathroom into a serene, spa-like space 1 THE FREE-STANDING SHELVING Open shelves provide an instant overview of the products you have and those you are running low on, as well as giving you quick access to the items that you use frequently. Keep daily-use items, such as soap and toothbrushes, at hand height and stack spare towels lower down, for a pleasing display. Vilto shelving unit, Ikea 2 THE OVER-DOOR RACK If surface space is limited in your bathroom, use the space on the back of the door. With four sturdy, wire shelves to house everything from shower caps and facecloths to perfumes and hairbrushes, it’s perfect for storing everyday essentials. Over door rack, Wilko 3 THE IN-DRAWER…

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,…

While many of us dream of a day at a luxury spa to pamper ourselves and take a break from the stresses of daily life, it’s not always possible to spare the time. However, it’s easier than you might think to create an indulgent bathing experience at home. As there are now ranges that echo the glamour of a stay in a boutique hotel, achieving the look in your own home is easier than ever before. RELAXING BOUDOIR If you’re after real decadence, take a leaf out of the five-star hotels’ book and put the bath in your bedroom. The environment in a bedroom helps to create a softer, more sensual feeling for bathing but make sure that your room is up to it first. Adding new plumbing can be…

Chrome has been king of the bathroom for some time but, as with kitchens, this is all changing. Though we’re not advocating the return of gaudy, swan-shaped brassware or wall-to-wall copper tiles, there is definitely a trend for modern metallic finishes, and it’s worth tapping into for your new bathroom design. ON THE SURFACE To prevent your walls looking as if they’ve been touched by the hand of King Midas, use metallics sparingly but with purpose. A border of gold or copper mosaics surrounding plain field tiles behind a basin or bath, or in a shower cubicle, will give the feeling of glamour without veering into tackiness. Lustre and iridescent tiles are an attractive option, as they will shimmer and add light and openness. For floors, opt for natural stone…

Forget the lone ceiling light and over-mirror combo that’s been illuminating bathrooms, badly, for decades. Strategically placed mood lighting is the secret to creating a soothing bathroom that’s as indulgent as your favourite spa. Q Where do I begin? Start by working out how you use the bathroom. If you’re a bath person, focus on atmospheric lighting to create ambience near the bath – floor lights around the perimeter of the bath will cast a restful glow. Waterproof light fittings can be added inside the bath and shower, creating a luxurious spa effect as they shimmer through the water. Q Do I need a lighting plan? Yes – lighting should be planned at the same time as the plumbing to ensure adequate illumination. Getting organised early, before the tiles are…

When designing a bathroom the spotlight is often on the big-ticket items, but taps can have a huge impact. For clean lines and designer style, pick a contemporary choice. Q Why should I go modern? Contemporary brassware is a natural fit in a modern space but sleek, minimalist taps can create dynamic pairings in otherwise classic bathrooms, too. And new designs are easier to clean, with no dirt-trapping nooks. Q Where can I find the hottest designs? Italian and German designer brands tend to lead trends – think Axor, Dornbracht, Gessi and Vola. Key looks – such as waterfall spouts and joystick-style handles – soon filter down into more affordable options from the likes of Bathstore, Crosswater or Ikea. Q Which finishes are best? Chrome is always a safe bet,…

Lack of privacy, an awkwardly-shaped window or a steamy bathroom can leave you looking for an alternative to bathroom blinds. Replacing clear glass with obscured glass might offer a more practical solution. Q What’s the popular option? Textured glass – a rolled, patterned glass with the design impressed onto one side of the surface. It makes the glass translucent and non-transparent, distorting views while also letting in plenty of light. Designs vary from simple ripples and reeded lines to more decorative florals, foliage and geometrics and there are several different gradings available, according to the privacy level (or obscuration) required. Q I’m not keen on a textured finish – what else is there? Try sandblasted or acid-etched glass. Both use abrasives to create a frosted look that gives privacy and…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Sunday Times columnist, Hadley has also penned four books. And her new house is keeping her busy! MATT SIBERRY STYLE & TRENDS EXPERT As head of home at Pinterest, Matt is perfectly placed to spot the trends based on what we’re all searching for on Pinterest. 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…

