Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Style At Home

Christmas is my favourite time of year and this one promises to be extra special as I’m taking over the reins of this fabulous magazine. Having put together my own home on a tight budget, I’ve long been a Style at Home superfan for its savvy style and purse-friendly decor, and look forward to bringing you many more issues packed with ideas and inspiration. Our real homes this month each have their own unique style and sparkle, with plenty of takeaway tips shared by the owners. If you fancy shaking up your festive decor, we’ve got all the latest looks (page 56) plus a round-up of best buys from the high street (page 14). And we know you love crafts, so we’ve packed in extra pages of Christmas makes too…

Foodie treats Gardening gifts Home buys Little luxuries…

Returning to live in Wales was a big lifestyle decision for us,’ says Lara. ‘We were ready to leave London and were looking for our dream home – something that would be a project. The problem was, we just couldn’t find it. Despite months of searching, only one house was a contender, but there was a reason it had been on the market for five years – it needed a complete overhaul and, sadly, the condition wasn’t reflected in the price. Face to face We met the owners, who had raised their four children there. The lady sat me down by the fire and grilled me on everything from my job to where my parents lived – it was clear they would only sell to someone who would really love…

Christmas is a really special time for us and I love filling our home with traditional decorations and twinkly fairy lights,’ says Amy. ‘When I think back to what a poor state the house was in when we bought it, though, it’s hard to believe it’s even the same place. Taking on a challenge When we bought this house back in May 2018, it was pretty much uninhabitable. We knew we weren’t going to be able to move in straight away and that it would need some work. Within an hour of getting the keys, we were ripping up mouldy carpets and peeling off stained wallpaper that we think must have been a good 50 years old. Even my gran and grandad got involved. Despite its poor state, we’d fallen…

Wrapped up Why stop at wrapping presents? Swathe your door in ribbon too. Create the effect with two lengths of fabric, one wrapped horizontally, the second vertically, securing with matching cord in the centre. Give it a twist Try a sheer, shiny voile fabric, then wire in a set of microlights behind to add some shimmer after dark. Corner swag Make a sassy style statement with an asymmetric wreath. Create your own using chicken wire covered in a faux garland and shatterproof baubles. Attach a wire coat hanger to the back with cable ties, to hook the wreath over the door frame. Give it a twist Instead of matching the door colour, try bright contrast baubles, ribbons and foliage. Night fever Go for a full-on glam Disco-inspired doorscape, perfect against…

When I bought my first home in 2019, I wanted a place with character that I could put my own stamp on,’ says Phil. ‘This 1930s house was ideal but it needed a lot of work. Luckily, I could stay at my parents’ house while all the messy building work was done, like central heating, rewiring and knocking through the kitchen and dining room. The small kitchen was over 15 years old, but I managed to sell the units and put the money towards building materials. Planning the space It looked much bigger when the wall was knocked down. The back door was changed into a full-sized window and I added double patio doors in the dining room to let in as much light as possible. As the kitchen and…

When it comes to kitchen must-haves, a larder is often top of the wish list, especially for keen cooks, bakers (or those that simply like to have everything super-organised). Once a standard feature in our grandparents’ kitchens, a larder cupboard offers dedicated storage for your food supplies and ingredients, so that everything is to hand, rather than stored randomly around the kitchen. How much kitchen space you have is key when it comes to what choices are available to you. They range from fitted options and pull-out larders that can be installed in a run of units as part of a kitchen refit, to freestanding larder cupboards and slimline storage that can be worked into an existing scheme with a minimum amount of upheaval. TRY A WALK-IN OPTION Make use…

ADVENT SWEETIE JARS YOU WILL NEED * Glass jars * Spray paint * Glue gun * Christmas decorations and transfers * Number stickers * 24 wrapped sweets per jar 1 PAINT LIDS Select jars large enough for 24 sweets. Remove the lids and spray-paint them in your chosen colour. 2 ADD FESTIVE DECS Use a hot glue gun to attach mini festive decorations to the lids. Once the glue is dry, spray the lid again so the decoration blends seamlessly. Add Christmas transfers to the glass of the jars for an extra festive touch. 3 FILL UP Put numbered stickers on your sweet treats and fill the jars. COPPER TUBE MOBILE YOU WILL NEED * Copper piping * White marker pen * String * Wooden dowel * Decorative paper 1…

