Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i Style At Home

As those balmy summer evenings leave us for another year, we can look forward to cosying up for autumn. Thankfully, it’s easy to keep your home looking fresh and cheery, even if it’s dreary outside, with our Style Made Easy guide to lighting (p61) – it’s full of bright ideas. Or inject some colour with our top pick of new-season trends, starting on page 51. They’ll add impact to your rooms and, at affordable prices, are perfect for a payday treat. Though, if you want to totally transform your rooms, take inspiration from this month’s 21-page makeover special (p75), which showcases a before and after for every room in the home. This month sees International Wallpaper Week return for another year, and to celebrate, we’re showing off our favourite papers…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Jillian Espey, 36, and I work in the family interior design business, Alan Espey Interiors. MY HOME A two-bedroom terraced fisherman’s cottage in County Down, Ireland, dating from the late 1800s, which I purchased in June 2013. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The house needed completely gutting before I could move in. At one stage, I was left with just four exterior and two internal supporting walls. AND NOW I’ve altered the layout so it has a better flow, and by sticking to classic colours I’ve created a stylish interior with a Scandinavian twist that maximises natural light. STYLE TIP The devil’s in the detail – if you get the specifications and finish right, then the whole project should be an amazing success. GREAT IDEA ‘Choose…

LAYER UP Go for two or more throws in complementary colours or patterns and simply layer them over the back or arms of your sofa. They’ll instantly give you a comfortable, inviting look that will also add some colour to the room. MIX AND MATCH Try an eclectic look in the bedroom by adding a throw in a different colour or texture to the overall scheme. This can be folded at the end of the bed to gently break up the main duvet colour, or you could try casually draping it over an occasional chair to create interest. COSY DINING Evoke the ever-popular Scandi style by introducing a throw on the back of each of your dining chairs. These can either be all matching and complement the overall look, or…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Nadia Georgiou, 33, and I’m a global key account manager in the finance industry. MY HOME A one-bedroom converted flat in a Regency townhouse in Brighton, which I bought in November 2014. WHEN I MOVED IN The beautiful light and airy rooms were painted in shades of lilac, which felt a little too floral for my taste. There was no storage in the bedroom and the kitchen was tired looking. AND NOW It’s painted throughout in heritage shades; my seaside flat has been given a fresh makeover with vibrant accessories and unique eclectic furniture. STYLE TIP Go to the more expensive stores and note down any designer homewares you really like the look of, then hunt down similar but cheaper versions on the internet. You’re…

Named after the kitchen space on a ship, galleys are characterised by their long, thin shape, and are designed to be super-efficient by making the most of all the available space. People often balk at a galley layout, but there’s a range of practical options to help make it a workable space, from smart storage solutions to lighting tricks and fun flooring ideas. Read on to find out how you can get the most out of your own ship-shape scheme. Please be seated Introduce a small dining area or breakfast nook into a galley kitchen by investing in a compact dining table that can be pushed against an unused wall. A simple bench placed beneath a window will provide extra seating, and open shelving above the table area can be…

A RUSTIC OR VINTAGE dresser like Jenny’s will add character to your living space. Search eBay for a similar bargain, then give your second-hand find a coat of paint to make it look as good as new. BRING SOME COSY CHARM to your home with a cream multifuel burner. The Richmond in Country Cream from Hunters of Yorkshire is a great-value option at £350. BIRD PRINTS are a recurring motif in Jenny’s home. If you want the look on a budget, try Dunelm’s Beautiful Birds duck egg wallpaper, which costs £7.99 per roll. CROCHET BLANKETS add a touch of homespun charm. So if you fancy getting crafty, take a look at Granny Square Crochet by Catherine Hirst, which has easy-to-follow instructions on making crochet items for the home. It’s £3.99…

GET AS MUCH, OR AS LITTLE , ASSISTANCE AS YOU LIKE FROM AN ONLINE AGENT – AND SAVE YOURSELF MONEY IN THE PROCESS Using a high-street estate agent to handle the sale or purchase of your home has, up until now, been the traditional option. But with the rise of online agents, doing it yourself is a lot less complicated than it may seem. In terms of how much input you have, you can go it alone completely (in which case see citizensadvice.org.uk to avoid any pitfalls), or choose between various websites that give you as much, or as little, assistance as you require. Selling An online agent doesn’t have a walk-in office or specialist knowledge of the area, but they could save you a tidy sum – enough to…