Cooking legend Mary Berry lives in Henley, Oxfordshire with her husband Paul and two dogs Darcy and Freddy WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR? Tell the dogs to be quiet. If I’ve been away, the first thing I do is go into the garden and see what I can pick to make the house home. There are always flowers in the garden – we’ve got some irises and they’re on the kitchen table now. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? At the end of the day, you know when you’ve achieved what you’ve set out from your list, and the door closes. Six o’clock I think is about my favourite time; sitting down, perhaps having a drink and…

| LOOKS THAT LAST | STYLE DIRECTION“Sage green makes a restful backdrop in a living room. Pair with botanical prints and a striped armchair to bring nature home"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR STYLE DIRECTION“Bring the outside in with a wallpaper mural. Look for a ‘bottom-heavy’ design, that feels as if the botanicals are growing up your walls"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF FIND INSPIRATION Head outside for a nature walk. Pay attention to how different shades of green foliage combine effortlessly, with a variety of flowers happily growing side-by-side. This is the look you are aiming to achieve, layering fresh botanical fabrics, wallpapers and accessories to reflect nature at its finest. MIX UP PATTERNS Stripes and checks help to give botanical designs a fresh, modern twist. Try layering a selection of striped…

1 HANG A SPRING WREATH Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas – they can represent any season and be hung on a wall or even from the ceiling. Pick up a bare woven wreath from your local florist or online supplier and intertwine it with fresh foliage, seasonal flowers and foraged branches. Suspend it over a dining table to create a centrepiece for hosting guests over Easter weekend. 2 PLAY WITH PATTERN Don’t be afraid to step out of your decorating comfort zone with a wonderful large-scale wallpaper design that will bring drama and energy to your dining or living room. The clean lines of this white cabinet add to the contemporary flavour of the space and ensure it still feels calm, even though the pattern is bold – so…

Organising the linen cupboard Our top tips will ensure you’re never buried in an avalanche of sheets and towels again! Kitchen island ideas These multi-tasking kitchen heroes come in all shapes and sizes. But in order to get the most out of an island, you’ll need to first think about what you’ll use it for. We explore this unit’s many uses to help you find the perfect island for you Best multicooker They’re incredible value for money and offer versatility if you need a space-saving solution. Find out which multicooker tops our tried and tested list Small garden projects After being cooped up inside for the last few months, the arrival of spring means alfresco living is back on the cards. No matter what size your outdoor space – whether…

Most people can achieve impressive kitchen extensions when size isn’t an issue, but there’s something extra special and satisfying about a design that’s had to work hard to make every inch count. If you have some garden to spare, it could be put to better use with a space-boosting, light-filled extension. A small kitchen extension that’s well planned can transform the functionality and enjoyment of your home. If you are planning an extension with a view to sell, work out if the costs stack up against how much value it will add to your property. A local estate agent can help with the maths. Don’t forget to include less obvious expenses, such as rent if you’ll have to move out while the work goes on. Check that your services can…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Steam cleaners come in three models: mop, convertible (or two-in-one) and cylinder. A steam mop is the best option if you plan to use it only to clean your floors, as they tend to be the most lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. Convertible versions are upright steam mops with a detachable steam generator in the centre that can be used as a smaller, separate hand-held cleaner. Cylinder cleaners generate a constant flow of powerful steam, which is perfect for tackling almost any surface, but they are generally more expensive and bulkier than the mop designs. ■ Because they use such high-powered steam, these appliances are perfect for cleaning and sanitising a whole host of surfaces in your home, not just floors. To get the most for…

ISAs - how to make them work for you Whether you’re saving for a new extension or a rainy day, having the backing of a savings pot will help. And as we approach the new tax year (on 6 April), now is the time to make the most of your ISA allowance, which can help you save in a tax-efficient way. WHAT IS AN ISA? Put simply, an ISA (individual savings accounts) is a tax-efficient savings account, where any money you earn in interest or investment return is not taxable. There are basically two categories of ISAs: a cash one, where you earn interest just as you do in a cash savings account, and stocks and shares, in which your money is invested in the stock market. CASH ISA If…

Once you get your garden colour right, with a palette you love, you’ll be revelling in it every day. But equally, when it’s wrong, it will hit you and your visitors in the face. And there’s nowhere that this is more true than in a small garden space. Here are five wonderful colour palettes to try. The first one is the simple Monochrome Mix, while the next four suggestions all use colour combinations in quite strictly segregated groups. And each palette will give your garden a different character. Do you want a velvety and enveloping feel (Dark & Rich)? Or a stand-out look that’s crisp and smart (Soft & Cool)? A place to be calm in, with soft, gentle ‘cashmere-jersey’ colours (Soft & Warm)? Or do you want your space…

