Innholdsfortegnelse for May-2018 i Style At Home

This has been a frustrating issue to edit, because there are so many ideas in it to add to my ‘Easy Updates’ wish list (see Rona’s pretty decals from p32, the ombre feature wall on p43 and the oh-so simple wallpaper covered lampshades on p71 – to name but three) that I won’t be able to get stuck into! The next few weekends are going to be spent digging up the turf in my tiny patch of front garden, replacing it with gravel and redoing the fences. Phew! Sometimes the fun stuff has to get in line behind the ‘boring but important’ jobs. Unless you’re in the same boat as me, maybe I can live vicariously through you? Post pics of your styling ideas and decor tricks on Instagram (find…

DUNELM Global elements Create an exotic fusion of tribal patterns and earthy hues SAINSBURY’S HOME Riviera resort Set sail on a tranquil sea of deep blues and nautical motifs ARGOS Modern sanctuary Blend minimalist monochrome elements with graphic lines DEBENHAMS Modernist pastels Combine painterly prints with metallic accents for a contemporary look Style Maker VICTORIA SAYS ‘The pastel scheme is perfect for adding bright but subtle, cheery colour pops to a neutral decor.’…

MAKE A STATEMENT Limit yourself to one or two hero pieces in each room. Too many standout items can overwhelm a space and fight for attention, so keep it to just a few, such as Hannah’s bold L-shaped sofa and swivel armchairs in the sitting room or the colourful chairs paired with a simple white table in the dining area. SHOW OFF YOUR COLLECTIONS Group your treasures to give displays more impact, such as an arrangement of vintage mirrors on a wall or a collection of chintzy china displayed on a picture ledge or plate rack. For a larger collection, invest in a modular shelving unit. Keep to a neutral colour for a plain backdrop. REVAMP FLOORING If you’ve unearthed an original parquet floor, instead of ripping it out, why…

ADD A FEATURE WALLPAPER A great way to introduce small doses of colour and pattern, wallpaper can also be used to highlight an area or feature. Large-scale patterns that might be overwhelming on all four walls of a room are easier to live with if restricted to just one area. GET PICTURE PERFECT Arrange prints and artwork so your displays have more impact. A single picture can look isolated, so try grouping images together. Even numbers always work well, such as a pair of prints hung side by side, or a set of four pictures arranged in a square or rectangle. WOW WITH WALL STICKERS Vinyl wall stickers are a neat trick to break up a large expanse of wall or add a hint of pattern if you don’t want…

ABOUT ME I’m Stacy Turner, 46. I live with my husband Adrian, 45, and our two children, Tyler, 22, and Dylan, 14. MY HOME A three-bedroom Forties semi-detached in East Yorkshire, which we bought in July 2002. WHEN I MOVED IN The layout was disjointed, doorways were blocked up and the only access to the kitchen from the front was through the sitting and dining rooms. AND NOW We took it back to its original layout, then last year we opened up the ground floor to create an open-plan sitting area. STYLE TIP Keep smaller rooms free from clutter and use tape or newspapers to map out where furniture will fit before you buy it.…

the STYLE RULES Enrich a natural scheme with striking black accents Blend a combination of traditional and contemporary styles, tied together with a monochrome palette. WARM IT UP Prevent a chic black-and-white room scheme looking too stark by swapping brilliant white for warm creams and beige hues. A wallpaper in a subtle print will add further depth and interest. MIX UP STYLES Black metal accents ensure a contemporary feel. For an Oriental flavour, add a Chinoiserie bird fabric. PLAY WITH SHAPE Team linear furniture with curvy accessories like table lamps and vases. Mono FUSION Team shades of linen with oak and Eastern prints the STYLE RULES Create a designer look with smooth surfaces A combination of bright whites and design-led furniture evokes a cultivated, urban…

It took my partner David and me ages to find the right house,’ says Joanne. ‘We needed three good-sized bedrooms, so we could convert one into my studio and still have space for friends to stay. This house ticked all the boxes – it had a lovely feel and a gorgeous garden. Planning and prepping I knew this bedroom would make a fabulous studio. The French doors let in loads of light and open onto the balcony. I like to plan ahead so I’d been gathering ideas while we were house-hunting. I used Pinterest but also built up a home journal, sticking pictures, swatches and samples into a book. By the time we moved in, I knew exactly how it would look. I planned a fresh, inviting space with whites,…

‘YOUR SINK TYPE WILL AFFECT YOUR CHOICE OF TAP IN TERMS OF ANY TAP HOLES AND DESIGN STYLE, SO IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO LEAD WITH THE SINK, THEN PICK A TAP’ Chris Smith, Blanco UK Dishwasher fans might assume the humble sink is virtually redundant. In reality, many people still choose to hand wash big pots, trays and pans, plus the sink is a natural go-to for prepping vegetables and other cleaning tasks. In fact, research shows that 60 per cent of time spent in the kitchen is at the sink, so don’t discount this vital bit of kit. Q Where should I start? Sinks come in an array of shapes and finishes. The main options are single bowl, 1.5 bowl or double bowl. One large bowl can prove more…

