Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2017 i Style At Home

The shops are stuffed with fresh new things and there’s plenty to fall in love with this year. Whether you’re in need of something big, like the perfect sofa, or just want to evolve your look with some fabulous bits and pieces that give a room extra character, you’ll find our time- and money-saving edit in this issue. We all know that adding style doesn’t have to mean going shopping, though, so we’ve rounded up lots of ways to give a wall some ‘wow’ factor and simple DIY style refreshes that are all about getting creative, not spending cash. My personal favourite is on p45 – if your hallway is as messy as mine (thanks to my tribe of cheeky nieces), you’ll be amazed how life-changing a trio of Ikea…

FILLINGS A foam filling will feel more supportive, and a feather-filled option is better for a relaxed and casual look to snuggle up in, but will need regular plumping. Foam with fibre wrap is a happy medium, and gives good support. FRAME QUALITY If the price of a sofa looks too good to be true, it probably is! It might have an attractive fabric, but what’s important is the quality of the frame. Make sure it has a solid timber frame and, where possible, has a 10-year guarantee. PROTECTION Stains and spills do happen so research ways to protect your upholstery before you buy. Most suppliers will offer stain-guard protection at an additional but reasonable price. MEASUREMENTS Check your existing furniture and decide if you can afford to go a…

We were really lucky that when we moved into our house back in June 2014, it was in pretty good condition,’ says Sophie. ‘The previous owners had done a lot of work to modernise it, but it still had some original features, like the open fireplace and curved ceilings – this was a real selling point for me and my husband Toby, as we wanted a house with character. Plus, with two children and one on the way, we didn’t want to have to do any major renovation work. We chose this location because it’s an area that we could afford, close to good schools. It’s also near the train station and shops, so it means we can manage with one car between us. We aren’t far from the beach…

Knowing this area was a big advantage when it came to house hunting’, says Chloe. ‘My husband Jared’s parents live down the road so we were already familiar with the area when this house came onto the market. We weren’t actually looking to move, but I had a gut feeling that this one was for us. It was the style of the property that drew me to it, as 1930s semis are well-proportioned. The previous owners had extended at the back of the kitchen, which creates an open-plan feel and offers views of the surrounding woodland. New beginnings While the house didn’t need any structural work doing to it, we had to have most of the house re-plastered, as well as fitting new floors and skirting in nearly every room.…

Light up your Hallowe'en home with a beastly ‘boo' sign. Paint marquee letters in black acrylic, add in bulbs, then place in the hall to greet trick-or-treaters. Finish the display by covering a mini polystyrene skull in PVA and coating with gold glitter. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH…

As the trend for industrial interiors continues, interest in using plywood inside the home has soared. This unassuming layered timber material is perfect for creating a simple, pared-back look and it’s a money-saver, too. Q Why are plywood kitchens popular? Once a budget pick for self-builders, plywoods are now the go-to material for anyone seeking something different. Kitchens look stunning when made from a combination of different textures, and ply can be used to lift a scheme and add warmth, natural beauty and a handcrafted finish. It’s incredibly strong and can be left raw or painted, stained, varnished or covered in a coloured melamine veneer. Q Can it be used in other rooms? Ply works everywhere from kitchens and hallways to bedrooms and stairwells. It’s used structurally as a subfloor…

We used to live in a rented two-bedroom flat in an old building in central London,’ says Kristine. ‘It was great fun, but we wanted more space, less noise and a garden. My husband Dan had a Victorian house in north east London that he rented out, and we started talking about moving back in. Although it needed major renovations, I could immediately see its potential. Creating space The bathroom was done as part of the renovation project on the whole house, and it took four months to create the room. We chose to have it in the back loft, directly above our existing bathroom, which made plumbing work a lot easier. It was such a small space – had we not seen similar conversions, we wouldn’t have thought it…