“Caesarstone guarantees that the materials it uses in its surfaces are free of unwanted chemicals” Buy once, buy well Kitchen worktops – at least, those made from materials that are both hardwearing and long-lasting – can be rather expensive. And the last thing you need after forking out a fortune on a new worktop is to have it lose its durability over time. Caesarstone, manufacturers of beautiful quartz and porcelain surfaces, has just extended its warranty to cover its products for life, reassuring its customers that its sustainable surfaces will remain just as durable and as beautiful as the day they were first installed. GREEN & PLEASANT Being inspired by nature simply wasn’t enough for design duo Divine Savages, aka Jamie Watkins and Tom Kennedy. They wanted to create something…

While it might seem daunting, getting your bathroom layout right from the start will make the difference between an adequate design and one that ticks all the boxes. First up, make sure your measurements are correct and then you can begin to experiment. IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS Start by thinking about who will be using the room, as this will have a big bearing on the scheme you finally choose. Is it to be an en-suite shower room for two or a family bathroom that will require a bath and plenty of storage for toys? PLAN YOUR LAYOUT A scale plan of your space is a good place to start. Measure carefully as accurate dimensions are key and include features that are likely to affect the design, including windows, chimney breasts…

Whether you have young children or elderly parents moving in, planning a bathroom fit for the whole family can seem daunting. We’ve broken down the top tips you need to get going… Q Where do I start? First, you need to identify your ideal bathroom style. Decide on whether you want a sleek, modern look or if you’d prefer something a little more traditional to match your home. Q How do I keep things safe for children? Fitted bathroom furniture is an ideal storage idea in a space that’s used by little ones. Sleekly integrating your basin and toilet, fitted units have a seamless look and feel, and maximise the available space. The combination of low and high-level storage makes it a great choice for families with children – store…

Raised off the floor, wall-hung sanitaryware is sleek and modern, and is easier to clean than floor-standing designs. Q How is it installed? Wall-hung sanitaryware is designed to be bolted to a steel frame behind a stud wall. Once the wall is plastered and tiled or painted, all you’ll see is glorious sanitaryware. You can also buy furniture designed for wall-hung fittings if a new wall isn’t needed. Q What height should fittings hang at? There are no set heights, so if you’re tall go for a higher washbasin. In general, 80-85cm is considered a good height for basins and standard loos sit 40cm from the floor. Q Does wall-hanging take up more space? Building out a new wall, in front of an existing wall, will reduce the width of…

Sloped ceilings, uneven walls and alcoves are common in bathrooms, particularly in period houses or where space is tight. But it’s not all bad news; irregular architecture can result in a character-filled place to bathe and unwind. Q Can I improve the shape? Stealing space from a bedroom or relocating a water tank might provide extra inches but do get costings in advance. Moving a window is pricier than an internal doorway, for example. Q How do I plan the layout? By prioritising. Compromise is inevitable so start by listing your must-haves and work out the impact that awkward features will have on their positions. Sloped walls may hinder where you can put a shower, for example. Could compact sanitaryware, such as a corner WC, allow a bigger tub? Q…

Packed with character, period-style bathrooms continue to be in vogue, and work just as well in a modern new-build as in a Victorian or Edwardian home. Looking to history will provide you with endless inspiration – there’s beautifully sculpted sanitaryware, elegant ironwork and the freestanding roll-top bath, which is just as popular as ever. PICK YOUR ERA The first to wholeheartedly adopt indoor bathing were the late Victorians and the Edwardians, and products in those styles are hugely popular. They’re also a breeze to source, as most manufacturers feature at least one range with period accents. In the Twenties and Thirties, Art Deco interiors were known for their glamorous and glitzy style, which can be recreated using mirrored furniture, black gloss and lacquer details and crystal lighting. Slavishly following a…

Bathrooms haven’t always been the easiest place to enjoy your favourite tracks. But thanks to developments in wireless tech and speaker quality, you can up the tempo of your daily ablutions. And by streaming from services such as Spotify or Deezer, the options are virtually endless. Q How can I ensure the best sound quality? Consider linking your bathroom to a home music system. Waterproof speakers are wired to an audio player and amplifier outside the bathroom; music can be controlled via a wall panel. Alternatively use a waterproof remote control. All bathroom electrics must conform to strict safety regulations. Q Is there a cheaper option? Bluetooth speakers that stream music from a smartphone or tablet are our retro-fit friend. For safe bathroom use, they’re powered by waterproof low-voltage transformers…

