Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Style At Home

It’s party season! The celebrations are in full swing and everyone is full of seasonal cheer. I love giving gifts, getting together with family and friends, and enjoying the festivities well into the New Year. So, if like me you’re hosting a shindig to ring in 2016, you’ll love all our ideas for making your home special – we’ve crammed so many into this issue. Be inspired by cover star Caroline’s house and style the perfect seasonal room. Try our drinks station ideas (p86), make our fab NYE light (p75) and if you have guests staying, read our feature on creating the perfect welcome (p94). Still got prezzies to buy? Don’t panic, flick to page 53 and get inspired – we’ve got hundreds of gifts to choose from. If you…

’tis the season Add the final touch to Christmas preparations with a festive fragrance from the new collection at Yankee Candle. Choose from four scents: Winter Glow, Bundle Up, Cosy by the Fire and Berry Trifle. Small jar candles, £8.99 each; medium, £18.99; large, £21.99, all Yankee Candle IT’S A WRAP This year, avoid the usual struggle with rolls of wrapping paper and pick up this nifty gift-wrap book instead. It includes 12 sheets of beautifully designed, top-quality wrap (50 x 70cm). New to the range this season are Maps from the British Library and Art Deco Patterns from the V&A, £12.99 each, available from Amazon and all leading bookshops. MUST-HAVE PARTY PIECES Make sure your bash goes off with a bang with Bubblegum Balloons’ festive range in on-trend gold,…

How to buy Sarah's style SPLASH OUT Sarah’s slipper bath looks stunning and is a great space-saver, too. Bathstore’s Salisbury bath, from £549. STICK ’EM UP Wall stickers are the ultimate tool for a speedy and inexpensive room transformation. Wall Art Direct’s vast selection starts from £9.99. GO CLASSIC Create a chic, country-style kitchen with a multi-toned, tiled splashback in browns and creams. Topps Tiles’ Zanzibar ceramic wall tiles, £49 per sq m, have a natural-looking, textured finish. SAVE MONEY If you love Sarah’s feature wallpaper and want that impact without breaking the bank, Wilko’s Holden K2 Aviary wallpaper will pretty up any room, for just £14 per roll, while the Functional Erin Teal design can add a dash of colour for just £5 per roll. LET IT FLOW A…

Try making your own natural laundry products BANISH SINK ODOURS Tip half a cup of bicarbonate of sofa and half a cup of vinegar down the plughole. Leave to soak for a few minutes and then rinse with hot water from the kettle. LINEN WATER Make your own ironing water by mixing three tablespoons of vodka and 30 drops of lavender oil with two cups of distilled water for beautifully fresh linen water. Make ironing easier by spritzing the water from a spray bottle. LOVELY LEMONS Natural lemon juice is perfect as a cleaner – it cuts through grease and leaves a refreshing scent. Scrub chopping boards by rubbing half a lemon over them, clean Tupperware with diluted juice or pop a slice in your dishwasher to deodorize it. GO…

GO BESPOKE If you’re struggling to find the perfect piece, get some quotes for something bespoke. Websites such as Etsy or Notonthehighstreet.com are great places to find sellers who might offer this service, or speak to your builder as they may be able to help. GREY MATTER Decorate your walls with grey for a calm, modern scheme. Try Dulux’s Chic Shadow, £19.99 per 2.5ltr, Homebase, for a soft shade. SEASONAL BUYS For a hassle-free option choose a Christmas tree that’s pre-lit. We love the 6ft Pennine fir tree with built-in lights, £130, from Wilko. PICTURE PERFECT Follow Kate’s lead and group together photo frames for a stylish focal point. Try the copper hanging frames, £25 for three, from Cox & Cox, and fill with postcards or family snaps for a…

Grey & copper Take the intensity out of dark grey by softening this look with oh-so-fashionable copper accessories. The rose-gold undertones have a lovely way of adding a gentle glow to the scheme, making it warm and inviting. The darker the shade of grey, the more moody and dramatic, so make use of this quality by playing with dark and light metallic tones in copper and brass. Grey & pastels Add light grey to a pastel colour palette and create an air of soft sophistication. This relaxed combination is perfect for the bedroom, and also the living room. Shades of light grey complement pinks and mauves beautifully. Keep larger pieces, such as a headboard or sofa, in light grey and just add pretty accessories in pastel shades to bring this…