TURN IT DOWN Control the overall brightness (like the ceiling light and table lamps) with a dimmer, so you can adjust the light strength. LOOK FOR LAMPS Table lights are great for providing ambience but they’re not ideal for reading in bed. Add an additional type of task light or clip-on light instead, or a wall light, which would work well. Remember to place switches near the bed so you can turn them off without getting up. DRESS LIGHT Heavy curtains can create a dark feel. Fit a voile or muslin drape to enjoy a beautifully diffused light streaming into your room, while still having some privacy. GET UP WITH THE SUN On dark winter mornings, try a sunrise simulator alarm clock that gently recreates the natural sunrise, increasing the…

Q What are the upcoming trends? The Fusion look incorporates a variety of materials, with textured ceramics seen on lamp bases, metals in warm finishes and fretwork stamping softened with diffusers. The Scandi trend offers a subtler palette of cool greys, soft wood colours and smoked glass. Q How can we incorporate these trends in our homes? Introduce colour and print with a new lampshade to add more personal flair into your room. If you are keen to go Scandi, the Marny table lamp (right), £40, John Lewis, is inspired by Nordic design and looks great in dining rooms, as well as in bedrooms and studies. QI’d like to get a new pendant that’s trendy but won’t date. What do you suggest? With new lighting ranges changing seasonally, there are…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Naomi Graham, 45, and I live with my husband Rob, 40, and our three daughters Niamh, 9, Orlagh, 5, and Emmeline, 2, in a four-bedroom 1930s house in Surrey. MY CHALLENGE The kitchen layout worked and the units were still strong, but it was dated and scruffy. We had a limited budget, so we couldn’t afford to replace the cabinets, but as the rest of the house was being redesigned with a more modern look, we thought we’d find a way to update the room, too. MY WISH LIST I wanted to replace the kitchen-unit doors and wall and floor tiles, as well as making the room look more stylish with new lighting and furniture. Plus, I wanted to create some clearly defined areas to…

Style at Home has teamed up with bathroom specialists Bathroom Takeaway to give away £2,000 worth of vouchers to spend on a brand-new bathroom. Two lucky winners will both receive an incredible £1,000 of vouchers to go towards anything they like at bathroomtakeaway.co.uk. With over 100,000 bathroom products in stock, Bathroom Takeaway thinks buying a bathroom should be as easy as 1-2-3! Simply choose from the huge range of designer styles on the extensive website, click to order, then relax, sit back and wait for it all to be delivered right to your door. Spoilt for choice From the simplest of bathroom taps to complete bathroom suites, heated towel rails and radiators, Bathroom Takeaway has it all. And as well as offering luxurious styling, the latest in hi-tech ideas and…

CRATE DESK Try this rustic DIY idea to add appeal to your home office TAKES 2HRS COST £49.49 4 x sturdy wooden crates, £5 each, eBay Drill Long screws Piece of timberboard 400 x 1750mm, £29.49, Wickes Tape measure 1 Stack two crates on their sides, one on top of the other so all the edges meet neatly. Drill pilot holes in each corner and screw through, so the crates are attached. Repeat with the second pair of crates. 2 Turn the crate stacks upside down so the screw heads are hidden on the inside of the lower crate. Lay the board on top and centre using a tape measure. Drill holes up through the top of the crate on either side and screw through to secure the board. RULERS…

LEEK & POTATO CHEDDAR PIZZA TAKES 1 HR SERVES 4 3/4tbsp olive oil 1 leek, sliced A few sprigs of thyme 2 garlic cloves, crushed 250g baby potatoes, cooked and sliced 200g mature Cheddar, grated Handful of parsley 1 Make dough following the Neapolitan recipe (see right) up to the end of Step 4. As it rises, make the topping. 2 Heat the oil in a pan and cook the leek and thyme until golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Mix in potatoes and season. 3 Heat oven to 230°C/ Gas 8. Roll out dough on to two prewarmed baking sheets. Top with the potato mixture and cheese. Bake for 10 mins, Garnish with parsley. GARLIC PIZZA BREAD TAKES 45 MINS SERVES 4 Make the dough following…