TAKES 1 HOUR + COOLING MAKES 12 250ml sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing 225g light muscovado sugar 3 large eggs 225g self-raising flour 1/4tsp ground cinnamon 1/4tsp ground mixed spice 250g carrots, grated FOR THE FROSTING 50g unsalted butter, softened 250g full-fat cream cheese 50g golden icing sugar, sifted 1/4tsp vanilla extract or zest of 1 orange 50g walnuts, chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°Cfan/Gas 4. Grease 12 mini loaf tins with sunflower oil and line with baking parchment. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the oil and muscovado sugar together for a few minutes, then whisk in the eggs for a few minutes more until combined. 2 Sift in the flour, ground cinnamon and mixed spice, and fold in. Then fold in the grated carrots and pour…

BEFORE YOU START,GO ONLINE TO HSE.GOV.UK  FOR ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE LADDERS SAFELY Checking and unclogging your gutters might not be at the top of your ‘To Do’ list, but get it done and you’ll be preventing all kinds of problems, including wet walls and water ingress into your home. YOU WILL NEED Ladder Gutter clearing tool Emery cloth or wire hand brush Roof and gutter sealant Anti-rust metal primer Gloss paint Wire mesh gutter guard Gutter repair tape or roof and gutter sealant 1 CLEAR AND PREVENT BLOCKAGES Scoop leaves and debris out with a gutter clearing tool or trowel (or use a plastic milk bottle with the base cut off as a scoop). Don’t forget the hopper heads (the holders at the top of…

CAPACITY This is the amount of usable space in your freezer. 85ltrs is roughly five carrier bags of groceries. Anything approaching 100ltrs is exceptional. COST TO RUN Based on test results for 24 hours, and assuming a kWh of energy costs 15p. Energy consumption will depend on how and where the appliance is used. SPECIALIST STORAGE If you often freeze bulky items like big turkeys, extra-large pizzas or an ice-cream machine bowl, look for a freezer with deep or removable drawers. Shallow trays are handy for ice cubes. FAST FREEZE Use this function when you’re about to put fresh food inside. It quickly drops the temperature to lock in flavour and nutrients, so food will taste great when you come to eat it. And it protects already frozen food. LOW…

Sainsbury’s has got us spooked! Planning a spooktacular party for Hallowe’en? Head over to your nearest Sainsbury’s store for all the terrifying tableware, table decorations and Trick or Treating must-haves you need for a truly bloodcurdling bash. Our favourites include the creepy eye-covered drinks dispenser, £5, and the smart light-up pumpkin lanterns in three sizes, priced at £2, £9 and £13. So whip up some frightening food, set out the dastardly decorations and await your ghastly guests! BOXED WINE IS BACK! HEAD TO WAITROSE FOR ITS BRILLIANT RANGE OF PREMIUM BOXED VINOS, FROM £14.99 FOR 1.5 LTRS Cheat’s eats! Need a lighter midweek meal to balance out all the autumn comfort food? Fast-food chain Itsu has expanded its home grocery offering to include a range of delicious gyoza dumplings. Stored…

Win £150! Post your snap on Instagram with next month’s #SAHcrafts hashtag and our favourite picture will win a Hobbycraft gift card worth £150! See terms and conditions on page 121…

Athina Bluff ABOUT ME I’m 25, I live with my best friend Ophelia in a rented two-bedroom flat in south London, and I blog at topologylondon.co.uk. WHAT’S YOUR BEST HOME DECOR TIP? Don’t be afraid of a trial-and-error approach. If something doesn’t work out the way you envisaged, it’s OK to start over and try something new. Hannah A’Court ABOUT ME I’m 27 and I live with my partner, Ollie, 28, in a two-bed flat in Aylesbury – it’s a replica of a factory that once stood on the same plot. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? It has to be the master bedroom. We’ve kept it cosy with a statement buttoned headboard and a rich indigo wall, then added coloured bed linen from Bluebellgray. Jessica Charge ABOUT ME I’m 39 and…

