Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Style At Home

A couple of years ago, if you’d said I’d choose pink for my bedroom, I’d be sceptical. And yet my bedroom is now rocking some newly painted pink walls and I’m loving it! However, it has caused some friction in Casa Young: not due to the colour (everyone’s a fan), but because we jumped the project queue. My daughter’s room was tackled soon after moving in (a thank you for her taking the smallest room) and her twin brother has been dropping less-than-subtle hints that his room should get a new look ever since. He was not impressed when the dust sheets came out in the main bedroom instead. By now I’m sure you can guess what project is top of the list for the bank holiday weekend over at…

1. Stick colours to key This scheme really packs a punch but by using just three colours – pink, yellow and teal – it prevents it from becoming too busy, keeping your decor coherent while still making an impact. 2. Choose cheeky slogans This is a really fun look, making it ideal for the kitchen or dining area. Add some light-hearted humour with slogans on plant pots, artwork or tableware and pot up your fave houseplants. 3. Use colour blocking Solid blocks of vibrant colour on walls, furniture and accessories really pop and keep this look clean and fresh. Avoid too many patterns which could make the scheme look fussy and busy. 4. Introduce light woods The wooden elements in this scheme help to pull it all together by adding…

Try some DIY hacks to upcycle old furniture: you can get great bits off eBay or try charity shops, then transform them cheaply with some new paint and hardware. Preparation is key to upcycling. Plan ahead and ensure you have the tools and equipment needed to do the job from start to finish. Give all furniture a wipe down before you start, and always factor in time to make any corrections to your project, and most of all, don’t rush it! Craig & Rose gold spray paint is a dream for adding the Midas touch to table legs, picture frames or even creating patterns on pieces of furniture. Just remember to work in an open space to allow lots of ventilation when spray-painting. If you’re making patterns – especially geometric…

A gallery wall is a simple way to add colour and personality to a room. Anna Sheridan, stylist at Heal’s, shares her top tips on creating the perfect arrangement. YOUR GALLERY WALL WILL ALWAYS BE 100 PER CENT BESPOKE AS THE PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE TOTALLY UNIQUE TO YOU How do you lay it out? Planning is key! Before making any holes in the wall, decide on a layout. The easiest way is to lay the pieces on the floor and see how they work together. You can also cut paper to the size of each frame to use as templates on the wall. Any styling tips? Aim to have the centre of the gallery at eye level – around 140cm from the floor. Common mistakes are not planning the…

ABOUT ME I’m Daniella Keating, 28, a marketing executive for a house builder. I live here with my partner, Michael Sekhon, 29, a social media manager, and our dog, Rupert. MY HOME A new build, four-bed detached house in Leicestershire, which we bought in May 2020 (@ freshlypressedhome on Instagram). WHEN WE MOVED IN It was a blank canvas with a neutral kitchen and bathroom that had already been chosen by the developers. AND NOW We’ve decorated in a boho style, with upcycled furniture. I’ve added colour, botanical prints and hanging plants in most corners. STYLE TIP For a gallery wall, I start with a statement piece in the middle, then add random pieces around it so you can expand it as you go. The jumbled look works for me!…

The Help to Buy scheme is aimed at helping first-time buyers purchase their first home. It offers a five-year interest-free equity loan paid for by the Homes and Communities Agency (trading as Homes England), which is government funded. The scheme was relaunched on 1 April 2021 and runs until March 2023. First-time buyers in England can apply for an equity loan of up to 20 per cent (40 per cent in London) of the value of a new-build home. Who is eligible? You need to be at least 18 years old. You cannot own a home or land anywhere in the world now or in the past. If you are buying with another person, they also must meet the ‘first-time buyer’ criteria. If you’re married or cohabiting, you’ll make a…

ABOUT ME I’m Carey Mann, 50, an interior designer, and I live here with my husband Johan, 40, a music producer, and our morkie, Granny. MY HOME A one-bedroom apartment within a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in Margate, Kent, bought in 2019. WHEN WE MOVED IN Recently renovated to a high standard, this place was perfect as we didn’t want to take on a property that needed a lot of work doing to it. AND NOW The windows have been fixed, carpet fitted and furnished throughout with interesting art and soft furnishings, making it unique. STYLE TIP I tend to put things together that I love rather than overthinking whether or not it fits the room or scheme.…