Bespoke furniture can prove a saviour in smaller bathrooms as well as providing clever solutions to awkward spaces. Q Is it expensive? Bespoke furniture is more costly than off-the-shelf. Time spent designing, plus more expensive materials mean you’ll probably pay £650-£1,000 for a 60cm-wide vanity unit, not including basin and taps. Q What are the benefits? The main reason to go bespoke is for the space-saving benefits. A vanity unit can be made in any size and built into a space to avoid dirt-trapping gaps. A good designer will offer savvy ideas like space-saving sliding doors, for example. Q What are they made from? The world is your oyster, but bathroom furniture must be moisture resistant. Save on the bit you won’t see, with a carcass made from melamine-faced moisture-resistant…

Welcome to my home Jennie Roe lives here with her partner, Greg Lawson. THE PROPE RTY A five-bedroom detached house in Eas t Sussex. “This room was so small, it was stressful to use, but now there’s space to move, we love coming in here” HOW JENNIE AND GREG DID IT ‘We already had an architect helping us with renovations, so he helped us redesign the upstairs space, too. Luckily, the bathroom and en suite shower room backed onto each other, so we knocked through to create one larger room and moved a door to give us more wall space. The new shower went against this wall, and the most obvious place for the bath was under the window. This left a small…

Welcome to my home Annie Oatley lives here. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom terrace built in 2002, in West Sussex. “All the small, space-saving changes really added up to make the room seem so much bigger” HOW ANNIE DID IT ‘I bought my home as a new build and the bathroom, though functional, was never a style I would have chosen for myself. I asked several companies to submit plans, but it was The Brighton Bathroom Company that impressed me the most. I gave them a budget to work to and they stuck to it. There were no structural or layout changes, which kept the costs down. I wanted the colour scheme to work with my bedroom and they suggested a…

Perfect for winding down in at the end of a busy day, relaxing after exercise or treating yourself to a spa-style experience, a steam room is a useful – and indulgent – addition to your bathroom. Q What is a steam room? Also known as a Turkish bath or hammam, it’s similar to a sauna, but humidity reaches 100 per cent and the temperature is around 45-48°C. You relax on a natural marble or stone bench, allowing a cloud of warm steam to envelop your body, soothing tired muscles, helping with decongestion and eliminating impurities in the skin. Q How much space do I need? Surprisingly, not much. There are solutions to suit different settings and budgets, from a compact cabin with built-in steam system to a bespoke design to…

Bathrooms are becoming more of a sanctuary than ever before, as we look for ways to relax and treat ourselves at home. But when it comes to their design, style, fixtures and fittings, there are some exciting new developments. Whether you plan to give yours a full makeover or a mini facelift, where should you start? We asked the experts… WHAT ARE THE TRENDS IN SHOWER SCREENS? ‘Black-framed shower screens are hugely popular,’ says interior designer Carla Chases of Carla Designs. ‘They bring an element of high style to any bathroom.’ Lauren Foulds, product manager at Heritage Bathrooms, expects their popularity to continue: ‘We’re seeing more manufacturers bringing new options to the market.’ ‘At the other extreme, minimal, barely-there screens are also trending,’ says Claire Lloyd, Editor of Home Building…

1 Embrace a pop of colour Be bold in a bathroom and choose wall tiles in a vibrant hue to bring energy into the room. Use a fresh white grout for contrast and keep flooring to a neutral or monochrome design to allow the walls to really shout. Speculo lagoon tiles and Mendel mosaic tiles, both Topps Tiles 2 WOW WITH WINDOW FILM Cheaper and easier to install than shutters, window film can simply be cut to size and applied to glass in seconds. 3 STYLE UP YOUR WALL STORAGE Display lotions and potions on open shelving. Fill glass jars with cotton wool pads, display a candle or two and add a faux plant. 4 Pick a simple countertop basin An elegant yet sleek countertop basin makes a…