There’s something special about being able to create a stunning centrepiece for your Christmas table without spending a lot of money. Using old newspaper or festive sheet music and adding a pinch of glitter to reflect the light will make your table shimmer and feel magical and festive. Make one large tree using a larger pot for your base or several smaller ones – whatever combination works best for you! YOU WILL NEED * Oasis block * Craft knife * Terracotta plant pot * Wooden skewers * Paper (preferably old newspaper with a Christmas story or old sheet music) * Small paintbrush * White PVA glue * Silver glitter * Star cookie cutter * Pencil * Clothes peg 1 START WITH YOUR BASE Use a craft knife to cut a…

The Christmas tree is often the focal point of the festivities so putting it in a prime spot where it can be enjoyed by everyone is a must. For many of us, that’s the living room – it’s at the heart of the action and usually the place where the family gathers to exchange gifts. Deciding where to position the tree will be governed by the size of the room and layout of the furniture. You’ll want to ensure all the effort of decorating your tree is worth it, while taking practical considerations into account too. Try a corner position Putting the tree in the corner of the living room is the go-to spot for many of us. A corner position is out of the way, which is useful if…

B&M CANDY STRIPES Build the excitement with nostalgic red and white Matalan MODERN WOODLAND Create a calm, contemporary vibe with natural touches Homebase JEWEL BRIGHT Combine peacock blues with pops of fuchsia for a dazzling scheme Dobbies TRADITIONAL TONES Set up a relaxed festive retreat with pared-back red, white and green…

This house was pretty ugly when we first moved in and it was completely run-down and unloved,’ says Hayley. ‘The previous owner, a 90-year-old man who had been a chain smoker, had neglected the place and every room needed an update. But we knew the place had the potential to become a beautiful family home and, to be perfectly honest, we couldn’t have afforded a house this size that was already done up. Part of the reason Luke and I weren’t daunted by the massive undertaking is that we did a complete reno on our previous home, learning some serious DIY skills along the way. Our other house wasn’t in as bad condition as this, but we did completely update every room, including replacing worktops, tiling, and installing a new…

1 Make some fragrant sachets Perfect for gifts, it’s easy to create your own scented sachets. Sew pouches using scraps of fabric or, if craft is not your thing, secure a fabric square by pinching it together and tying tight with a band or twine. For the filling, add uncooked rice to a bowl, drop in your chosen essential oils and mix well. You’ll need around 40 drops for one cup of rice. Spoon into the pouches and tie shut. Good combinations are orange, cinnamon and clove, or try fir, frankincense and pine. 2 CREATE AN EASY BAUBLE  GARLAND Suspend a hoop to display baubles, either above a dining area, by a fireplace, or in a corner above a seating area or sideboard. Plain hanging wreath hoops are available online,…

Good lighting can make a room scheme and when it comes to kitchen lighting, it’s all in the planning. Electrics and fittings should be installed at the start of the project alongside other utilities, so it’s essential to think about lighting early on. Plan a lighting scheme The key to a successful lighting scheme lies in layering the effects. Try to zone the lighting according to its use: working (task), dining and mood (ambient) and decorative or feature lighting (accent). An open-plan kitchen usually requires multifunctional uses, from dining, entertaining, relaxing to homework, so these tasks should be reflected in the plan. Get the position right When deciding where to place lighting, look at the architecture and layout of your kitchen, plus where any natural light comes from. Take into…

It’s Christmas, the season of joy and chaos in equal measure! Stay in control if you’re hosting by making a kitchenware list and checking it twice, and ensure your oven is working at its full potential by giving it a deep clean beforehand. Have your home looking its finest and smelling fabulously festive with our advice on some crafty makes and decorating your tree. And finally, relax and enjoy the season! Look after your greenery When picking fresh foliage for festive colour and fragrance, make sure you choose healthy looking greenery. Making your own wreath or garland? Trim ends on the diagonal for optimal absorption, then soak in water for a few hours before using. Mist daily with water and check water in oasis, vases and tree holders every couple…

PAPER LEAF WREATH Decorate chairs with laurel wreaths. Use a polystyrene ring and cover with leaves cut from coloured paper. You’ll need around 90 leaves per wreath. Secure groups of leaves to the base with pins, working in one direction and overlapping to hide the pins.…

BEST FOR HEAVY-DUTY CLEANING DYSON V11 OUTSIZE BAGGED OR BAGLESS? Bagless DUST TANK CAPACITY 0.7ltrs WEIGHT 3.5kg PRICE £700 If you can put aside the extremely high price tag for a moment, the Dyson Outsize is a brilliant vacuum. The run time and power controls are the stars of the show here when it comes to getting a return on your investment. Our reviewer was very impressed with the plentiful battery life of this model which was more than sufficient for whipping around a two-bed terraced home. She found using this vacuum with attachments such as the mini motorised tool and combination tool was useful around the home, across all levels and there are 11 tools in total to choose from to give you even more freedom to clean. There…