RUSTIC REVAMP Visit charity shops or car-boot sales to pick up old frames at a bargain price. Lightly sand them and then coat with chalk paint for a shabby-chic finish. IN THE FRAME Make yourself a noticeboard from an old frame (you won’t need the glass). Remove the backing and paint it with chalkboard paint before popping it back inside the frame. Hang in the kitchen to jot down recipes or shopping lists. PICTURE THIS Can’t choose just one frame? Pick several and group together on a wall to create a gallery. Mix and match styles for an eclectic look, or cluster coordinating designs together for a smart finish. Visit our Pinterest page, pinterest.com/ styleathomemag, for more ideas on how to create a gallery wall.…

Colour (even if you’re using neutral shades) should be the first thing to consider when starting to redecorate. Ensure your chosen hues work well by applying testers of paint onto sheets of white paper, then tacking them onto each wall you’re thinking of using that colour on. Leave them up for a few days before making any final decisions, paying attention to how the light affects the colour at different times of day, as well as checking whether they work well next to other elements, such as your curtains or sofas. If you’re not confident when it comes to choosing a scheme, go with a pre-selected palette already picked out by the paint brand you’re using, or follow our advice about working with tonal, harmonising and contrasting colours. Do the…

WHY DO IT? Painting furniture is often the quickest, easiest and most effective way to totally transform its appearance. BE PREPARED Wood and metal paints work well on most interior furniture, but make sure you carry out any groundwork. Sand and clean each piece, then apply a primer and undercoat suitable for that material. MAKE LIFE SIMPLE Alternatively, try out a chalk paint, which can be applied to pretty much any surface and gives a characterful, imperfect finish. Chalk paint doesn’t require a primer, but it does need a coat of wax afterwards to protect it.…

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Add a little something to your gift wrap to give it a more personal feel. Whether you make it from scratch, such as our quirky chalkboard idea, or simply embellish existing papers, these crafty projects will get your creative juices flowing! PRETTY BOWS Embellish gifts with these simple DIY paper bows • Blue spot gift wrap, £3.50 for 2m, WHSmith • Glitter trees hot pink gift wrap, £8.99 for two rolls, WHSmith • Kraft pink flock wrap, £3.50 for 2m, Paperchase • 30 x 3cm strip of paper for the bow • Scissors & double-sided tape • Small scrap of coloured paper or ribbon to complete bow 1 Wrap your present in a paper of your choice and finish the edges with double-sided tape. Take the strip of paper and…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Caroline Norris, 40, a freelance event producer. I live with my husband, Tim, 50, a financial planner and hotel owner, Tim’s daughter, Maya, 14, and my children, Stanley, 10, Ted, nine, and Ada, two. We moved into our 1950s five-bed house in Hampton two years ago and spent last year renovating it, including knocking down a dated conservatory to make way for a 50-metre extension, and converting a side building into a utility room. MY CHALLENGE The living room is quite a small area. I wanted to make it as light and open as possible, while still being calm and cosy. MY WISH LIST My plan was to create a relaxed adult space where Tim and I could chill out, decorated in a Moorish yet…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Su Kingsley, 65, and I live with my partner Owen Henry, 69, in a three-bedroom 1920s semi-detached house in Ewell, Surrey, which we moved into in 2012. MY CHALLENGE Taking control of a master bedroom that neither of us had any desire to sleep in – it had no character, no storage, a grubby carpet and flimsy curtains. MY WISH LIST I needed somewhere to put all my clothes and shoes away neatly, plus extra storage for books and bits and pieces not on display. I also wanted proper lighting so I could read in bed, curtains that don’t let in the light, warm wooden flooring, some colour, and a fun element to make us smile. We moved into our three-bedroom house from a second-floor…