Fish scale tiles Inspired by art deco design, the authenticity of these beautiful curvy tiles makes them pretty trend-proof. Lay them in any orientation you like, add in a contrasting grout and team with a plain neutral so that they stand out instead of taking over. Syren tile; Carrara polished marble tiles; Carrara basketweave tiles, all Topps Tiles Bowl basins Bathrooms tend to have lots of square lines, but a curvaceous basin will soften the look for a sexier, less functional feel. Plus, round basins are easier to keep clean – there are no corners for toothpaste or washed-off make-up to get trapped in. Lunar round basin; brushed brass single-lever wall-mounted tap; Confiserie Blush triangle mosaic tiles; Cedar Point matt tiles, all Claybrook Dark wood finishes If you’re committed to…

When space is tight or when an outward or inward-opening hinged door is inconvenient, a sliding pocket door makes a neat and sleek solution. Q What is a pocket door? The door slides into a cavity (or pocket) in the adjacent wall, disappearing from view when the entryway is open. The wall needs to be deep and wide enough to accommodate the width of the door. There are currently 10 standard sizes of door in the UK, with thicknesses varying between 35 and 44mm. Q How do I fit it? Typically, the door will slide along an upper track, available in kit form and built into the studwork wall. Alternatively, a door can slide into a steel-framed cassette, with plasterboard installed directly over its surface. Usually, the door and finger…

Selecting taps, tiles, baths and basins are big choices when it comes to designing a bathroom, but don’t underestimate the impact that the right heating solution can have on your room. Q What type of heating should I go for? The three main types are underfloor heating, a radiator or a towel rail. Underfloor heating is great, especially if you’re short on space, while radiators and heated towel rails come in a variety of styles, shapes and colours. Q Where do I start with underfloor heating? Underfloor heating adds everyday luxury to your bathroom. It’s also the eco-friendly option – while radiators tend to need water at 70-90ºC, a wet underfloor heating system can work at just 50ºC, so you’ll save on heating bills, too. Many underfloor heating systems allow…

Sleek, hygienic and easy to keep clean, these stylish countertops can be gently curved to avoid sharp edges, and they offer the feel good factor of being reassuringly warm and soft to touch. Q What is solid surface? Solid surface is a man-made material formed from stone and mineral dust, acrylic, resin and pigments. Also known as composite stone, solid surfaces are flexible, and can be seamlessly thermoformed to create curves and shapes. Q Is it similar to Corian? Corian invented solid surface and remains one of the best-known brands, but several manufacturers are now making it, such as LG Hi-MACS and Staron. Ingredients and quality vary between manufacturers – cheap solid surfaces may not offer the same performance or durability as top-end brands. Q Why are solid surfaces good…

SPOTLIGHT ON Cleo Barbour English artist and former shoe designer Cleo creates vibrant, graphic artwork that brings positivity to the space it inhabits. We’re loving her Art Deco-inspired pieces – combining mediums including photography, paintwork, digital illustration and geometry – that effortlessly complement any room. If you really want to ramp up the colour, check out her series of Miami-influenced travel prints in pastel hues, cleobarbour.com. IH LOVES... Decorative oil bottles Lila ceramic oil bottle, £15, Oliver Bonas 'What to do this month... READ You watched the show, now grab the book. Interior Design Masters (£22, Quadrille) is packed with invaluable advice, tips and techniques on how to make the most of your living space and decorate your home. From creating a mood board, to the best layouts for each…

| IDEAS HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Janet Parrella-Van Den Berg and Dino Parrella, who own interiors brand White & Faded (whiteandfaded.co.uk) and two of their five children. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Georgian rectory built in 1767 with Victorian extensions, in Kent, purchased in 2017. THE LAYOUT The ground floor has an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining room and Janet’s study. On the first floor is the main bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room. Upstairs again, the second floor has three bedrooms, a bathroom, en suites and a studio space. Having lived in a Victorian townhouse in Esher, Janet and Dino were longing for a quieter home, with outbuildings, in the country. The quirkiness, split levels and its setting within beautiful gardens made this historic house the…