AUBERGINE CAPONATA PASTA TAKES 4 HRSSERVES 6 * 400g baby aubergines, halved or quartered * 2 onions, chopped * 2 garlic cloves, crushed * 1 red chilli, thinly sliced * 2 x 400g can tomatoes * 1 vegetable stock pot * 2tbsp red wine vinegar * 25g black olives, chopped, plus extra to garnish * 25g capers, drained * 200g orzo (rice-shaped pasta) * 35g toasted pine nuts * Handful chopped parsley and oregano 1 Put the aubergine, onion, garlic, chilli, tomatoes, 1 can of water, stock pot, vinegar, olives and capers into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 hrs. 2 Alternatively, put everything into a casserole dish with a scrunched-up piece of wet greaseproof paper inside the lid. Cook in the oven on its lowest setting for…

If you’re a fan of Stacey Solomon and have been following her home renovations at Pickle Cottage on Instagram, then be sure to head over to George Home to check out Stacey’s latest homeware collaboration. The TV presenter and social media favourite has put her personal stamp on a collection of stylish seasonal buys that’s been a year in the making. It includes festive dinnerware, soft furnishings, Christmas decorations and bedding. Reflecting the colour palette of Stacey’s countryside home in soft, muted neutrals and shades of sage green, there are leafy prints and rustic motifs, with dogs Peanut and Teddy popping up in the mix too. ‘It’s been a dream come true creating At Home with Stacey Solomon,’ she says. ‘It was really important to me that every item is…

‘CHOOSE IRIDESCENT AND BEJEWELLED DECORATIONS TO ADD EXTRA SPARKLE TO YOUR SCHEME’ SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

TRY THIS... Delight guests with a platter of iced biscuits that look almost too good to eat. Make your own by whipping up a batch of gingerbread dough and cutting out Christmas jumper shapes (try the jumper cutter, £4.50, cuttingabout.com). Then have fun icing your creations in co-ordinating colours and patterns.…

If you’re after ideas to elevate your Christmas decor, this eye-catching hanging centrepiece certainly delivers wow-factor. With sparkly lights, festive greenery and shimmering baubles, it will make any dining room look magical and as it’s suspended above the table, it leaves plenty of space free for all the festive fare. Simpler to put together than it looks, the hanging arrangement can be themed to suit any Christmas decor. It can also be adapted to suit other special occasions, such as Easter or birthdays, with a quick switch-around of the decorations. Emily Kelsey, PR assistant at Lights4fun takes you through step by step. YOU WILL NEED * Wooden branch * Greenery garland * Florists’ wire * Set of micro lights * Ribbon * Two ceiling hooks 1 START WITH A BRANCH…

HAND-DRAWN CHRISTMAS DOOR YOU WILL NEED * Pencil * Kraft card notelets/envelopes * Black Sharpie pen * Eraser * Wooden craft shapes 1 SKETCH YOUR DESIGN Start with a basic Kraft card in a rectangular shape. Use a pencil to sketch out a door design, including panelling, doorknob, letterbox and perhaps a bay tree on one side. 2 TRACE OVER WITH PEN When you’re happy with the design, go over it using a black marker pen. Once the ink is dry, use an eraser to remove any visible pencil lines. 3 ADD A FINISHING TOUCH Use mini wooden foliage shapes and hot glue to create a wreath and attach to the ‘door’. HAND-STITCHED MOTIFS YOU WILL NEED * Coloured note cards/envelopes * Pencil * Metallic thread * Needle * Ribbon,…

BERRY MINCE PIES MAKES 12 TAKES 40 MINS * 320g sheet ready-rolled shortcrust pastry * 150g frozen blackberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants * 2tbsp crème de cassis * 1tbsp thickening granules * 350g mincemeat * Golden caster sugar * YOU WILL NEED Star cutters (small, medium, large) * Paper muffin cases * Cupcake tins 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Unroll pastry, stamp out 12 rounds and large stars. Gently press into greased cupcake tins. 2 Cut 12 small, medium and large stars with cutters from the rest of the pastry and set aside. Line the pastry cases with muffin cases and fill with baking beans and bake for 5 mins. 3 Heat the frozen fruits in a pan with the cassis for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the…