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE An online treasure trove where you’re guaranteed to find a second-hand gem; collection-only items are often that bit cheaper. H&M HOME This is a firm favourite, great for inexpensive soft furnishings and kitchen essentials that look a lot more expensive than they are. ARTISANS & ADVENTURERS For beautiful ethically-sourced homeware, from blankets and throws to baskets made by artisans across the world. Every purchase helps support the livelihoods of these local communities and the continuation of traditional crafts. FITWARD & HAYTON A go-to for fun and quirky homeware and gifts that are a little bit different. FARROW & BALL If you’re looking to paint walls a deeper, richer colour then their selection is hard to beat. DESIGNER CARPET Natural floor coverings that are ideal for bringing texture and…

FRESH WHITE BED LINEN, LAYERED WITH TACTILE NEUTRALS, WILL CREATE A GETAWAY FEEL SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

Speed premium white kitchen units with stainless steel bar handles, from £9,000 including laminate worktops and appliances, Kutchenhaus. Apollo Slab Tech worktops in Marmo Crema, from £496m, Sheridan. Nobili single-lever Charlie sink mixer tap in copper, £305.93, FAB Appliances. Similar, Reginox Miami copper integrated kitchen sink, £322.99, Taps UK. Porcelain colour block oak-white floor tiles from Mandarin Stone have been discontinued, for similar, try Casa Grande Decor 3 outdoor porcelain floor tiles, £42sq m, Mandarin Stone. Monastir white gloss glazed tiles, from £41.60sq m, Mandarin Stone. For a similar fridge-freezer, try the Samsung RS3000 American fridge-freezer in clean steel, £1,079; for a similar oven, try the Neff N50 slide & hide single oven, £699; Neff N70 75cm black gas hob, £579; Neff N30 angled chimney cooker hood, £599, all AO.com.…

Your home’s entrance requires smart storage solutions to avoid clutter. As the first room your guests see on entering it sets the tone for the rest of the house. Hallways can often become an overlooked space where clutter builds up, so put hallway storage at the forefront of your mind when planning your decorating scheme. With smart storage solutions you can create an area that’s both attractive and practical for everyday use. Take a fresh look at your hallway or under-stairs area to work out what you need – even a row of hooks can make a difference and help you stay organised. Generally speaking, in a narrow hallway make use of the height and wall spaces as much as possible. If you have space under the stairs maybe you…

1 Make sure the frame is clean and dry – give it a good going over with a hand brush to get rid of debris. 2 Fill any cracks or holes with flexible wood filler. Sand gently, going with the grain of the wood, then wipe away any dust. 3 Mask around the window, leaving a 2mm gap, so you overlap onto the glass to seal it and keep out water. 4 Apply a coat of primer or undercoat to the frame and sill. If you’re going to be using standard gloss or satin, make sure your primer is weatherproof for a longer-lasting finish. Allow to dry. 5 Apply your chosen colour with a brush, not a roller, pressing it into corners. 6 Allow to dry completely and apply at…

YOUR CENTREPIECE WILL NEED TO BE KEPT MOIST BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERWATER AS YOU’LL END UP WITH A SOGGY TABLE BIRDS NEST CENTREPIECE YOU WILL NEED Faux birds nest Potting soil Cyclamen Moss Spring bulbs Artificial bird 1 BUILD THE BASE Take a faux bird’s nest decoration or make your own by gathering clumps of straw, raffia or twigs. Bend the stems into a loop and tie with a piece of florist’s wire. Next, make a smaller loop and push it down inside the first one. Tie together if needed. Continue until the base is covered. 2 ADD A WATERPROOF LINER Cut a circle the same size as the nest from a bin bag, or use a waterproof liner from a garden centre. Push this inside the nest…

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around a basket or drawer evenly from every angle, replicating the results of a deep fat fryer but without all the oil. That means any fat you add will circulate around fries, chicken or fish as it cooks, making it crisp and crunchy. Because a fan keeps the hot air moving, an air fryer cooks quicker than a regular oven, so it’s great for speeding up mealtimes and cooking frozen food for easy dinners. Look for easy-to-use controls for both temperature and time; auto-stop and keep-warm functions can be useful but bear in mind that chips, if left after cooking finishes, lose their crispness quickly. More expensive machines will feature touch screens rather than dial controls, which help with accuracy. Air fryers are…