PAINT CHEAT SHEET ADHESIVE FILM CHEAT SHEET…

The bathroom is one of the rooms we often escape to, especially if we’re looking to relax and have some me-time. Parents will know this all too well, but aside from peace and quiet from children, the room also gives us a place for pampering, sanctuary, ideation and of course, utility. Many of us will be looking for small moments of self-care, and our bathrooms sit at the heart of this. Admittedly, as the owner of a small apartment with a small bathroom, I have a lack of options, which is a total blessing most of the time. When I’m not showering down my dog, I’m ensuring my bathroom is used for personal rituals, with smaller details making it feel like micro indulgence. Whether that’s with a powerful rainfall showerhead,…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Lucy Hooker lives here with her husband, David, and twin sons, Jack and Felix, 10. THE PROJECT A redesign of the ground floor of an Edwardian house in southeast London to make a zoned kitchen/diner. TOTAL COST £30,000 (approx) THE PROBLEM A cramped kitchen that had no connection to the stunning garden THE SOLUTION ‘We combined a dated kitchen, a conservatory and side return into one big space with zoned areas. I’m an interior designer (atheltoneve.com), and knew what sort of look I wanted to achieve, plus we were desperate to see our garden. We used an architect from Mimodo (mimodo.info), who came up with the up-and-over glazing, which enables us to see the tops of the trees, and…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Simon Niven lives here with his wife Liz and their children, Louis, seven and Alba, five. THE PROJECT Creating a new en-suite bathroom in a detached Victorian family house in Newbury, Berkshire. TOTAL COST £16,500 THE PROBLEM ‘We had plenty of bedroom space, but no en-suite bathroom’ THE SOLUTION ‘We knew a different layout could transform the first floor of our home, making it function more effectively. Our plan included converting a slice of one bedroom into a luxurious new en suite for our master bedroom. Although it’s not huge, the en suite is full of light and we visualised a calm, relaxing sanctuary. Liz was keen to have a roomy walk-in shower, and we both loved the idea…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS Mark and Gabi Ireland live here with their three children. PROPERTY A five-bedroom 1960s property in Buckinghamshire. ARCHITECT Rider Stirland Architects (riderstirland.com) BUILDERS AYG Construction (07590 011607) TOTAL COST £300,000 THE PROBLEM The existing conservatory felt detached from the house and was rarely used as it was either too hot or too cold THE SOLUTION ‘To make way for the new extension we demolished the rear conservatory,’ says Alex Rider of Rider Stirland Architects. ‘We also removed one of the two garages and transformed it into a utility space that now connects directly to the main building. The new extension is 10 metres long and, sited perpendicular to the property, doesn’t take up much more space than the conservatory did. ‘The layout places the…

back in the 1980s, I used to love to take a bath at my Nan Sylvia’s house in Wembley. For a start, the floor was carpeted in a thick pink shag-pile and the bath was on a platform. You felt like Cleopatra walking up to that tub. From memory, the bathroom fittings were all blush pink, too. It couldn’t have been any more retro if it tried. In our own house in the 1990s, my Dad, who is very handy, wood-panelled the bottom half of the bathroom walls and varnished them, making them the colour of toffee. Then he wallpapered the top half with geometric prints. It was a cacophony of colours and shapes. After this, bathrooms got a bit boring, if you ask me. All a bit beige. I’m…

I read an article recently – not in this fine magazine, obviously – saying that we should all paint our homes dark, sludgey colours. Brown was mentioned quite a lot. Ditto grey. Not since the time I accidentally read something in the Daily Mail in 2016 arguing in favour of Brexit have I disagreed with an article so strongly. No! What is this madness? Is the British sky not sufficiently sludgey that you have to bring it inside? Few things depress me more than a dark house. I know some people insist that they’re dramatic, or grand, or I don’t know what. But who wants grand when you’re at home on a wet Sunday in February? No, what you want is cheering. Cosy, sure. But cheering. And not the visual…

While we can all dream of huge bathrooms with enough space to luxuriate in peace, often the reality is a smaller room that needs to cater for several people. Choosing the latest sleek designs and light-reflecting materials and combining them with freestanding furniture will help to make any room appear larger. RAISE YOUR GAME Opting for wall-hung furniture or modular vanity units achieves a feeling of openness: as more of the floor area is visible, the eye is tricked into seeing the space as both bigger and lighter. MATERIAL CHOICE Light-reflecting materials, such as glass and mirror, also enhance the sense of openness. Pick glossy wall and floor tiles, but make sure the floor tiles have a good anti-slip rating, particularly if you have small children. This can be found…

If space allows, a separate shower enclosure is a real luxury, and the latest frameless models will bring a luxe-hotel feel to your bathroom. Q Which shape is best? This is usually determined by the shower’s location. The main options are square and rectangular cubicles, which will fit anywhere. D-shaped enclosures can be installed centrally against a single wall, while quadrants and off-set quadrants sit in the corner, so are great for saving space. If your shower is recessed, you’ll only need to buy one individual door panel. Q How do I choose a door? A pivot or bifold door is best for small spaces. Sliding doors are great if you haven’t got room for an outward-opening door, while hinged doors offer the best access, and can be left- or…