HADDOCK & SALMON KEDGEREE TAKES 25MINS SERVES 6 • 250g smoked haddock • 250g lightly smoked salmon filets • 500ml milk • 1 bay leaf • 1tbsp oil • 25g butter • 2 leeks, sliced • 1 onion, chopped • 3tbsp curry powder • 1/2tsp turmeric • 250g basmati rice • 600ml hot veg stock • 200g peas • Bunch flat-leaf parsley • 2 lemons • 4 eggs, soft boiled, peeled and sliced 1 Put the haddock and salmon fillets in a pan and cover with milk. Add the bay leaf and poach for 10 mins until just cooked. Flake the fish. 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Fry the leeks and onion for 10 mins until soft. Stir in the curry powder and…

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE YULE LOG TAKES 45MINS SERVES 12 • 175g dark chocolate • 6 eggs, separated • 175g caster sugar FOR THE FILLING 1 /2tsp sea salt • 397g can caramel • 250g mascarpone • 2tsp vanilla extract FOR THE GANACHE 175g dark chocolate • 75g butter • 4tbsp double cream • 100g chocolate curls • Edible glitter 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Grease and line a 38 x 26cm Swiss roll tin. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. 2 In a separate bowl whisk the yolks and sugar until pale and thick. Beat in the chocolate. Fold in the egg whites, pour into the tin and bake for 25…

PEDOMETER ++ Free Use an app to count the number of steps you do each day aiming for 10,000. When you notice how much fitter you feel, you’re more likely to walk to achieve the total when you can, rather than drive. MY FITNESS PAL Free Track calories (either from the database or easy barcode scanner) and log exercise to help lose those festive pounds. It automatically adds steps from other devices, making this a foolproof, and slightly addictive app! 5K RUNNER Free Fantastic app to get non-runners doing exercise. It starts gently and moves on at just the right pace so you progress from the couch to running 5k. Before you know it you’ll have the running bug.…

Marie Burden ABOUT ME I’m 32 and I live with my husband Chris, 32, and our son Isaac, seven months, in a three-bed, 1940s semi-detached in Oxfordshire. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DECORATING IDEAS FROM? I find ideas in magazines – I probably buy at least four a month. I also get a lot of inspiration from blogs, Pinterest and interiors shops. Tracey Martin ABOUT ME I’m 42 and I live with my partner Andrew, and our dog Saffie, in a three-bed, 1970s semidetached in Liverpool. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DECORATING IDEAS FROM? I would say that my ideas are influenced by Style at Home, Instagram, Pinterest and interior-related TV programmes. Jane Bedford ABOUT ME I’m 50 and I live with my husband Kenny, 56, and our son Joe,…

Looking for a practical yet pretty accessory to spruce up your kitchen or the perfect container for a Christmas gift? We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite cake tin designs this season so you’re bound to find something to suit your scheme and budget. Ready, steady, bake! STYLE SECRETS Don't just leave your cake tin sitting on the shelf HOMEMADE CHARM Bake some handmade goodies and present them in a pretty tin that can be used again for a gift that keeps on giving. ALL IN THE DETAIL Decorate your cake tin with a few festive flourishes if you’re giving it to someone. Wrap a ribbon around it and finish with a bow, or attach a tag with a personal message. SWEET NEW LOOK Give old biscuit or confectionery tins…

Looking for a quick and simple project to tackle in an afternoon? Try your hand at our Scrabble-inspired wall art to customise your room in next to no time. This project can easily be designed to suit any area you want to update; for example, choose food names for a quirky kitchen display, or even cartoon characters in a kid’s bedroom. HOWTO TAKES 2HRS COST £18.74 13 x 13cm squares of wood (cut in store), £15.34 for 244 x 61cm sheet, B&Q Medium grade sandpaper Scissors Masking tape Sharp pencil & ruler Black marker pen 3M Command picture hanging strips, £3.40 for four sets, 3M Direct 1 Have your piece of plywood cut to size in a local DIY store (we used B&Q). Each tile should measure 13 x 13cm…

Give your dining area a new look by changing your seating. Like Kate, create a relaxed feel by choosing chairs that don’t match your table, or different designs for a mix-and-match scheme. Alternatively, pick matching seats in different shades of the same colour for an on-trend ombre finish. We’ve selected a wide range of designs, so there’s sure to be some to suit you.…