BOMBAY BRAISED CHICKEN TAKES 1HR + MARINATING SERVES 2 2tbsp sunflower oil 3cm piece fresh root ginger 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 red chilli 1tsp each ground cumin, ground coriander and garam masala 1/2tsp turmeric 1tsp fennel seeds 4 chicken legs 300ml chicken stock 400g new potatoes, halved 250g cauliflower, cut into florets 200g green beans Handful of coriander 1 To make the spice paste, whizz 1tbsp sunflower oil, the ginger, garlic and chilli until smooth. Stir through the spices, rub over the chicken and season. Cover and leave to marinate overnight in the fridge. 2 In an ovenproof casserole dish, heat the remaining oil and brown the chicken on each side for 3 mins. Pour over the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 15 mins.…

Grohe has taken kitchen technology to the next level with its brand-new FootControl kitchen tap. To activate it, simply tap your foot on the base unit – no hands needed! With Grohe EasyTouch technology, this hands-free helper makes chores easier by allowing you to turn the tap on when your hands are full. Smart style This innovative tap is also designed to improve hygiene levels, as you avoid operating it with dirty hands. You can pre-set the temperature of the water, ensuring comfort and convenience at all times. It is available in Grohe’s StarLight® chrome or Supersteel finishes, adding a touch of class to any kitchen. For the chance to win a FootControl tap, simply answer the question below. TERMS & CONDITIONS The competition is open from midnight on 25…

Amy Marie Williams ABOUT ME I’m 24 and I own a three-bed house in Treharris, south Wales, with my partner Phill, 29. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? It’s a tough decision, but it’s between my living room, which has a stunning fireplace that’s the main feature of the room, and my crafts room, which is such a lovely place to spend time in and be creative. Hayley Knief ABOUT ME I’m 31 and I live with my husband Simon, 40, and our sons Oscar, 3, and Luca, 1, in a modern rented three-bedroom detached in Ilminster, Somerset. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? It has to be the kitchen, as it’s a mix of all my favourite things – pastels, country cottage style, shabby chic, polka dots and personal touches. Julie…

SET SAIL Jillian has anchored her decor scheme with a mapping and nautical theme. For a similar look, try Thread Squirrel’s personalised map cushions, from £30 each, Notonthehighstreet.com. BRIGHT IDEA To get a classic Mid-Century feel like Jillian has, go for an oversized retro-style floor lamp, such as the one in her living room. We recommend the Chicago tripod lamp, £189, Made. WEIGH IN Jillian’s retro kitchen scales are brand new but you can opt for the real McCoy with Avery shop scales from Vintage Scales Online, from around £139. HANG IT UP Feature wallpaper has created a talking point in the dining room. HappyWall sells a great selection of murals. Prices start from £35 per sq m for a vintage-style map design. DINE IN STYLE A glass-top dining table…

Now that the weather is getting cooler, it’s the perfect time to think about a statement piece that will also keep your home warm. Logburners come in all shapes and sizes, so there will be one to suit any look and budget – and with the energy-saving possibilities, this is an investment that will give back. Here’s what you need to know… ALWAYS PUT MORE THAN ONE LOG ON THE FIRE AT A TIME, AS ONE ON ITS OWN WON’T LAST LONG AND THE FIRE WILL DIE OUT YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED… Q Is a logburner easy to install and could I do it myself? It is possible, but you’ll have to be confident and read up on exactly what you need to do, as a chimney has to be prepared…

BOLD BULBS Make a feature of high ceilings with a statement light fitting, such as the Islington six-light pendant, £70, from Next. PRETTY POTS To keep your dressing table as tidy as Nadia’s, look for pretty storage jars – her squirrel jar is £4 from Tiger. Hide cosmetics away in a cute make-up bag (see our craft project on page 38!) and store hair bands and grips in the Things storage box, £16, Notonthehighstreet.com. VINTAGE FINDS Nadia loves to pick up retro and antique items for her home, like the peppermint painted chest of drawers in her bedroom. Check out Preloved, Gumtree and eBay for bargains. GO SURFING Shopping online is ideal if you don’t have time to visit the high street. Nadia got her unique Copper candlestick for £30,…