1 MAKE THE SWITCH If your landlord will allow, try switching your energy provider. In addition, shop around for cheaper mobile phone and broadband packages and cancel unnecessary subscriptions that you aren’t using. 2 OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND Set up a standing order to transfer money into a savings account each month on payday. That way the money is out of your current account and you are less likely to be tempted to dip into it. 3 OPEN AN ISA If you’re a first-time buyer aged between 18 and 39, you are eligible to open up a Lifetime ISA account. You can pay up to £4,000 each tax year into the account. The government then adds a 25 per cent bonus (£1,000 maximum) on top.…

Always be honest when you are buying insurance, otherwise your policy could be invalidated. The cheapest policy may not always be the best one for you – make sure you buy the level of cover you need. You can buy insurance policies using comparison sites, but it is worth getting direct quotes from the company for the best price. For insurance, such as car and home, note down the expiry date and shop around for a new deal before it ends, as auto-renewal prices are not always the best.…

Habitat CITRINE HUES Combine pastel pink and green tones with geometric prints for a 1970s vibe Furniture Village DESERT JEWEL Style up this scheme with sandy oranges and pinks, and a glimpse of precious metal George Home HOLIDAY ROMANCE Be inspired by far-flung shores with Mediterranean-style prints and faded fabrics Matalan LUCID DREAMS Create a dreamscape with midnight blue, sunset pink and flecks of gold…

Use your old headboard and remove the current fabric and padding. Carefully remove any nails and tacks. 2 Trim a piece of mattress padding to fit the headboard and use spray adhesive to attach. Cover with a layer of wadding, flip the headboard over to attach in place with a staple gun. 3 Lay the board on the fabric you’ve picked to cover it with and cut to shape, leaving a 5cm lip that you can pull over the board and staple into place on the reverse side. Ensure the fabric is pulled taut so as not to have an uneven, saggy finish. 4 Finish by using spray adhesive to apply a strip of ribbon or trim to the rough edge on the back of the board to cover any…

1 CEILING-HUNG OPTIONS If you’ve no space for bedside tables, hang pendant lamps from the ceiling either side of your bed instead. Not only does this free up floor space, it will form an attractive, symmetrical feature in your room. 2 ADD A POP OF COLOUR Choose a bedside lamp in a strong colour, to add warmth and vibrancy. Match it with an accessory or two for a cohesive look and keep your bedside table clutter free so as not to detract from your lighting choice. 3 WALL-HUNG LAMP If you only have a tiny bedside table, a wall-hung lamp could be the answer. This dark-shaded style will cast a cosy glow over the bed at night, giving just enough light to settle down with a book. 4 SCULPTURAL LAMPSHADE…

1 Pegboards can be used in every room of the home and have so many uses, from hanging kitchen utensils and organising craft supplies to displaying jewellery or creating a gift-wrapping station. 2 The great things about pegboards are that you can fix them together to get the perfect size for your space, paint them to suit your decor, or even frame them, then add a multitude of hooks, shelves, wire baskets and hangers to create a display. 3 Special pegboard hooks feature small barbs on either side to keep the hook in place. You can also hang items from small dowels pushed into individual holes, or run a long piece of dowel between two hooks. 4 In the kitchen, a pegboard attached to the inside of a cupboard door…

1 UPLIFTING PASTELS Serene and spring-like, pastels enliven a neutral palette and bring a fresh, tranquil feel to a sleep space. Combine sugary pinks, mauves, cornflower blue on a backdrop of mint green for a sophisticated scheme. 2 GARDEN TRELLIS PATTERNS To create a decorative garden look, combine dainty designs featuring leafy and rambling florals in subtle shades of green. Pair an ornate painted metal bed frame with a vintage patio table. 3 RESTFUL FOREST GREEN Deep green can work in spaces big and small – even on all four walls if you offset it with colourful bedlinen. It’ll change mood as the day goes on, feeling energising in the morning, then immersive at night. 4 GO TROPICAL Bold botanical designs fit perfectly in a green space, while a mid-weight…

1 Measure the area you want to tile and buy enough black and white penny tiles for that area. 2 Carefully think about the word you would like to use. It can be a positive daily reminder or a word that is personal to you. 3 Play around with font styles. Once chosen, draw it out on a piece of paper and fit it to the area. 4 Lay the tiles in the area and when you are happy with how they look stick them in place with tile adhesive. 5 Grout the area and clean off all the excess. You now have your unique floor phrase!…