Bring a fun and fluttery touch to your home this season with our choice of the feather-inspired accessories that are flocking onto the high street right now. For a full-on effect, embrace the trend with a feather-printed wallpaper, while smaller, plumage-themed accessories such as trinket trays, cushions and decorative vases will make for a subtle but stylish nod to the look. Feeling exotic? Go for luxurious peacock feathers and rich jewel tones of blue with gold.…

Nostalgic and calming, the botanical trend is back in a big way, influenced by naturalists’ collections and the countryside. Leafy green hues and woodland motifs like ferns and foxes work with moody indigo walls and simple pine furniture for a scheme full of home comforts. Antique brass and galvanised metal are thrown into the mix, adding sophistication, while green glass accessories and prints depicting leaves and insects add to the Victorian collector’s vibe. STYLE SECRETS Create your own collector's scheme with these handy hints GO SURFING Chloe loves eBay for buying furniture at bargain prices. She found two dining chairs and her kitchen worktops on the site. Try Gumtree and Freecycle as well. ADD ORNAMENTS Create a homely feel with decorative items grouped on shelves, tables and units. Use them…

1 Corner plot Rethink your living room layout if you’re squeezed for space. While corner sofas can be bulky, in a small space they will help structure the layout and provide all the seating you’ll need. Fill wall space behind with artwork and add a rug in front as an anchor point. 2 Autumn spice Swap summer-fragranced candles for warmer, spicier tones, such as amber, cinnamon or sandalwood, so you’re greeted with a gorgeous aroma in every room of the house. Trim candle wicks regularly so they last longer. 3 BRIGHT IDEA Collect branches from the garden or while out on an autumn walk to display in a tall floor-standing vase. Spray twigs with copper paint and add a set of copper wire LED lights (£3.50 per set, Hobbycraft) for…

‘LIGHTS PLACED EITHER SIDE OF YOUR MIRROR, RATHER THAN ABOVE IT,WILL TAKE AWAY DARK SHADOWS UNDER YOUR CHIN, EYES AND CHEEKS’ Ruth Corbett, Houses Editor Forget discreet downlights in the ceiling – use style-savvy light fittings to make a high-impact statement that really boosts your bathroom decor. A well-located light will also help you achieve flawless make-up or a clean shave. Q How should I light my bathroom? Like any room, you should install layers of lighting, on separate switches. Task lighting is essential above the basin (at eye-level for a flattering reflection), and on the ceiling to provide all-round illumination. Ambient lighting creates atmosphere – think low-level lighting around the bath and in storage niches. Q Is it safe? Bathroom lighting is strictly regulated and each fitting is given…

INSTEAD OF CARPET SHAMPOO,SPRINKLE BICARBONATE OF SODA ON A CARPET,LEAVE OVERNIGHT,SWEEP UP, THEN VACUUM THE REST 1 START BY VACUUMING Before you whip out the stain removers, you need to rid your carpet of any loose dirt, dust and hair (and fur, too, if you have pets). Don’t just vacuum around furniture, get right under sofas, armchairs and beds – ask for help moving them if necessary – and clear your dining room of chairs so you can move around more easily. Use the various nozzles or heads that come with your vacuum cleaner for a really thorough clean right up to the skirting boards. 2 TACKLE THE STAINS Now that your carpet is (superficially) clean, it’ll be easier to locate any marks, scuffs or stains. Apply a stain remover,…

Paint your own mural Forget wallpaper – why not use your DIY skills to create a beautiful feature wall that’s an artwork in its own right? Start by painting your wall a base colour, then cut out some triangular shaped templates to create your design. Fix to the wall temporarily then apply masking tape, or better still, Frog Tape (£4.99 for 41.1m, Homebase) around each triangle. Then remove the template and paint inside the tape using a selection of paint colours, one shade at a time. Make sure you let each section dry completely before moving on to the next one. Once the mural is dry, peel the tape off. Need a nail gun? A cordless nail gun eliminates a lot of the faff involved in DIY jobs. The Ryobi…