CONSIDER USING A PVC OR OIL CLOTH FABRIC FOR THE OUTSIDE TO MAKE THE BAG EASIER TO WIPE DOWN Treat yourself to an update for your dressing table with our DIY cosmetics bag that’s inspired by Nadia’s look. This simple sewing project would also be the perfect gift for friends or family at Christmas and can be done in the fabric of your choice. We went for a punchy animal print in a bold pink palette. HOWTO TAKES 1HR COST £10.83 1/4m Spectrum Leopard fabric in Wildberry, £12.99 per m, Minerva Crafts 1/4m Vilene Lamifix matt iron on vinyl film, £5.99 per m, Minerva Crafts Measuring tape Fabric scissors Iron & tea towel Pencil & pins Black zip, £1.59, Minerva Crafts Sewing machine Black & white thread 1 Cut a…

The kitchen is the heart of the home, as the saying goes. So make the most of your space by introducing stylish storage in the form of a dresser. These functional designs have room for displaying items, as well as drawers or cupboards for hiding clutter, not to mention being available in a range of colours, finishes and sizes. We’ve chosen our favourites, all for under £1,200! £499 Perfect for an abundance of storage, especially wine, with this Eaton dresser, DUNELM £399 The Westbury display unit has handy built-in lighting, ARGOS £995 Opt for a more modern look courtesy of the Barnstaple kitchen dresser in oak, HABITAT £895 Invest in a sweet treat for the kitchen with this Bakewell dresser, LOAF £1,000 Create a pretty pastel scheme with the Bramley…

LINE UP INDIVIDUAL PENDANTS ABOVE A DINING TABLE AND FIT A DIMMER SWITCH TO GO FROM A FUNCTIONAL TO AN AMBIENT LOOK In an open-plan space, hang a giant, low pendant for instant impact With the correct lighting, your room can take on different looks throughout the day, night and through the seasons. In most spaces, you’ll likely need several types of lighting, as one central source won’t do every job you require. This can be easily achieved through light layering, where you make use of different types of light sources in each room, depending on your needs. The three layers of light A pendant in a living room is no longer sufficient as the only light source. Add ambience with a floor lamp that you switch on in the…

CLIP-ON LIGHTS Small and easily moveable, clip lights are ideal for snapping onto desks or bookshelves. WALL LIGHTS No need to chase into walls – the new designs are of the style where a visible cable is part of the look, making them easy to screw onto the wall. FLOOR LAMPS Oversized floor lamps add ambience and are ideal for illuminating a dark corner. QUIRKY LIGHTS Fun and functional, unusual lights inject personality. Lightboxes, lettered lights and fruit or animals lights are so trendy and look great. MOVEABLE SPOTLIGHTS Focus directional light onto the item you’d like to show off, such as wall art or pretty display objects.…

ADD A STATEMENT TABLE LAMP TO A PIECE OF FURNITURE TO INJECT A TOUCH OF PERSONALITY Lighting is no longer just a functional necessity – it’s become a focal point and a design feature. There’s never been a more exciting time for light trends, so discover which one suits your style. EXPOSED BULBS It’s all about bare, oversized filament-style bulbs. The beauty of this trend is the simplicity, where a single lightbulb in a floor or table lamp is enough. For a pendant, a cluster of single bulbs hanging from fabric cord and copper fittings makes for an understated show. RAW INDUSTRIAL The industrial trend is going back to an even more original approach. Wires are visible, raw metals are used, copper dazzles and fittings are basic and utilitarian. Wire…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Elizabeth O’Reilly, 30, and I live in Cambridgeshire with my partner, Helio Flores Santos, 34, and our son, Helio, 2. We bought our three-bed semi two years ago and have been decorating it ever since. MY CHALLENGE The hall was the last project on our list, and having invested in the bathroom and kitchen, plus new windows and doors, we didn’t have much in our budget. Also, I was intent on fitting in a cloakroom. MY WISH LIST I wanted a light, bright and welcoming entrance that would reflect the rest of our modernised home, and also provide us with a much-needed second loo. The space had to have character, as well as practical finishes and ample storage. GREAT IDEA ‘Invest in washable emulsion –…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Heidi Stone, 37, a teacher, and I live with my husband, Matt, 39, an electrician, and our children, Max, 5, and Jackson, 18 months, in a four-bed Edwardian semi in Chertsey, Surrey, which we moved into in September 2014. MY CHALLENGE I wanted to make the most of the large loft and turn it into an en-suite bedroom with lots of personality and an industrial vibe. MY WISH LIST For the bedroom area, I was keen on an exposed brick wall, carpet and a comfy bed, then a freestanding roll-top, fittings that complement the age of the house and oak flooring in the en suite. STYLE TIP ‘Be practical in an attic by making the most of the space and install as much fitted furniture…