IF YOU’RE UNSURE WHICH COLOURS WILL WORK BEST FOR YOUR TWO-TONE WALL PLAY AROUND WITH TESTER POT COMBINATIONS ON A PIECE OF BOARD Why choose one colour when you can have two? If you’ve fallen in love with a shade but don’t want to cover an entire wall, or simply prefer to mix things up, then a two-tone effect is the perfect solution. There are no rules, but a darker shade on the bottom with a neutral or lighter colour on the upper section is a sure-fire way to success. Mark your meeting point Decide where you’d like your two colours to meet – whether that be halfway, three-quarters or even further up the wall. Take a tape measure and mark this point on the wall using a pencil. Repeat…

Add leather handles to transform Ikea units Elevate inexpensive pine units by painting, wall mounting and adding sleek leather handles. Use as a run along a dining room wall or hallway. Give it a twist For an alternative to wall-hung units attach hairpin legs to create a standalone sideboard. Create clever banquette seating Using a simple shelving unit as a base and an upholstered headboard for a back rest, this stylish banquette seating provides plenty of storage too. Give it a twist Cut foam to size and cover in a washable fabric in a coordinating colour, for a softer under-bottom alternative to timber. Update drawer fronts with dowelling Give a bespoke finish to a chest of drawers by attaching dowels in vertical strips, using a hot glue gun. Stick firmly…

Being an end-of-terrace meant that the house had lots of scope for extending, which was one of the deciding factors for us,’ says Hannah. ‘When we moved in the existing kitchen was crying out for modernisation. There was a cheap and cheerful fitted kitchen with a brown tiled floor which, although liveable, wasn’t to our taste. Plus the layout was too small for the open-plan living we had envisaged. Layout planning We began by drawing up a few options to see what would work best. We love cooking and entertaining, so a spacious layout with plenty of prep space was key. And making the space light and bright was a top priority for us. It took lots of mulling over before we finally settled on our preferred design and got…

April is upon us, which means the Easter holidays are on their way. While spending time with friends and family is sure to take priority, a four-day weekend is a great excuse to break the back of a few household chores. It’s a good time to give your sofa covers a quick freshen up and get on top of built-up limescale in the kettle. Plus, if you want to update your home’s exterior, why not paint your window frames? Alternatively, making a smart new headboard or handy pegboard will only take a few hours but will still give a room a boost. Make a pegboard You could easily buy a ready-made pegboard, or have a go at making your own bespoke design. Cut a piece of MDF to the desired…

1 POTTED HYDRANGEA As they grow to just 1m in height, we’d recommend the small cultivar H. serrata to make the perfect statement in a container on a patio. Use composted bark-based compost or John Innes No 3 and keep well watered. 2 Lush lavender This popular aromatic shrub thrives in a sunny spot in free-draining soil, and is best planted in spring. After flowering in late summer, clip off spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm of leaf growth (don't cut into woody stems) to encourage new growth. 3 SUMMER BULBS For colour and scent later in the year, plant summer bulbs in spring when the soil is warming up. Our favourites include gladioli, lilies and alliums. They need good drainage and humus-rich soil. Add plenty of grit and leaf…

TURMERIC CHICKEN AND APRICOT BAKE TAKES 1 HR 35 MINS, PLUS MARINATING SERVES 4 1 whole chicken 125ml olive oil 2 garlic cloves 1tbsp coriander seeds 1tsp dried turmeric or 1tbsp peeled and grated fresh turmeric 4 sweet potatoes, sliced into rounds 80g dried apricots, roughly chopped 1 orange, thickly sliced 1 fennel bulb, cut into chunks 1 glass of white wine Bunch of parsley, chopped 4 spring onions, sliced 1 Using poultry (or very strong) scissors, slice down the chicken backbone and flatten it to open. This technique is called spatchcocking. Score the skin a few times. 2 In a small blender or mini chopper, blitz the olive oil, garlic, coriander seeds and turmeric. Rub this mixture over the chicken, and leave to marinate in the fridge for 1…