HANG FROM A TREE OR BIRD TABLE – THE CAKE MIGHT START TO BREAK UP IN WET WEATHER BUT ONCE THE BIRDS GET A TASTE IT WON’T LAST LONG! YOU WILL NEED Biscuit cutters or empty yoghurt pots String and scissors Bowl and spoon Birdseed, nuts, raisins Grated cheese Lard or suet 1 MIX YOUR INGREDIENTS Aiming for equal quantities of each, put the birdseed, nuts, raisins, grated cheese and lard or suet into the bowl. There’s no need to melt the lard or suet before you mix it in – just make sure it’s at room temperature and cut into small pieces. Mix it all together well. 2 PREPARE YOUR MOULDS Place your cutters flat on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. If you’re using pots, make a…

Embrace the changing of the season with Matalan's offering of autumnal home comforts. Layer up woven throws and cushions with accents in natural textures, such as wood and rattan, for a rustic feel that will keep your home feeling cosy as the nights draw in. 3 of the best… COUNTRY COMFORTS…

Add a little spot of sunshine Splashes of yellow are perfect for adding west-coast warmth and a good match for wooden textures. Opt for ochre tones to create a mid-century feel and introduce punchier accent hues on cushions and other soft furnishings. Try a desert-inspired detail Add accessories with a cactus theme plus a few plants and succulents – they’re easy to look after but pick a few faux ones if you’re not green-fingered! This tall statement cactus vase is a playful nod to the Fifties Nevada desert look. Create an artistic display Push open shelving units together to create a wall of storage and use it to show off a curated display in a mixed palette of earthy, fruity and tropical tones. This will give the space a bright,…

Give the kids their own tidy areas by painting wooden stools in bright colours. Once dry, space each along the wall – mark vertical lines the width of each seat from just below the top step. Use the same colour to create a panel up the wall for a fun finish.…

the STYLE RULES Complement a neutral palette with pastel hues Combine delicate prints and soft colours with natural materials to create a bedroom filled with cosy comforts. THICK FABRICS For a cohesive look that’ll keep out the cold, line heavyweight curtains in a thermal fabric that coordinates with your wallpaper. FLORAL FLOURISH Stay in touch with the great outdoors in the cooler months by displaying seasonal posies in simple ceramic vases. SUPER-SOFT FLOORING A chunky woven rug and deep pile carpet are just the thing to keep your toes toasty. Rustic RETREAT Hunker down among chunky knits and natural materials the STYLE RULES Make your bedroom a space of optimum indulgence Your bedroom should be a place you can luxuriate in, so fill it with…

When I first moved in here 12 years ago, I put in a bog-standard Ikea kitchen with plain wood worktops, but since my partner Chris moved in and our daughters came along, our needs have changed,’ says Debbie. ‘The basement kitchen walls were crumbling due to damp and the cramped, L-shaped layout didn’t provide enough storage. Another bugbear was the position of the dining table – it was so close to the units that we’d end up getting in each other’s way when cooking. Careful planning The space had to work for family life, entertaining and also for hosting our Airbnb guests. I really wanted a light, bright, minimal kitchen which was easy to keep tidy, with less stuff on worktops. I used the services of an independent kitchen designer,…

PULL UP A PEW Farringdon adjustable stool, £59, Dunelm CHIP ANYONE? Tin buckets, £6.99, TK Maxx ADD GREENS White floral arrangement, £13, George Home FINISHING TOUCH Linen napkin, £3.99, H&M TABLE WATER French water bottle, £4.95, Dotcom giftshop MAIN MENU! English Dinner screen print, £15, Victoria Eggs, Dotcomgiftshop SELF SERVICE Naturals wooden bowl, £19.99, Creative Tops range, Wayfair TOTAL £123…