GLUE GUN WEBS Try your hand at these decorative DIY spiderwebs TAKES 30MINS COST £4.61 Small hot-glue gun Black glue gun sticks (dia 7mm), £4.61 for 10, Amazon Greaseproof paper 1 Plug in the glue gun and insert a black glue stick. Leave to heat up. Working on a sheet of greaseproof paper, carefully draw a vertical line with the gun, then repeat to draw a line across it to make a cross. Add two more diagonal lines through the centre to make a star shape. 2 Use the hot-glue gun to join up the lines in a spiderweb shape. Leave to cool slightly, then peel the web off the paper and place on a flat surface to dry. BAT PEGS Transform wooden clothes pegs into playful decs TAKES 1HR…

NOODLE SOUP TAKES 20MINS SERVES 4 175g dried udon noodles 1.5 litres beef stock 5cm piece fresh root ginger, sliced 1 sachet miso instant soup paste 1-2tbsp soy sauce 1 red chilli, sliced 1 clove garlic, sliced 250g mushrooms, sliced 100g mangetout, sliced 150g fillet steak, sliced 2 spring onions, trimmed and shredded 1 Cook noodles according to pack instructions. Drain. 2 Heat stock with ginger in a pan. Whisk in miso paste and soy sauce. Bring to the boil and add chilli, garlic and mushrooms; simmer for 3 mins. 3 Add mangetout and meat. Simmer for 2 mins. Season. Divide noodles between 4 warm bowls; pour over hot broth. Top with spring onions. MUFFINS TAKES 1HR SERVES 12 Preheat oven to 180°C/ Gas 4. Melt 20g butter in a…

1 Mix a dollop of pesto into a pot of sour cream or crème fraîche for a tasty dip to serve with crudités or breadsticks. 2 Stir pesto into your bread dough to bake a fragrant roll or loaf. Alternatively, mix it with softened butter to spread onto soft rolls and serve with your main meal. 3 Instead of using butter, garnish your vegetables with a spoonful of pesto. Mix it through the vegetables in the pan while still hot or stir it through vegetables in a roasting tray before oven cooking. 4 Use pesto to marinate meat or fish before roasting or grilling. Leave for at least an hour, or overnight if possible, covered and chilled, before cooking. 5 Add a couple of tablespoons of pesto to your mashed…

To-do list A few things to try this month... SORT THE PANTRY Spare an afternoon to give your cupboards a good declutter. Out-of-date chocolates and half-eaten packets of biscuits won’t tempt anyone, so take stock and clear out. Adopt the rule of ‘first in, first out’ to ensure nothing goes out of date, treat yourself to some pretty, stackable tins for home-baked goods and have a go at labelling up your jars. START A VEGGIE GARDEN What could be more rewarding than eating produce that you’ve grown in the back garden? Start in the autumn and plant spring cabbages, garlic and onions, and sow broad beans – you’ll have crops ready to harvest in the spring and summer. The Royal Horticultural Society website, rhs.org.uk, has month-by-month advice and tips on…

#askSAH Q I love colour but am too nervous to use it on my walls Ð yet IÕm fed up of living in white rooms. Any tips? EMMA LEWIS, VIA TWITTER This time of year is perfect for embracing colour in your home – white walls can be too cold for the autumn and winter months. Go for rich shades to bring warmth to your space. A deep turquoise combined with purple is ideal and, especially when paired with tactile fur throws and cushions, will create a cosy feel for relaxing spaces like a bedroom. Got a burning styling question? Tweet it to our editor Lizzie @styleathomemag – she’s on hand with all the answers! Tweets we love @CordeliaHearts @styleathomemag getting me excited to decorate the garden this weekend! @aduncan_x…