The right layout can make or break a bathroom. Draw up a scale plan or use an online planner, and don’t forget to ask your plumber or bathroom company to check your design is suitable for the space. Q Can I move the loo? It’s cheaper and easier to keep the loo close to the soil stack (a vertical pipe that takes waste from the loo to the main drain). It is possible to divert pipework, but keep the run short to avoid blockages. Q Where can the bath go? Give the tub prime position, centrally (if there’s room) or in front of a window. If you can’t fit in a freestanding bath, a back-to-wall style saves space but still looks luxurious. Check that the flooring will take the weight…

Marble has been associated with quality and luxury for thousands of years. Each piece is different, and it’s this that makes it so desirable. The wide variety of tile shapes and sizes means marble is versatile, too. Q Is it expensive? Natural marble is invariably more expensive than man-made tiles, especially if you add in the cost of sealants and maintenance. The larger the slab, the higher the price tag. Marble mosaics, which can be made using offcuts, are often more affordable. One trick is to use marble in a small area to create a striking focal point, with less expensive tiles elsewhere. Q Can marble be used on walls and floors? Generally, floor tiles can be used on walls but not vice versa. Also, weight can be an issue,…

When redesigning a bathroom or adding a shower room, it’s important to consider your own space and requirements before choosing fittings. Here, we give you the lowdown on the various options for shower enclosures, from quadrants to walk-ins, for bathrooms of all sizes. Q What’s the best option between a walk-in shower and a wet room? Walk-in showers are a great way to add minimalist contemporary design. They tend to be more suited to larger bathrooms, but they can work in a smaller space too, with many designs fitting the footprint of a standard bath. Look for a design with a shallow tray and open glass screens for a more spacious feel. Wet rooms are more complex as the room needs to be waterproofed, but they can fit in any…

‘Floating’ off the floor, wall-hung loos look modern and sleek and are easy to clean – both the pan itself and the floor beneath. As you can see far more of your bathroom flooring underneath, they also have the added bonus of making the room feel larger. Q How are they installed? A plumber is always recommended. The pan must be securely bolted onto a steel frame, which comes with a concealed cistern inside the frame. The frame and cistern is then covered up, so all that’s visible is the pan itself and the flush buttons. The frame can be concealed within an existing or new stud partition wall or it can also be hidden inside bathroom furniture. Q Do they take up more space? No, and if the frame…

A concealed cistern is hidden away, be it inside panelling or a wall. All you’ll see is the pan and flush, and as there is less pipework and ceramic on show, cleaning is easier, too. Q Which cistern should I get? It depends on your loo type. For wall-hung loos, you can buy a specialist steel frame pack, which carries the weight of the pan, plus the cistern and flush button that fits neatly inside the frame. For floor-standing loos, just buy a concealed cistern, which is screwed to the wall, and a flush button or flush plate. Many shops sell the pan, cistern and flush together, ensuring everything is compatible. Q How do I conceal it? The cistern can be built into the wall in a new-build, or within…

If you’re after more than a quick-fix window dressing solution, classic window shutters are durable and offer privacy, security and style. Q Are shutters practical in a bathroom? Unlike fabric blinds, which can get damp in steamy bathrooms, shutters allow extra ventilation with their louvred slats, so they’ll dry quicker. They’re also easier to wipe down and keep clean. Q Won’t moisture in the air damage the shutters? While painted wood or MDF shutters will be all right in well-ventilated bathrooms, in high humidity, moisture-resistant shutters are more practical. Made of ABS plastic, polymer or polyvinyl, they look like regular wooden shutters but are waterproof, so slats won’t rot or warp, and shutters will keep their shape and work smoothly. Q What about privacy and light levels? One of the…

Once a big no-no safety-wise, low-slung pendants, funky shades and glitzy chandeliers now come in bathroom-friendly designs. But don’t get carried away by good looks alone, as bathroom lighting is heavily regulated – with good reason! Q How can I ensure the design I like is safe? Swot up on IP ratings – IP stands for Ingress Protection, and shows how well protected from water a light fitting is. The bathroom is split into zones, with each zone determining the required IP rating for your light fitting (Google ‘IP-rated zones’ for a diagram). Q Can I hang a pendant above my bath or shower? This is zone 1, so unless the flex is very short, you will need a fitting with a minimum of IP65. If you have very high…