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas decor with our simple DIY cones, inspired by Kate’s seasonal look. This straightforward make is perfect for styling your mantelpiece or windowsill – just be sure to only use flameless LED tealights inside to avoid a fire hazard. HOW TO TAKES 2HRS COST £3.80 * Thick cardboard craft cones, from £2.15, Craftmill Pencil & ruler Sharp, rounded object (we used an embroidery needle) Rust-Oleum white primer spray, £9.49, Homebase Rust-Oleum metallic chrome spray paint, £9.49, Homebase Stopen LED battery-operated tealights, £6 for eight, Ikea 1 Using a pencil and ruler, mark out your chosen design onto the surface of the cone. Make sure the dots are evenly spaced so you’re left with neat lines and keep the dots at least 5mm apart…

QUICK UPDATE Cushions are a brilliant and inexpensive way to brighten up a space. Habitat’s colourful range includes zingy geometric prints like Evelyn, Zig and Pelly, from £12 each. Add a handmade feel with La Redoute’s button crochet knit covers, £18 each. CLASSIC LOOK Gillian’s simple, metal bed is a timeless design that suits any style of home. At £116, Bedroom World’s Phoenix metal bed has the same classic appeal at an affordable price. BE BUDGET SAVVY Bring designer style to your dining table without the price tag. Lakeland Furniture’s replica Eames DSR chairs are available in nine vibrant colours and are just £49.99 each. IN THE SPOTLIGHT Turn your table into a focal point by hanging a stylish light above it. John Lewis’s Tony ceiling pendant, £45, comes in…

No-one likes clutter and whether it’s toys or everyday items, such as magazines and papers, most of us have places to stow these away. But if you want something that’s not purely functional, use creative storage ideas to create a feature in your home. 1 Trolley dolly Following on from the latest home trends and the popular utilitarian industrial look, this trolley has it all. Small and mobile, it’s perfect for the kitchen, keeping everyday items within easy reach. 2 Tall order This ladder with boxed shelving is ideal for keeping bathroom items stored neatly but still easy to see. Larger items like towels fit on the bottom shelves, while the slimmer top shelves are perfect for beauty products. 3 Box clever The hall is where most outdoor clothing is…

for HER Find a gift that will make her day sparkle for HIM Make your man smile with gadgets and goodies for GRAN Show you're thankful for everything she's done for COUPLES Share the love with presents they'll both enjoy for TOTS Give your little ones a Christmas to remember for TEENS Retro-inspired delights to keep your kids entertained for PETS Find the purr-fect treat for your furry friends secret SANTA Raise a smile with these novelty ideas…

Q Grey walls are still a big decorating trend – how can I use them without making my room feel dark and dull? Grey hues are very versatile – from cool off-whites to warmer mid-tones, and deep, mysterious shades. They have more texture than black, are more forgiving than a monochrome scheme, and provide the perfect backdrop for bright pops of colour, such as chartreuse or mint. Lighting and mirrors will help create a strong, atmospheric look. QI’m keen to add elements of colour to my room but don’t want to add a feature wall. What else can I do? Try painting your woodwork in a contrasting or bright shade to stand out against plain walls – you could even paint your window frame a different colour to your skirting…

Get your home ready for the New Year’s Eve party season with a set of quirky light-up letters inspired by the vintage alphabet lights from Amara. We’ve gone for a distressed, metallic finish, but why not experiment with other colours depending on your scheme? TAKES 3HRS COST £48.75 • 22cm wood letters, £3 each, Hobbycraft • Metallic paint in Copper and Steel, £9.39 each, Liberon • 3 x retro bulb battery fairy lights, £6.99 each, lights4fun •16mm drill & bit • 10 x rubber 0.5” washers per letter • Ruler & pencil • Cinnamon Paintbrush • Stencil brush • Clear glue 1 Using a pencil and ruler, mark the positions of each bulb on the letters. Use a 16mm drill bit to make holes on each pencil mark. Paint two…

Gift-wrapping guru Jane Means for her tips on making prezzies look fab Q What are the essentials for a gift-wrap kit box? Lots of double-sided tape and sharp scissors. I’m always on the lookout for ribbons and embellishments, too. Q How do you use up leftover paper? Small offcuts are perfect for adding a luxurious band around a plain wrapped box. Just fold under the long edges and join with double-sided tape to secure in place. Q Can brown paper make pretty wrap, too? Brown paper gives a beautiful rustic feel. I often add raffia and tie in dried oranges and cinnamon sticks at Christmas. Q What are your favourite ways to embellish? I love adding fresh or dried foliage, plus lots of ribbon and twine. Another idea is to…