This is the first home that my husband Tim and I bought together,’ says Gaby. ‘I’m originally from Spain, where most of my family still live, so we liked the idea of staying local to Tim’s family in a property that had enough space for visiting relatives. Buying this house was an ambitious project – it exceeded our budget – but we knew that a complete renovation would be possible by doing one room at a time. Starting point Like the rest of the house, the main bedroom was in a shabby state. We inherited tired magnolia walls, old floral curtains and a grubby peach carpet that I was desperate to rip out. Once we did, we were delighted to discover original hearth tiles by the boarded-up fireplace. They were…

ON THE SPOT Jolly storage for kids’ rooms or even the bathroom. Pom Pom storage bin, £42.25, Pehr & Petit Pehr range, Liberty NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT Keep visual distractions to a minimum with a new ‘home’ for your tissues. Tissue box house, £10, Dunelm MIDAS TOUCH These brilliant-value baskets are great for sorting your shelves out. Marlow gold-effect wire baskets, £6 for two, Colours range, B&Q MIRROR, MIRROR This mirror has a bonus shelf for make-up, jewellery or just mementos. Hexagonal shelf mirror, £149, Marks & Spencer CASE CLOSED These metal cases look good solo, and even better stacked up. Metal storage suitcases, from £35 each, Oliver Bonas HIDE AWAY This smart piece is an instant clutter-clearer. Large faux linen ottoman in Grey, £22, Wilko SUPER SLIDE This…

Whether you’re the queen of batch cooking or just have a close relationship with ice cream, running out of freezer space can be a real pain. If your current fridge-freezer isn’t enough, a second undercounter model will cope with the overflow. New models are more efficient and have some clever new tricks up their sleeves. Size up your options You’ll likely be slotting your freezer into an existing gap, so measure up carefully. Leave several cm either side and at the back for air to circulate. Undercounter freezers are built to fit under a standard worktop height of 90cm, but sizes vary. Check the net capacity, which can differ by as much as 20 usable litres of space. Ditch the defrost Hate defrosting? A frost-free or ‘no frost’ freezer keeps…

PORK BELLY & MAPLE ROASTED SWEET POTATO TAKES 3HR PLUS MARINATING SERVES 6 FOR THE PORK 27g Bart Smokehouse Smokey Chipotle Rub 2tbsp honey 1tbsp olive oil 1tbsp sea salt 1.3kg pork belly 2 sprigs each fresh thyme and rosemary 2 garlic cloves, bruised 250ml cider or chicken stock FOR THE SWEET POTATOES 6 sweet potatoes 2tbsp olive oil 1tbsp smoked sweet paprika 4tbsp maple syrup 2 limes, cut into wedges 1 Mix the chipotle rub, honey, oil and salt. Rub over the pork and place on top of the herbs and garlic in a foil-lined baking dish. Set aside for 4hr. 2 Preheat oven to 140°C/fan 120°C/Gas 1. Pour cider around the meat, cover with foil, roast for 2 1/2hr. Leave to rest. 3 Turn oven up to 180°C/fan…

A Abode Living 01273 621116, abodeliving.co.uk AEG 03445 611611, aeg.co.uk Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amtico 0121 745 0800, amtico.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476, anthropologie.com Apollo Blinds apollo-blinds.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk Aspenn Furniture 01937 843386, aspennfurniture.co.uk Atrafloor 0151 305 7376, atrafloor.com B B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Bathstore bathstore.com BC Designs 01206 827100, bcdesigns.co.uk Be&Liv 00 35 89 42 890 186, beandliv.com Benuta 020 3608 0595, benuta.co.uk Black By Design 01889 502716, black-by-design.co.uk Block Design 01503 230003, blockdesign.co.uk Bobby Rabbit 0114 321 7000, bobbyrabbit.co.uk Button & Sprung 03333 201801, buttonandsprung.com C CarpetRight 0330 333 3444, carpetright.co.uk Contemporary Home (The) tch.net Coopers of Bath 01225 311811, coopers-stores.com Cotswold Trading 01386 853331, cotswoldtrading.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960, cultfurniture.com D Dales of Thirsk 01845 522523, dalesofthirsk.co.uk Dar Lighting 01295 672200, darlighting.co.uk…