A Abigail Warner abigailwarner.com Amara amara.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Arthouse arthouse.com Atkin & Thyme atkinandthyme.co.uk AtNo67 Concept Store 01225 938059, atnumber67.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 920 6846, barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore bathstore.com Baylis & Harding 01527 505000, baylisandharding.com BB Trade Kitchens 0191 236 8902, bbtradekitchensandbedrooms.co.uk Black & Decker blackanddecker.co.uk Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk Bonnie and Bell etsy.com/uk/shop/BonnieandBell Book People (The) 0345 602 4040, thebookpeople.co.uk Bristan braunhousehold.com British Ceramic Tile 01626 834774, britishceramictile.com Brume 01364 73090, brume.co.uk C Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Clement Browne 01702 667291, clementbrowne.co.uk Clif Fry 07764 823903 Cloud Craft cloudcraft.co.uk Clover & Thorne cloverandthorne.co.uk Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Compare Tiles comparetiles.co.uk Contemporary Home (The) tch.net Corbridge Antiques Centre 01434…

TRY THE SAME TECHNIQUE ON A VINTAGE ROWING OAR OR A LARGE WOODEN RULER FOR A PLAYFUL PIECE OF HANDMADE WALL ART Create your own piece of wall art that doubles up as a handy set of hooks for storing anything from jewellery to keys. This is a great project to customise your space, as you can choose an item that is personal or meaningful to you. Hunt around your local charity shops or rummage at a car-boot sale to see what treasures you can find, or choose to upcycle something you already have at home. This method would also work for smaller vintage pieces. HOWTO TAKES 30 MINS COST £3.05 Pencil & ruler Wooden squash or badminton racquet 2 x small screw eyes, £1.99 for six, Homebase Bradawl Length…

MIX & MATCH If you’re feeling brave, team gold, copper and brass tones together for a statement combination. Play around with different shades to achieve a balanced look. START SMALL Begin with a few small accessories and build the look from there. Metallics work well with dark hues such as navy or deep purple so use these as a starting point. DIY IT Get creative and use metallic spray paint to add a look of luxury to existing pieces. Try a copper-dipped effect to the legs of your dining chairs, or transform a plain vase into a glitzy gold accessory.…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Jenny Hobbs, 26, and I’m an assistant manager for a Cath Kidston store. I live on my own with my cat Maisy. MY HOME A two-bedroom ground-floor flat in Heaton, Newcastle, which dates back to around 1900. I’ve lived here since September 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The flat belonged to my friend before me and, as I’d always loved her style, I didn’t feel the need to change much. The only downside was that the kitchen felt a bit dark and didn’t have enough storage space. AND NOW I’ve made the place my own with a new grey kitchen, a woodburner in the living room, plus a nature-inspired statement wallpaper in the master bedroom. I’ve also added my own finishing touches with colourful accessories…

CHIC STORAGE Before buying, work out what you’re going to store in it. Do you need drawer space and cupboards? Most will have various options, including open shelving that’s ideal for showing off accessories. SPACE SAVER You’ll also need to know how much space you have for the dresser. Find out dimensions of styles you like, then mark on the floor (with paper) where the dresser will stand. This will tell you how much room it’ll take up. STYLE IT UP Arrange a selection of pretty vases on your dresser to complement a country look. Or why not pin some bunting along the top? The open shelving is great for small tealight holders that can create a warm welcome to your kitchen.…

GET CREATIVE AND EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT GEOMETRIC DESIGNS ON EACH VASE.CHOOSE A COLOUR COMBO TO SUIT YOUR EXISTING PALETTE Do you have any plain vases that need bringing to life? Follow our step-by-step guide to give them a splash of colour. This make is perfect for beginners and can be done in just a few hours. Be sure to use good-quality masking tape to give you crisp, sharp lines and remember to work outside on a dust sheet, as it can get very messy. HOWTO TAKES 3HRS* COST £37.97** Newspaper Bladet vase, £5, Ikea PlastiKote twist & spray white primer, £6.24, Amazon PlastiKote twist & spray in White Satin, £7.66, Amazon Masking tape PlastiKote twist & spray in Daffodil, £6.24, Amazon Valspar premium spray in Aussie Surf, £12.83, B&Q 1…