EASY AS ABC Bundle away your little ones’ toys in no time. Storage basket, £12.99, H&M Home PLAY OR DISPLAY Feel at home with this fun take on storage. Flisat dolls’ house wall shelf, £23, Ikea NEAT STACK Tidy away all those bits and pieces in a home office. Small cardboard boxes, £7 for three, Hema SCRAP SAVIOURS Store leftovers or prep dinner in chic glass containers. Deco Dot food storage, £29 for four, Kate Spade range, Amara DESIGNER STYLE Hang your clothes ready for the next day. Apartment wall hooks, £19 for three, Made.com POWDER ROOM Short on bathroom storage space? Add freestanding shelves for toiletries. Three-tier caddy, £75, Next ROUND UP MESS Pile in throws or towels. Belly basket with white dots, £24, This Modern Life FINE FORMATION…

Personalise your space If you’re looking for new ways to make, A Well Crafted Home by Janet Crowther (photographs by Julia Wade, £19.99, Clarkson Potter) offers an anthology of taster projects. Whether you fancy crafting something yourself from scratch or just want to give a pre-loved piece a quick revamp, choose from 60 inspiring projects, presented by room. There are plenty of techniques to try, too, from woodworking to simple sewing, or have fun with spray paint to make this ombre vase. DISCOVER CRAFT Go along to London Craft Week between 9 and 13 May and discover a whole world of hidden workshops and makers. This annual event showcases the skills of independent craftspeople, plus the teams behind luxury brands such as Mulberry and Burberry. The week-long programme also offers…

Doing it for the kids... Midweek mealtimes with the kids can be a struggle, and it’s often easier and quicker to just bung a ready-meal in the microwave and be done with it. So all hail Hungry Heroes, Iceland’s new range of guilt-free children’s convenience meals and snacks, freshly frozen to lock in goodness and provide at least one helping of their five-a-day. With no added sugar, preservatives or other additives, it is also the first range from Iceland to be packaged in paper-based trays. A saviour for busy mums – and the planet, too! CHEAT’S EATS! Perfect for the time-poor and the culinarily-challenged, Marks & Spencer introduces its new ‘quick to cook’ range of over 40 dishes, with most taking just 15 minutes. Choose from one-, two- or three-step…

Victoria McDonald ABOUT ME I’m 36, I live in a two-bed semi near Brighton with my partner Choppy, 48, and stepsons Archie, 11, and Samuel, eight. I own candle boutique cocoboho.co.uk. WHAT’S YOUR BEST STYLE TIP? If you rent but want to decorate, speak to your landlord. A previous landlord agreed I could decorate as long as I returned it to its original state. Kate Shaw ABOUT ME I’m 25 and I live with my boyfriend Jake, 25, in a Victorian three-bed terrace in Macclesfield. WHAT’S YOUR BEST MONEY-SAVING TIP? If you see something you like, check online to see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere. Many expensive styles can be replicated by looking in high-street shops and on websites such as Amazon and eBay. Lindsey Affleck ABOUT ME…

I’ve always loved this house – I used to walk past it regularly as our previous home was just around the corner,’ says Hannah. ‘The building is detached and set back from the road so the place enjoys a real sense of privacy. And among the neighbouring Edwardian properties, its Sixties style was very distinctive. When the house suddenly came on the market, I immediately arranged a viewing. But the reality was very different from what I had imagined. Close up it was ugly, with dated lino floors, and it was dark because of the small rooms and tiny windows. However, what the place did have in its favour was space and potential. Getting consent The property is in a conservation area, so it could have been tricky to secure…

Our previous home was just around the corner. I wanted to stay in the area when we moved, as my girls Molly and Penny were settled in school and we have lots of friends and family nearby,’ says Rona. ‘I was torn between this house and a brand-new home that didn’t need any work. I chose this and have not regretted it for a second. It’s been hard work, as it was very tired and dated when I bought it. I work full time and have spent many evenings up ladders decorating, but I love how the house has turned out and we have been really happy here. My dad had a building company when I was young and I think that’s where my interest in buildings and renovations started.…

This ombre-effect wall is easy to recreate. Paint the whole wall in the lighter colour. Once dry, apply the darker shade to the bottom portion. Mix the two colours and paint the middle part, blending the dividing line. Use a clean roller to create a subtle blur.…

Update an old lampshade: measure the height and circumference, adding 1cm to the latter. Cut wallpaper to size then paste onto the shade, lining up the seams and pushing out air bubbles. Turn under the last 1cm and leave to dry.…