MAD MARCH HARE CAKE TAKES 1 HR 30 MINS, PLUS COOLING SERVES 12 FOR THE CAKE 100g cocoa powder 240g self-raising flour 1½tsp baking powder ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda 240g butter, softened 400g caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 4 eggs at room temperature FOR THE BUTTERCREAM 200g white chocolate 250g butter, softened 500g icing sugar, sifted 2-3tbsp milk TO DECORATE 1 white chocolate egg, split in half, and smaller chocolate eggs YOU WILL NEED 2 x 25cm round baking tins, greased and lined with baking parchment 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Mix the cocoa powder with 400ml boiling water, and leave to cool. 2 Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and ¼tsp salt into a bowl; set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix…

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No longer consigned to the conservatory, woven woods such as rattan, bamboo and cane are making a welcome comeback, bringing warmth and interest. The key to making them work is to keep it subtle. Invest in a few key pieces and integrate them into your existing scheme. Choose oversized pendants and textured furniture finishes to add instant impact.…

ABOUT ME I’m Jen Watkins, 35, a sales director in the beauty industry and artist. I live here with my three children, Rowan, 12, and twin boys Arthur and Oscar, seven, and our dog, Dottie, and cat, Saffy. MY HOME Our home is a five-bed detached new-build property in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. We moved here in June 2017. WHEN WE MOVED IN As this was a new house it was very white, clean and neat, and lacked character. AND NOW It’s taken six years of constant evolving, by painting walls, then repainting, adding colour through fabric, texture, lighting, wall prints, and building up a collection of vintage and quirky accessories that have helped the house feel like a home. I like using a mix of modern, vintage, old and new.…

KITTY McCALL: A large selection of prints, fabrics, small furniture items and fun accessories in bold, vibrant colours with fabulous patterns. FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE Here you’ll find lots of secondhand furniture that is great for upcycling projects. They are often cheap or free and can be collected locally to where you live. Always a bargain online! ANTHROPOLOGIE Originally US based, sells modern accessories, home furnishings and furniture. DUSTYBIRD SOUTHSEA (@ dustybird_southsea) A collection of vintage and antique homeware. ETSY For unique art prints and vintage bargains by small independent designers.…

We were able to skip a rung on the property ladder when we bought this four-bedroom new-build detached house,’ says Daniella. ‘Our first home together was a two-bedroom house in South Leicestershire built by the same developer, William Davis Homes. As we’d been happy with the quality and knew what to expect, we were keen to see their other development six miles east of Leicester. The outlook at the front with views over fields was something we hadn’t found anywhere else and my best friend lives nearby in the next village. We really loved the ground-floor layout with a living room, kitchen, snug and dining room, which could be turned into an office, while the big garden was a bonus too. Everything just added up. New-build benefits Back then, the…

Carefully consider the position of your desk. Rather than shove it up against the wall, would it work better in the middle of the room? Adjustable chairs and tables are best for avoiding back pain. Your eyes should be in line with the top of your computer screen with feet firmly on the floor and elbows at right angles. Vibrant colours like orange and yellow are energising and promote alertness, but studies show people are most productive in blue rooms. Keep ugly cables hidden. Amazon sells two cable management boxes with stylish bamboo covers for £18.99.…

Tired of our busy London life, when we first moved to the coastal town of Margate in 2015 we initially bought a Victorian two-up, two-down,’ says Carey. ‘We were keen to get on the property ladder, then proceeded to fully renovate the house over the following four years. Growing up in Sweden, Johan, who’s a music producer, had learned to build from an early age and was able to skilfully turn his hand to most of the work. Seaside dream He then went on to build his own music studio in a warehouse near the old Margate train station. I was thrilled to open a little café along the Margate harbour wall. These were all dreams we simply would not have achieved if we had stayed in London. Moving to…

A hallways can often become an overlooked space where clutter builds up, but it can easily be organised to include a few extra storage solutions. Avoid an overcrowded hallway by only keeping the everyday essentials on display. Off-season items such as winter coats, scarves and gloves can be packed away in a storage trunk or lidded basket to keep mess to a minimum. A streamlined console is perfect for a narrow hallway and will serve as a handy spot to put down the post or stash your keys when you come through the front door. Calm the chaos of a busy hallway with slimline storage units. Multifunctional furniture is the key to a harmonious hallway. Keep it simple with a few statement hooks or pegs for hanging up coats, scarves…