Get a handmade look with retro-inspired paper lampshades Autumn is here and winter is just around the corner. So, when it comes to the early darkness, it’s time to embrace the shorter days and look on the bright side by reinventing your home lighting. With the correct illumination for each room, you can boost the function of the space as well as adding atmosphere. In this month’s Style Made Easy special, we show you the latest trends and let you in on clever tips and innovative ideas you can try to bring your interiors out of the shadows. YOU WILL LEARN… About the different types of lighting, from fashionable to functional The various kinds of bulbs available now How to plan a room-by-room lighting guide Clever accent lighting ideas Three…

ECO-LED FILAMENT These vintage-look bulbs are really on-trend right now, and are a must for lights where the bulb is exposed. Large Globe LED Filament bulb, £33.60, Urban Cottage Industries. ECO-LED BULB This round, white design offers the best quality light for a bulb-shaped LED – they have a long life, save energy and glow brightly the instant you switch them on. Eco LED bulb, from £3, B&Q. LED HALOGEN BULB High-energy halogen bulbs are being phased out in favour of an LED alternative, which looks similar and has a much lower running cost. Halogen bulbs, from £3, Homebase.…

FESTOONS String bulbs are on-trend and the latest LED versions come in festival brights or stylish white bulbs, and look great hanging out of reach. Festoon lights, from £14.99, Lights4Fun. FAIRYTALE LOOK Jazz up regular LED fairy lights with pretty shades that clip over each bulb. Balloons and fairy lights, £5.99, Lights4Fun. FOREST FRIENDS Little ones love night lights. Find cute designs such as bunnies or toadstools, from £3.95 each, Dotcomgiftshop. ROPE WORK Flexible neon rope lights are easy to bend into shapes or words. Use clear cable ties to keep the shape and fix your artwork to the wall. LED rope lights, from £15, Amazon.…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Emily Duffield, 26, a marketing executive for JFM Interiors in Harrogate. I live with my fiancé, Tom, 30, and our two cats, Harry and Bella, in a three-bedroom, rustic country cottage in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. We bought it in January 2015. MY CHALLENGE The room had a very bold wallpaper that wasn’t to my taste and it felt overpowering against the neutral walls. MY WISH LIST I liked the idea of a feature paper with otherwise plain walls, but it was important to me that the room had a more balanced colour palette and was decorated in the retro-inspired shades I love. GREAT IDEA ‘Go for sofas in different sizes – it deceives the eye and makes the room look bigger’ ‘CHOOSE PASTEL SHADES AS…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Gill Hayes, 49, a part-time office manager, and I live with my husband, Ian, 53, a legal consultant, and our two sons, Louis, 13, and Alex, 12, in a four-bedroom detached 1950s house in Epsom, Surrey. We moved here in October 2004. MY CHALLENGE We needed a bigger spare room, and a proper en suite bathroom. To do this, we had to extend at the side of the house, which meant we could change the whole layout. MY WISH LIST A large walk-in shower, a large vanity unit with a nice chunky sink, a compact loo with the cistern and workings hidden, some interesting tiles, a wooden Venetian blind and plenty of storage for towels and toiletries. GREAT IDEA ‘Choose your furniture and wall colour…

Sharpen up your cutting technique by practising on a separate piece of paper before starting the project Spruce up your walls with this DIY piece of wall art, inspired by the floral paper-cut designs from West Elm. We chose two easy templates to suit beginners. TAKES 2HRS COST £2.40 Paper-cutting template (Home Sweet Home or Hello Sunshine), £2.40 each, Small Bird Crafts at Etsy A4 thin card Scalpel & cutting mat Paper for background Glue stick 1 Print the paper-cutting template onto a sheet of thin A4 card. Working on a cutting mat, use a sharp scalpel to carefully cut away the white areas on the template. Change your blade as you go if you find the paper is catching slightly. 2 Once you have cut out the whole template,…

This project by @nestvintageandretro turns a timeless Ercol chair into a real statement piece @jess_and_jules and designer Rachael Taylor have revamped this cabinet with a funky paper An upcycled mirror by @house_home_love_ family features a pretty Cath Kidston ribbon Furniture paint and new handles have given @ruleof3rdsdesign’s sideboard a chic update @belleandbobbins has transformed her little girl’s desk area with old frames and art prints @jessykins47 has given her grandmother’s dresser a makeover using Annie Sloan paint A tired cabinet has been refurbished into a stylish unit for craft materials by @sewalittlelove Marble-effect vinyl has instantly revived @crumblenbumble’s unloved side table We love @paintedyard’s choice of Annie Sloan English Yellow chalk paint and clocks fabric…