ABOUT ME I’m Joanne Linder, 34, and I live with my partner David, 30, in a three-bedroom Seventies house in Derbyshire. We bought it in January 2017. MY CHALLENGE Turning an unexciting bedroom into an inspiring, practical studio for my wedding stationery business (vintagetwee.com). There was nothing in here but the worn, dark red carpet and ugly wallpaper. That definitely had to go! MY WISHLIST I wanted a room where I’d be focused but enjoy spending time. It had to be modern, feminine and functional. Good light was really important, plus plenty of storage for all my craft materials.…

Many homes have a spare room that can only be described as bijou,’ says Sasha. ‘Despite rather grandly being called a study, ours was wasted space. But as we had just one bathroom between four of us, it was perfect for converting into a shower room. Luckily, the study was close to the original bathroom, so laying and connecting pipes wasn’t a big issue. The work did create a lot of new exposed pipework, though, so we decided to sacrifice a few centimetres of the room to construct a false wall, against which we positioned the shower and loo. This also created two handy niches in the shower, as well as a ledge above the loo. And Greg’s idea of removing the low ceiling added character and opened up a…

TAKES 30MIN SERVES 6 200g fresh spinach 320g pack of ready-to-roll shortcrust pastry 150g ricotta 4 eggs, beaten 100g mature Cheddar, grated 1tsp thyme leaves, chopped 90g smoked cooked ham, torn into pieces 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5. Put the spinach into a colander and pour over boiling water to wilt it. Run the wilted spinach under cold water, then use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. 2 Roll the pastry out onto a well-floured surface, cut a circle shape around 33cm in diameter, then transfer to a lined baking tray. 3 Beat the ricotta and eggs together until smooth, then add the Cheddar, thyme, ham and spinach. Season and pour into the centre of the shortcrust pastry circle. Fold the edge of…

Try vinyl on your walls Fancy a new look for your bathroom walls? Rather than automatically reaching for ceramic tiles, why not try using vinyl plank flooring on your wall instead? First, mark a vertical line on a plastered wall, apply heavy duty LVT adhesive to the back of the planks (following the instructions carefully), then push firmly into place. Score planks with a knife, then snap to cut to size and butt each row up tight to the previous one. Wipe any excess glue from the surface and allow to dry thoroughly. Perfect for bathroom or kitchen walls – juts don’t use it in a shower! Reach every nook Werner’s fab combi ladder, £148, can be configured in a choice of 12 positions, from a safe working platform, folded…

YOU WILL NEED Old chest of drawers Garden paint and paintbrush Black plastic Gravel Tub and basket compost Plants 1 PREPARE THE DRAWERS Paint the drawer unit in garden paint to waterproof and protect the wood. 2 FILL WITH COMPOST Line the drawers with black plastic before planting, then add a layer of gravel to help with drainage. Tub and basket compost is perfect for this style of planting – it contains water-retaining granules, which store water ready for release, as and when the plants need it. 3 PLANT FLOWERS Dahlias are very much in vogue at the moment, and these dwarf Gallery dahlias are a popular choice for tubs and window boxes. They’re available in a myriad shades – gorgeous reds, yellows and pinks, plus many more. Combine with…

VICTORIA SPONGE TAKES 50MIN SERVES 10 175g unsalted butter, softened 175g golden caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 3 eggs, beaten 175g self-raising flour 1/2tsp baking powder 1-2tbsp milk icing sugar, for dusting FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FILLING 100g unsalted butter, softened 100g icing sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 75g white chocolate, melted 4-5tbsp strawberry jam 1 Preheat oven to 190°C/170°C fan/ Gas 5. Using an electric whisk, mix the butter, caster sugar and vanilla extract until pale and creamy. 2 Add the beaten eggs gradually and whisk until well combined. 3 Sift flour and baking powder and, using a large metal spoon, fold into the butter. Add milk to loosen. 4 Divide between 2 greased and parchment-lined 18cm sandwich tins and bake for 15-20min until golden and springy. Cool in the tins…

Giving us a long-awaited taste of summer, the new Havana range from Sainsbury's Home is bursting with rich, decorative patterns and contrasting bold hues creating a melting pot of accessories to give your home an eclectic, happy vibe. 3 of the best… COLOURFUL SUMMER BUYS…

Whether or not you’ve got green fingers, faux plants are a great way to bring lush foliage into your home. Even better, there’s no worrying about watering or looking after them! Going faux is now so popular that a room just doesn’t feel complete without a couple of fake succulents, an artificial cheese plant or a rustling faux bamboo. Whether you go for simple stems or a full-on jungle vibe, this is one trend that’s definitely found a new lease of life.…

Break the rules and create a one-of-a-kind look with a daring mix of designs. With no original architectural features and large open-plan areas to fill, Hannah has added character in her home by bringing in statement pieces that range from retro Seventies and vintage chintz to contemporary classics. But remember, in a large house it’s easy to pull off this look, but in a smaller home, take care not to overcrowd the space.…