Tessella wallpaper, £85 per roll, Farrow & Ball. Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White emulsion, £20 per 10ltr, B&Q. Wide solid-oak flooring, £56 per sq m, The German Flooring Company. Menip 5 enamel white woodburner, £1,042, Zigis Fireplaces. Organic coffee table, £200, Blue Suntree. Barbican sofas in French Grey, £1,200 each; Jabali curtain in grey, £633.20 for W320 x D229cm; Pebbles rug in duck egg, £280, L180 x W120cm; cushions, £25 each; Hemingway Design for Royal Doulton vase, £30; cut-out hurricane lantern, from £25; 7ft Skye Snowy fir Christmas tree, £180; Midwinter Glass Drop baubles in red and white, £4 for 12, all John Lewis. Fringe mirror, £495; Tangier lantern, from £15.95 each; brass hurricane lamp, £32; ceramic pineapple jar, £35; pleated vase, from £15 each; blue glass bottle, £19.95,…

As the party season draws closer, now could be the time to clear the spare bedroom of laundry and assorted clutter before your guests arrive. Don’t panic, it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank and buy a brand-new bed, just have a good tidy up and add a few creature comforts that will help them feel right at home. That’s all it takes to make your guests seem like they’re staying in a five-star hotel. So, once the deep clean is done and dusted, keep these ideas in mind. 1 Hang a hook Christmas time means cosy coats, thick jumpers and snuggly dressing gowns. But bulky clothing also requires more space. Give your guests room to hang up their clothes with a set of handy hooks – you…

CONFIGURE THIS Wren’s online planner makes finding the right colour combinations for your new kitchen a doddle. It’s super-speedy – just pick a range and click away to select everything from door colour and end panels. It’ll even save your design so you can see it in 3D and get a quick price estimate. SELF-DESIGNED SAVINGS Give Magnet’s online design tool a whirl and not only do you get to enjoy creating your own dream scheme, but you’ll also qualify for a 10% self-design discount. Pick one of its pre-filled layouts and get clicking on the orange dots to change parts to your taste, while a calculator at the bottom keeps your budget on track – there’s even a guide to installation costs. PERFECT YOUR PLAN For serious down-to-the-millimetre designing,…

VIETNAMESE TURKEY NOODLES TAKES 25MINS SERVES 4 • 300g cooked shredded turkey • 2tbsp sweet chilli sauce • Grated zest and juice 1 lime • 300g rice noodles • 1tbsp olive oil • 2tbsp fish sauce • 2tbsp soy sauce • 2tbsp sesame oil • 1 red chilli, diced • 1/2 cucumber, deseeded and chopped • 1/2 bunch spring onions, sliced • Handful coriander 1 Put the turkey in a bowl with the sweet chilli sauce and lime zest for 10 mins. Cook 300g rice noodles to pack instructions, rinse then put in a large bowl. 2 Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat and fry the shredded turkey for 3 mins, turning until heated through. Set aside in a bowl. 3 Mix the lime juice,…

Start the declutter Many of us resolve to be more organised and neat in January, so start with these useful tips MAKE SPACE FOR PRESENTS The rule of one in, one out is a good mantra when storing Christmas gifts. If someone’s given you a new jumper, take one you no longer wear to the charity shop. Pass on toys your children have grown out of and when you buy new bedding in the sales, keep old duvet covers as decorating dustsheets. TIDY PAPERWORK Rather than have papers strewn around, file and organise things in order. A clip on the wall or on a magnet board keeps papers that need actioning clearly visible, and a pretty magazine file can hold paperwork that must be kept for reference. SORT CROCKERY Many…

#askSAH QI recently painted my living room grey, but now it feels too cold. Any ideas on how I can warm it up without having to completely repaint? LISA SHORE, LEICESTER The great thing about grey is that it goes with practically every other colour. Depending on the shade you have gone for, you could combine it with a rich orange or deep yellow to instantly add warmth. Keep the walls as they are, but add in accessories, soft furnishings and curtains to lift the look. Check out our feature on page 36, which has three fab ideas! Got a burning styling question? Tweet it to our editor Lizzie @styleathomemag – she’s on hand with all the answers! This month… Like us on Facebook and share your tips, makeovers and…