SAUSAGES & CELERIAC MASH TAKES 45 MINS SERVES 4 1 x 500g celeriac, peeled and cubed 2 parsnips 8 pork sausages 2tbsp olive oil 2 red onions, sliced 1/2 red cabbage, sliced 4tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 beef stock pot 4tbsp soured cream 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/ Gas 6. Put celeriac and parsnips into a pan of salted water, cover, bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 mins. 2 Line a roasting tin with baking parchment. Add the sausages and roast for 15 mins. 3 Take 2 pans, add 1tbsp olive oil to each, then add 1 sliced onion to one of the pans; cook gently to soften. Add the other onion with the red cabbage to another pan with 150ml water and 1tbsp vinegar, cover and cook…

GINGER & PECAN CAKE TAKES 1 HR SERVES 12-16 375g unsalted butter, softened up 375g soft light brown sugar 6 large eggs, beaten 150g pecans, toasted and chopped 300g self-raising flour 1tsp baking powder 50g stem ginger in syrup, chopped, plus 2tbsp syrup FOR THE FILLING 500ml crème fraîche 3-4tbsp golden rum, to taste 3-4tbsp icing sugar, to taste FOR THE TOPPING 300g dulce de leche (caramel sauce) Juice 1/2 lemon 1tsp sea salt, roughly crushed YOU WILL NEED 3 x 20cm (8in) sandwich tins, greased and bottom-lined 1 Heat the oven to 170°C/Gas Mark 3. Cream the butter and sugar. Gradually add the eggs, then fold in the pecans, flour, baking powder and ginger with syrup. 2 Pour into prepared tins and bake for 30 mins, until risen and…

EASY TO USE White Wonder’s cream formula removes virtually any stain, £4.99, Lakeland IN AN EMERGENCY Your go-to carpet cleaner, 1001 Trouble Shooter tackles everything from coffee to red wine, £2.49, Sainsbury’s CLEAN CLOTHES In-Wash Stain Remover sachets remove stains that detergent can’t, £1.99, Dr-beckmann.co.uk PUT OFF PETS Vanish Oxi Action Pet Powerspray is also specially formulated to discourage pets from re-soiling, £3.99, Homebase…

WORTH £34 These magnificent Allium bulbs will add an explosion of colour to your garden from spring to mid-summer, followed by showy architectural seed-heads that create a spectacular autumn display. Their airy spheres of dainty, star-shaped flowers are appealing from every direction. HOW TO ORDER CALL 0844 573 1686 and quote SXH10 (minimum telephone order £10) ONLINE Visit thompson-morgan.com/SXH10 thompsonmorgan.com/SXH10 BY POST Fill in the coupon below OFFER INCLUDES Inside your Allium collection, you will find: 10 X ALLIUM ‘Purple Sensation’ bulbs size 9/10 10 X ALLIUM ‘Mount Everest’ bulbs size 9/10 30 X ALLIUM ‘Moly’ bulbs size 4/5 25 X ALLIUM ‘Ostrowskianum’ bulbs size 4/5 25 X ALLIUM ‘Sphaerocephalon’ bulbs size 4/5 TRY THESE, TOO… ALLIUM ‘BIG IMPACT MIXED’ Add height with these superb summer-flowering bulbs. H60-90cm…

Choose a floral fragrance. Paddywax scented candle, £5, John Lewis Hang coordinating artwork up. Butterfly sign, £4, George Home Add style on a shoestring budget. Butterfly enamel bowl, £10, Matalan Include on-trend butterfly prints. Woven butterfly cushion, £10, Tesco Direct Display faux or fresh blooms. Embossed floral vase, £4.99, Dunelm Decorate with natural motifs Colours Claudia duck egg blue shade, £5, B&Q Keep bathroom shelves tidy. Small ribbed glass jar, £2.50, George Home Dress up your bedroom wall. Small Chantilly mirror, £9.95, Dotcomgiftshop Update your crockery. Purple Blossom mug, £3, Wilko Introduce teal hues. Linea Egyptian cotton towels, from £3, House of Fraser…