If it hadn’t been for the location, we would never have considered this Forties semi,’ says Stacy. ‘The layout was bizarre. There was just a cooker and one unit in the tiny kitchen and the gas fire in the sitting room had been condemned. There was only one door from the hall, which meant going through the sitting room to get to the kitchen and dining areas. Over time, the rooms had been altered so much that we later discovered some supporting walls had no lintels in them and could have fallen down at any moment. It was a total botch job.’ Taking a gamble Nevertheless, I was determined to buy the house. I had grown up in Goole and always wanted to live on the outskirts of town. The…

ON SHOW Display family photographs in a gallery arrangement. Position pictures above a large item of furniture such as a sofa or bed, which will provide an anchor point, and place the images so that they fill up most of the space. SHADES OF GREY Finding just the right hue of this popular colour can be tricky. Knowing how the light works in your space will help. In a north-facing room, avoid cool greys with a green or grey base, which can make the room feel chilly. Instead, go for warmer tones with hints of pink, gold or yellow. Warm and cool tones work equally well in south-facing rooms. MADE-TO-ORDER ART Jazz up a bare wall with custom-made artwork and get a homely vibe with shelves made from scaffolding board…

1 Animal instincts Herald the arrival of spring by introducing animal-inspired prints, such as rabbits and chickens, on bedlinen and textiles. Go for hand-drawn and illustrative styles in muted tones of greens, minks and greys, and complete the look with a splash of sunny yellow. 2 Kerb appeal It’s a great time of year to give your front door a makeover. Start by applying a fresh coat of your existing colour or go for a brand-new one, then try a new knocker or door number to complete the revamp. 3 TRAY CHIC Give an old wooden tea tray a new lease of life by covering the bottom with an off-cut of pretty wallpaper. Apply a thin layer of PVA glue to the central area of the tray, stick your paper…

Moving into this house was the beginning of a whole new lifestyle for us as a family,’ says Kat. ‘Growing up in a smallish home meant I was always after more space; room for us to eat together, play together and just generally enjoy each other’s company, and I finally found what I’d been looking for in this house. With two reception rooms, three generous bedrooms, outside space and a kitchen big enough for a large dining table, there’s oodles of room for our little family. But while the property itself had plenty to offer, the decor left a lot to be desired. The kitchen, in particular, wasn’t to my taste. The layout was impractical, with double doors eating into valuable storage space, broken tiles and mould. It took a…

‘QUADRANT SHOWERS ARE COMPACT YET PRACTICAL – PERFECT FOR ENJOYING A LUXURIOUS SHOWER WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON SPACE’ Katrina Hoyle, Crosswater Shaped like a slice of pizza, a space-saving quadrant enclosure is designed to tuck away neatly into the corner, while being big enough to provide a comfortable showering experience. Q What sizes do they come in? Standard sizes range from 700x700mm to 900x900mm, with the most popular option being 800x800mm. But remember to check the available height in your bathroom as well as the floor space. Most enclosures start at 1850mm high, excluding the tray depth. So if you have an awkwardly shaped bathroom or a sloping ceiling, it might be worth investing in a bespoke enclosure (try Merlyn Showering) to have the glass cut to fit your space. Q…

With the huge range of tiles on offer, a tiled splashback behind the basin can act as a style hero in your bathroom, as well as offering a host of practical benefits, from its durability to protecting your wall from splashes and making the area easy to clean. YOU WILL NEED Tape measure Ruler Pencil Wall tiles Tile trim Spirit level Tile adhesive Notched spreader Sponge Bucket Tile spacers Ready-mixed grout Grout spreader and finisher Trowel 1 WORK OUT THE WIDTH Measure the basin’s width and mark the centre point on the wall – draw another centre point at the top of the area to be tiled, and draw a vertical line between the two. Work out the width of the splashback in whole tiles, plus spacers and edging strip.…

A  Abbey Blinds 01473 258058 abbeyblinds.com Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk Adriana Homewares adrianahomewares.com Alexander & Pearl 020 8508 0411 alexanderandpearl.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amtech 01895 435556 amtechdiy.com Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Ao.com 0344 324 9222 ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644 atlanticshopping.co.uk Ayers & Graces 01582 536760 ayersandgraces.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9321 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathrooms Direct 01226 770383 bathroomsdirectyorkshire.co.uk Better Bathrooms 0844 484 7678 betterbathrooms.com BHS 0344 411 6000 bhs.co.uk Black by Design 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk Blanco 0844 912 0100 blanco.co.uk British Ceramic Tile 01626 834774 britishceramictile.com C C&G Granite 00 353 272 2795 cggranite.ie Cameo Kitchens 0333 222 1494 Carpetright…