Having a well-designed and thought-out laundry room can make the most mundane of chores seem like a breeze, and a pleasure (well, almost). The space, of course, needs to serve a practical and functional purpose, but at the same time it can – and should – have an element of considered design. It need not be a lifeless and plain room that makes you want to frequently close the door on it. Give the space the same attention you would to any other room and introduce a touch of style. The first area to think about is storage, as the space is undoubtedly going to get a little cluttered. You’re probably using the room to store your ironing board, washing basket, mop, and bucket, and perhaps even the cat food…

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE Take into account the area you’re buying for. The kitchen tends to lend itself to a more relaxed style and welcomes experimental and eclectic styles, while a dining room is often more formal, with coordinating furnishings. MEASURED CHOICE If you’ve already got the table, measure its height and note the desired height of the chairs. This is especially important when it comes to chairs with arms, as it’s essential that they fit under the table when pushed in, and they will be much wider, so allow extra space. MAKE IT WORK Mix and match your chairs. To achieve a seamless yet eclectic feel, choose seats in the same colour but in different styles. If you want to be really bold, then pick the same style chair but…

Who wouldn't feel like a kid waking up here on Xmas morning? Rustic wood-effect wallpaper creates a subtle backdrop to cheerful, colourful bedlinen and a shining star light. Perfect for little ones to snuggle up in while dreaming of Santa... Stylists at Home NATALIE SAYS ‘Get children excited with a Christmas Eve box. Fill it with new Christmas PJs, a DVD and sweets to enjoy while watching the film.’…

Give your treasured photos and postcards pride of place by showcasing them in a brand-new frame, and update your room in an instant. We’ve hunted high and low to track down the best frames on the high street and online. Prices start from as little as £1.50, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the perfect design to suit your scheme. Happy shopping!…

Get creative and have a go at making your own wall display using pretty fabric embroidery hoops. Use single pieces of fabric for a simple idea, or sew on buttons for detail, then group together on the wall as a cluster. HOWTO TAKES 1HR COST FROM £5 • 8” wood embroidery hoop, £2.50 each, Hobbycraft • White calico fabric, £2 per m, Ikea • Tapestry wool & buttons • Felt, 50p per sheet, Hobbycraft • Cotton thread • Fabric scissors, pins & fabric glue 1 To make the button flowers design, unscrew the hoop and remove the inner section. Lay a piece of calico fabric over the inner hoop, replace the outer hoop and screw shut, pulling the fabric taut. Thread the tapestry needle with wool and stitch ‘stalks’ onto…

There’s a lot more to painting than simply selecting your favourite shade from a colour chart. From learning how to decorate and what tools to use, to trying out the latest paint effects and understanding different finishes. Knowing how to choose your colours and prepare your surfaces sufficiently will ensure you get a professional finish on a DIY budget. We’ve broken down all the facts and shared some on-trend inspirational imagery, so you’ve got everything you need to get your walls and woodwork looking tip-top. You will learn • Tools of the trade• What paint products to use• Different paint finishes• How to prep difficult surfaces• Which area to paint first• Steps to paint a ceiling• How to create paint effects• Which colours work together…

Paint effects are back in fashion. A cheaper option than wallpapering, they can be surprisingly easy to produce. A good place to start is with a simple stripe – paint your wall in a base colour, then measure out and mask off your stripes with masking tape. For a crisp line, paint a little of your base colour over the masking tape and let dry before adding the contrasting colours. Using the same technique, try out other shapes. For something more organic, leave off the tape and paint loose lines. The same approach can be applied to create an ombre wall – using a lighter colour above and a darker beneath. Work with an almost-dry angled brush to blend the tones. Or, add interest with a patterned roller, to create…

TONAL PAINTS Create a subtle, coordinated scheme HARMONISING PAINTS Blend tones and colours for a peaceful look CONTRASTING PAINTS Be bold and choose a powerful palette Never miss a Style School! Our last guide was on heating – if you missed it, download it free from cushienumber.co.uk. Next month, all you need to know about upholstery!…