1 ORIGINAL FLOORBOARDS There’s a rustic charm you can only achieve with exposed floorboards. They may be draughty, so be sure to insulate where necessary, particularly underneath and around the windows on exterior walls. 2 INSULATE WITH CARPET Opt for a thick underlay to boost the longevity of your flooring. It makes a big difference to a value carpet, which will feel plusher underfoot, and offers better heat insulation, helping the room feel cosier. 3 VINYL ‘FLOORBOARDS’ Many luxury vinyl styles are available as planks that click together, creating a seamless floor that has a smooth, authentic finish. They are easy to install with no need for glue. 4 ADD CHARM WITH TILES Bring authentic charm to your living room with terracotta tiles, which have a country style that suits…

1 Add vibrant colour to cabinets While we love painted kitchen cabinets, there’s more you can do than you might think. If you have glass-fronted or open shelving, you’re missing a trick by not looking inwards. Paint the internal nooks of shelves in a bright, contrasting colour to the rest of the cabinet. It’s also an ideal way of adding interest to a white kitchen, as it will provide the perfect amount of added colour, as well as acting as an unexpected burst of fun. If you have wallpaper in the kitchen, try coordinating the shade of paint inside your cabinet to the accent colour of the pattern. 2 PAINT YOUR CHAIRS IN SOFT SHADES Play with paint to create a totally unique scheme. Give your kitchen a shot of…

ABOUT ME I’m Hannah Pemberton, founder of WANDA creative homewares (wandalust.co.uk, @wandalust_). I live here with my husband Matthew, founder of a design agency, and our son Felix, six, in a three-bedroom Victorian end-of-terrace house in southeast London, which we bought in 2014. THE CHALLENGE The kitchen units were pretty standard, but the laminate worktops, brown floor tiles and magnolia paint throughout were very dated and made the kitchen feel quite gloomy. MY WISH LIST An open-plan layout was the priority, with a central island and space for a dining table. We were keen to let in as much light as possible, with large bifold doors.…

Create an ombre effect Try this imaginative idea to create a sunset effect. Mixing soft apricots and sunny yellows, blush pinks and berry tone tiles adds colour and warmth. ‘I love sunsets, who doesn’t?’ says founder of Otto Tiles & Design, Damla Turgut. ‘I wanted to recreate the mix of vibrant colours and show how they blend together using tiles. The idea is simple yet striking.’ Take it from the floor Beautifully simple floor tiles often get, for lack of a better phrase, swept under the rug. Make more of an impression by taking the same tiles right up onto the walls. This mid-height trick works well when using a busy tile; just stick to a neutral paint shade for the top half of the wall, so as not to…

1 Start by removing throws and cushions and give your sofa a vacuum using the upholstery attachment. 2 Before you start cleaning, make sure you check the label to see what products you can use on your sofa. W means you can only use a water-based cleaner. S or P means it can only be cleaned with solvents (dry-clean only). SW or WS means that you can use either a water-based detergent or solvent cleaner. A steam cleaner will be fine to use, too. Finally, X means that you can’t use any water or detergent – get it cleaned professionally instead. 3 There are some easy home remedies that can also help remove stains. White vinegar is a great natural stain remover. Use it to blot the stain with an…

IF YOUR WOOD IS VERY WONKY AND YOU HAVE LARGE HOLES, YOU CAN PLUG THEM WITH FILLER THEN SAND AND PAINT Transform leftover pallet wood into a collection of cute birdhouses. Very rough pallet planks are fine to use as the wonky areas add character to these little builds. We’ve featured instructions for the basic pink bird box, but you can easily adapt these to make a whole village of cool and quirky houses, from a two-storey townhouse to an asymmetric mid-century-style dwelling. YOU WILL NEED Pallet wood planks Ruler Saw Palm sander or sandpaper Paddle drill bits, 25mm and 35mm or 38mm Drill driver with 2mm wood drill piece Wood glue 25mm nails and hammer Paintbrush Paint Black Sharpie Pencil Matt outdoor varnish 1 MEASURE AND CUT YOUR PLANKS…

Saving enough money to be able to own your own home can seem daunting. Living costs are rising and higher house prices make it ever tougher to get on the property ladder. But don’t despair – this is not an impossible dream. Reduce daily spending Making small changes to your day-to-day outgoings can really add up over time. Take a look at your monthly spending habits. Write down what you have coming in and what goes out of your account each month. Then identify the areas you can cut back on. Sign up for a budgeting app  A good way of keeping on top of your income and spending habits is to use a budgeting app. Every app is different, but they all help you to manage your money by…