GLITZY JAM JARS Easy to make and the perfect gift for a friend TAKES 30MINS COST £3.79 • Clean glass jars • PVA glue • Sequin string, £1.49 for 10m, eBay • Berisfords double-faced 12mm satin ribbon in light pink, £2.30 for 5m, Hobbycraft 1 With the jar upside down, brush PVA glue onto the lower third of it. Starting from the bottom, wrap the sequin string around the jar, sticking in place. 2 Continue to wrap the string around the jar until you have covered all the glass, applying more PVA glue up the jar as you go. Once you reach the neck, cut the string and smooth down the end. Tie the ribbon around the neck of the jar to finish. GILDED CHAIR Impress a family member with…

Bring your festive styling bang up-to-date with a chic monochrome and neon colour palette. Simply download the free templates and make your very own set of stylish crackers. HOWTO TAKES 15MINS • Style at Home cracker template • Thin A4 card • Cutting mat • Ruler • Scalpel or scissors • Double-sided tape • Twine or ribbon Print out your template on thin card and, working on a cutting mat, use a scalpel to trim away the edges. Cut around the dotted lines to remove the diamond shapes and roll the cracker into a cylinder. Stick the edges together with double-sided tape and push down the ends into a cracker shape. Tie with twine to finish. EASY TEMPLATE Choose from three stylish designs or mix and match! Download your free…

With the entertaining season upon us, it’s time to crack open the drinks cabinet and dig out the cocktail shaker. Rather than routing around every time someone wants a drink, though, why not create your own bar area? Whether you’re after an elegant champagne station with flutes and an ice bucket, or a cocktail corner, complete with umbrellas, have a think about where’s best to locate it. You could even hang an LED ‘Bar’ sign above the area for a real party feel. Reserve a corner for cocktails If you’ve only a small nook or cranny available, then a tray table is a good choice. Pop your cocktail paraphernalia on top, plus some nibbles, and add fairy lights to spruce it up for Christmas. Tray table, £35; champagne saucers, £7…

SMOKIN’ NACHOS TAKES 20MINS To make guacamole, mash the flesh from 2 avocados with the juice and grated zest 1 lime, 1 diced chilli, 1 diced shallot and a few sprigs of fresh coriander. To make the sweetcorn salsa, mix a drained 400g can chopped tomatoes, 2tbsp diced jalapeños, drained 198g can sweetcorn, 1tbsp olive oil. A few sliced spring onions and sliced sprigs coriander. For the nachos, grill 6 rashers bacon. Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Pile 175g tortilla chips into an ovenproof dish, top with 150g grated cheese, the bacon and 50g pitted olives. Bake until melted. CRISPY PRAWNS TAKES 15MINS Preheat oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Toss 300g large raw peeled prawns, patted dry on kitchen paper, with 2tbsp sweet chilli sauce, then dip into 40g panko breadcrumbs.…

FESTIVE BREAD WREATH TAKES 2HRS SERVES 12 • 500g strong plain white flour • 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast • 1tsp salt • 1tsp caster sugar • 6tbsp olive oil • Bunch rosemary and fresh cranberries • 2tbsp pine nuts • 1tbsp sea salt 1 Put the flour into a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook and stir in the yeast, salt and sugar. Add 3tbsp oil to 300ml warm water and pour it into the flour. Mix well for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. 2 Form the dough into a roll (on an oiled surface) to make a sausage shape 70cm long. Put the dough onto a buttered baking tray in a circle 25cm in diameter and join the ends together. Cover loosely with…

AIR FIX Get your washing to dry faster by hanging clothes to dry on a heated electric airer, which folds flat for easy storage when not in use, £39.99, Dunelm SAVE YOUR SHIRTS Avoid shiny marks on dark fabrics by using a special ironing cloth. Iron over the garment to avoid imprints or scorching. £3.57 for a two-pack, Lakeland DIY DRY-CLEANING Use special sheets to beat stains and odours on dry-clean-only fabrics then pop in a low heat tumble dryer for 20 minutes, £3.49 for three-pack, Dr Beckmann…

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